“All right, all right, move aside, move aside,” I hear Marianna saying as she passes out popcorn to everyone.

“Did you get me my soda?” Britany asks, shouting slightly to be heard over the roaring crowd.

I laugh and lean over to Laurel. “Have your friends ever been to a guys boxing match before?”

“I don’t know, but they sure are excited,” Laurel says, chuckling slightly.

LaWanda, Katie, and Eleanor fight over popcorn and seats; Marianna plops herself in front of all of us and stares up at the ring starry eyed. I glance up to see Marty and Amy, and I hurry to my feet to help push Marty’s wheelchair down the aisle. “I got it, I got it,” Marty insists in an annoyed tone, but Amy pops him in the back of the head.

“No, dear, you don’t. Let Jonathan help and stop being do damn prideful,” Amy says. “Honestly, he’s so childish.”

“Oh, shut up,” Marty says, but he laughs when he says it. Amy sits down beside him; Damion and Alex sit near them and talk about how Marty is coming to work at the women’s gym as a receptionist. He had been really bummed out about not being able to box anymore, but he enjoys working with me. He’s going through therapy, so maybe when he’s back up on his feet again he will be able to do training like I had once done.

I actually love working at the gym. I’ve made some good friends there. “Is everyone here?” Marianna asks me, turning around in her chair.

I look around and do a mental checklist. Gabe’s parents and even Mary are here. Marty and Amy, the female fighters, Damion and Alex… “No, I don’t see Brandi and Bobby?”

“No, wait, there they are,” Laurel says and points.

I see Brandi and Bobby pushing through the rows of chairs to get to us. “Sorry we’re late!” Brandi calls out. “The babysitter was late!”

Bobby plops down in the empty seat beside me. “It hasn’t started yet, has it?” he asks.

“Not yet,” I say. “Although you made it just in time.”

The lights dim, and the music starts as the boxers make their way to the ring. The crowd loses their mind –us especially. It’s Tyler’s very first professional match, and he’s up against some serious competition. “Ladies and gentleman, making his debut fight this evening….” I can barely hear what the announcer is saying because everyone is losing their minds.

I can hardly believe how much attention this match has gotten. Tyler deserves it, though. The first round begins, and with the exception of Marty, we’re all up on our feet screaming our lungs out cheering. It’s funny how we used to give Tyler such a hard time about not being a real boxer, and now Marty and I are working at a women’s gym while he’s living the dream. He deserves it, though. Last week, Tyler quit his job at the dump. He’s looking for a new apartment too –I’m glad he’s not going to have to piss in his kitchen anymore.

Tyler dominates round one. I feel Laurel grip my hand in excitement. I look down at her and smile. “Oh my God!” I hear Marianna scream as round two is getting going; Tyler has the way more experienced boxer cornered. Suddenly, Tyler takes a step back, and the guy falls. It’s a knock-out.

I look back at Laurel and smile at her. She gives me a quick kiss. I look back up at Tyler who’s grinning ear to ear as the referee holds up his glove.

For once, I think everything worked out the way it should.