“A boxing competition?” splutters Brett. “For a girl? What comes next? Lion taming? Wrestling crocodiles?”
Everyone is staring at her and Jenny's enthusiasm trickles away. “Mr Kalkowski thought it was a good idea. Chad says I'm really good. He suggested it.”
“Well, if it was Chad's idea, I suppose that's alright, but it's not the sort of thing I'd want my fiancée to be doing.” Nathaniel glances fondly down at his diminutive wife, sitting next to him, whose swollen belly is now of enormous proportions. “I don't think you're going to be doing much ‘float like a butterfly’ stuff in the next few months, are you?”
Diane shudders. “Not me. I have my man to fight for me if I need it.”
Tom glowers at Jenny from across the table. “Always wanting to be the centre of attention, aren’t you?”
“That’s enough, Tom,” snaps Mrs Collier. Nonetheless, she doesn’t look very happy.
*****
“Levi, I'm not at all sure I'm comfortable with this. A bit of friendly sparring between Jenny and Chad is one thing, but competitions? It's hardly a feminine activity.”
“Not feminine? To be young and strong and healthy? And to achieve something for herself? Think how withdrawn she was when she first arrived, Eleanor. This will be an achievement for Jenny. Something she can point to and say, ‘I did that’.”
*****
The old man stands over the class. “Who has not handed in the form signed by your parents to go on the school trip to the Boxing Competition? Several of the papers are missing.”
There is no reply. The old man sighs and works his way through the stack. “Jack, your form is not here. Do I take it you do not wish to attend the competition?”
The brawny boy scowls. “Why would I want to go to a stupid competition to see a stupid girl boxing?”
“Stupid is as stupid does, Master Peterson. I had hoped you might like to go to support the honour of your school?” Mr Kalkowski sucks in his cheeks at the boy’s sour expression. “Perhaps not then. Adam, Matthew, do I take it that you also do not wish to attend?”
None of the boys replies, simply sneaking sidelong glances at Jack, who glowers at them.
The headmaster sighs. “Fidelity to one’s friends is all very well, but there are higher loyalties also. Still, if that is your wish. On the day of the competition, you will each be given assignments which I will expect to see completed when I return.” He glances again at the stack of forms. “I do note with interest that all of the girls have elected to attend.”
*****
Jenny stares. “I didn’t expect there to be so many people here.” The crowd mills and surges; contestants of all ages and sizes, boys and girls, parents, teachers and officials.
“It’s because it’s the first round,” says Chad. “There’s over a hundred schools here. And most of them have entries in both boys and girls, and seniors and juniors. In the later rounds, there’ll be a lot less.” He laughs at her expression. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to fight all of them. It’s all done on points like I showed you. And the winners in each section go through to the later rounds.”
you done this
I read all about it. Hey…. look there. That’s Kelly.” He points across the room at a tall blonde girl. She’s who you’ll be against for your first bout
her opponent.
tall for a girl.” He looks thoughtful. “Anyway, remember the idea isn’t to try to hurt each other. You get points for good punches. And the judges can’t always
do mean, look
back. If the referee thinks you’re getting tired, he’ll eight-count you. So, keep going. Just keep punching at her.
at the blonde girl again. “You should be okay….” He turns his face so that no-one can see his mouth moving but Jenny. “Look at her. She’s tall, but she’s all lanky. Not like you. ‘Cos you’re on the horses and working on the farm, I can see from here that you’re better muscled than her. I bet you’re way stronger than she is. Faster too. If you keep moving, you’re
the girl, surreptitiously, trying not to be obvious about it. “Mmm…. I see what
*****
Chad wraps her hands, weaving between fingers, over knuckles
cheering for you. And most
think Jack doesn’t like
He’s horrible to everyone. Stand still, will you. I
He
everything. And because you punched him in the eye and made him look stupid. But does it really
*****
her
strides out, meeting Kelly. The two knock gloves together in lieu
then, ladies, a nice clean match, please. Three rounds,
and many
The bell dings.
Chad’s words echo
Act aggressive….
Keep going….
Keep punching….
Don’t back down….
rival
Right hand, Jab… Jab…
Right hand, Jab…
wide-eyed,
Is she scared?
easily put off,
Right hand, Jab….
Left hand, Punch….