CHAPTER 9
The next few weeks flew by. Whenever Kenny got angry, he would think about the people getting off the bus. He counted them in his head. Every time, his anger faded.
Finally, the day of the tournament had arrived. The morning of the tournament, Kenny’s dad drove him to the karate school.
“This is the big day, huh?” Dad asked.
Kenny shrugged, trying to hide his excitement. “Yeah, I guess,” he said.
“Good luck,” Dad said. “Don’t break a leg, okay?”
Kenny laughed as he got out of the car. “I won’t,” he said.
In class, the students lined up against the wall. “Welcome, students,” Sensei said. He smiled.
“As you know, today is the tournament,” Sensei went on. “You will all pair up and spar. Each time you strike your opponent, you will earn a point. The winner, after earning three points, will move on in the tournament.”
All the students seemed pretty excited. Some were even bouncing on their toes, ready to start.
“In an hour, we will have our class winner,” Sensei said. “Count off!”
He paired the students into groups. Then they lined up and faced each other.
“Bow!” Sensei ordered. The class bowed at Sensei, then at each other.
“Begin!” Sensei said.
Kenny took a deep breath. Then he began.
It wasn’t like normal sparring. No one spoke or asked who would attack first. They circled each other, looking for ways to strike.
The first four rounds went by quickly. Kenny had practiced so many times with Sensei that the other students couldn’t get past his blocks.
Before Kenny knew it, he had made it to the final round. It was between him and Steve Shaw.
They eyed each other and slowly circled. Steve moved forward.
“Hiya!” Steve yelled as he thrust his fist out. Kenny blocked it with ease.
Steve dropped to his knee and swept Kenny’s foot. He caught Kenny’s ankle and knocked him down.
“One!” Sensei called.
That was a point for Steve. Kenny knew he had to step it up, but he could feel himself starting to get angry.
They started to circle again. Kenny took a deep breath.
He stared into Steve’s eyes. “One,” Kenny said. “Old lady.”
Steve squinted at him. “What?” he asked.
Kenny drew back his elbow. “Two,” he said. “High school girl.”
He stepped his right foot out and thrust his fist at Steve. “Hiya!” Kenny cried.
Steve blocked the punch. “Dude, what are you talking about?” Steve asked.
Kenny took a deep breath. “Three,” he muttered. “Four.”
Steve stepped back, then snapped out his leg in a straight kick. “Yah!” he shouted.
Kenny dropped his arms and blocked the kick. “Five,” he said. “Big man with groceries.”
He pulled on Steve’s ankles and dropped his opponent to the mat. “Hiya!” Kenny cried. He dropped his fist onto Steve’s chest.
“One!” Sensei called out.
We’re tied, Kenny thought.
They began to circle each other again. “Six,” Kenny whispered. He took another deep breath.
Steve eyed him and then lunged forward. Kenny brushed the punch aside. Then he landed a kick on Steve’s side.
“Two points!” Sensei called out.
Kenny smiled a little. He was winning two points to one.
Steve began to circle him. Kenny could tell Steve was getting frustrated now.
“Hiya!” Steve cried. He quickly threw three punches as he moved toward Kenny. Kenny blocked two of them, but one punch grazed his shoulder.
“Two points!” Sensei called out.
Kenny started to get angry. “What?” he said. Then he stopped himself.
He took a deep breath. “Seven,” he said, closing his eyes. “Boy horsing around.”
He smiled again and faced Steve. Then he opened his eyes and exhaled slowly.
“Eight,” Kenny said, moving forward. “Young mother.”
He dropped to his knee and swept Steve’s legs. Steve dropped to the mat with a thud.
Kenny quickly stood over him. He drew back his arm. “Nine!” Kenny cried out as he dropped his fist. “Little daughter!”
“Three points!” Sensei called out, stepping onto the mat. “Winner, Mr. Parks!”
Kenny couldn’t believe it. Smiling, he got to his feet and offered his hand to Steve.
“Nice match,” Kenny said, helping Steve to his feet.
Steve nodded. “You too,” he said. “But what was with all that counting?”
Kenny laughed. “It’s a long story,” he said. “Let’s just say all my practice with Sensei paid off.”
Kenny looked across the room and smiled at Sensei. Sensei smiled back. Then they both bowed.