Punchout in the Park
by M.C.
 


Mary Stevens pulled up into the driveway next to her home and got out of her
car. As the 45 year-old martial arts instructor and mother of two teenage
girls opened the trunk to take out the groceries she had just brought, she
heard sounds of yelling coming from the park across the street. Gazing over in
the direction of the noise, Mary saw a group of teenagers standing around in a
large circle and cheering. Although she couldn't see what was going on, Mary
had a pretty good idea as to what it probably was - a fight. "Oh no, not
again," she said to herself and sighed."I thought this thing was settled a few
days ago." She returned the grocery bags to the trunk of her car and began
walking over to the park to investigate.

As Mary approached the scene of the commotion, she was greeting by the smiling
face of a pretty, 15 year-old girl. "Hi mommy, Jennifer's fighting with some
more bullies."

"Why am I not surprised Karen?" Mary frowned. "But wasn't the 'bully problem'
solved a few days ago when your sister beat up the gang of boys that was
bothering you and your friends? Why are they fighting again?"

"That was Steve and his friends mommy. I guess Steve then told his older
brother Jeff about it. So today Jeff and some of his friends showed up to get
revenge. But do you want to know what's really funny about this? Jeff and his
friends are all on the high school football team and Jennifer is one of their
cheerleaders. So first she cheers for them and now she's beating them up.
Isn't that just the funniest thing mommy?"

"Hysterical Karen, absolutely hysterical," Mary replied with more than a trace
of sarcasm in her voice. "It's the irony of ironies. Well, I guess I'd better
go over there and see what's going on for myself."

Mary and Karen made their way over to the scene of the fight. As they did so,
they passed a large boy kneeling on the grass. He appeared to be over six feet
tall and probably weighed at least 250 pounds. He was holding his stomach with
his hands and blood was coming out of his mouth. "That's Ken," Karen said
casually as they walked by him,"he's the starting right tackle on the football
team." Not far from him lay another equally large boy in pretty much the same
condition. He had his back propped up against a tree and the blood streaming
out of his nose was mixing with the tears from his eyes. "And that's George,
their middle linebacker. And over there (Karen pointed to a trash can where a
torso and a pair of thick, muscular legs were sticking out) is Ron, the team's
center. He's kind of cute, but you can't really tell from here."

"Gee, it's a good thing I didn't buy a program Karen. Who needs one with you
around?"

"Oh mommy, you're so funny (giggles)."

When Mary gazed upon her eldest daughter, she couldn't help feeling a little
ambivalent about what she saw. On the one hand she was very proud of the fact
that Jennifer could take on - and apparently defeat with ease - several large,
strong high school football players in a fight. But on the other, as she
watched the tall blond standing there holding Jeff firmly in a headlock with
her left arm while slamming her right fist into his face, the concerned mother
wondered if in training her daughter to be an expert in karate, she had turned
Jennifer into the type of person that she was supposed to be able to defend
herself *against*.

"Hi mom" - SMACK! - Jennifer smiled as she smashed her fist into Jeff's bloody
face,"finished with your shopping already?"

"Not yet honey, I still have a few more things I have to buy before my hair
appointment later today. Have you and Karen finished the chores I gave you
girls to do?"

"Err...not yet - SLAM! Something came up that required my attention (wink).
I'll get to them as soon as I'm finished here." WHACK!

Mary watched in silence for a few more moments as the beautiful, five foot-ten
inch, 170 pound cheerleader and martial arts expert continued to punch the
helpless boy in the face."You know honey, you really should go easy on them.
After all, they're just boys."

"Well they asked for it mother. After I beat up Steve and his friends for
hassleing Karen and hers, Jeff and the others showed up today and challenged
me to a fight - POW! I've been meaning to teach these macho bullies a good
lesson anyway; I was just waiting for the football season to be over. Now who
cares what I do to them?" PUNCH!

"I care honey. When I taught you karate it wasn't so you could become a bully
like them. It was so you'd be able to protect yourself and others *from*
bullies like them...like you did the other day when Karen complained about
being bothered by a gang of boys in the park. There is a difference you know.
Please don't make me regret teaching you those self-defence skills."

The beautiful girl with the long blond hair which fell nearly to her waist
paused with her fist in mid air and pondered what her mother had just said.
Slowly, she released her grip around Jeff's neck, whereupon the six foot-two
inch, 220 pound tight end slumped to the ground gasping for breath. Jennifer
turned and faced her mother."So what was I supposed to do mom? Jeff and his
friends came here looking for trouble. They wanted revenge for what I did to
Steve and his gang the other day. You taught me to be strong and brave didn't
you? So what was I supposed to do? Run away from them and hide under my bed?"

