She Had a Reason to Come Back
Brian Armer
By her fourth lost bout, Lena had developed a theory: the electronic scoring box was extremely fond of everyone except her.
She knew that wasn’t fair. The box wasn’t the one stepping forward when she should have stepped back. Still, it was easier to glare at a light than admit how badly she wanted to belong.
At the edge of the piste, she took off her mask and tried to make her breathing sound casual. Across from her, the woman who had just scored the final touch lowered her foil.
“Want to try that last bit again?”
Lena glanced toward the others packing their bags. “You don’t have to stay.” “I know. I’m asking.”
They put their masks back on. This time, her opponent slowed the exchange, showing Lena where the distance had changed. They repeated it. On the third attempt, Lena found the space she had been missing.
No winning light. No applause. Just someone on the other side saying, “There. Feel the difference?” She did.
Afterward, they put their gear away and talked about everything that had seemed obvious until Lena tried doing it herself. The club’s terminology was improving faster than her footwork. She was considering that a small victory.
Before leaving, she reached for her prepared skin spray. When she had mixed it at home, she’d checked the concentrate’s directions rather than guessing. The peppermint on its ingredient list had caught her eye: a cooling sensory contribution, not just a minty scent. A small part of the blend, with its own job. She used the spray she’d prepared with Zombie’s Infusion Hygienic Concentrate as directed on her own skin, then tucked it into her bag.
At the door, her practice partner turned back. “Same time next Thursday?” Lena had been wondering whether to come again. Now someone was expecting her.
“Same time.”
At home, she put her mask beside the door instead of away in the closet. She still hadn’t won a bout. She had a place to be on Thursday.
Who made room for you when you were new? Share this with the teammate who stayed for one more try. You’re welcome to explore Zombie’s care for training days.