JOHN AND ANDREW STOOD barefoot at the back of the hall watching the more experienced adults and kids, as they moved up and down the length of the hall in a line formation. They were punching and kicking to the command of their instructor. They were all dressed in pure white suits. The jackets were a wrap over style, and the trousers were baggy.Each person wore a belt around his or her waist. Some wore white, others green and a couple brown, even these were different. Some had one or two black bands wrapped around the end. John would soon learn that the differing colours and black tabs signified varying states of advancement.
The person who interested John and Andrew the most was the instructor. He wore the coveted black belt and the thought uppermost in John's mind, was that one day he himself would wear a black belt around his own waist.
The night wore on and John began to feel the strain, he had been made to bend and stretch in so many unusual positions. He was firmly convinced that the instructor was a double jointed sadist, hell bent on the idea that pain is good for you. When the evening's training session came to an end, all the beginners including John and Andrew were invited to stay behind and watch the rest of the class practice their fighting techniques. All of them agreed willingly.
The combatants were paired up of equal grades or fighting ability. As each pair began to spar together John's fascination with this art gained momentum, and by the end of the evening's foray into the world of Karate, John knew this was the sport for him. He witnessed the speed and skill shown by these fighters, their flexibility and control, coupled with the effectiveness of this art. It was now he realized the brief insight the instructor had given into stretching off and rigorous strength building exercises were not only necessary but compulsory if one was to succeed in this sport.
His mind was made up.'No matter what it takes, I'll succeed,' he thought. 'Positive thinking, results in positive actions.'
And although John was only eleven years old, this attitude would see him through the years ahead until he reaches his goal, the coveted black belt. The main hurdles in life would come later and these hurdles would take their toll. John's parents had almost exhausted the remaining money in their bank account. They had bought all the necessary presents for their respective families, ordered and paid for the food and drink for over the Christmas period. They had sorted out all of the presents John had asked for, but suffered a shock when John asked for a Karate suit as an additional present.
Charlie and Cathy were sat in the living room, neither was talking. Charlie broke the silence,If only he'd have asked for one earlier I would have been able to see my way clear to get him one, but hell its only two days till Christmas and I just can't do it.'
Cathy stared across at her husband and could see the hurt and disappointment in his face.
'Look luv, we'll get him a suit after Christmas, I'm sure he'll be just as happy with what he's got,' said Cathy.
'Yeah sure, if I can get a bloody job,' replied Charlie sarcastically. 'Anyway I'm off to Rayners for a pint, see you later.'
'Pint o' lager and twenty Park Drive tipped please luv.' He glanced around the pub as the barmaid saw to his order.
One of his neighbours Alf moved across the room and joined him. They talked over the events of the past, job problems and generally moaned about life in general. Eventually the subject turned to Christmas and the expense it brought. Alf sat agreeing with everything Charlie said, rolling his eyes, nodding and tut-tutting at the story of John and his Karate suit.
After a short while Charlie's younger brother Ray joined them, he'd just docked the day before. Today was 'settling' day,'What are you having lads?' grinned Ray. I've ad' a good trip so tonight they're on me.'
The atmosphere cheered up instantly. Then the three of them settled down for a bout of serious drinking.When Charlie returned later that evening draped across Ray's shoulders, he was slightly the worse for drink.
'Er sorry Cath, we've had a few too many. apologised Ray as he dropped his elder brother face down on the settee.
'I can see that,' agreed Cathy tersely as she surveyed her man in his drunken stupor. Ray was soon trying to explain to his sister in law how they'd gotten into this state. The dog began to take an interest in poor Charlie's unfortunate state and tried reviving him by licking his face. Ray was now on his feet and ready to leave,'Why won't he let me help and give you all a treat luv?'The sincerity in his voice moved Cathy, as he carried on.
'Look after all, I've had a bloody good trip and I know a few quid wouldn't go amiss.' Shaking her head and smiling she thanked him adding, 'You know how pigheaded he is Ray, now come on get yourself home while I get him up to bed.'Ray staggered out of the door and off into the night. The dog caught Cathy's attention as she returned to the room. She watched as it tried to revive her so called 'better half'. It was just then Charlie unfortunately belched, and the dog took the full blast in both nostrils. Whining, sneezing and shaking its head it backed up fast. This brought a smile to Cathy's face. She was still smiling when she threw a coat over Charlie, turned out the light and went up to bed.John sat engrossed in one of his collection of 'Kung-Fu' magazines, his interest held by the stories and pictures of one man in particular, his name Chen Li. And as his attention was drawn more and more to this man's extraordinary skills, John imagined himself fighting off many opponents, with the same ease as his new found hero.