Mary looked at her daughter with mixed emotions. In one respect Jennifer was
right, she did train her to be strong and brave; and - as evidenced by the
four battered high school football players lying all around her - in this
endevour she was successful. But she also wanted Jennifer's strength and power
to be tempered with wisdom and judgement, and it was here that Mary felt her
daughter was lacking. Jennifer had the skills of a martial arts master, but
she was just 18 years old. How could Mary expect her daughter to use the
abilities she had imparted to her with the wisdom that only comes with age and
experience? While Mary was pondering this dilemma, a car pulled up near-by.

"There they are," Ed Jackson, the large, muscular driver said.

"It looks like we're too late Ed," the boy sitting next to him replied. "I
think the fight's over."

"Not yet it isn't!" he barked. "We're a team Roy, a team; and we're not going
to be humiliated by a girl, even if she is a black belt in karate. It's all
about pride man, don't you understand? What will people think of us when word
gets around that some of the toughest players on the football team got their
collective asses kicked by one girl ? So let's go men!" The car doors opened
and the four large, powerfully built football players got out and began making
their way over to where Jennifer and her mother were. The two females seemed
to be so involved in the conversation they were having that neither seemed to
pay attention to them.

"Honey, I started training you in the martial arts skills I learned when I was
growing up in Japan because I felt it would make you a much stronger and more
confident woman; something you'll definiately need trying to compete in a
*man's* world. But my intentions were not to make you into some sort of
'female fatale'. Why do you think I also encouraged you to take up
cheerleading?"

"But you still don't understand mom, I didn't look for trouble today. Yes,
it's true that these guys are bullies and I figured I'd probably have to deal
with them sooner or later; especially since everybody else in our school -
including the teachers - are afraid of them. But today all I was doing were my
laps around the park. They came here looking for me because of what I did to
Jeff's brother and his gang. Again I ask you: was I supposed to run away from
them?"

"No honey, of course not. But did you really try to avoid this fight? Did you
do everything in your power to prevent this from happening? Did you use your
karate only as a last resort?"

"I suppose not mother. I guess kneeling before Jeff and his friends and
begging forgiveness isn't really my style. Excuse me for a moment." WHAM!
Jennifer quickly spun around and sent her right foot hard into the jaw of the
closest of her new assailants - driving a 225 pound defensive tackle
backwards. He tripped over Jeff and landed flat on his back next to him. "And
besides mom, I didn't see you showing a whole lot of restraint when those two
guys accosted us in the parking lot of the restaurant last Saturday night.
They had to call the paramedics didn't they?" CRACK! BAM! CRUNCH! WHAM! - with
a solid series of punches and kicks, the sexy cheerleader sent another large
gridiron star down for the count.

"That was different Jenn. Those were fully mature adult men who should have
known better. But these are just high school boys; boys whose pride, ego and -
yes I'll say it - hormones are all working together. It's a very combustable
combination honey." THUD! Mary grabbed the arm of a 245 pound lineman and
twisted it in such a way that the 150 pound woman slammed him to the ground.
She then put her foot on his neck and bent his wrist back, thus rendering him
helpless. Then, as if nothing had happened, Mary calmly continued the
conversation she was having with her daughter. "These are the guys you cheer
for at football games honey. Shouldn't you lighten up on them a bit? I mean
think of it this way - who's going to ask you to the senior prom if you beat
up half of your football team (wink)?"

"That's very funny mom." WHACK! CRACK! SLAM! POW! Four more powerful blows
from the beautiful martial arts wiz and Ed Jackson, the team's 265 pound
defensive right tackle as well as the largest and strongest boy in her school,
was beaten nearly to unconsciousness. Only the firm grip of Jennifer's left
hand on his shirt kept him on his feet. She had her right fist cocked back and
was about to apply the finishing *touch* to him. "As if anyone would want to
date a girl who could beat up half the football team by herself anyway."

"Oh I see, and you're also blaming me for that too Jenn?"

"I'm not blaming you mom. I just don't understand why you felt you had to turn
Karen and me into supergirls. Why couldn't we have been just *normal* girls
instead of martial arts experts?"

While all this was going on, Karen - Jennifer's 120 pound, 15 year-old sister
- found Steve and, using the ju-jitsu her mother had taught her, tossed the
instigater of all of this to the ground. Still holding the large, 16 year-old
boy by the arm she began to twist it while he hollared out in pain.

"Be careful honey," Mary smiled over at her,"you don't want to break his arm.
Just twist it enough to keep him immobilized the way I taught you to."

