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“Good.” The guard smiles at me, tipping his hat. “Ma’am.”
“Hi,” I say, taking a mental snapshot of the facility as we make our way to a room with exercise equipment, punching bags, and a boxing ring filled with around twenty kids—boys. What did I just walk into?
“Mr. D!” A kid in his teens gives Lix a high five as he walks by.
“Hey, Brady,” Lix says, strutting into an office.
A guy in his late sixties sits at the desk. He looks up, and his eyes widen.
“Hey, Rudy,” Lix greets the man with a wide smile.
“Mr. Daxon, glad you could make it in today,” Rudy returns with a grin.
“Yeah, sorry about last week. How is everything going?” Lix drops his bag on a chair.
“One of the springs went on a punching bag. I ordered a new one. I checked on those prices for a Body Action System.” Rudy picks up a folder and hands it to Lix. “They’re pricey.”
“Thanks.” Lix glances through the folder. “This is Chosen.” He nudges my way, not making eye contact.
No doubt, avoiding my probing eyes. Does Lix run this gym? At a juvenile detention? Is that what’s going on here? I don’t understand. How does he have the time?
“Hello.” Rudy stands and walks to me with his hand extended.
I greet him with a smile. “Hi, Rudy.”
“Mr. D! You’re here!” A teenage boy runs into the office. “Can I start today?” He bounces on his feet. “I want to show you my lead hook and uppercut. I’ve been working on it all week.”
Lix chuckles. “Terence has first up. You know that, Joe.” He places his hand on the kid’s head. “But I’m sure we can slip you in today.”
“Yes!” The kid does a fist pump and runs out, yelling, “Hey, guys, I’m going in the ring today!”
“You better get out there.” I smirk, knowing I’m not getting any answer from Lix. A bunch of kids are waiting for him, and I’m not about to hold him back from them.
Besides, I might be able to get something from Rudy.
Lix’s eyes find mine. He reaches for his bag. “You can use whatever equipment you want in the gym.”
“Thanks.” I smack my hands together with a big smile. “But I think I’ll hang out with Rudy for a while.”
Lix glances at Rudy.
“Yes. I’d like to get acquainted with your friend, Mr. Daxon,” Rudy says, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
Joe sticks his head in the office. “Hey, Mr. D. You coming?”
“Yeah.” Lix waves to Joe, giving Rudy one last look before exiting the office.
I walk to the door,watching in awe as a group of enthusiastic teenage boys swarms Lix.
Rudy joins me.
“He said we were going to the gym,” I say, confused and needing answers.
“You are at a gym,” Rudy says. “His gym.”
I flash to Rudy. “What?”
He places his hand on the doorframe. “About three years ago, Mr. Daxon donated all the equipment to this detention for a gym. He financially maintains it. And he comes about once a week to train the boys.”
