Strong Enough by TERESA HILL Page A

what dad wanted. I went out and bought a brand new
Nissan 370Z. Pretty black on black and a killer sound system. I’ve
had it for four years now and it still looks brand new. It is the
only thing I own.
    Opening the door and sliding in, I breathe
in the smell of the leather to remind me of dad. Not because he
smelled like leather but more because it was him that made this car
possible. Just another thing to keep me connected with him. Windows
down, sunroof up, and music playing loudly, I back out and head
toward the gym.
    Minutes later I pull into a spot toward the
back of the parking lot in clear view of the door. Well let’s get this over with. Grabbing my stuff I
head toward the front doors. The minute I step inside the smell of
rubber and cleaning solution fill my nose. Walking up to the
counter I am greeted by a dark haired girl that seemed to be
bouncing with energy. Great little miss happy
at the front desk .
    “Hi, can I help you?”
    “Um, I’m supposed to meet Sterling here?” I
said with question, what if he didn’t really work here.
    “Oh sure, you must be Reece, my name is
Candice,” she said with hand outstretched.
    “Hi,” I say with a slight smile and shook
her hand.
    “I just need you to fill out a short
liability waiver before you guys get started.”
    “Yeah sure, wouldn’t want to put liability
on anyone,” I said with a chuckle. Companies are so quick to say not my fault don’t sue me now a
days.
    I sign the form and give her a copy of my
ID. Walking around the counter she gestures for me to follow.
    “I just wanted to show you around a little,
answer any questions you might have then you and Sterling can get
started. So Reece, do you normally work out?”
    Obviously she is not
looking at me or is too polite to say what she really
thinks.
    “Um yeah no. Haven’t been in a gym since
freshman year. Not even sure how he got me to agree to this to be
honest.”
    Chuckling, she says, “Yeah, he has a way
with girls doesn’t surprise me you agreed.”
    “What does that mean? What way with girls ?”
    “Oh you know, he’s hot, girls seem to do
whatever he wants them to. Think that’s why the owner put him in
charge of recruitment for the new MMA Program.”
    I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. I guess
the idea that he was flirting with me was a little silly. I know
better. Guys want one thing and when they find
out I don’t give that away freely they hit the door as quickly as
they came through it.
    Stopping with hands on my hips. “Can I ask
you how you knew my name was Reece?”
    Candice turned around with a big smile on
her face said, “He told me to watch out for you because you were
special.” She quickly turned back around to continue the tour
talking a mile a minute. This girl has got to
be on something I can barely keep up.
    Standing in the middle of the gym, I am
watching her walking and talking to herself as I try and dissect
what she just said. I’m special? What does that mean? Special as in
I matter more than someone else or special as in Special Ed?
    It was at this point that Candice must have
noticed I wasn’t behind her. Being lost in my thoughts I didn’t
notice her bop right up in front of my face.
    “You ok Reece? You look like you are lost or
something.”
    I’m sure the look on my face was complete
confusion. “Yeah, I am just um trying to figure some things out,
you threw me off with your answer. I’m good, where were we?”
    “I was just about to show you the sauna but
here comes Sterling so I’ll let him finish.”
    My body tenses, and I stand straight as a
board when she says he was coming. His hand rested on my shoulder
and I jump a little. “Oh sorry Reece didn’t mean to startle you,”
he said as he left his hand on my shoulder but walked around to
face me. “Oh sorry, didn’t expect you that’s all.” Shrugging a bit
till his hand got the message and left my shoulder. His touch
lingered behind.
    He looks at me for a minute unsure of