Chapter 25: A Step Forward

Saturday:

The first rays of Saturday morning sunlight spilled through Josh’s window, warming his face as he stirred awake. He stretched, feeling the lingering aches in his body but noting how much less they bothered him compared to earlier in the week. A sense of anticipation filled him as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and got ready for the day. Today wasn’t just another Saturday—it was the day he would take a tangible step toward learning how to defend himself.

Pulling on a simple T-shirt and jeans, Josh headed downstairs, where the familiar hum of family life greeted him. In the kitchen, his mother stood at the stove, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail, flipping pancakes with a practiced ease. Joel and William were already seated at the table, their heads bowed over steaming mugs of hot cocoa.

“Morning, boys,” Dorothy greeted without turning around, her voice carrying warmth.

“Morning, Mom,” Josh replied as he slid into his seat next to William.

Joel glanced up and gave a lopsided grin. “You’re up early for a Saturday, Josh. Big plans or something?”

Josh nodded, reaching for the plate of pancakes his mother set on the table. “Yeah, actually. I’m heading to the Mini Mart after breakfast to talk with Mr. Chang about starting lessons at his dojo.”

William’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, Mr. Chang has a dojo? Like karate and stuff?”

“Yeah, more like self-defense,” Josh explained. “He mentioned it to me the other day when I was down there. Thought I’d give it a try.”

Joel smirked, cutting into his pancake. “Maybe you’ll finally learn how to stop getting punched in the face.”

Josh shot him a glare, though the corner of his mouth twitched with amusement. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Joel. Real supportive.”

Dorothy turned around, her expression a mix of curiosity and approval. “That sounds like a great idea, Josh. Learning self-defense can be really useful. Just remember—no fighting unless you absolutely have to.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Josh replied, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “It’s just about learning to protect myself.”

After breakfast, the family lingered at the table, the conversation turning to Joel’s latest basketball game and William’s plans to head to the park with his friends later. Josh chimed in occasionally but remained focused on his plans for the day.

As the plates were cleared and Dorothy began rinsing them at the sink, she glanced over her shoulder. “Josh, let me know how it goes with Mr. Chang, okay? And don’t forget to ask him about what you’ll need to bring for class.”

“Will do,” Josh replied, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “I’ll head over now, if that’s alright.”

His mother waved a hand, smiling. “Go ahead. Just be careful and let me know if you need anything.”

Josh nodded, his excitement building as he stepped out into the crisp morning air. The streets were alive with the quiet hum of weekend activity: neighbors trimming their hedges, kids riding their bikes, and the distant sound of a dog barking.

The walk to the Mini Mart was familiar, almost comforting in its simplicity. Josh’s mind wandered as he took in the sights and sounds of his neighborhood. He thought about the possibilities ahead—how learning self-defense could change things for him, how it might help him feel more in control after the chaos Danny had brought into their lives.

As he approached the Mini Mart, the glass door reflected the bright morning sun, and he could see the faint outline of Mrs. Chang behind the counter. Steeling himself with a deep breath, Josh pulled the door open, the small bell above jingling softly to announce his arrival.

He was ready to take the next step.

Josh stepped into the Mini Mart, the cheerful chime of the bell above the door announcing his arrival. The familiar scent of coffee, candies, and the faint hint of cleaning supplies greeted him. Behind the counter, Mrs. Chang looked up from a stack of papers, her warm smile lighting up the room.

Josh returned her smile and approached the counter. “Good morning, Mrs. Chang. I’m here to see Sensei Chang—I mean, Mr. Chang.”

Her eyebrows lifted slightly at the title, but her smile deepened with approval. “Ah, so you’ve already started calling him Sensei? Very respectful. Her face brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically. He’s been running that dojo for years. You’re lucky—he doesn’t make that offer lightly. He’s in the back stockroom. Go ahead and let him know you’re here.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Chang,” Josh replied, giving her a polite nod before making his way toward the back.

The narrow hallway leading to the stockroom was dimly lit, the shelves on either side packed with bulk items waiting to be restocked. Josh’s sneakers squeaked softly against the linoleum floor as he reached the door at the end. Pushing it open, he found Mr. Chang standing amidst an array of boxes, clipboard in hand, methodically checking items against a shipping manifest.

Josh took a moment to collect himself. Drawing on what he’d studied the night before, he bowed deeply, holding the paperwork with both hands as he had learned was customary in traditional Japanese etiquette.

“Sensei,” Josh said, his voice steady, “here is the signed paper. Please give me your instruction.”

Mr. Chang looked up from his clipboard, surprise flickering in his eyes before it softened into an approving smile. Setting the clipboard aside, he bowed in return and accepted the papers with both hands, mirroring Josh’s gesture of respect.

“Thank you, Josh,” he said warmly. “Or should I say, deshi? You’ve clearly done some preparation.”

Josh straightened, his face flushing slightly at the praise. “I spent some time last night preparing, Sensei. I wanted to approach this with respect.”

Mr. Chang nodded, setting the paperwork on a nearby shelf. “Preparation is a sign of commitment. Come with me.”

They exited the stockroom, passing through the main store. Mrs. Chang waved them off, calling out, “Have fun, you two!”

Mr. Chang led Josh to his car, a pristine 1994 Toyota Previa S/C, its supercharged engine rumbling softly as they pulled out onto the road.

“This dojo is a second home for me,” Mr. Chang said as they drove. “It’s where I teach, but it’s also where I learn. Aikido isn’t just something you master—it’s something you live.”

Josh nodded thoughtfully, taking in the statement. “Sensei, I read a little about Aikido last night. It’s not just about fighting, is it?”

Mr. Chang smiled faintly. “No, it’s not. Aikido is the art of harmony. It’s about finding balance—not just in combat, but in life. It’s about understanding energy, joining it, and redirecting it. It’s creation, not destruction.”

