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head. “You’re crazy.”
    “I WEADY!” Krista announces, running in the kitchen.
    I look at my niece who is dressed in her Marco’s T-shirt, a red tulle tutu style skirt and red cowboy boots. Kara and I both laugh.
    I smile at her. “You sure are.”
    Kara laughs. “Wow, that’s some outfit you have on, Princess.”
    Krista spins around and opens her arms up. “Tadah!”
    I stand up from the table. “All right. We’re going to the park, are you sure you don’t want shorts on?”
    She shakes her head. “Dot showts on.” She lifts her skirt and I see it has shorts attached under it.
    I grab her hand and we start for the door. “Well, let’s not be lifting our skirt up for everyone.” I laugh lightly.
    Kara comes and gives us both a hug. “Krista, you listen to Aunt Jade. No running off. Okay?”
    She smiles and nods. I smile at my sister. “Why don’t you go get a nap while we’re gone?”
    She stretches, yawning. “Yeah, I think I will.”
    “Bye, Momma!” Krista yells as we go out the door.

 
    CHAPTER 9
     
    GIBBS
    “All right, kids. What is one of the key factors in good self-defense?”
    “Be aware of your surroundings,” they say as a group.
    I nod. “Okay, what’s another good tip?”
    “Safety in numbers,” they answer.
    “What if a stranger tries to talk to you?”
    “Don’t speak back.” “Tell them to go away.”
    Nodding, I laugh. “Yes, all of those are great answers.” I look amongst the group and see a shy girl. “Carrie?” She nods. “Come up here with me for a minute.”
    She steps in front of me, looking at the floor.
    I lift her chin up. “Always look up. Don’t look down at the ground. Be aware of everything going on around you.”
    She lifts her head.
    I lift my hands up. “I want you to put your hands up like this.” Once she does, I say, “Okay, now bring your fingers down and close your thumb around like this.” I show her as I’m doing it. She copies me. “Now bring your left foot back a little. Like a fighting stance.” She does. “Now yell, ‘GET BACK!’” I motion to her. “Now you try.”
    She mimics me. “GET BACK!” Her face blushes.
    I pat her on the shoulder. “Good job, girl. Now take your fists like you’re beating a drum.” I show her. “Okay, now it doesn’t matter how they try to reach in and grab you, you can use this to beat their arms away. Now I want you to act like you’re stomping a bug, but stomp my foot.” She does. “Good, another key is your attacker may be bigger than you, but you can get in smaller places. That stomping and punching is to give you the opportunity to run. Once you run, put anything in between you that you can. A garbage can, a clothing rack, a bench, anything you can until you can get to someone else.” I look back at her then to the rest of the class. “Okay, I’m gonna try that with each of you, so line up and let’s get started.”
    Working with these kids is great. I even like working with the old ladies. Huck’s talked to me about taking on some more classes, maybe even training some young fighters. It would be a great career move for me. I mean I have plenty of money, so the work really isn’t what I worry about. Well, I’ve had money since I emancipated myself from my bloodsucking aunt and uncle who tried to spend every dime of my parent’s life insurance. For the first time since my parents died, I’m starting to feel whole. I feel like I’m part of something important.
    Once I do a run through with the kids a couple of times, I clap my hands. “You guys have done great today. Now, Ms. Sloan has set out some juice and cookies for you guys while your moms are finishing up their class with Sly, Lox and Liz. Grab some of those cookies because I know for a fact that she makes awesome cookies.”
    They all start toward the table and I see Carrie still acting shy. “Carrie girl, come here.”
    She looks up at me with her adorable freckles and bright red hair. “Y-yes?”
    I put my