Chapter 82

Kim slowly entered the big open room in which nearly the whole floor was covered by martial arts mats. When she realized she was already in the dojo and not just an entrance area, Kim immediately took off her shoes. She could see Dot nodding approving from the corner of her eye.

A dojo was considered something special and something to keep clean. It wasn’t uncommon that before and after a training session the students would clean the dojo.

Kim sat down on one of the chairs that were placed against the wall for the parents to watch their children’s training. She turned her attention to the children in the white clothing who were completely focused on Dorothea and her explanations of the right movement for the next step in their training.

Kim smiled when she recognized the movements and remembered her first time executing them. When Dot moved through the lines of students and corrected the movements of the children, she felt as nervous as she was as a kid. She always thought she was doing everything wrong. It took her trainer years to convince her that she actually had a great talent for martial arts and was one of his best students.

Kim sighed. Hopefully she would remember some things and not make a total fool out of herself in front of Dot.

After the training was over and all the students and their parents had left, Dot smiling walked over to Kim.

“Hi Kim. How are you doing?”

“Hi Dot. Honestly…I had better days.” The brunette looked at her surprised.

“What’s wrong?” she wanted to know, while opening a bottle of water.

“Well, you mean besides the fact that the man I love is hundreds of miles away and I work more than I sleep?” She looked at Dot a little shocked.

“I’m sorry.” She said. How could she say that to his ex-wife?

“Don’t worry.” Dot said and patted her arm encouraging. She really didn’t seem to mind her words.

“So, what’s really wrong?”

“I think I have a stalker.” Kim said.

“Do you know who it is?” Dot asked concerned.

“No. I’m not even sure there really is someone.” Kim got to her feet and started to pace around unsettled. “I never saw someone…it’s…it’s just this feeling that someone is watching me.” She finally said frustrated.

“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” she looked at Dot unsure.

“I don’t think it’s crazy, Kim. I think you should trust your instincts. They are very important, especially for women in my opinion. They are the reason we have the car key already in our hand when walking to our car during the night. They exist for already Millions of years and I doubt that your instinct was ever wrong.”

Kim nodded. “Yeah, normally I’m right when I’m listening to my gut.”

“That’s what I thought. When did it start?” Dot wanted to know.

“Shortly after Jon and I went public with our relationship.”

“Wow, that was over six months ago. That’s a little scary.” Dot said worried.

“Yeah.” Kim only said and bit her bottom lip. She was unsure if she should tell Dot about the incident with Nigel.

“Is that the only reason why you wanna start with karate again.” The brunette asked casual. Kim snorted lightly.

“You are good.”

“Well, I have to deal with four kids and an ex-husband who is not known for always saying immediately what is bothering him.” She said dryly. Kim sighed and sat down again. A little hesitantly she shared what happened in the Boat House six months ago and when she was sixteen.

“And you never pressed charges.”

“No, I simply left for college….what really scares me though is the fact that I didn’t use karate. Six months ago I couldn’t move, I was so shocked that I didn’t have any control of my legs.” Kim told her shivering lightly. Dot supportingly put her arm around her shoulder.

“Well, that were exceptional circumstances. He was your friend. You trusted him. You would have never expected him to do something like that. It takes a lot to develop so much anger against someone you love and trust to attack. It’s not easy.”

Kim only nodded. “Do you think I can learn it?”

“Yes. I was able to teach Steph, I think I’m able to teach you.”

“Steph is still doing karate?” Kim asked surprised.

“Yes, and I’m very happy about it. I know she can defend herself. Maybe not for long that sure depends on the other person, but she will probably surprise him and cause enough trouble so someone else will notice.” Dot told her when they walked to the locker rooms so Kim could change.

“Ok, why don’t you change and we start with some simple combinations to see if you still remember everything.” Dot suggested.

“I don’t think remember will be the problem, but my body not doing what my mind wants him to do.” Kim said grinning.

“Well, it’s been a while. You need to be patient.” Kim only gave her a long look.

“Great. Jon and you sure will drive everyone crazy.” Kim laughed at her comment.

“But seriously Kim. It will take some time. If we can start with the special training in three weeks that would be really good.”

“You’ll kick my ass, right?” Kim asked already knowing the answer.

“Yeah, I will try to switch from frozen to the spot to aggressive bitch when someone is threating you. But better me than someone else right?”

“Right. Maybe Fran should do this training too. She could sure use it in LA.” Kim said and pulled her karate suit from her bag.

“Heather being her normal charming self?” Dot asked sarcastically.

“How do you know?” Kim turned around surprised. Dot laughed grim.

“I know that woman. She may look cute and naïve, but she will do everything to keep her good image in the public. And she wants to make a star out of Ava. She would sell her own grandmother to get what she wants. You gotta be careful around her Kim…and Fran too.”