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Michael’s shoulders slump. “Can’t we practice a few more moves?”
“Sorry, my man. Time’s up.” TJ stands and holds the bottom rope down with his foot so Michael can climb out of the ring.
Michael’s eyes land on me. “Who’s she?”
“This is Carla. She might be working here with us.”
I smile and wave. “Those were some serious punches you were throwing in there.”
Michael’s toothy grin lights up his face. “Thanks.” He cranes his neck to look at TJ. “You should hire her. She’s really pretty.”
My mouth drops open and TJ laughs. “She’s too old for you, bud.”
“But she’s not too old for you.”
“What are you, a matchmaker?” He nudges Michael’s rear end with his foot. “Go see if your dad is outside.”
Michael takes off toward the door.
“You’re early.” TJ wipes the sweat from his forehead with a towel.
“Aren’t you supposed to be punctual for a job interview?”
He grins and spreads his arms out wide. “Welcome to Heavy Weight.”
“Why would anyone bully that sweet boy?”
“Kids are cruel. Haven’t you ever been picked on?”
I nod as I recall junior high. “You’re looking at Clumsy Carla.”
“What earned you that nickname?”
“Dad’s here,” Michael shouts before bolting out the door.
“Shit. Be right back.” TJ sprints after him.
I watch through the glass as he kneels down to talk to Michael. Michael throws his arms around TJ’s neck, and then climbs into the back seat of his father’s car.
“Sorry about that,” TJ says, locking the front door and flipping the sign to ‘Closed.’ “I keep telling him not to run into the street.”
“It’s okay.”
“Let’s go to my office.”
I follow TJ behind the front desk to a door tucked into the corner. The nameplate on the door reads ‘Reggie Hart.’
“Who’s Reggie?”
“The previous owner.” TJ gestures to the chair in front of his desk and plops into the rolling chair behind it. “So, tell me why the kids called you Clumsy Carla.”
“The name’s pretty self-explanatory.”
“If I’m going to hire you, I need to know how clumsy we’re talking. I don’t need you injuring yourself and going out on workers’ comp.” TJ rocks back in his chair, the hint of a smile dancing on his lips.
“Can we just talk about the positions you have available?”
“What, no eye roll?”
