Chapter 32: Saturday Lessons

Saturday:

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains in Josh’s room, nudging him awake. As he stretched, he could hear the faint hum of voices and the clatter of dishes from downstairs. He quickly got up, dressed, and headed to the kitchen, where the scent of scrambled eggs and toast lingered in the air.

Josh’s mother, Dorothy, sat at the kitchen table with a steaming cup of coffee. Joel and William were already halfway through their breakfast, joking about a show they’d watched the night before.

“Good morning,” Josh greeted as he took a seat and reached for a piece of toast.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Dorothy replied with a warm smile.

“I have my lesson with Sensei Chang today,” Josh reminded them between bites of toast. “I’ll be meeting him at the Mini Mart first.”

Joel raised an eyebrow. “You’re seriously giving up your Saturday for martial arts?”

Josh smirked. “Yep, and it’s not just the lesson. I’m helping out at the Mini Mart in exchange for classes now.”

William snickered. “You’re trading groceries for karate? Classic Josh.”

“It’s Aikido, not karate,” Josh corrected, taking a sip of orange juice. “And besides, it’s a good deal. Keeps me busy, and I learn something valuable.”

Dorothy chimed in, her voice laced with approval. “It’s a great opportunity, and it shows responsibility. I’m proud of you, Josh.”

Josh felt a flicker of warmth at her praise but kept his expression neutral. “Thanks, Mom.”

After breakfast, Josh went upstairs to change into his workout clothes, packing his gi and belt carefully into his book bag. He double-checked that he had everything he needed, including a bottle of water. Once ready, he headed back downstairs, waving to his family.

“Don’t overdo it,” Dorothy called after him. “And remember, I want to hear all about your lesson when you get back.”

Josh gave her a thumbs-up as he stepped outside. The air was cool and crisp, with the faint scent of rain from the night before. The walk to the Mini Mart was peaceful, the streets quieter than usual with most families enjoying their Saturday morning routines.

When he arrived, the familiar chime of the doorbell greeted him. Mrs. Chang stood behind the counter, her ever-present warm smile lighting up the room.

“Good morning, Josh,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “Here to see Sensei?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Josh replied, bowing slightly in respect. “Is he in the back?”

She nodded, motioning toward the stockroom. “He’s expecting you. Go on back.”

Josh made his way through the aisles and into the stockroom, where Sensei Chang was meticulously organizing an inventory list. Josh stopped a few paces away, bowed deeply, and greeted him. “Good morning, Sensei.”

Sensei Chang looked up, his expression calm and measured. “Good morning, Josh. Ready for today’s lesson?”

“Yes, Sensei,” Josh said. “And I wanted to let you know that I spoke with my mother. She approved me helping out here in exchange for lessons.”

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Sensei’s face. “Good. I knew she’d see the value in it. This arrangement will benefit us both.”

Josh nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “I appreciate the opportunity.”

Sensei Chang motioned toward the front of the store. “Before we head out, grab something for lunch. Apples or bananas are a good choice—they’ll keep your energy up.”

Josh followed him to the produce section and selected a couple of apples, tucking them into his bag. Sensei Chang grabbed a few items for himself before heading to the front counter to speak with Mrs. Chang. The two exchanged a few quiet words before Sensei turned back to Josh.

“Let’s go,” he said, leading the way to his Toyota Previa parked outside. The vehicle gleamed faintly in the morning sun, its boxy frame exuding reliability over flashiness.

Josh climbed into the passenger seat, placing his bag carefully at his feet. As the engine roared to life, Sensei Chang navigated the streets with practiced ease, the quiet hum of the car filling the space between them.

“You’ve been practicing, haven’t you?” Sensei Chang asked, breaking the silence.

Josh nodded. “Yes, Sensei. Every evening after dinner. I’ve been going over the basics from our lessons.”

“Good,” Sensei replied. “Dedication is key. Today, we’ll build on that foundation.”

As the Toyota Previa pulled up in front of the dojo, Josh couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of determination. The boxy vehicle came to a smooth stop, and Sensei Chang cut the engine.

“Grab your things,” Sensei said with a faint smile, stepping out of the car.

Josh retrieved his backpack from the floor, shouldering it as he followed his instructor into the building. The dojo was quiet, its polished wooden floors gleaming under the natural light streaming through the high windows. The scent of pine lingered faintly in the air, mingled with the earthy undertones of the mats that lined the floor.

“Go ahead and change into your gi,” Sensei instructed, motioning toward the locker room.

Josh nodded, heading inside. He slipped out of his workout clothes, carefully folding them and tucking them into his bag before donning his gi and tying the white belt securely around his waist. A glance in the mirror confirmed that he was ready—at least outwardly. With a deep breath, he exited the locker room and rejoined Sensei on the mat.

“Let’s begin with some stretches,” Sensei said, gesturing for Josh to join him.

The two moved through a series of stretches, starting with their arms and shoulders before working down to their legs and ankles. Josh relished the familiar burn of his muscles loosening, the tension from the week melting away with each carefully executed motion.

“Loosen up your movements,” Sensei advised as Josh leaned into a stretch. “Tension restricts flow. In Aikido, you must be both strong and adaptable, like water.”

Josh nodded, mentally filing away the advice as they finished their warm-up.

“Show me your forms,” Sensei said, stepping back to observe.

Josh centered himself, replaying the movements in his mind before beginning. His steps were deliberate, his arms tracing the arcs Sensei had taught him in prior lessons. For several minutes, the dojo was silent except for the soft shuffling of Josh’s feet against the mats. Every so often, Sensei would step forward to adjust his stance or redirect the angle of his arms.

“Good,” Sensei said after correcting Josh’s pivot. “You’ve been practicing, but remember: precision comes with time. Don’t rush the process.”

Josh exhaled deeply, nodding. “Yes, Sensei.”

Once Sensei was satisfied with Josh’s progress, he introduced the next set of forms. Demonstrating each movement with fluid grace, he explained the philosophy behind them as he went.

“These movements aren’t just physical techniques,” Sensei said. “They represent principles: balance, harmony, and the redirection of force. Every step, every motion, should reflect those values.”

Josh mimicked the forms, his movements tentative at first but growing more confident with each repetition. The hours seemed to blur as he focused on mastering the intricate patterns, Sensei’s occasional corrections guiding him closer to precision.

By midday, Sensei signaled for a break. “Let’s eat,” he said, leading Josh outside to a wooden bench in front of the dojo. The cool breeze was a welcome reprieve from the intensity of their practice.

Josh pulled out the apples he’d brought, while Sensei unwrapped a small rice ball from his own bag. For a moment, they ate in comfortable silence, the rustling of nearby trees and distant hum of traffic filling the air.

“Aikido isn’t just about mastering forms,” Sensei began, his voice thoughtful. “It’s a way of thinking, a philosophy. When you encounter conflict—whether physical or emotional—how you respond defines who you are. Do you resist, or do you redirect?”

Josh considered the question as he chewed a bite of apple. “I guess it depends on the situation,” he said after swallowing. “But redirecting sounds ... smarter. Less destructive.”

Sensei nodded approvingly. “Exactly. Aikido teaches us that force met with force creates chaos. But when force is redirected, harmony can be restored. It’s a principle that applies both on and off the mat.”