Warrior

Chapter 14: Heavy Training

I trained as hard as I could, every single day. Frank was a renowned trainer and they were expecting the best from him in Sparta, and Marco was the proof. This guy was phenomenal, and that pushed me even harder. I was always an underdog, always second best even when it came to my own father, but not anymore. I had to train my hardest, because if I didn't I could lose my house and my family, they kept me going.

Frank was a fan of playing Beethoven while we trained, said it brought out the best in us. I didn't doubt it, even when I trained on my own I was listening to classical, I did better when I actually listened to him. The training was brutal but it paid off, I was sparring with everyone, and it seemed like every day I got better, I was running faster, father and Frank was becoming impressed. Now instead of running behind Marco, I was beating him, and I was dominating my smoker fights, won every one of them all because of Frank.

I wondered what Tommy was doing and what he was training with pop for. It still kind of upset me, I just wish he would come to see me, or even call me. The last I heard from him was when he gave me the information. My mind then wandered to Jade, who was still off, she was always coming home drunk or high and I would pretend not to notice, or when I did notice she'd get mad and leave again. I found empty bottles of pills in her room, but I knew this was a delicate situation, and if i took them away, she'd just get pissed at me and go get more.

It was unbelievable how much she looked like Ma, her eyes her hair, everything. Sometimes I'd look at her and it just felt like she was there, through Jade, and trying to get Jade to go in the right direction.. But she was hotheaded like Pop and Tommy, she didn't listen to anyone.

"You're doing good brother" Frank spoke pulling me out of my thoughts, I almost forgot I was using that heavy bag. I chuckled.

"It's all you coach" he laughed and out his hands on his hips, he had taken a break from Marco who was sparring with some of the others.

"You've improved, I'm impressed. You actually listen now" he joked, ruffling my hair. "PHYSICS TEACHER" he laughed again, walking back to Marco. I trained from dawn till dusk, sometimes I was here before Frank even showed up, that's how serious I took this. Once you put my Wife and kids into it, I'd go to any length. I thought about my little girls, when we almost didn't have enough to pay medical bills for Rosie's heart surgery, we managed, and she was alright now, and she was so beautiful, her little blonde curls. Em looked more like her mom every single day, picking up her mannerisms and her little attitude, I loved them more than anything.

I was the last one to leave, Frank and I walked into the parking lot together. He was more than a friend, he was like family, and Tess always teased me and called him my boyfriend because I was always with him. I laughed at the thought, I loved my wife, she was the sun and the moon, the earth and the ocean, everything.

"I'll see you tomorrow, keep it up, physics teacher" he spoke, slapping my chest and walking to his car. Apart of me wished I was doing Sparta instead of Marco, but I was glad to even have Frank training me again. When I was in UFC, there was a point where I got knocked out so bad that I had to go to the hospital, and Frank wouldn't let me live down the fact that Tess was screaming bloody murder at him for hours, I promised him that wouldn't happen again.

I got in my car and made my way to my house, we were making money and we were getting by, at least enough until I could start working again. I know Zito didn't want to suspend me, he was a pretty good friend of mine too but he was right, I didn't give him a choice and the superintendent really didn't give him any other option.

I pulled into my house and got out of the car. I sighed, looking around the house, Jades car was gone, she was probably out drinking. I shook my head and walked into my house. Tess was in the kitchen and I hugged her from behind placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. She turned and kissed me, smiling. She was concerned about something.

"Babe? What's up?" She shook her head and the girls came running down the stairs. Rosie jumped into my arms and Emily hugged me tightly.

"HI DADDY HI" they yelled, Rosie gave me a kiss on my cheek and I set her down. "MOM can I have cookie?" Tess laughed and handed them both a single cookie and they ran into the living room.

"It's nothing, Brendan" she gave me a soft smile and kissed my cheek.

"Where's Jade?" Tess thought for a moment and then shrugged.

"Said she was going out, not too sure." I nodded, I tried her cell phone a few times and she didn't answer, she'd call be back by the end of the night, she always did regardless if she was drunk or not. That was the deal, if I had to shut up she had to Let me know if she was safe. I wandered to the living room and sat with my wife and my kids, they were watching princess movies, and Tess had her head in my lap. I couldn't take my eyes off her, I didn't know where I'd be without her.