Second chances Book 5/6

Chapter 12

Kate takes advantage of the garden, some quiet time, and having Bethany near her to learn Tai-Chi. This one doesn't have to be asked twice. Kate steps out into the garden, dressed in yoga shorts and a tight top. Bethany smiles, but says nothing. She asks her to watch the moves she is going to do and then they are going to do them together again and again. Kate looks at the harmony that emanates from it, the slowness of the gestures, the beauty. Understand what Abigail was saying about breathing. Bethany invites her to mimic what she sees. She puts her hands on Kate's hips to correct her breathing, shifts her feet, her arms, the position of her hands. Then she starts again, two, three times. Again, on a position, Bethany corrects her, placing a hand on her stomach.

"You breathe out pushing back, you breathe in welcoming. You have to work your diaphragm to breathe better. Breathing is key, Kate, as with singing. You have an advantage over a lot of people, but you're not quite there. Physically, you are well built. You have good muscle tone, good abs. Sorry, I never watched your music videos or your shows, do you dance when you're on stage?

— Not really, no. I move, I jump everywhere, yes," she smiles, "but I don't dance. To hold on for my shows and my tours, I do sports indoors. Cycling, treadmill running.

— It's good. Are you able to lift your leg here? And here ? Ok. On the side now. Inspired. Here, expiring? Good. Straighten your pelvis, take your balance. Expired. Good. Upper. Here? Great, Kate. OK, follow me, we start over and we'll make a variation. Good, Kate. New position. Inspired. Yes, side step, arm extension, watch your wrist. Repels. No, you forgot to breathe. Take the very first movement on your own, I'm looking at you. Don't hold your breath, deep inhale, exhale. It is not necessary to close your eyes. Oh, does that help you? Ok. Keep on going. Second movement. Yes. Again. Good. Yes Kate. It's good."

Bethany congratulates Kate, this one is doing well, while she offers to stop, she wants more, not realizing that she has just spent almost an hour with Bethany.

"Again, please."

In the shadows of the house, Kara and Tilly watch in silence. Abigail, behind the shrubbery hiding the hot tub, watches as well.

"Okay Kate. Since you're quite flexible and strong, we're going to change our style. This was Kara's. We'll go to mine. Faster, stronger. Think about breathing." Kate looks at the stances, almost similar, but the style is punchy, less meditative, more about combat and speed.

"It's very different, Bethany, it's more like martial arts.

— It's true. What's your preference, Kate?

— The harmony of the first, I felt good, soothed, I had less headache," she said, sitting down in the grass.

Kate clasps her hands over her mouth realizing what she just said. She sees Bethany reaching out to stop someone and approaching her. At a glance, she sees Kara and Tilly watching her from the living room. Kate can't help but blush.

"Have you had a headache for a long time, Kate?" asks Bethany, crouching down in a worried, protective voice. "Why didn't you say anything? Out of pride?

— Yes. Out of pure pride," she admits.

" Where does it hurt? Your frontal lobe? At the temples? The occipital?

— There's nothing you can do to help me, Bethany, even with all the goodwill in the world, doctors can't do anything, aspirin doesn't do anything. Nobody can do anything.

— I'm sorry you believe that, Kate," she said, standing up and walking away.

"Beth, please," pleads Abigail as she approaches.

"Alright!," she said, walking back to Kate, holding out her hand to get her up. "Kate, listen to me very carefully, you are going to come with me to my room, it will take as long as it takes, but I will help you. What I am going to teach you will allow you to control your headaches.