Cindy's Amazon Diary: Part 3
by M.C.
Cindy has to deal with some unusual situations


October 21st

I don't know if this is a good thing or bad. After the Tae Kwon Do lesson with
my female students today ( who will henceforth be refered to as 'my girls' )
my master called me aside for a little *chat*. I knew of course what it was
about.

"Cindy," Dr. Ruth Walker - my Tae Kwon Do Master - began," first of all I'd
like to tell you how proud I am of the job you're doing as an instructor. I
know it can't be easy on you with your normal school studies as well as your
cheerleading duties (an understatement if ever there was one), but your
students are not only progressing beyond all my expectations, but enjoying
your lessons as well."

"Thank you Master Walker," I bowed. That was not a simple sign of respect, it
was a sincere expression of the awe in which I hold this woman. Not only does
she hold a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but she's also a full
professor of Women's Studies at the university (see the story "The Rape" in
the M.C. bookshelf). She has been my martial arts instructor and role
model ever since I was ten years old and is the only person in whose presence
I humble myself. A strong and powerful woman whom I'd like nothing better than
to emulate.

"But we seem to have a little problem," she continued,"and I think you know
what it is."

"You mean the fight Karen got into in her school?"

"Yes."

"Karen told me about it, she assured me that it wasn't her fault." Karen
Johnson was my star pupil. After only two and a half months of studying with
me she was ready to move out of my beginners class and up to the regular one;
a remarkable achievement for a 13 year-old girl. Two days ago she and a friend
of hers were being harrassed by two much larger 15 year- old boys at school.
After warning them several times to stop - warnings which they unwisely
ignored - Karen lost her temper and proceeded to beat them both up in front of
almost the entire school.

"Yes, I checked it out with the school Cindy and it appears that she
definiately was provoked; however...(uh oh, I could feel a lecture coming on
now). Master Walker stopped and smiled."Cindy, understand that this is not a
reflection on you. (Does this woman read my mind?) The fact that after only
two and a half months of training a 13 year-old girl could beat up two 15
year-old bullies is both a tribute to Karen's skill as well as your abilities
as a teacher. I'm very proud of both of you - don't ever forget that. But my
point is this: what should our goals be here?

"Are we simply trying to teach women to defend themselves and nothing more?
Granted, that's a very important objective but if that's all we teach them
then I believe we're only doing half the job. Did you know that one of those
boys was crying and begging Karen to stop beating him but she flattened him
anyway? (I didn't know that). I believe that our goal should also be to give
these girls a  sense of empowerment that will enable them to go out into the
world and deal with it on their own terms as strong, confident women.
By merely turning them into female fighting machines we're making them no
better than their male counterparts."

(Thank God she didn't know about what me and the other Amazons did to the boys
at their camp this past summer; or, for that matter, how I kicked Rick Davis'
ass when he dumped me for Janet).

"I see your point Master Walker; what do you recommend I do?"

"In my opinion Cindy, I would try instill in these young women that they have
within themselves the power to control their destiny. But with that power also
comes responsibility; the responsibility to use that power wisely and not
abuse it."

"Yes Master Walker," I said as I bowed reverently before her," I will try to
do my best."

"That I know you will Cindy," she said with a smile,"you always do don't you?"

October 25th

We won! We beat Fremont high 27 - 24. Rick Davis was awesome, scoring two
touchdowns and rushing for 165 yards. In fact, ever since our little
confrontation that day, his play seems to have improved dramatically. Maybe I
should threaten him more often (giggle). At the victory dance in the gymnasium
after the game, the atmosphere was very festive. Everyone seemed to be having
a great time; everyone, that is, except Bob. He was standing alone off to the
side.

It must be extremely difficult to leave all your friends and come to a new
school where you know absolutely no one (no one that is except the girl that
kicked your ass twice and humiliated you). There are, of course, people whose
outgoing personalities allow them to make friends easily and, after a short
while, blend right in. Unfortunately for Bob, he wasn't one of them. As I
watched him standing there all by himself I felt the urge to go over there and
maybe ask him to dance or something; not that he would, but I thought it would
be a nice gesture on my part.

