New Lives (A Nathan Gardner Story)

Chapter 10 - She's Got a Way

After Sydney and Nathan returned home, Sydney all but insisted that he not cancel his session with Sifu Wes that night. She knew he wouldn't see it clearly, but he needed to go for several reasons today.  Nathan eventually agreed with her, but he was reluctant to leave.  He hated that they'd fought and felt horrible for what Sydney was going through physically, but he also thought she may need a little time alone as well. Once he pulled out of the driveway, Sydney sent a text to Susan letting her know she could come back home unnoticed if she still wasn't speaking to her father…and that there was quality ice cream in the freezer.

Nathan's concentration at the studio was lacking to say the very least. He was either completely off balance or hitting so hard that Wes had to tell him to calm down. It got to a point where Wes pushed Nathan's arms down to his sides, then pressed on his shoulders until he sat on the floor, legs crossed. They tried to work on meditation, Wes not wanting to pry, until he gave up, the vein in the side of Nathan's neck showing something welling inside him.

"Okay, buddy," Wes said softly, "let's put away the usual formalities we have in here and how about you tell me what's going on with you."

Nathan slowly opened his eyes, doing his absolute best to control his… "My ex-wife is a fucking bitch!" …anger. His hands flew to his mouth. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"

Wes actually smiled. "You know, it's okay to let things out once in a while. Keeps you from spontaneously combusting. Besides, I did say to drop the formalities." His smile faded. "What did Celia do this time?"

"Sure you want to know?" Nathan asked and Wes nodded. He then recanted his day without excluding a single detail. He had no problem owning up to his faults, embarrassing as they might be. He also told Wes about Sydney and was surprised to hear his own voice crack a little.

Wes furrowed his brow in confusion. "Nathan…are you two trying?"

A shadow of a smile crept onto Nathan's face. "Well, we're not not trying. We came to that conclusion a few months ago, but…she's…" His smile faded and his eyes went to his lap.

The man who had known Nathan through so many ups and downs reached a hand out, placing it on his shoulder. "She's got you. Right now…I have the feeling that's enough."

"Yeah, if you like giant assholes."

Wes chuckled. "Couples fight, you know that. Even Sadie and I have at it every once in a while. It's healthy and normal…"

"Not when the seed's being planted like that." Nathan's voice was low and still full of anger.

"There's only one real thing you can do." Wes sighed heavily. "She's come into your home, she's brought your mother into things…I think you need to go to her and set things straight."

"If I go over there I might kill her," Nathan grumbled in response.

"All right, then…back on your feet, killer, let's go."

"What?"

"Get it out now, have a civilized talk at Celia…"

"At?"

"You heard me." Wes stood up and Nathan followed suit. He then egged Nathan on, hitting harder than usual, making him work more at his own blocks and blows. Wes was trying to get him to sweat out his anger so things wouldn't get too heated if he took his advice and went to Celia. Forty-five minutes later they bowed to one another and Nathan was on his way.

Hair stuck to his forehead and his shirt soaked with sweat, he stood in front of Celia's door. He contemplated barging inside, but Celia would react differently that he did and no doubt call the police. He rang the bell and waited.