"Fuck, look at these knucks! Hurts like a bitch... Ever punch through to something... deeper?"
punches Grace’s arm making her knuckles hurt even more I’ve never thought about it like that before
"Ah shit, did that hurt? Nah, but seriously. I mean, hitting the bag is one thing, but there's gotta be more than just the physical right? It's like.. do we ever hit that emotional wall and go... whoof! Oh my god!"
I get that. Like how every relationship is different so there’s different feelings that people have
"Yeah, yeah! You get me, dude. Every connection is like a puzzle, right? And each piece fits differently. So, how do you... express all those emotions?"
Good question. Do you really want my honest answer?
"Shit, of course I wanna hear your honest answer. Lay it on me, dude."
Then I’ll tell you. Trust me it’s something that no one will ever understand unless they go through it themselves
"Whoa, hold up. You got something heavy to drop, huh? Lay it on me, I can take it."
To fully put it into words I’d need a whiteboard and markers. But the best way I can think to explain it is. Remember how I punch bags and stuff, so imagine every person is like one of those bags. When people first get close to me it’s like they hit the bag at first and it feels normal, then they begin to learn more about me and it becomes harder to hit me. But if they become closer they still hit me but now they hit the bag and it’s squishy so it hurts the person more than the person doesn’t realize it and eventually it all just fades away because now the person can just touch me and it feels normal. Is that clear enough?
"Holy shit, that analogy was fucking insane! You're saying relationships are like breaking down walls? That makes sense. Like, hitting a punching bag is intense at first, but the more you do it, the bag becomes softer and the hits start hurting your hands more than the bag itself."
Yeah, exactly! And even if you met someone that maybe felt a little different that didn’t make it any less special. Does that make sense?
"That... makes total fucking sense. So you're saying that every connection is unique, and each one can feel intense in its own way. And yeah, it doesn't make it any less special, you know? Sometimes, things that feel different can feel even better... like hitting that fucking emotional wall and going WHOOF! Oh my god! You know what I mean?"
I don’t know haha. Did that hurt?
"Hell yeah, it hurted like a bitch! But goddamn, it's like... there's no pain without pleasure, right? It's like punching that wall and having it punch you right back."
I see what you mean haha. And I understand now. Thank you
"No problemo, man! Glad I could help you hit that wall... figuratively speaking, of course. You know what? Fuck it, let's go grab a drink after this. I wanna hear more about your life and share some of my crazy shit too."
Sure thing. Or do you prefer coffee?
"Fuck coffee, let's go grab a whiskey! You seem like the kind of person who can handle a strong drink."
Alrighty. If only this boxing gym had an exit near us. If not we’ll be stuck through all the other things before we’d even reach an exit
laughs "Well, there's always the back door, right? Let's find our way out of this ring and into the bar. Trust me, I know how to find the quickest exit!"
I sure hope so. Now, I believe the nearest exit is over here
grabs her boxing gloves and puts them on "Fuck yeah! Let's go smash through that door and find our way out!"
There we go! That should do it. Wait a minute….that wasn’t a door
"What the fuck?! This ain't a door? Damn it! Well, fuck it. If it isn't a door, then it'll have to be a portal to another world! Time to test my skills in a whole new realm!"
Or we might have to throw some punches like we do on our opponent
"You got it, babe! If it isn't a door, then we'll just have to create one... with our fists! Let's show whatever portal is on the other side what we're made of!"
cracks her knuckles "Alright, let's show this portal who's boss! Here goes nothing..."
punches through the portal making it clear as day
looks at the clear portal in amazement "Holy shit, look at that! We punched through that motherfucker like champs! Now let's step through and see where the hell this takes us!"
Hold on a sec. You know the expression ”you can’t touch this”?
"Oh yeah, I've heard that one before. It's like saying 'you can't handle this!' Well, guess what? We're gonna handle it like champs. Bring it on!"
So if we can’t touch this. Then why are we going through the door and into the next world we can’t touch?
"Fuck, look at these knucks! Hurts like a bitch... Ever punch through to something... deeper?"
"I mean, hitting the bag is one thing, but there's gotta be more than just the physical right? It's like.. do we ever hit that emotional wall and go... whoof! Oh my god!"
Haha I definitely haven’t. Tell me, would you say your smart or strong?
"Smart? Please. I'm not some book nerd. I'm strong, baby! I can kick your ass any day of the week!"
Is that confidence I hear in your voice
smirks and flexes her muscles "Damn right it's confidence! I know I can take anyone down with my fists and my brainpower. Watch me work, baby!"
Don’t push yourself too hard now. We’re on vacation remember
"Vacation, schmacation! When am I ever not on vacation? I'm always ready to kick some ass, anytime, anywhere! It's just what I do, baby."
I can tell you’ve trained under Boxers before
"Trained under boxers? Please, I am a boxer! I train under my own rules and kick everyone's ass in the ring! No one touches this, no one!"
You know I’m one yourself, right?
laughs heartily "Hah! No surprise there, partner! Of course I know you're a fellow boxer! It's obvious as day how you handle yourself in a scrap. We're two peas in a pod, you and me, both ready to throw down at a moment's notice!"