TRY HARD

Chapter 35

"Hey" I say walking in the door.
"Spar?" Luke said looking at my lip. I nod.
"Guy named Tyler. He was looking to beat a guy named North. He was in for a surprise when I told him it's me at the end when he was on the ground." I say laughing.
"Single father too, his daughters name is Shayla" I smile as I lean back on the counter.
"That's cool." He says.
"So you think you're ready for the UFC?"
"Definitely. I think it'll be good for us. I'll be training less, cuz I'll be fighting less. I'll be completing a dream of mine"
"I have something for you" he says.
"Well. I think you know about it but I was putting your office stuff away after I put Shay to bed and I found this" he holds up an opened letter addressed to 'my daughter' I bit my bottom lip and get all shy.
"You haven't opened it" he says.
"I'm afraid to.....my dad didn't talk about her much but he made snide remarks sometimes and I don't want my view of my mom to change."
"I don't think it could change. If you don't wanna open it it's fine but I'm going put it in the safe" I scrunch up my face.
"You have a safe?" I ask.
"Ya it's down in the studio, behind one of the foam square panels." I nod.
"Actually, I'm gonna open it" I take the letter off the counter and flip it over. I open the flap and take out the two pages that are in there. Something else hits the counter. I look down and see a ring. It's my moms engagement ring. I can feel Luke watch me carefully. I keep the ring on the counter and unfold the letters.
"Hi sweetie. If you're reading this you must be 18, and I'm not here anymore. I want you to know I love you. Even wherever I am now I love you.

I know you and your father were never as close but I hope you became close. I hope you found something to do together. I always told him to find something. He and I weren't always madly in love but we worked. It may not have seemed like it but we worked.

I wish I left you with more. More family. I know it was the three of us but I hope you make a family for yourself. I hope you have an amazing life. Be strong and be great. Be who you want to be. I don't care if you're bisexual, gay, transgender. If you like soft music or loud music. If you believe in god or don't. If you like tattoos and piercings or don't. I love you baby. You're my world. The ring is my engagement ring, I want you to have it to have a piece of me with you." I put my hand to my face and wipe away the tears. Luke hugs me from behind.

"I miss her" I say.

"I know"