Chapter 10

Lynda got on the phone and booked her a flight at six o’clock the next morning. The three of us stayed up all night talking. I had an Uber driver picked her up at five in the morning and drive her to the airport which was only ten minutes away. She promised to call me as soon as she knew more about Jack.

About a week later, my Uncle Jack was moved from ICU to a private room. He was awake and had almost fully recovered. There were some parts of his story that did not make sense as Lynda explained but she also mentioned he seemed very different. He was begging her to give him one more chance and she stated she was leaning in that direction.

Just about that time as well, Cassie informed me that she was going back to school and get her degree. She was changing school and would be close enough to drive home every other weekend. I was extremely disappointed but there was not much I could do. Several days later Cassie left for school and for the first time in a long time, I was completely alone.

I went back to my normal routine of training and teaching with Master Garcia. Detective Wilson was still trying to get a break in my mother’s, but nobody was talking. Several weeks later, I was working out some of Master Garcia’s younger students when he summoned me to his office.

Master Garcia introduced me to a middle-aged man by the name of Baukaw Jala. Mr. Jala taught Muy Thai which was also known as Thai Boxing. The discipline is known as the art of the eight limbs using the hands, elbows, knees, and shins to strike your opponent. Muy Thai was a form of fighting that required you to stand. It was strictly for striking unlike Krav Maga which taught you to fight in any situation. After talking with the two of them Master Garcia recommended, I train with Mr. Jala whenever we both had the time. Mr. Jala was renting a large room in the gym as well and was setting up a school for Muy Thai.

In addition to everything I was doing, I dove into Muy Thai with a vengeance. I learned about basic punches, spinning back-fist, elbow slash, uppercut elbow, midair elbow, roundhouse kick, axe heel kick, knee strike and the knee bomb, along with many others. It was tough at times, not to revert to the Krav Maga when an opening presented itself. Mr. Jala wanted me to completely understand Muy Thai before trying to use both at the same time.

Cassie had not been home from school since she left town. She had called me a few times explaining that by leaving when she did after her situation, she was now, way behind. She promised she would be home for the holidays which was just a month away. Lynda had called as well explaining that her and Jack were living together, and things were much better. Jack was seeing a therapist and according to Lynda their relationship was on solid ground again. Detective Wilson was keeping in contact with me occasionally, but he couldn’t seem to make any headway in the case. After hanging up with him, I instantly made the decision that I needed to make something happen. I sat down for most of the afternoon and devised a plan that would put them all on edge and perhaps I could get a break.

I knew the two I had to target was Josh Klein and Mark Boudreaux. They were both prone to losing their tempers and always acted like the toughest guys in town. If I could get one or both to snap it might be the answer to finding out what happened.

Since I knew Cassie would be home in a few weeks, I decided to start right away. I knew Friday night; I could catch most if not all of them out on the weekend. Sure, enough on Friday night, I saw some familiar vehicles parked at Moe’s Pizza. I parked my car in the side lot and went around to the front door. As soon as I entered, I noticed them at a table all the way in the rear of the restaurant. Since I was alone, I walked over to the bar when you could eat or drink. I sat down and Molly, one of the girls I graduated with came over to take my order.

“Hey Chris, how have you been?” she asked.

“I’m ok Molly and you?” I replied.

“Just working as much as I can.’’ she laughed.

I ordered a Coke and a small meat lovers pizza and leaned back on the bar stool watching the large tv overhead playing a football game. I was staring at the screen when someone whispered in my ear.

“Hey gorgeous ... wanna make out.” the soft voice said.

I turned to my right to see Jennifer Smith standing there with a huge grin on her face. She had been dating Destin Thibodaux for years.

“I don’t think that would be a great idea, Jen.” I laughed.

“No probably not ... but I bet it would fun.” she giggled.

“I am sure it would be.” I answered.

“Just on my way to the lady’s room ... just wanted to say hi.” she giggled, walking away.

About that time, Molly returned with my Coke and set it down on the napkin in front of me. She had a strange look on her face, and I guess she couldn’t resist.

“You are living dangerously huh?” she asked.

“Not really, Jennifer just said hello.” I replied, picking up my drink.

“I can’t stand that group. They treated everybody like shit when we were in school. You were the only one to ever stand up to them.” she stated.

“In the very near future, something bad is going to happen to them. I am just waiting ... they can’t leave it be.” I stated.

“Don’t look now but three of them are heading this way.” Molly sighed, stepping away from the bar.

I leaned in and started to watch the television again, but I heard the place go very quiet. Most of the town knew the history with us, so they figured they were about to get a front row seat to a spectacle. I heard them approaching and stop behind me.

“Hey asshole, why are you talking to Destin’s girl?” I heard from behind.

I knew it was Josh Klein using his best “I am a bad ass voice” on me. I just decided to ignore him the first time. Of course, Josh was not going to let it go.

“Hey Kung Fu ... I’m talking to you boy.” he quickly shouted back.

I got up from the stool and turned to face Josh. Along with him were Mark Boudreaux and Ted Savoie, both doing their best to act dangerous.

“Oh, sorry Josh, I didn’t hear you.” I replied.

“You heard me fuckwad, why were you talking to Jennifer?” he growled.

“She just said hello, that was it.” I replied, smiling.

“You talk to who I say who can talk to.” Josh answered.

“Look Josh, you have the rest of your life to be an idiot ... why not take tonight off.” I replied.

Everyone seated around us roared in laughter much to their dismay. This did not sit well with Josh, Mark and Ted. They basically just stood there looking like three dildos with stupid looks on their faces. Just about that time Molly arrived back with my pizza.

“Hey Chris, I have your pizza ready.” she called out.

I turned around and started to sit on the bar stool to begin to eat when my head was suddenly slammed into the bar in front of me. There was a sharp pain on my forehead as I felt something warm running down my face. I quickly felt something over my left shoulder, so I threw a quick elbow over that shoulder striking someone in the face. I whirled around just in time to catch a punch on the right side of my face. That fist belonged to Mark Boudreaux. I quickly grabbed his right arm, inserted my arm under his armpit and violently pushed his forearm back towards his own body. I heard the bone break as he wailed in pain. I released him just in time because Josh had gotten up off the floor was moving towards me. Using all my strength and weight, I threw a closed fist punch to the center of Josh’s chest which caused him immediately to fall to his knees. I stepped forward and drove my knee into his face causing him to fall backwards. I immediately turned to Ted Savoie who was standing there with a look of disbelief on his face. I moved towards him, but he back backed up quickly holding out his hands in front of him.