For My Mother

Xuan liked that she was simultaneously finding out more about her family's past as her mom was reliving it all again with both her daughters and her new one daughter. Their mother would soon come back and ask if they were ready to go. "Y-Yeah. Let's get going. "

With a nod of her head, Mrs. Schultz and her daughter's went over to the cashier to pay for their new belongings. Aside from the other two customers in front of them, Junko would be first, Hiro would be second, Xuan would be third, and their mother would be last. When it was Junko's turn, she would hand the cashier the new pants and paid the amount needed. The same would be done for Hiro and her new hat that looked similar to that of the roaring 20s.

Xuan would soon be next and then Mrs. Schultz last. The new clothes were put in plastic bags and each family member held their own to keep it secure.

Xuan would wait patiently in line until she was up to pay. She handed the money to pay for her new vest and as soon as the tags were gaken off from it, Xuan would put it on over her normal attire. She, and her sisters, would wait for their mother.

Mrs. Schultz would come in with her bags in hand as she met with her daughters who were already close to the door. She would see Xuan putting on her vest for the first time ever and she smiled with great pride. Kissing her adopted girl on the head, she would say, "Whatever you wear, you still look beautiful."

The four women all walked out and headed down the sidewalk again. If Xuan asks what they're going to do next, Junko simply answered, "We have one more place to visit and this one is very dear to us too."

Xuan smiles at her mother's kind words. And before she could even ask what was to happen next, she was told so. They were going to kne more place that had a spot not only in their mother's heart by to Junko and Hiro as well...

Both Junko and Hiro would lead their mother and new sister down one block until they reached a rather large building. The sign said "The Iron Fist Gym" and the inside of it says it all. There were barbels, jump ropes, a ring used for boxing or wrestling, and stations pertaining to work a different muscle and part of the body. Junko would look to her mother and asked, "Do you remember what this place is, Mama?"

Mrs. Schultz looked inside for herself and said, "Oh...Oh, yes, I do! This was the gym where your father and I practiced our martial arts!"

Hiro smiled brightly as she said, "Come on! Let's get in already!"

It seems that they last destination was a gym. Xuan didnt think it was one until she read the sign. She wondered what exact significant place this held in their hearts until she hears that thos is where they trained. All of them...

Including Ithaca their late father. She smiles and walks into the gym with them.

The four would walk inside the gym and they could see that the interior was huge and filled with people working out. Some were lifting weights, some stretched on exercise balls, some worked their arms and legs at different stations, and others were practicing their boxing at the ring. Junko lead her mother and sisters down the hall where there were doors at the left and right, including the bathrooms and locker rooms. She went to the first one on the left and grabbed the handle.

"Is everyone ready? Here we go!" When Junko opened the door, it would reveal what looked like to be a karate practice area. This must be the very place where the family trained their martial skill set.

Xuan would look around as they briskly walk through the gym. She didnt have too much time to do so, as it seemed that they were going somewhere specific in the gym. And so they were. Somewhere a bit more private than the gym. It was a single room with mats.

"Whats this place?"

Junko would simply reply to Xuan, "This is the area where we used to train our martial skills after school. The family would get together and we would practice stances, punches, kicks, and tricky maneuvers to get out of tough situations."


Hiro would look around and said, "I remember starting out here as a white belt and then moved my way up the ranks as time went on. It was great to know we could be prepared for the future."


Mrs. Schultz nodded and then added, "Indeed, I even have the belts you girls earned back at home. It's too bad you are too big to fit in your old karate uniforms. Oh! But there are some adult-sized uniforms at the corner over there."


Indeed, there were spare uniforms at one corner and it gave Junko the signal. "Hey, Mom, are you up for a little spar? I'd like to make up for lost time."

Mrs. Schultz smiled as she said, "Are you sure? Although, I'm getting older, I haven't forgotten some of the methods I've taught you that were quite tricky."