Jack, walking with the older fellow headed in the direction of Michael while shouting, "Hey Michael this is a guy I want you to meet."
The older fellow introduced himself as Leon Johnson.
"Michael this old man is going to hold mitts for like how I did last time, but before let's wrap your hand," said Jack as he brought out two rolls of hand wraps.
Michael nodded his head and followed the instruction of Jack as he was demonstrating how to put on wraps, "So you around your wrist 5 times, then your knuckles 5 times, then between the gaps of your fingers like this, then go until there's almost nothing left, then finish around the wrist," Michael tried his best and somehow managed to put on the wraps on each hand.
Leon told and demonstrated to Michael all the punches from 1 through 8, "1 is a jab, 2 is a straight, 3 is a left hook, 4 is a right hook, 5 is a left uppercut, 6 is a right uppercut, 7 is a left body hook, 8 is a right body hook,"
The two slowly worked from the jab until the right body hook going through each punch about 10 times. The mitts session went great some pauses here and there since Leon was checking Michael with some occasional slaps for not keeping his hands up.
"Again 1 2 3!"
( Pop! Pop! Poof! )
Michael was now exhausted and could barely throw proper hooks.
"I think you can call it there Boss! The kid is tired." Shouted Jack for Leon to stop as it was noticeable that Michael was exhausted.
"Fine. You said the kid never trained before, right Jack?" said Leon as he looked over at Jack.
"Not a day in his life, now you see what I'm talking about right?" replied Jack in a cocky manner.
"Get off your high horse the kid has ok speed and power," said Leon.
Jack smiled as he know Leon was a guy to never compliment anyone and the closest thing you can get from him as a compliment is that you are ok.
Leon took off the mitts and proceeded to walk out of the room before saying something out loud meant for Jack, "I'll think about it,".
( Clank! )
The door closed behind Leon as he walked out.
( Thump! )
Michael dropped to the floor laying on his back with all his limbs stretched out clearly exhausted.
"Huff huff huff," Michael laying on the ground breathing hard.
"Quite the work the old man put you through," said coach Ridder.
"Yea," replied Michael as he was smiling.
"Well, we should head back so you can shower and rest," said Jack to Michael.
The two went back, but this was not the last time Michael would be there as he went back religiously. Michael would go from the orphanage to Cyborg MMA gym until it was his eleventh birthday as he was about to be surprised.
Michael was participating in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids class taught by coach Ava who was a very beautiful brunette lady.
The kids and Michael all rolled against each other one by one with 5 minutes with each partner.
In the middle of class, Jack poked his head through the door to find Michael. Coach Ava noticed and went to tell Michael that Jack was looking for him.
Coach Ava tapped Michael on the shoulder and pointed at Jack by the door, "I think Jack wants to tell you something. Seemed pretty important."
"Ok," said Michael as he stop his rolling session to walk toward Jack.
As he got close to Jack, Jack asked him a question, "Remember how you wanted to see upstairs where Leon lives?" Jack smiled as he pulled something out of his jacket's pocket. "I got the keys to get up there, cmon let's go," said Jack as he was jiggling the key.
"I don't know if that's a good idea," said Michael in a scared voice.
Leon was a guy who dropped by often since he owned and live above the gym. During the time Michael got to know Leon, he realized Leon was a no-bs type of guy and very hardnosed so Michael was a little afraid of him.
Jack looked at Michael and said, "It's alright c'mon,". Michael convinced by Jack followed him through the hall and up the stairs to arrive at a door at the end of the stairs.
"You ready?" said Jack as he looked at Michael, whose eyes are wide open waiting for the door to open.
( Click! Clank! )
Jack pulled out the key and opened the door. What Michael saw was not something he expected.
Michael expected a little apartment-like place, but what he saw was like a hotel penthouse. The living was huge with a big set of stairs leading up to another floor. The two walked towards the kitchen area.
( Pop! )
"Surprise!"
Confetti shot everywhere and Michael could see Ms. Jones, Matt the wrestling coach, and Leon. All standing around a cake with two number 1 candles making it 11.
"Light the candles and start singing!" said Jack excitedly.
The group sang Michael a happy birthday.
Michael tried his best but he couldn't hold back his tears anymore as he never had a birthday celebration before until now.
"Awwww," said Ms. Jones as she walked over to hug Michael.
After singing, Matt sliced up the cake into its separate pieces. The cake was quite large and Jack commented, "Who the hell got such a big cake? Haha,"
"I did," said Leon looking at Jack.
"Haha good choice," replied Jack nervously.
Before eating his slice of cake Michael opened each of the gifts he received from Ms. Jones, Jack, Matt, and Leon.
Ms. Jones gifted him a box about Bruce Li the pioneer of MMA, Jack gifted him new wraps and gloves so he won't have to use the gym's old and used ones, Matt gifted Michael wrestling shoes so he doesn't have to be barefooted in class, and last Leon. Leon gifted him an envelope with some money and a letter.
"Should I read the letter?" Michael asked Leon.
"I don't care," replied Leon as his face turned red.
Michael noticed the change and was kind of reluctant to read thinking Leon might be mad.
"Just read it," said Jack.
Michael took out and unfolded the letter to read, "Dear Michael, I heard about your circumstance from Jack and I commend you for you are a stronger kid than I ever was. Hearing from Jack about an orphan having talents for fighting I thought he was just exaggerating, But seeing and hearing about how hard of a worker and how great of a student to the game you have been moved my heart. I have a big house and enough money to help support a family, so will you let me have the honor of seeing you grow up to be the fine young man I know you will become by letting me be– be–,"
Michael couldn't read the last sentence as he was tearing up so he handed the note to jack who was standing next to him.
Jack skimmed past until he arrived at the part Michael stopped, "By letting me become your adopted father, I know I may seem cold to most, but I promise to be a man worthy of such a strong kid. Sincerely Leon Johnson."
Michael still crying couldn't answer verbally so he ran to Leon and gave him a big hug. The people in the room couldn't help but tear up including Leon.
"We've been working on the paper and you should be able to move in here in a couple of days," explained Ms. Jones as she was trying to calm herself down and wipe away the tears.
"Why don't I show you around the place?" said Leon.
Michael followed Leon during the house tour. They walked out of the kitchen area which was on the righthand side of the huge living room. Walking past the living room the stairs leading up were near the front door. Walking up upstairs lead to a hall which went left to three doors decently spaced out. There were two doors on the right-hand side and one on the left-hand side. The first door on the right-hand side was used as an office. The door on the left was a huge empty room. Michael poked his head into the room.
"This is the room you'll be sleeping in, there is enough space for whatever you want to do. There's also a bathroom in here," said Leon pointing towards the door on the far right corner of the room.
Michael walked in and could already imagine him on a desk or table reading a book in that room.
After showing Michael around Michael went back down to the training room and went back to class.