Head Kick (The Dojo) by Jones Patrick

Author:Jones, Patrick [Jones, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing
Published: 2013-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

“Happy birthday, runt!” Ywj says, then slaps my back hard with his left hand. His right hand carries a full plate of crab legs from the buffet. We’re celebrating my birthday with dinner at Grand City Buffet, my dad’s and my older brothers’ favorite Chinese restaurant. Since they don’t need to worry about making weight, this is a feast for them. For me, it’s torture.

I mumble something and take a bite from my veggie-filled plate. In front of me is a pile of gifts and envelopes from my family. In my car, I have the same from people at the dojo.

“Hey, Bao, you some kind of rock star?” Lue asks Bao, who’s wearing sunglasses indoors.

“He’s got an eye infection,” Ywj answers for Bao as he wraps his arms around his son. “You know little kids. They’re all bacteria-filled runts.”

Bao doesn’t react to the insult, which means he’s used to it. When I first started at the dojo and felt real strikes for the first time, I thought I’d forever be in pain. But you learn to absorb the blows.

“Open our birthday card first!” Dad says between bites of chicken wings.

Mom points it out, and I reach for it. She’s all smiles.

I open the gold envelope and pull out the fancy card. Inside it is a check for eighteen hundred dollars, except it’s not made out to me. The payee is Kirkwood Community College.

“Nong, you’ve made us so proud doing so well in school,” Mom says. Dad nods in agreement and then takes a chicken wing off Mom’s plate. “So your father wants you to continue your education in the fall, maybe even start taking classes this summer.”

“Thanks, Mom, but I don’t want to go to college. I want to train and fight full-time.”

Dad laughs. “Nong, get serious. We’ve supported this MMA thing while you’re in school since it keeps you out of trouble, but now it’s time to think about your future. You need a real plan.”

“I am serious,” I counter.

Dad frowns. “Son, your brothers and I have done fine even though we didn’t go to college. But as my youngest son, I want you to live the American dream, and that means college.”

“Wait a minute,” Ywj says. “Maybe he could be a pro wrestler. Remember how they used to have midget wrestling?” Everybody laughs but me, Mom, Kia, and Lue.

“But college isn’t my dream, Dad. I want to be a fighter and—”

“It’s decided,” he says and then goes back to eating food off his and Mom’s plates. I open up the other presents. The ones from my brothers are all the same: DVDs of seasons of The Ultimate Fighter. I already own them, but it’s not like they would ask or pay attention.

“Open mine next,” Lue says and then hands me his present. It’s heavy.

I rip open the paper. Inside is a huge book. The UFC Encyclopedia. “Thanks, Lue!”

“One day, cuz, we’ll both be in there!”

Vam laughs. “Yeah, Nong ‘The Runt’ Vang, I can see it!”

My face flushes as red as the sweet and sour pork on Lue’s plate.

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