Page 95 of Love on Tour
Christine thought about how anger was making her stronger. When she felt sad and defeated, she was weak. She’d gotten mad the night she was assaulted in high school, and as scared as she was then, her anger was stronger. She’d struck out instead of cowering. That feeling was coming back. The more this unknown person attacked her, the madder she got. The madder she got, the stronger she felt. Nobody had a right to come into her home and make her scared in the one place where she should feel safe.In general, she wasn’t a fan of anger; she felt it was better to talk things through and let calm prevail. But in this case, she’d been pushed to her limits.
“You never know until it happens to you.”
CLASS AFTER CLASS AFTER CLASS,Matt and Master Joe worked with Christine on self-defense. She had not only signed up for the three-month course and taken every class available to a beginner but also paid for private instruction. She needed to fast-track her progress. Her private classes with Joe and Matt were her favorites. Tonight, they were doing their best to challenge her.
Master Joe grabbed her from behind in a choke hold. While he wasn’t really choking her, his grip wasn’t light either. Her stomach tightened as a slight panic took over.
“Come on, Christine. You know what to do,” Matt said. He was standing beside her, watching each move she made.
She raised her right arm, spun her body toward Master Joe, and brought her arm under both of Joe’s arms, pinning them in the crook of her elbow. She raised her knee to his groin without touching him. Joe faked like he’d been hit and bent forward. She raised her knee to his face.
“Perfect,” Matt said. He patted her on the back, and she beamed.
“But you can’t hesitate. You must move fast. If an attacker gets any indication you’re going to fight back, they’ll tighten their grip. The element of surprise is your advantage,” Joe said.
Christine nodded. She had hesitated. Mere seconds could be the difference between life and death.
“Let’s try another one,” Matt said. He put her in a mugger’s hold. He held her tightly from behind with one hand over her mouth, the other arm across her torso. She couldn’t movebackward or forward. But she could move side to side, which is what she’d been taught to do.
She stepped to the left, forcing him to loosen his grasp, and swung her right fist back into his groin. She didn’t mean to make contact, but she was still a beginner and hadn’t learned complete control of her movements. Matt dropped to his knees, cupping his groin.
Master Joe roared. “Now you know it works. And Matt knows not to forget his athletic cup.”
Matt rolled on the floor, groaning. Christine dropped down next to him and put her hand over his. Now her hand was one hand away from holding his groin.
“Need me to leave you two alone for a minute?” Joe said, his eyes twinkling.
Christine pulled her hand back.
Matt moaned. “I couldn’t do anything sexual if I tried right now.”
“I’m so sorry, Matt,” Christine said.
“Nope. Don’t apologize. I will remember to wear a cup next time. Great execution there, Christine.” He sat up and took some deep breaths. “I think I’ll call it a night for this lesson.”
Christine felt horrible. She still felt bad when she got home and texted him an apology:I’m sorry for not having better control.
Matt texted back.All good. But the next time you touch me there, be gentle.He included a laughing emoji.
Christine’s eyes flew open. She read the text and reread it. Was he teasing? Or was he giving her a hint? And how could she know the difference? The laughing emoji made her think he was just joking with her.
She sent back a winky face and texted,No guarantees!
If he could be fun, so could she.
THE BOX OF OLD CASSETTES HADproved to have some real gems. Not only had she sent some to Austin, but she had also discovered a song that would be great for Lynda. She’d had to convince her to try it.
“It’s very Loretta Lynn,” Lynda had argued.
“Speed it up, add your electric guitar, and make it yours. See if you don’t hear it like I am,” Christine said.
Lynda took her advice and performed it at a few shows around town. She hadn’t recorded it yet, but there was already a buzz on it running through the Nashville community. Getting a nod from your creative peers meant everything to an artist. Whenever she performed the song, Lynda credited Christine for finding it and convincing her to play it. It wasn’t often the non-creative team got recognition, but it was a gift when they did.
WHEN AUSTIN’S NEW TOUR STARTED,he called Christine and asked her to go back on the road with him.
“Austin, how can you ask me that?”
“How can I not?”
