One Life ✓

Chapter 4: The Fight Shift

                   

TC—San Antonio Memorial Hospital, San Antonio, TX

A new night falls on us. After the exciting events of yesterday (Grace's award, a patient with a fake fairy wand up his rectum—why do all our parents have stuff up their various orifices?), we have transformed the break room into a gym. Grace has been up on the tailgate with the women of Memorial, doing more Zumba. I send my condolences to Shannon, by the way.

The sound of a familiar voice humming what is probably some Bollywood song gets nearer. "Oh, my goodness!!!"

That is the average reaction when running into a room full of shirtless guys.

Grace narrows her eyes at us. "You never told me you had a gym."

Well, that's definitely not the average reaction.

Kenny and I stop midfight.

"Um...it's a makeshift gym...?" tries Kenny.

"Nope. No way. It's a sexist gym. Why can we women not fight each other or lift whatever you lift?" Grace fumes.

I know this is in no way funny, but the sight of an angry Grace makes me laugh. "C'mon in, Grace. I'm sure Kenny would be overjoyed to do a match against you."

Kenny gets this deer-in-the-headlights look of terror on his face.

"Fine. But I come with a compromise. If I can beat every one of you, we get this 'makeshift' gym." Grace cocks a stubborn hip. I find it hard to take her seriously when she's still wearing her belly dancing belt, and jingles seductively every time she speaks.

Nearly every guy in the break room suppresses laughter. I don't doubt her or anything, but how would Grace beat us?

"We agree," I announce.

Grace's nostrils flare in anger. "All right. Who will go first?"

We shove Kenny into the imaginary ring. He doesn't look quite thrilled as Grace faces him off.

She bounces on her toes. Kenny goes for a quick sweep, to no avail. Grace leaps to the left, then ducks to the right, grabbing his arm.

Kenny manages to shake off Grace's grip, reaching for her leg to hook it. She darts away in a chorus of clinking. She gets his wrist this time. Kenny yelps as Grace positions herself properly and then hip tosses him over her tiny frame.

"Evidently something is wrong," declares Paul, "because this petite lady just threw a buff male nurse right over our heads."

"Hey, Grace, Paul wants to go," hollers Drew.

Paul, poor little Paul, steps foot onto the mat, and we have no idea what happens, but the next second he's sprawled on the ground, his arm barred by Grace.

Everyone looks at Drew.

"Guys, I'm exempt. I have a family now." Drew looks extremely happy to have an excuse for not fighting.

"Get up here." Grace waves a beckoning arm.

Drew heaves a sigh, walking onto the mat with a movie star grin on his face.

"Don't get too confidant, buddy!" Kenny warns him.

"This is a cake walk," Drew hums.

He takes a swing at Grace. She ducks easily, dealing a gentle kick to Drew's ribs, stopping him long enough to plant her hands on the floor, get into a handstand, and drop into a scissor kick, sending Drew into a hard fall. Her legs hover just above his neck, ready to choke.

"I surrender," croaks Drew. "Take her down, Tee."

Drew exits the "ring" and I walk on.

"Hey, street fighter," I tease Grace, sizing her up.

"Hey, yourself." Grace looks me over for weak points.

I take the opportunity to go for a choke, but Grace catches me red-handed, blocking the attack deftly. I see that her legs are open. I sweep her front leg.

She makes a clever move, though, grabbing me and taking me down with her. I lie on top of Grace, perfectly poised for a point, until she pouts at me adorably.

I freeze up, lost in her face, and she flips me over, now lying on top of me.

"What is this? Are we hooking up now?" Grace smiles at me.

"Maybe." I smile back.

I swing myself to my feet, lifting Grace with me. She squeals a little, wrapping her arms around my neck. I adjust my arms under her legs, sure not to let her fall.

The guys catcall, hooting and cheering. "You win, crazy lady," I joke.

"Stupid!" Grace exclaims, laughing. "And this is your doing! You provoked me! Why am I crazy?"

"Grace, you looked me in the eye once." I grin. "And I became yours."