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“Hollis needs to be even more mindful of sugar and what he’s eating. Wouldn’t you feel awkward to eat a cupcake in front of him?” Mom asked Chase.
“No. I’ll eat his for him.”
“Mom, I hope it’s okay, but I invited a friend from school over to watch the event tomorrow.”
“That’s fine, sweetie. Who is it?”
“Patrick. He’s in the karate class with me.”
“Who?” Morgan asked.
“Patrick,” I repeated.
“From your karate class?” Morgan inquired further. He was insinuating that he would have known another kid from our high school who was from my class level. Morgan was more popular than I was, and he knew everyone. Well, just about everyone.
“He’s in the instructor’s novice class, and they come to our class every other Saturday. We also work out after school together.” I shrugged and looked around the table. Chase had put some of his mashed potatoes in Hulk Hogan’s hand and was flinging it onto his plate.
“I’m going to go to class with you tomorrow, Hollis. I want to talk to your jiu-jitsu instructor and meet the gentlemen who are interested in training you,” Dad said. I nodded and was completely fine with Dad coming along. “And when we’re at karate, you can introduce me to Patrick.”
“Okay,” I said.
I took a few more bites of food and thought about the first time I saw Patrick in the locker room. I felt as though I needed to say something about his seemingly short fuse and rough-around-the-edges attitude. Not so much as a warning for my family, but just to let them know he might not come across as friendly.
“Patrick doesn’t have any friends other than me, so he doesn’t come across as friendly at first. He’s quiet and shy, though he kind of seems short on patience. But he’s a great guy once he warms up to you.”
“How long has Patrick’s novice class been studying with your class?” Dad asked.
“Just a few weeks before Christmas. He said he wants to learn self-defense.”
“Anyone at school messing with him?” Morgan asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “I mean, I guess I don’t really know for sure. But I don’t think that’s the case. He said he wanted to learn self-defense because of his older stepbrother. He said they mess around a lot, and his brother is much stronger than he is.”
“I’m glad I don’t need self-defense from my brothers,” Chase announced as he leaned Hulk Hogan against my glass. “I’d send Hulk Hogan after them if I had to. He’d knock you guys out with his farts.”
“Chasion, eat your dinner,” Mom said and tapped his plate.
I helped Morgan clean up the kitchen after dinner while Chase ran off with the Hulk Hogan action figure.
“He took Hulk Hogan,” I said to Morgan as I wiped off the table.
“Great. I can’t wait to see where he turns up next,” Morgan said sarcastically.
I had a feeling Hulk would make his appearance tomorrow night, and I hoped Patrick would have the patience for it.