"O.K. mommy," Karen smiled as she twisted Steve's arm and forced the larger
boy to roll over onto his stomach. She then sat down on his back and
squealed,"ride'em cowgirl; tee, hee, hee."

"I'm not blaming you mom," Jennifer repeated,"all I'm saying is that it's a
bit hypocritical of you to criticize me for being tough. Afterall, it was you
who molded me to be this way. Do you think it's easy being a supergirl in high
school? A girl whom even the toughest boys are afraid of? Why do you think
they sent eight boys after me today? (and it still wasn't enough). Martial
arts every day from the time I was three years old? You turned me into a
superfreak mom. And when word of what happened here today gets around how can
I possibly have a normal life? Think about it: 'Jennifer, the girl who can
beat up eight football players all by herself'."

"Err, I'm afraid it's *only* seven honey," Mary smiled as she nodded down at
the helpless boy beneath her,"but I do see your point."

"Seven, eight...what's the difference? Another half a dozen could show up now
and it wouldn't matter."

As he was near tears, Mary let go of the arm of the large lineman she had
pinned to the grass; but warned him to stay put. "I'm...I'm so sorry honey.
That wasn't my intention at all, and I'm sorry you feel that way. All I wanted
was for you and Karen to grow up to be strong, brave and confident women;
women who can make a difference in this world. In this world only the strong
thrive; the weak always get stepped on. Just look at what you did today honey
(Mary pointed around to the battered football players who were slowly
staggering to their feet). You, one single girl, beat up seven large, tough
boys all by yourself. I'm very proud of you Jennifer; very proud. And I want
you to understand that there's nothing in this world that you won't be able to
accomplish if you set your mind to it; absolutely nothing. That's the daughter
I wanted to raise. So tell me the truth honey, was I really asking too much of
you?"

The beautiful cheerleader paused for a few moments and reflected on what her
mother had just told her. She too looked around at the guys she had just
beaten up. "No mother," she said quietly after a minute of pensive thought,"I
guess you weren't asking too much."Realizing that she still held the huge,
semi- conscious Ed Jackson in her grip, Jennifer playfully tapped him on the
nose. "Punch," she said and released him. "You're getting off easy today
Eddie, but don't press your luck. I'd collect my friends and leave the park if
I were you." As Ed and the others slowly began to walk off in a daze, mother
and daughter looked admiringly at each other.

Karen was still sitting on Steve's back. Crying now, he began begging her to
let him up. "Listen to me tough guy," the 15 year-old girl said to the much
larger boy,"pretty soon I'll be able to do what my sister did to you and your
friends - as well as to your brother and his. So you'd better watch out from
now on, understand? Now if you promise to be a good boy and behave yourself,
I'll let you up. Promise?" Unable to say the words, the humiliated boy simply
nodded his head. "I guess that'll have to do. O.K. then Stevie, you're free to
go. But remember this: I can kick your ass anytime I want now."

The smiling girl got up and joined her mother and older sister. Looking at the
eight battered football players plus Steve who were slowly staggering out of
the park, Karen giggled to her sister,"well, we sure kicked some serious butt
today, didn't we Jenn? Tee, hee, hee."

"Yep Karen, *we* sure did," Jennifer laughed as she tugged on her sister's
ponytail.

"Hey, I handled Steve all by myself didn't I? Wait until I'm eighteen Jenn;
then I'll take on the whole team just like you did."

"Well, now that the excitement for the day is over," Mary said with a sly
smile,"what about those chores I gave you girls to do? " Jennifer and Karen
looked at each other and frowned."They aren't going to get done by themselves
you know. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to unload the groceries before the
ice cream melts and then drive to the beauty parlor to get my hair done. Your
father's coming home from his business trip later today and I want to look my
best when I pick him up at the airport. I'll expect you both to have the
chores done by the time I get back." With that, Mary Stevens began walking
back to her car.

The two sisters sighed as they watched their mother go. "You'd think she'd cut
us some slack after we beat up half the football team; wouldn't you Jenn?"

"Err...we? Karen, I hate to break this to you but Steve's not even a starter.
He's on the second string and might make the first team next year. Jeff, at
least, can play football; but his brother is just a loud-mouthed bully. Now
come on and let's get our chores over with; you know how mom feels about
slackers."

While they were leaving the park, Jennifer and Karen happened to see another
pair of siblings walking (well limping actually) in the same direction - Jeff
and Steve who, as fate would have it, live just a few doors away. Karen
reached up and grabbed her big sister's arm; pulling her down so she could
whisper something in her ear...and then both girls started giggling. "Why
Karen, what a lovely idea; tee, hee, hee." Then the tough, beautiful
cheerleader - and expert in martial arts - called out in a loud voice,"Jeff,
Steve, wait up! We're not quite through with you boys yet..."

