Alexandra Udinov (lilbabochka) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2017-08-29 10:36:00 |
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Being a personal trainer, Thalia realized, was more than just teaching people how to punch and hit things. It was being a life coach of sorts, especially when the girl you were supposed to be training that day was bawling her eyes out because she’d just learned her parents were getting divorced. Thalia, whose parents had never been married in the first place and whose father defined deadbeat, could only pat her on the shoulder. For once, she didn’t know what to do about a situation. It’s not the end of the world; you’re going to go through way worse in the future didn’t quite cut it as a reassuring statement. Instead, she went with the truth. “ It might sound weird, but grown-ups are still figuring out their own lives too. And sometimes, things just don’t work out. And there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to wait until they have.” Jessie just cried harder and threw her arms around Thalia. She wrapped her arms comfortingly around the girl in turn, and looked around for inspiration. *** Alex had been at a workout station nearby, listening to the conversation. She wasn’t doing so to be nosy. She couldn’t help overhearing, really. She couldn’t help thinking about some of her own trainees. She had to be a counselor of sorts at times, too. It all went with the whole self-defense training. She caught Thalia’s eye momentarily, slightly nodding at her. It was a nod of solidarity. It was also a nod to let her know she thought she was doing as best she could in this situation. She didn’t say it out loud just yet, not wanting to upset the crying girl more. *** It helped, to know that some neutral third party didn't think she was messing it up as badly as Thalia felt she was. And, eventually, when Jessie stopped crying, she hugged Thalia and thanked her. “Give me a call if you need anything,” Thalia told her before she left. “I mean it - anything at all. You can call me at any hour, okay?” The girl had just had her world ripped apart, and Thalia figured she needed to know there was someone she could rely on. Jessie nodded and hugged her tightly again before running off to her mother’s Honda. Only then did Thalia let herself sag in relief. “Give me a good punch in the face any day.” *** Alex just nodded. “I know what you mean. I’ve had to play therapist for clients in the past. I think a punch in the face would be easier to deal with.” She might have to play one again next week, who knew. She’d try her best to be ready for it. “For what it’s worth, I think you handled that really well.” The girl was giving her hugs at the end. That was a sign Thalia had not messed up. Or at least it was to Alex. *** “Well, she didn’t storm out of here saying she hates me and the whole world, so I consider that a win,” Thalia said drily. She gave the other woman a rueful smile. “But thanks. It probably sounds weird, but having that validation kind of helps. I’m not exactly someone who’s good at giving this kind of advice, you know?” *** "Sounds like you gave some good advice this time," Alex told the other woman. "If that was me you were giving that advice to, I'd feel a little better. That girl is going through something rough, but at least she knows she has someone positive in her life right now." Sometimes, that was all that was needed to keep someone from going down a wrong path. *** Thalia exhaled. “Gods know she needs it right now.” But now that it was over and no teenage girls had been irrevocably traumatized, she was ready to move on. “I'm Thalia, by the way. You're Alex, right? I've seen you around.” Madison wasn't very big, and the network of refugees was even smaller. You got to know names and faces after a while. *** Alex didn’t mind her moving on. It might be nice to get to know her. “Yeah, I teach self defense classes at the Fight Science Academy.” She thought maybe Thalia had seen her there. It was an adjunct of the regular gym, after all. “I’ve seen you around, too, but it’s nice to meet you officially.” She really did seem like someone to know. *** “Same.” While Thalia hadn’t actually talked to Alex in person before, she had a general sense that the other woman seemed fairly mature and drama-free. Not that Thalia had anything against immaturity or drama; when she’d first arrived, she’d been fifteen and full of angst. She just didn’t think she had it in her to deal with more angst at the moment, after Jessie. “I think I’ve seen you. How are your classes doing?” *** Oh, Alex had her share of drama. She'd been through more than most people her age had been through. She just kept it to herself for the most part. She didn't have to bring up any of her past just to bring it up. She wasn't like that. So at the very least, her drama wouldn't be out in the open. It also helped that she was at much more peaceful place in her life. "They're going pretty well. I've got some regulars." That definitely helped with the paycheck part of the whole thing. Not only that, it was a fulfilling job. *** “Helps,” came Thalia’s laconic reply. “It took me a while to build my clientele, but now I have enough regulars and people referring each other to me that I’m doing okay.” She rolled her shoulders, feeling a little stiff in one of them. She’d gone sparring with Jason that morning, and he’d given her a sword strike that had nearly taken her arm off. She was so proud. “Anyway, thanks for the encouragement. I needed that.” *** "No problem. I'm glad I was useful," Alex said with an appreciative grin. She glanced around the gym and then back at Thalia. "We'll have to spar sometime." She liked sparring partners who knew what they were doing and were challenging. She hadn't ever sparred with her, but she just had a feeling about her skills. *** “Definitely,” Thalia said readily. There weren’t a lot of monsters to fight here, but Thalia still wanted to keep sharp. Sparring with a wide variety of people who had different skill sets was one way to do it. “I’m pretty open on Mondays and Tuesdays,” she added. “Just send me a message when you’re ready for a go.” She saluted the other woman with two fingers, just as her next appointment came in. Hopefully this one would be drama-free.</lk-cut> |