Self-defense is not just a set of techniques; it’s a state of mind, and it begins with the belief that YOU are worth defending. – Rorion Gracie
Shelby thought that Neo was an idiot.Not with business. He was good with business. And he knew how to keep his clients and employees happy.They had never made it that far, but she was certain that he knew how to keep a woman happy.And this is why she thought that he was an idiot.Shelby was driving out to the new facilities, house, compound, whatever he was calling it. Nate sat in the backseat of her pickup chatting happily about what he and Uncle Neo were going to do tonight. Ever since Neo said that he had signed both Shelby and Jolene up for the RAD class, the only thing that Nate could talk about was his Thursday nights with Uncle Neo.Nate seemed to think that this was going to become a regular thing. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that this was only a three-week course. She waved at Chris who was workMy best dreams and worst nightmares have the same people in them. – PhilipposAfter class, Jolene and Shelby stopped for a burger at a fast-food place.“I can’t believe that little girl…” Jolene said softly.“Oh my God, yeah. When her mom called, she asked what the age cut off was and I’ve never been asked that before.” Shelby admitted. “I went and talked to Neo and she’s doing the class and Andre is also meeting with her and her mom and sisters. Did you see the story about the little girl that was raped by her neighbor on a dare?”“Oh God.” Jolene whispered as she covered her mouth. “She’s a baby.”“I know. I won’t even tell you what Neo said. Mainly because I don’t use language like that.”“I’ve never heard him really use bad language.”“He did that day. A lot of it.” Shelby shook her head. “After he made the arrangements, he disappeared down into the gun range for about an hour.”“He said something about teaching me how to shoot.” Jolene said nervo
The best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don’t. – Marie KondoThe intoxicating smell of chicken and matza ball filled the station house. By the time Douggie walked into Gina’s office, her mouth was watering. She hated that bastard. He knew her weaknesses and how to get her to agree to just about anything.“Good morning.” Douggie boomed.“Fuck off.” She growled but her eyes never left the plastic bowl in his hands.“And here I came bearing a peace offering.” He smiled broadly.“I don’t trust your peace offerings.” She admitted as he placed the bowl on the desk and produced a plastic spoon from his jacket pocket.“With good reason.” He agreed, sitting down and pulling out a packet of papers.Seeing the pack of papers, she replaced the lid on the soup that she had just removed and groaned as she held her hand out for them. “What kind of hell have you brought me today?”“I bring you Matza ball soup and good tidings of cheer.”
In the twilight woods of wishes, dreamers rest their weary souls. – Angie Weiland-CrosbyJD sat on the floor with his math workbook opened for the assignment as he watched Dean use chalk to sketch out her design on the wall. He had always wondered how murals were made. She had shrugged her shoulders as she drew out the first layer.“This is what works for me.”Never before had he thought about the details, thoughts and planning that went into something like this. To him, they just... appeared. But to Dean, they were a glimpse into another world. She had started out with a bunch of lines that made no sense to him, not that any of the others made much more sense. Then she sloppily painted three different colors. A bright light blue that was about two feet down from the ceiling. Next were about four feet of dark blue and the remaining was brown. They all blended into one another, and she completed a full wall before moving to the next.Once she was done in the morn
If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. – BuddhaWillow looked outside at the pouring rain and shivered. It was an early spring rain that was cold and hard. Rubbing a hand over her very rounded belly, she turned away from the large window adjacent to her desk.When Reese decided that they would have an actual office, he found an older building. It was what he liked. It was just his way. He loved to take something old and mold it into something new.At the turn of the century, this building had held a dry goods store and greengrocer. The old dry goods counter sat across from her with brochures, flyers, testimonials and three small screens showing before and after pictures from each of the three companies.The large window that used to hold a display of dry goods now had topsoil and construction equipment toys. The children that came in always eyed it with longing and when Willow would tell them that they could play, they would light up.
And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. - J.K. RowlingNeo knew that the night before divorce hearing was going to be hard on Jolene. After the third time that she cried out for him, Neo crawled under the black comforter and pulled her close. Wrapping a strong arm around her, he pressed a light kiss to the back of her head.“I’m here, baby. I’m here.”In the warm cocoon of the comfort that Neo offered, Jolene slept peacefully for the rest of the night. When she woke up in the early morning light, she expected him to be gone like he always was. But this time, he was still there and still asleep.She moved slowly and turned to look at him. He was a very handsome man with lush thick black eyelashes. Reaching out, she touched his cheek lightly. His head turned into her hand, and he kissed her palm. His eyes opened and focused on her.“Go get a shower and get ready.” He whispered. “We’ll go have breakfast before we go to the courthou
One of the most courageous decisions you’ll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul. – Brigette NicoleAfter breakfast, Neo drove them to Marti’s office where Jolene was briefed on what all was going to happen. They had gone through it several times, but Marti wanted to make sure that Jolene would be comfortable and feel prepared with everything.Everything including the trial, the judge and the process. But most importantly, the people. Hank and his family would be there. The press would be there. The judge had already forbidden any cameras and all cell phones must be turned off. Not silenced. Not on airplane mode. Completely turned off.With just over a third of the local police department having resigned, been let go or forced into retirement following the Fargo investigation, their divorce was still high profile. Binch would not be handling this one since he did not do civil law. It had been luck of the draw who they got.Judge White
Truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water. – Miguel de CervantesOnce the court was adjourned, Steve quickly made his way out of the courtroom and to the main lobby. He knew what was coming and wanted to be prepared. Looking at the cameras, he picked the best location for everything to be filmed. The security kiosk was only a few feet away. He nodded to the guard and opened the messenger bag and pulled out the copy of the file that had been turned into the lawyer who gave it to the judge.As if it was scripted, Henry Fargo and his entourage exited the elevator and headed for Steve. With a motion that was second nature, he switched on his lapel camera and waited for the men to reach him.“What the hell was that?” Henry demanded.Steve handed him the file. “If you remember, I offered to provide you with everything that I had compiled. You declined and asked that I appear here with the file. You also obviously did not read the contract. Both of those are on you
She will rise with a spine of steel and a roar like thunder, she will rise. – Nicole LyonsFor the first time in longer than she would like to admit, Jolene felt free. She walked out of the courthouse knowing that she could go anywhere and do anything. There was no one watching her. No one was tracking her. No one had to know where she was unless she wanted them to know.She stood on the sidewalk with her face turned up to the sky. The warm sun felt wonderful on her face. Taking a deep breath, a small sob of relief escaped her. Helen placed a comforting hand on her daughter’s arm and held her close when she turned towards her.The princesses all moved off to the side and were having a quiet discussion. Bunny walked over and hugged both mother and daughter, squeezing her large belly between the two. Jaxon and JD stood close to the trio, between Reese and Neo, making sure that they were not bothered. Ty said goodbye to his aunt and uncle before taking up a post to pro