Indomitable Spirit Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Yes, ma’am.”
    She wanted to smile, but this was not the time or place. These kids needed her. They needed discipline.
    “Come in. Take your shoes off and I will teach you how to bow onto the floor. We are working on basic moves today.”
    Both of them nodded and followed Kym into the school.
    Within forty-five minutes she had seen a great change in the kids she’d pulled into the school. They followed along and answered commands correctly. This was what she was wanting for the community. A chance to make a difference.
    When class was over and the other four students bowed off the floor, Kym walked over to Jacob and Abby.
    “Did you enjoy the class?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” they both answered.
    “Wonderful. Now, Jacob, the broom is in the corner by the bathroom. I’ll need you to sweep up the mats. Abby, do you think you can handle the small trash cans in the bathroom and by the front door? They need to be dumped into the big can at the back door.
    “Yes.”
    “Yes what?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    This time Kym smiled. “Okay. Get to it and then you may go.”
    Both of the kids nodded and ran to do their jobs, bowing off the floor as the other students had done.
    Kym walked to the counter at the front of the school and dug through the bin of belts she kept underneath. When she found two white belts that would fit the new students she set them on the counter.
    A few minutes later Jacob and Abby came to her with their shoes and coats on.
    “I have class tomorrow at three as well. Will you be here?”
    A concerned look shifted between the two.
    “I’d like to, ma’am. But our dad can’t afford this.”
    Kym nodded slowly. “Do you think you could do another chore tomorrow to help me?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” The words were obviously coming easier now.
    “I’d like to have you both in class tomorrow.”
    They nodded.
    “I have something for you.” She came around the counter with the belts in her hand. Both of the children’s eyes grew wide.
    Kym knelt on the floor. She held one belt in both hands and bowed to Abby as she handed her the belt and then repeated the move to Jacob.
    He was smiling bigger than she’d seen any child smile.
    “Thank you, ma’am.”
    “You’re welcome. Bring them tomorrow and I will teach you how to tie them on.”
    They both smiled and nodded as they started for the door.
    Kym stood up. “By the way. What is your last name?”
    “Larson,” Abby said quickly.
    The name stabbed into Kym. “Larson? Are you Kelley’s kids?”
    Jacob stepped in front of his sister as if to keep her quiet. “No, ma’am. John is our father.”
    She felt as though someone had reached into her chest and squeezed her heart. “Oh.” Her voice had dipped and she didn’t like that.
    “I’d like to talk to him about you training.”
    The kids exchanged concerned looks again. “I don’t think he’d like that.” Jacob looked away and then back at her. “Ma’am.”
    “Okay.” She forced a smile on her face. “If you will help me out I will train you. Do we have a deal?”
    Jacob nodded and smiled freely. “Thank you, ma’am.”
    He turned and all but pushed Abby out the door as they ran off.
    Kym walked back around the counter and sat down in the chair. John Larson was married with children and the thought had never crossed her mind. She hated that she even cared. He was a horrible, cranky, mean man. But when she’d held his hand and wrapped it in gauze she hadn’t felt that.
    She was desperate to have something for herself. But it certainly wasn’t John Larson.
    Maybe she’d still make that friendship connection with Kelley. Kym still needed a friend and now they had Jacob and Abby in common.
    As her next two students walked into the school, Kym stood up and smiled.
    She had priorities now. Looking for a man was not one of them.
     
    ***
     
    John paced his kitchen waiting for his son and daughter to walk through the door. It had been three days of staying after school to kick around