The sound of his mother's voice calling from the kitchen brought John back from his imaginary battleground, and back into the reality of the living room.'C'mon John, it's nearly nine and if you're not asleep soon, you're not likely to get a visit from Father Christmas tonight.' John grinned at the threat,'Father Christmas? Oh yeah!'
Craning his neck over the arm of the settee, he could see his mother busily working on the pastries and assorted tarts. She was up to her elbows in flour and pastry. The smell of the freshly baked mince pies cooling on the table brought on hunger pangs to both John and his ever faithful but very greedy mongrel dog, Chops.'All right mam, if I go up now can we have a couple of buns to share?''I suppose so but keep Chops off the bed you know your dad doesn't like him up there anyway,' admonished Cathy.After placing four pies on a plate and filling a half- pint glass with milk, she kissed him goodnight.
They were soon safely ensconced in the bedroom. John placed the pies and milk down and knelt by his bed. He was now ready for his nightly offering of prayer, so often taught him by both parents.'Gentle Jesus meek and mild, look upon this little child, pity my simplicity and suffer me to come to thee, Amen.' He then paused for a second or two, and added, 'God bless mam and dad, and Chops as well, oh and the bit about 'suffer me to come to thee', well please don't let that be for a long time, eh?"
John always felt better after adding that bit. He was always a little wary that God might take that line literally. Then he finished off his prayers by asking, 'And could you please see that my dad gets a new job soon. So he can buy me a Karate suit, Amen.'When John arose from his prayers, he was just in time to see Chops gobbling down the last mince pie.
'You rotten greedy mongrel!' he yelled as he tried to retrieve the remains of the last pie from the jaws of Chops.'I've just included you in my prayers and what do you do?' still fuming he added, 'Right then I'm sending you to the dogs home!'
John had often heard his father utter this threat. So now used it himself to threaten his 'ex' pal. John finished off his chastisement of Chops by throwing a book at him. Chops remained totally nonplussed. In fact he looked very pleased with himself as he ignored his master's tantrum.
When John finally dozed off, Chops gently and quietly climbed aboard his master's bed, nuzzled in beside him and also fell fast asleep. Both of them in the knowledge that they would be best friends again tomorrow, Christmas Day.Cathy's attention was caught as the front door opened. It's only me luv,' came the call. 'Finished baking have you?' asked Charlie, as he made his way into the kitchen. 'Well yes I have, but what are you doing home so early? It's only just gone ten.'
'Well I thought that Christmas eve together would be a good idea, apart from that you can't move in the pubs anyway,' answered Charlie.He moved to his wife and embracing her he playfully nibbled her ear.'Oh stop it you daft sod, I'm still covered in pastry.' Twisting and squirming she added, 'You'll ruin your suit!'Her voice was now rising as she tried unsuccessfully to contain her husband's roaming hands.Charlie was now grabbing at any unprotected parts of Cathy's body, tickling and fondling with complete abandon. Eventually she let herself be carried along on the surge of affection shown by her husband. As they proceeded to touch and please each other as only two people who truly love each other can, she thought of only Charlie and John and of the love they all shared.
A little later that evening, Charlie produced a black plastic bag from its hiding place in the hallway. Ascending the stairs he was spotted by Cathy who quickly followed.'What's in the bag Chuck?' she whispered.
'Sh, you'll wake him,' he scolded as way of reply.They were now at the top of the stairs directly outside of John's bedroom.
'Please tell me Chuck,' she begged.'No wait and see,' he grinned.
They moved across the bedroom slowly and silently, their eyes becoming accustomed to the dark as they did so. Their son was fast asleep, one arm draped around Chops neck, the other resting on the pillow beside him. Charlie was becoming quite excited with himself as he placed the plastic bag on the bed and started to reveal the contents. It was deathly quiet as he withdrew a transparent plastic bag from within, and as Cathy peered closer she saw what it contained. It was the much wanted and longed for, a brand new white Karate suit.'Oh darling, where did you get it from?' whispered Cathy.
'Our Ray bought it, but he says it must be from us, so we say nowt to John, all right?'They left the present on the bed. It would be the first thing John saw in the morning. When Charlie went downstairs, Cathy sat awhile on the edge of the child's bed, and as she wiped a tear from her eye, she silently thanked Ray, and God.