Undeniable

Chapter 4: Michael

Managing a teenage girl and running a gym is one hell of a commitment. Kat has only been with me for a month now and I've never met a more stubborn person. She's had a very hard time adjusting to her new life in Ashland but hopefully my ideas will help her.
This all started with her mother. In Kat's home country it was just the two of them. Her father was nowhere to be seen and never made an appearance in her life at any point. I used to hear stories about him for her mother and she never spoke ill of him. She used to say it was like magic of how he disappeared before Kat's birth, but ever since then it was only them together.
Kat's mother's death was earth shattering. She owed money for gambling debts and the ring leader placed the bounty for her hit then the rest is self explanatory. It's one thing to find your own mothers lifeless body but to witness her death is where it becomes even more tragic. Kat's mother always spoke of Kat as independent and strong willed but when she got here she was an absolute wreck. She had to learn social aspects and self care all over again and has seen countless therapists. Her mother's death left her alone and broken then sent off to be in group homes to be unwanted by every pair of parents looking to adopt. The group home couldn't properly care for Kat and was trying to find somewhere she can go. They had to resort to Facebook to reach out to mutuals of Kat's mother. They eventually landed on my profile and turns out I was the only one to respond. I hadn't heard from her mother in so long but I figured she had to of been busy and the time zone difference was rather large. After talking with the head of the group home I learned everything that had happened and I immediately said yes to taking Kat in. Kat had been in the group home for just over a year before she was released to me. It has been nothing but a challenge since she's been here but I'm still glad she's here.
She refuses to sleep at my apartment because she doesn't want to trouble me. No matter how many times I tell her it's no issue or even no trouble, she just smiles and changes the subject. She decided to take my old office and turn it into a bedroom, it's a very small space but she still manages. She turned the file cabinets into a dresser, my old desk into a TV and gaming stand, and also turned the attached shelving units for books and small trinkets she brought with her. Her bed is a small foam foldable mattress she asked if she could buy and of course I said yes. She keeps it folded under the desk until she's ready to sleep. I can't imagine sleeping and living in such an enclosed space but trauma really does a number on a person to the point where normally uncomfortable things become comfortable for the damaged.
She never really asks for much and typically gifts have to be forced upon her because she refuses to accept help or charity. I offered to help buy her new clothes, she refused. She asked if she could assist me with the gym to make money a few days ago and I instantly agreed but told her I needed to find a position for her first. Kat has a real love for fighting to release stress and to get her mind off things but I can't have her teach lessons due to her age and lack of licensing. She has taken on a few challengers so far as a bet to earn some money that way but I have an even better idea. I could place a bounty over her and challengers can fight to claim the prize and if they lose they have to pay up. The only reason I have full faith in the idea is because Kat is tough. She's extremely fast and can easily predict challengers moves.
I decided I would bring the idea up to her when she returns from school. I look at the time as my phone reads 12:30pm. Enough time to get a challenger here and to make a few more calls. I pickup the phone and call a long time family friend who agrees to stop by to catch up. Perfect.
I begin spotting one of the members on their bench press reps and after several minutes pass they tap out. I decide to use my free time again to make my final call.
"Hello." I hear the familiar accent ring through my ears.
"Hey man, I have a challenge for you. That is if you're up for it." I say with a convincing tone.
"Oh really Michael?" He laughs. "Fine, I will be there in one hour." He hangs up the phone.

I can't wait for this. Epic.