Page 70 of Love's Bloom
After a light supper, Misty headed out to the karate studio. It would be healthy for her to get physical because her mind was repeating the meeting with Nolan Deere over and over. Each time, she got more frustrated.
When she arrived, David’s truck was nowhere in sight. She got out of her car and went inside. A middle-aged man was working with a student in one of the small classrooms.
“Have you seen David Graham?” she asked.
The man shook his head. “He’s marked out time on the schedule. He should be here soon.”
“Okay, thanks.” Misty went back to her car and waited for David to show up. The longer she waited, the more agitated she became. She was grumpy and didn’t appreciate wasting her time.
Just as she was about to take off for home, David arrived in his truck. He saw her and hurried over to her car.
“Sorry, I’m late. I was trying to finish up a project. I should’ve taken the time to text you earlier, but the minutes kept ticking by.”
She forced a smile. “Let’s get started, if you don’t mind. I have some schoolwork to do at home.” She climbed out of the car and followed him inside, telling herself to brush off the day's frustrations.
Before class, facing her, David had Misty press her hands together and bow before they started. She knew it was a matter of routine and respect.
Once they started, David had her do a sequence of moves and then announced a change in plans. “Now, I’m going to pretend to attack you and show you what to do. Remember, quick action and smooth, surprising moves give you an advantage. Slice down with your hand, striking me on the arm, and if I come closer, swing around and kick me, sending me off balance. Got it?”
Misty nodded and stood quietly.
David charged her, sending Misty reeling backward, fighting for her balance. As if he was really there, Misty could see Vince sneering at her before hitting her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“One more time,” said David. “Then I’ll let you go.” He took hold of her arm.
His words struck a nerve, sending her whirling into her past where Vince had laughed while holding her so tight she couldn’t escape, pretending to play around. She twisted away from him. “I can’t do this. I have to go.”
She hurried away from David and sprinted to her car.
David came to the entrance of the building and stopped, watching her as she sped out of the parking lot.
Tears of frustration blurred her vision. She slowed the car, though her heart was still racing. Present issues and past memories seemed to be piling up in her mind, making her unable to cope with the idea of any man having control over her—even someone like David.
At home, she unlocked her house and took care of the security system, furious with Vince, David,and herself, caught up in a cycle she was trying to break.
Sugar greeted her, and they both went out to the deck for fresh, cooling air.
David called her cell, but she didn’t pick up. Couldn’t. She had to figure out a way to separate Vince from David.
Later, when David phoned, she took the call.
“What’s going on?” David asked.
“For a moment, fighting with you, I had another flashback. I need time to myself to work on my issues,” she said. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.” She’d thought she was doing so well, but now she knew what a disaster she was.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Misty was subdued as she headed to school the next day. She’d been awake most of the night, plagued by unwelcomed images. Not only those frightening memories with Vince, or the way Harley had snarled at her as if she wasn’t worth normal courtesy, or Nolan’s withering tone as he spoke to her. Other older memories filled her mind, images of her mother sobbing because of something a man said or the injuries that showed his anger. Now, she understood where her mother’s unhappiness had been coming from, and she was determined not to fall into the same trap of loving someone who could destroy her.
Being with her students fulfilled Misty. She was able to focus on teaching them, welcoming their excitement at learning a new concept. And when she praised a child and saw the positive reaction it evoked, she was reminded how her encouragement would do much to give the students a good start moving forward. She remembered how Mrs. Walter had praised her.
She checked Brody and was pleased to see that he and Violet were maintaining their friendship, competing to see who could do the best on an assignment. Other students were finding satisfaction in being respectful to one another. Whenever possible, Misty pointed out acts of kindness and was satisfied to see that the children were responding positively to the star sticker rewards.
It was a satisfying way for the school year to begin.
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On the way home from school, Hazel asked, “Are you all right? You seem down.”
