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"Not helpless," I explain "Out of my element I can split a two-inch-thick block of ith the palm of hting tactics"

She stares at me as if I’ve told her the Loch Nessin San Francisco Bay Co the sea dracaena Grace and I saw cliht

"You’re a black belt?" she repeats "For real?"

"Of course"

"But you seeile"

I purse ant," she throws back with an eye roll "You look like a stiff wind could take you down Like you’d shatter into a ot too close And those shoes …"

I glance down at ht of fashion and, after years of wearing nothing less, I’m as comfortable in thee a girl by her exterior," I say, although I know I a the same Even when it comes to my sisters "Besides, tae kwon do is a barefoot endeavor My shoes co," she says, as if she still doesn’t believe ht, that’s a challenge I’m happy to accept

I step out of my shoes and set them next to my purse I move to face Grace, a few feet in front of her, and stand in ready position

"Block me," I say

"What--?"

Before she can finish, I execute a swift jab withinto ready position, I explain, "Stop ht her the benefit of a solid stance--and makes her hands into fists This tis a forearm up to block my strike

"Nice," I say

She shakes her head "I can’t believe you’re giving ht for sure I had you beat when it caht foot around in a roundhouse, pleased when she casually blocks it with her left arm "This is not a competition, Grace"