Just when I was about to, Roger Smith - the center of the basketball team and
an all round great guy whose girlfriend Leslie happens to be one of my best
friends - asked me to dance. I accepted. After our dance I looked around for
Bob but he was nowhere to be found. I guess he must have left. I can't say
that I really blame him. I felt sad though.

Later, as I was walking home from the dance, I reflected on my feelings
towards this guy. Why should I care about him at all? or, in Jennifer's
words,"that's just his fucking problem." That may be true but I do feel
something for him. I remember what Dr.Walker said to me a few days ago about
using my power wisely. That's definiately not what we Amazons did to Bob and
his friends at the camp, or the other boys. Yes, it did feel great for the
four of us girls to take on - and utterly destroy - twelve boys; then kick ass
on the bad boys. Then why do I feel guilty?

November 4th

Bob finally spoke to me today, but I kinda wish he hadn't. He came up to me
after one of our classes and asked me if I was entered in the annual city
martial arts tournament which is going to be held next weekend. Since I'm the
defending champion in the under 18 open division - where anyone can enter
regardless of weight or gender - obviously, I am. "Yes," I replied,"are you?"

"You betcha," he answered with a smile on his face. "Maybe we'll meet in one
of the early rounds. I owe you don't I? Twice in fact."

Great. That's all I need; to kick his ass in the tournament. Well, what can I
do? If we meet, we meet. Maybe I'll get lucky and somebody else will knock him
off before he gets to me. If I'm sounding a little bit conceited here I don't
mean to be but let's face it, when it comes to martial arts, I'm good. Always
have been. I suppose that's why I really like Karen, the 13 year-old girl who
whipped those  two older bullies in her school. She reminds me so much of
myself at her age.

"Gee Bob," I said tentatively,"I hope you do well." (Well, what else could I
say? I mean, at least he talked to me). And then it came out. I honestly don't
know where it came from but before I realized what I was actually saying, I
blurted out," Bob, would you like to practice spar with me sometime before the
actual tournament begins?"

There was a long moment of silence before he gave me a noncommital, "we'll
see," then walked off to his next class.

Spar together? What were you thinking girl? He would like nothing more than to
smash your face in for what you and your fellow Amazons did to him and
his friends last summer. Spar with him? Get real kiddo.

November 7th

"Yes," a familiar voice said from behind me as I stood at my locker.

"Yes?"

"Yes, I would like to spar with you before the tournament. I didn't realize
that you were the defending champion until I saw that picture of you on the
poster for the tournament hanging in my dojo. (UUGGAAHH ! How I hate that
picture. My hair's a mess and I have the most God awful, tough-girl look on my
face. Well, to be fair, it was taken the moment after I knocked out the
previous champion, and pre-tournament favorite, to win the title. But couldn't
they have at least asked me to smile first?) Amazing that you won it at only
15 years old. That guy you beat in the final sure looked tough."

A compliment? Did Bob just give me a compliment, or is there something wrong
with my hearing? Reality check here. Is Bob coming around? Or does he just
want to see what he might be up against. Wait, didn't he already find that out
last summer? Hmmm..."Err O.K. Bob. I don't have any free time today - I have a
lesson with my girls - but tomorrow afternoon after cheerleading practice is
doable. We could meet on the wrestling mats in the gym; say around fourish?"
(What the hell, let's give this a whurl and see where it goes).

"Great Cindy, I'm looking forward to it. See ya then."

Spar with Bob. What should I do? Should I go easy on him and let him feel he
has a chance? Then what if we do meet in the tournament and I cream him? He'll
think I set him up and I'll have blown whatever chance I have with him. But,
if I go at him hard tomorrow, I could embarrass him; that's not cool either.
Is it possible that he's maturing, like Ray did when he called Crystal up?
Chris said it was one of the greatest dates she's ever had; and they didn't
even mention what happened last summer. But that was Ray and this is Bob.
Damn, why does love have to be so complicated?

"To fight or not to fight, that is the question."

End of part 3