When they arrived at the dojo, Josh felt a sense of awe. The building was simple but elegant, its polished wooden floors visible through large windows. The walls bore framed calligraphy and photographs, their presence lending the space a serene and disciplined atmosphere.

Inside, the dojo was quiet, the air filled with a sense of reverence. Mr. Chang gestured for Josh to remove his shoes and step onto the mats.

“Before we begin,” Mr. Chang said, his tone measured, “let me share with you the essence of Aikido.”

Josh stood at attention, eager to listen.

“Aikido,” Mr. Chang began, “is the dynamic movement of universal energy forces. Its power is not brute strength but the harmony of spirit, mind, and body. Aikido flows from the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba, O Sensei, the founder of this art. He dedicated his life to mastering the sword, the spear, and other disciplines, but he realized that true mastery lay in uniting his physical training with his spiritual beliefs.”

Josh’s gaze lingered on one of the calligraphy scrolls. “So it’s more about protecting than hurting?”

“Exactly,” Mr. Chang affirmed. “Budo—the martial way—is not about domination. It’s about peace, harmony, and the protection of life. O Sensei once said, ‘Budo is not felling the opponent by force; nor is it a tool to lead the world into destruction by arms. True Budo is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, and protect all beings in nature.’”

Josh nodded slowly, the weight of the words settling in his mind.

“The movements of Aikido,” Mr. Chang continued, “embody these principles. Negative force isn’t met with resistance but joined and redirected through spiral movement. It’s the shape of existence itself—balanced, yet dynamic.”

He gestured for Josh to take a stance on the mat. “Shall we begin?”

For the next hour, Mr. Chang guided Josh through the fundamentals. They started with basic stances and footwork, the foundation of balance and movement. Josh’s muscles ached as he practiced over and over, his body adjusting to the unfamiliar motions.

“Relax,” Mr. Chang instructed as Josh struggled to hold a balanced stance. “Aikido is not about tension. It’s about flow. Tension blocks energy, but flow allows it to move freely.”

Josh adjusted, feeling the subtle difference as his movements became smoother.

“Good,” Mr. Chang said. “Now, let’s explore connection. When an opponent comes at you, you don’t resist. You join their energy and guide it. Watch.”

He demonstrated a simple technique, redirecting an imagined attacker’s energy with a graceful motion that ended in an empty palm strike. “Your goal is not to harm but to neutralize.”

Josh mimicked the movement, his motions clumsy at first. But under Mr. Chang’s patient guidance, he improved steadily.

As they took a brief pause, Mr. Chang said, “Aikido is more than technique. It’s a philosophy. It challenges you to confront your fears and transform a negative fighting spirit into something creative. Through practice, you’ll not only learn self-defense but also discover truths about yourself.”

Josh nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. “I think I understand, Sensei. It’s about more than just fighting—it’s about balance and growth.”

“Exactly,” Mr. Chang said with a nod.

By the end of the lesson, Josh was exhausted but exhilarated. As they bowed to each other, he felt a profound sense of gratitude and respect.

“Thank you, Sensei,” Josh said earnestly.

“You’ve made a strong start,” Mr. Chang replied. “Remember, Aikido is a journey, not a destination. You’ve taken the first step.”

As Josh left the dojo, his mind buzzed with the lessons he had learned. He felt a newfound sense of purpose, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with balance and determination.

The drive back to the Mini Mart was quiet at first, the soft rumble of the Toyota Previa’s engine accompanying their thoughts. Josh glanced at Mr. Chang, his sensei, still processing everything he had learned during their first lesson. The words about harmony and balance, about redirecting energy instead of resisting it, echoed in his mind.

“Sensei,” Josh began, breaking the silence, “about the schedule ... when will I have my lessons?”

Mr. Chang glanced at him briefly before focusing back on the road. “For now, we’ll have group classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Those will help you learn alongside others, which is important. Watching and practicing with different partners is invaluable in Aikido.”

Josh nodded, already thinking about how to adjust his routine to make room for the lessons. “And Saturdays?”

“We’ll have one-on-one sessions,” Mr. Chang said. “Saturday mornings will be for focused training, just you and me. That’s where we’ll refine the techniques you learn in class and go deeper into the philosophy of Aikido.”

“That sounds perfect, Sensei,” Josh replied, his excitement growing.

Mr. Chang chuckled softly. “Good. But remember, Josh, this journey requires dedication. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about living the principles you’re learning.”

Josh hesitated before asking, “What about the cost? I know lessons aren’t usually cheap...”

Mr. Chang’s expression softened. “Josh, I’ve been teaching in this neighborhood for years. I know what it’s like for families around here—your family included. Struggling to make ends meet is a reality for many.” He paused, then added, “I don’t teach Aikido for money. I teach because it’s my passion, and I believe in passing down the Aikido way.”

Josh’s heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you, Sensei. I promise, I won’t waste this opportunity.”

Mr. Chang nodded. “We’ll figure something out if a formal fee becomes necessary. But for now, focus on your training. Dedicate yourself fully, and that will be worth more than money.”

As the Mini Mart came into view, Josh felt a new sense of purpose settling over him. He wasn’t just learning to defend himself—he was learning a way of life.

Once they parked, Mr. Chang turned to Josh. “For your next lesson, bring only your willingness to learn and a commitment to practice what you’ve been taught. That’s all I ask for now.”

Josh bowed respectfully, the motion ingrained after his first day of training. “Thank you, Sensei, for everything today.”

Mr. Chang returned the bow. “You’re welcome, Josh. Remember, this is only the beginning. Aikido is a lifelong journey.”

As Josh stepped out of the car, he felt a quiet determination building within him. He waved goodbye to his sensei and started the walk home, replaying the day’s lessons in his mind.