Two hours later...

Mary pulled her car up into the driveway again. She smiled when she noticed
how neatly the front lawn had been mowed and trimmed; and coming from the
backyard she could hear the sound of the lawnmower still at work."Well, I
guess those girls aren't quite as lazy as I thought," she said to herself.
Upon entering her home, the attractive, 45 year-old woman paused in front of a
large wall mirror and gazed into it for a few moments. Satisfied with the way
she looked in her new hair-do, Mary went to the back of the house to see how
the girls were getting along with the rest of their chores.

But when she looked out of the the back door window, Mary saw something that
surprised her. Instead of working in the yard, Jennifer and Karen were
casually lying on their backs on lounge chairs near the pool - in their
bathing suits no less. "Who the hell is mowing the lawn then?" Mary wondered.
Just then, a large, powerfully built - and completely naked - boy entered her
line of sight pushing the lawnmower; and it was only with the greatest amount
of restraint that Mary supressed the urge to break out in laughter.

"Make sure you get all the corners Jeffy," Jennifer said as he passed by the
two sunbathing girls. "It would be a shame if I have to punish you again."

"Yes Jennifer," he replied meekly,"I'll get them."

Mary then noticed just how red the 220 pound tight end's buttocks were; and
she didn't have to be Albert Einstein to figure out how they got that way.

"And Stevie, make sure those hedges are all the same height," Karen
added,"unless you'd like me to give you another ju-jitsu lesson."

"Don't worry Karen, they will be."

"You boys had better get a move on," Jennifer barked in a stern tone of voice
(which Mary knew was her daughter going into 'tough girl' mode). "The movie
starts at 8:00 PM and we'd like to have dinner first. And it goes without
saying that you boys will need to get yourselves showered and cleaned up
before you take us out. Who wants to go out with dirty, smelly guys? We'll
expect you boys to be here at 6:00 PM sharp; and not one second later!"

"Don't worry Jennifer," Jeff responded,"we'll be here on time; I promise."

"Oh I'm not worried Jeffy, but you should be." Jennifer looked over at Karen
and winked."Boys - you can't live with them, you can't live without them."

"Yes Jenn, but what are we going to do with them after tonight?" Jennifer's 15
year-old sibling asked; clearly uncertain as to what her next step should be.

"Well that depends on you little sis. Do you like Steve?"

"Sort of. I think he's kind of cute."

"And would you like to see him again after tonight?"

"Well...yes; I would."

"Then just simply tell him that from now on he's going to be your boyfriend
and that's that; just like I told Jeff a little while ago. As much as I hate
to admit it Karen - and please don't ever tell mom I said this - but she's
absolutely right; women need to be strong and - when necessary - tough. Just
look at what she did to dad, made him the president of his company. When she
says,'sometimes a man needs a good kick in the ass to move forward', she's not
kidding. Mom's teaching us to be kick-ass girls because she loves us; I
learned that in the park today. So if you want Steve to be your boyfriend,
then just tell him he is. And if he gives you any shit...well, you know what
to do then (wink). The girls slapped each other five before turning over onto
their stomachs so that they could get an even tan on their backs too. "But
please don't ever tell mom I said she was right Karen; I'd never be able to
live that down."

"You have my word of honor Jenn. She'll never find out about it...from me."
(Karen turned her head to the side and slyly winked at the indiscrete form
looking at them from the backdoor window).

The proud mother turned away from the window and smiled; she had taught her
daughters well. Because of her, Jennifer and Karen would be strong and tough.
Mary's experience in life had taught her that as females they would need to
be. But now she also knew that they had the compassion to compliment their
strength. That while they were both well on their way to becoming *complete*
women - strong females ready to take on the world on their terms - whatever
Jennifer or Karen set out to do in their lives they would temper their
strength with wisdom.

Earlier, as she watched her eldest daughter batter the largest and strongest
boys on her high school football team to a plup without even getting her
beautiful blond hair mussed, Mary began to have some doubts about whether the
course she had taken for her daughters was the correct one; that she might be
making them too tough for their own good. But now she saw that Jennifer and
Karen could be both tough and *feminine* (that is to say loving and caring),
depending on the circumstances; and that fortunately her apprehensions
appeared to be unfounded. So with her mind now at ease, Mary Stevens - a
loving wife and mother as well as a strong, tough master of martial arts - got
into her car and began the drive to the airport to pick up her husband;
satisfied that she had done a good job of raising her daughters.