It’s closing time at Kings Dojo (Javier’s family-owned dojo). With a large-scale boxing ring positioned in the center of the space. Smaller training positions accompany the surrounding walls of the dojo, along with training mats laid out throughout the dojo’s floor. Not at all in a junky matter, but instead a signal to how popular the dojo has become. The last few of the students are walking out of the dojo. While

“Make sure to try that foot placement we talked about!” Sasha King yells while walking to the front door.

“Why are you yelling?” Javier asks his sister.

“Shut it.” Sasha orders.

As the front door closes, Sasha locks the doors and activates the in-house security system. Through the tinted glass she can see the students walking away while either laughing with their friends or putting on their headphones. When Sasha turns around, she sees her younger brother rolling up one training mat after another.

“This season’s students seem lively.” Javier says.

“Yeah, they are all pretty sweet. Except Ralph. He is more interested in being the class clown. Which is wild because when we begin sparring, he picks everything up so quickly. What does that say, when my best student is the class clown?” Sasha asks.

“That you suck at this, and your old.” Javier teases.

“I’m not old you little brat!” Sasha says while hoping over to Javier and instantly locking his ankles in a Kurt Angle styled leg lock. Javier quickly taps out.

The siblings sit next to each other in the empty gym. Sasha lowers the volume of the gym radio from her phone. Javier glances at his sister. In martial arts it’s important to learn how to read body language so that you can anticipate what to do next. This combined with living with his sister his whole life meant that Javier knew when something was bothering his older sister.

“What’s on your mind?” Javier asks.

Sasha snaps out of her thought process. When she looks over to Javier, she’s annoyed to see him looking directly at her. She knew that it was incredibly hard to hide anything from her first ever student.

“We’re getting closer to summer, you know.” Sasha deflects.

Javier inner thoughts: Sasha hates small talk, especially when it comes to talking about the weather. Although she knows that I know this about her, so why would she even waste time like this? That is unless she’s thinking about something that could affect me. Sasha doesn’t usually try to hide things from me unless their Christmas presents or…or.

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“What’s really bothering you idiota?” Javier asks.

Sasha leans back, now staring at the ceiling.

“Well. Dad called me the other day.” Sasha reveals.

“So?” Javier immediately responds.

“He’s going to stop by and see how the gym is going.” Sasha says.

Javier’s eyes go wide, the last time he saw his father was almost 2 years ago. Two whole years of his farther cancelling on family time. Two years of personal events, and holidays all bypassed.

“That man doesn’t show his face around here for two years, then only wants to come check on the gym?! Not his children that have been operating this whole thing without him?!” Javier lashes out.

“Javier.” Sasha tries to calm her brother down, even though she knows it’s useless. At least when it comes to their father.

“No, Sasha, that man is fucking bum!” Javier yells.

“How can he be a bum when he currently operates a successful multi state gym?” Sasha asks.

“Not that type of bum, you know what I mean. I mean why did this man even have kids if he doesn’t care about us?!” Javier asks.

“He does care. In his own way.” Sasha explains.

“Fuck “his way,” how about showing love the normal way? I’m glad he’s living his dream, but you telling me that his own kids don’t fit in that dream?” Javier continues.

“Bro, it’s complicated. Mom’s death was hard on him. He didn’t know how to heal properly after that. It hit all of us pretty hard.” Sasha says.

“Why do you always defend him, when he isn’t even bothered to be here and defend himself?” Javier asks his siter.

“I don’t always defend him!” Sasha counters.

“Sure, you do sis. You almost bend over backwards the few times he does visit.” Javier says.

When Javier says this, he can see a reaction on Sasha’s face that shakes him to the core. It looked as if a wave of sadness washed over her. Although Javier wasn’t angry at her, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, followed by the need to change the subject. It’s true that Javier was only a child when his mom passed so while he felt a certain level of sadness, he recognizes that his sister and farther had a completely different dynamic before he came into the picture. Although that didn’t create a feeling of tolerance for Javier toward his father. To him, his father was nothing more than a dead beat.

“I’m sorry sis. I don’t mean to turn any of my anger towards you. That man just gets under my skin.” Javier explains.

“I know he does. That’s why I was hesitant to tell you honestly. Although I realize that I shouldn’t do that to you, even if you hate him. He’s your farther too.” Sasha says.

“I haven’t thought of that man as my farther in a long time.” Javier reveals. “But for your sake, I’ll be cordial whenever he does decide to show his face back here.”

“Thank you, bro.” Sasha says.

Javier gets back to his feet, then holds his hand out for his sister.

“Come on, we still have to clean this place before close.” Javier points out.

“Now you’re talking like the future owner of this place.” Sasha teases.

“Yeah, no way. I can’t see this place running without you.” Javier admits.

“What are you going to do when I retire then?” Sasha asks.

“Burn this place down and collect the insurance.”

Sasha playfully slaps Javier’s shoulder.

“Ow! Kidding, I was kidding.” Javier says.

“I know, you (Spanish for dumbass)” Sasha says while smiling at her younger brother.