The Last Adventure of Constance Verity by A. Lee Martinez

along. If something bad happens to you, it’ll be my fault.”
    Tia snorted. “No offense, Connie, but get over yourself. It might feel like it sometimes, but the universe doesn’t revolve around you. I make my own decisions. Nobody was making me be your friend all these years. I made that choice, and it has been a bumpy ride now and then, but I’m not someresponsibility you’re forced to carry with you. It’s a two-way thing. I could’ve walked away at any time, but I didn’t. Did you ever ask why?”
    â€œBecause you’re an assassin waiting for the word to strike?” Connie grinned as she said it, but Tia noticed Connie adopting a combat stance.
    â€œBecause you’re the one person in this world I could always count on, and I’m not talking about saving my life, which you do regularly. I’m talking about being there when I really need you. Remember when my marriage fell apart? Who was there with a beer and a shoulder to cry on? Or when my dad died? You were the one who made me leave my house.”
    â€œFunny,” said Connie. “I always think of myself as screwing up your life.”
    â€œYou do that too, but that’s how friendship works. We try to be there for each other, and we’re not perfect, but this is important. And I’m going to be there for you. So, if this is what it takes, then I’ll prove I have the determination to make it.” She raised her fists.
    Connie crossed her arms. “No, that’s not it at all. If all it took was determination, then every stubborn idiot would be out there having adventures. It’s about ability. If you don’t have the skills, you shouldn’t be involved.”
    â€œMaybe I don’t have the combat skills, but I’ve got other talents.”
    â€œNext you’ll tell me you’re street-smart. That’s not a thing, by the way. Okay, so if you can’t hit me, what can you do?”
    â€œI’m great at math.”
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?”
    â€œIt might come in handy,” said Tia. “Like that time your horticulture knowledge saved Cleveland.”
    â€œWhen Cleveland is under attack by algebra, I’ll be sure to keep you in mind.”
    â€œThis isn’t fair. You’ve had a lifetime of experience.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t. Yes, I have. Now stop bitching about it and impress me.”
    Tia lowered her fists.
    â€œOkay, I get it. You want me to realize that I’m not ever going to be able to stand up to you and find a better way.”
    Connie grunted. “Goddamn it, Tia. We aren’t sharing a Mr. Miyagi moment. I need you to be able to handle yourself. Yes, you can’t always fight your way out of every bad situation, and violence should be a last resort. But it is a resort, and if you can’t manage it, you’re just going to get in my way. Hit me or go home.”
    Tia launched a series of strikes that Connie dodged and deflected. She danced around Tia’s wild swings. Tia’s frustration led to rage, which led to sloppiness, and avoiding her attacks only became easier. It didn’t help that Connie kept tapping Tia here and there to illustrate the weakness of her defense.
    Tia wheezed and knelt with her hands on her knees.
    â€œI trust I’ve made my point?” asked Connie with a condescending smile.
    Screaming, Tia hurled herself forward. Connie stepped aside and, with a deft maneuver, flipped Tia onto the floor again.
    She lay there, looking up at the ceiling. “This is bullshit. Just give me a minute to catch my breath.”
    Connie shrugged. “If you think it’ll make a difference.”
    Tia stood. “Here’s the deal. If I land a hit on you—even one—you stop telling me not to come along.”
    Connie nodded. “And if you can’t, then you forget this. Deal?”
    Tia nodded.
    â€œTo make it fair, I won’t even use my arms,”