Chapter 6

During the afternoon, Derek instructed Bella about what he expected from her, the use of the exercise machines, and the basic routines for beginners.

“Make sure they stretch and warm-up for fifteen minutes. Then, work them out for thirty, and end with a fifteen-minute cool down,” Derek explained to her.

Derek gave her a few pointers during the afternoon, but very soon, it was obvious that she was a perfect fit for the role.

The gym bustled with patrons all afternoon so they were both busy. The clank of the weights, coupled with the whirr of the treadmills being run on, was music to Derek’s ears. He walked from here to there offering his help and assistance when needed but keeping a professional distance with everyone.

By closing time, Derek had no doubts about Annabella. She was a quick learner, and she was familiar with most of the equipment, which made his tutoring job easier.

“Most people are interested in personal training, but too gun-shy to actually ask about it. They think it’s too expensive, and it can be, but I strive to keep my fees low. I’d rather keep my locals happy and in my gym, than to lose them because they can’t afford it.”

Annabella shivered, thinking how much she had paid her personal trainer during the time she lived in California.

While Derek closed the gym, he noticed that Bella was looking at him intently. She kept starting to say something, then changing her mind.

Finally, he approached her, “Bella, if you’ve something to say, why don’t you spit it out so we can get it out of the way? You’re making me nervous.”

Bella stared at Derek, playing nervously with her fingers. “I’m trying to ask something here,” she said, “but I don’t know how to say it.”

“Just say it, there’s no need to beat around the bush.”

Annabella gulped, and asked in a very thin voice, “What happened to your face? How did you get the scars?”

Derek looked at his own reflection in the gym’s mirror for a while, and said nothing.

“I understand if you don’t want to talk about it.” Bella saw how uncomfortable and sad Derek had become when she mentioned the scar.

“I usually don’t like to talk about it. But since we are going to work together, I suppose it’s okay. I’ll tell you my story while I walk you home.”

“You don’t have to walk me home,” she said, giving him a way out. “It’s not like the streets around here aren’t safe.”

“I want to walk with you, if you don’t mind,” he insisted. “I prefer to talk while I walk.”

“Not at all.”

The streets had become deserted. The silver-blue light of the moon warred with the flickering, colorful images of televisions. The last light of evening from the west paled the glow of the streetlamps behind them.

They walked side by side in silence for a while. Annabella didn’t want to rush Derek. She knew he would talk whenever he was ready.

Finally, Derek let out a long sigh and started talking in a very quiet voice, almost as if he was talking to himself, “We were riding in a convoy down a tiny street, and I was last. I was trying to figure out how to calm my mind. I remember thinking that the street we were driving down could be a pretty place. There were palm trees on either side of the road and little mud huts.

“Suddenly, there was an explosion followed by a sharp flash of light. A rocket-propelled grenade hit the right side of the Humvee and sliced its way through the entire vehicle leaving a gaping hole. I was instantly blinded and deafened. I felt as if someone had poured a glass of water on my face. Later I knew it was actually blood. When I recovered, I was laying on the floor. I checked to make sure I wasn’t missing any body parts. Chunks of shrapnel stuck out of my left arm, and the adrenaline pumping through my body was the only thing that kept me from passing out. Someone helped me into another vehicle, and we sped out of the kill zone to the base.”

“Oh Derek, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring out those terrible memories,” Annabella said, detaining him with her hand upon his arm, which she clutched with desperate fingers. “I don’t know what to say, except I’m sorry this happened to you.”