When I come back out, she’s eying the room, wringing her hands together.
“So, I take it after the other night, you want to know how to get yourself out of a situation like that.”
Her cheeks redden. “Yeah, I was mortified.”
I walk towards her and put my hands on her shoulders. “Well, you shouldn’t. He had no right to corner you like that.”
A shiver rolls through her. “So much for him being a gentleman, hey?” she says, trying to make light of it.
I drop my hands and smile. “Believe it or not, I’ve met worse.”
She studies me for a few seconds, and I don’t know what she sees, but her eyes soften. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she replies, her words sincere.
I clap my hands together. “Okay, tell me, what’s the best form of self-defence?”
She puts her hand on her hip, drawing my line of sight to her voluptuous figure. “Isn’t that what I’m paying you for?”
I can’t help but laugh—she’s sassy, and she knows it. “Very funny, Princess. I do need to gauge where your head is at.”
She grumbles under her breath, her posture rigid. “Don’t call meprincess.”
“Then answer my question. Best self-defence?”
Screwing up her nose, she nibbles on her lip. “Strength?”
I shake my head. “Not quite.Preventionis the best self-defence.”
“What?”
I sit down, motioning for her to come join me in the middle of the mat. “Attackers will always go looking for the unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. It’s why we teach you to be aware of your surroundings—sticking to well-lit areas when walking or parking your car; having your keys in your hand, ready when you approach your car or your front door—”
She holds up her hand to interrupt. “Hold up. Don’t you think we know that? Every time we leave the house, we have to think of shit like this.” She waves her palms around for emphasis. “Like not having our hair in a goddamn ponytail or listening to music when we’re on public transport. For crying out loud,how about men stop assaulting women?” She clamps her mouth closed as if she’s said too much.
I hold up my palm. “I one hundred percent agree. You shouldn’t have to consider any of those factors when you leave your house. But unfortunately, it happens. Why do you think I teach these classes? I want women and children to have a chance of getting away or at least defending themselves.”
Her lips part, her eyes wide. “Wow, okay, point taken. Sorry, it’s just infuriating—a never-ending cycle. You don’t understand. You don’t know what’s it’s like to be in a situation…knowing that if a man wanted to—I couldn’t stop it.”
I take her hand in mine and give it one firm squeeze. “That is where you’re wrong. I do understand.”
Rachel nods in silent acknowledgement but doesn’t push. “Shall we continue?” I ask, releasing her hand.
She tucks some stray hair behind her ear. “Of course, it’s why I’m here,” she says with a small smirk.
“Okay, good. So, if you find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to avoid confrontation, what would you do?”
She doesn’t come back at me with sass this time as she chews on her lower lip, eyes cast up, mulling it over. “Try and defuse the situation?” she asks.
“Yes. But remember, not everyone can be talked down. If they want your purse or your fancy Rolex, you hand them over.Nothingis worth your life or your health.”
Rachel’s hand moves to the white tan line where her watch should be, nodding in understanding.
“And now this is where I come in. If violence is unavoidable, I want you to know how to defend yourself, how to fight back effectively.” I push myself up and hold out my hands. Pulling her to her feet, I notice she’s not that much shorter than me—her chin comes to my shoulder. “I want you to know it’s possible to defend yourself against someone bigger or stronger than you.”
She raises her eyebrows in question.
“Okay, so imagine I’m coming at you. I’m backing you into a corner, what do you do?”
“I push back. Like with Neal, but he didn’t budge.”
