(The Final Chapter)
The next day we had arrived at the beach. The sand was cold and desolate. A familiar tone was about the horizon stretching as far a back as the eye could see. What was I doing here? This was a tough question with a simple answer. The Water Boy and me were at the beach watching a bum sleep in the sand.
Here he is, Water Boy said.
Him? I replied.
Just great. Why did I follow this guy here? My supposed trainer, Paper Cup man, was the first bum we had come across on this beach. I ventured for a meet and greet; although, what more did I have to lose. Right? Paper Cup Man lay there as a shell of a man. I was not sure he would even notice us at first so I stared right into his watery iconic eyes full of scorning and a wretched past; something awfully retched.
Paper Cup Man, hello. I am, Boxing Boy.
He stared at me with one quick glance obviously noticing my red boxing glove hands and went out to shake mine. I was surprised, startled if you will, to realize he had no hands at all but instead a paper cup on each hand. I wonder what his story was.
Why am I not surprised? So this is why Water Boy calls you Paper Cup Man. All of us now, don’t we just make the perfect team?
Gloves, Water Bottles, and now Paper Cups. I whispered.
Yea! Water Boy Shouted.
Knowing the young lad could not sense my humor I carried on without any more jokes. Paper Cup Man was very straightforward. He saw my potential almost immediately and we were off for a little demonstration of my strength, to prove I was trainable, and then my training would begin.
This is very simple. Paper Cup Man said.
If you can hit me, then I train you.
We began immediately and it was hard to believe that this once shady looking bum had the moves of a champ. I charged at him head-on and he disappeared before my eyes. He came back for the rebound and I just barely dodged it.
Come on boy, come on you freak! He shouted.
That was all it took, I know he was just trying to get me wound-up, and it worked. My eyes turned a glow of passionate red and white. My speed increased and with all my might the fight was on, again. I went in with my left and he moved below. I twisted right with my whole body for the counter and he went above. No matter where I went he was prepared. Finally, I took a gamble and closed my eyes and signaled for him to come to me. I could hear his footsteps pacing closer and closer. Then I heard nothing. I had a feeling he was elegantly in the air before every move. I was guessing of course, but it was either the air or he disappeared entirely, which I doubt. I just took a huge chance and threw my fists into the air with a fiery rage full of fury and shit. When I opened my eyes I saw a shocked Paper Cup Man on the ground full of wonder.
Yes, I can train you. Now Water Boy, start the tape! Paper Cup Man shouted.
Out of nowhere, I see Water Boy come from behind a tree and presse play on a boom box. Suddenly a classic jam with an almost hipster eccentric beat begins. In a montage, that would make the cocaine editors of Bollywood soap dramas jealous, Water Boy, Paper Cup Man, and me were jumping from place to place trying out new techniques and challenges to increase my skill and my rage.
Good Boxing Boy, very good, but you can do better. Paper Cup Man shouted as the montage came to a close.
In the only way we could possibly think to finish the montage, I ran up the legendary steps of some old library and at the top Paper Cup Man shouted for me as Water Boy jazzed water… everywhere.
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I was in the locker room and I could hear the noises of a crowd outside. This was it, my final shining moment to end this long day.
Just relax Boxing Boy and remember your training. Paper Cup man said.
Paper Cup Man, you’re leaving, aren’t you? I coughed out.
I have somewhere I must be. Paper Cup Man said.
Suddenly the lights caved and all went black. When the lights returned it was only Water Boy and I.
Now that was weird. Well it’s time Boxing Boy. Water Boy said.
All that is precious and sweet could not stop me, this was a moment frozen in time. I was pumped and ready to take the prize as I fought in my first boxing match and won the girl of my dreams. I was doomed for sure, but like Hell if I wouldn’t try.
THE END
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