The Mafia's Boxer

Willow May POV:  I’ve always craved chaos; I craved the power it involved. Something about a busy Emergency Room night made me feel alive. I handled every case the same with calmness and a smile, but I could feel the power radiate within me – fighting my nerves every second. Whoever said working in emergency medicine was easy – was lying. Thankfully, after my intern year, I’ve started to get the feel of International Grace Hospital. Residency was no walk in the park but at least the next 5 years were to ensure many patients and opportunities. My watch started to beep, finally 6am has rolled around. For once, it was an easy 12-hour shift, but those calm days seemed to drag on forever. I grabbed my gym bag from the locker room. Changing out of my scrubs to a pair of yoga pants and a hoodie. A normal person would go home and relax after a shift but not me… I instead plan to go to boxing practice. There was something about the boxing atmosphere that made me feel the same rush as I did in the ER. I was debating between catching the bus or walking to the gym, it may not be in the best area but at least my apartment was only a block away from it. My life was confided to a mile of New York City. International Grace Hospital, the boxing gym, my apartment, and the grocery store were truly on the same street just a mile stretch. It was comforting not to have to leave my small bubble of a mile. As I saw the bus pull near the stop in front of the hospital, I decided it was my best interest to take it. Clouds were filling the sky and the cold wind was picking up. I hate the cold, so walking was completely out of the question. Two stops later and I’m outside DD’s Boxing Zone. Walking through the glass door, I am welcomed by the sound of pads being hit and heavy bags swaying. “Good morning Willow!” Daniella called out from the mats. Daniella was an angel disguised as a boxing coach. At 5 foot nothing and a few gray hairs, she was the closest thing to family I had out here in New York. I literally owed the women everything, she relite my passion for boxing after the flame died out when I was 18. Now here I am, a 27-year-old emergency room resident that boxes her ever spare minute. “How are you doing D?” I called out as I wrapped my hands to get ready for class. “Enough chitchat, get warmed up we are sparing today.” She yelled out. Sparring day is my favorite, there’s nothing like taking out all your frustrations by hitting another person. Fully padded of course. Stepping into the ring, my heart starts beating faster and my eyes focus on my first opponent. Lucas laces up his gloves and climbs into the ring. Thank goodness he is my first partner; I need a challenge someone who would fight back and hit me. Not like new nose job Nancy, who literally cries the minute the bell goes off. Lucas is only 5’9” with a medium build but despite his size he has a mean left hook. I hit him with a jab hook high and drop myself low to finish the combo off with a cross aimed low at his stomach. All while thinking of the annoying Karen I had at the hospital last night as I aimed at Lucas’s face. Lucas hunches over as soon as the bell rings. First round over, only two left to go. By the end of the second you could tell he was tired, but I was just getting started. As his hands continued to drop, I decided to put the poor man out of his misery and land a perfectly placed cross right to his headgear and down the man went. Daniella ran into the ring to check on Lucas as I caught my breath. I walked over to offer him my hand and to check him out. No concussion, but maybe a nice black eye for the next couple days. “Damn Willow, I swear the cross of yours gets me every time! Who pissed you off today, you seemed to have wanted to rip my head off?” “Sorry Lucas just had a slow night of dealing with Karen’s at the hospital. I needed to release some energy.” “I know how to get you to release some energy.” He replies with a wink. I had to prevent myself from vomiting. Hell No. Why would I waste my time with a cocky pale boxer who I continued to beat every time we sparred. Nancy watches our interactions and flashes a smile at Lucas. Thank goodness he decided to turn his attention to her. “Do you want to go another round? I don’t think anyone her can offer you a challenge, but we can do speed pads if you’d like?” Daniella suggests. “Sure, sounds great to me.” I replied and started to hit the pads she held up. After a grueling 30 minutes of pad work, Coach called it. Morning class has ended, and students were filling out the door. Lucas and Nancy seemed cozy leaving practice, with his arm around her waist. Good for them, I thought. Everyone deserves someone I always say, I just wished that applied to me as well. “I’m starving want to get breakfast?” Daniella asked as her stomach grumbled. “Yes! I’ve been craving French toast from the diner across the street.” I responded. Both of us in our sweaty gym clothes head to the diner, to indulge after a hard practice. The waitress quickly sat us into a corner booth as customers began to fill the restaurant for breakfast. My coach turned best friend was looking out the window and her coffee sat untouched. “What’s going on?” I asked as she stared off into the distance. “Willow I have something I need to tell you; I just don’t know how to say it…” She whispered. “Are you okay? What’s going on?” I question her as I start to panic. Every bad scenario playing in my head. “I lost the gym, today was the last day. The landlord raised the rent to an ungodly amount, and I couldn’t keep it going anymore.” I look at her in disbelief, her gym was my home. The one place where I didn’t feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. My hands grew sweaty, and my stomach churned. “I didn’t know how to tell you; I’ve known for the last month.” She responded. “It’s okay, there’s bigger and better thing ahead.” I say as I grab her hands, “What’s your next move?” “I think I’m going to retire. I’ve had a good run and its time to settle down. I need to take care of my family, especially since my son and daughter in-law are popping babies out like crazy. I swear after 3 children I thought they would be done!” She proclaimed. In that minute I really saw Daniella, for who she was. Not only was she my coach and friend but she was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She was the same age as my mom, and I think that’s why I always felt safe with her. She reminder me of my mom who I missed dearly. “Congratulations!” I reply, “I’m so happy for you!”. The food arrives at our table, and we dig in. All while my thoughts are scattered everywhere. If she was going to take care of her son and his family, that meant she was moving to the countryside of New York. We kept talking throughout breakfast and made plans for me to visit her once she gets settled. As my eyes grew wary form the long shift and practice, I knew I had to get some sleep before work again that night. I walked Daniella back to the gym and bid her goodbye. I hugged her tight and told her to take care of herself. As I walked to my apartment I started to feel alone once again. I came to New York for medical school and matched at International Grace Hospital, it’s been 5-years since I’ve seen my mom. The last time I saw her was when she dropped me off at the airport as I left to become a doctor. It was always just her and I, my dad was never in the picture, and I didn’t have any siblings. Despite our differences, I miss her a lot and we text regularly. She has found a new guy who she says treats her right and she wants me to meet him. If money wasn’t so tight, I would visit her in Colorado in a heartbeat. As I walk up the stair to my apartment, I clear my head of missing my mom and welcome sleep the minute my head hits the pillow.