Life after the Lottery Ch. 64

"Will one of your old Gi's fit Samantha?" I asked.

"Yes, but she will need her own."

I went to the closet and got my black Gi and put it on. After that, I grabbed one of my black belts and put it on. Dawn was in the bedroom in a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

"I hope you are wearing a sports bra this time," I said.

"I am."

We grabbed a bag and some extra towels and headed down the stairs. Samantha was in the kitchen, making coffee and packing a lunch.

"Dawn, don't you wear a Gi and a belt?" Samantha asked.

"I'm going to play a civilian today."

"What?"

"Dan likes for me to play like I don't have any training and use me for demonstrations."

"Oh, so you are not supposed to fight."

"You'll see."

Amy came down wearing some sweats while I got some coffee.

"You look...mean," she said, looking at me in my Gi.

"I don't wear this much anymore."

After we grabbed a little bit to eat and some coffee, we headed out about 7:00.

*****

"Okay you two, I am playing a part, so don't give me away," Dawn said.

We got out and walked into the police gymnasium. Dan was there with some of his students putting down some mats.

"Hey, you two!" He said as he walked to us.

"Hey, Dan," Dawn said and hugged him and kissed him.

"Dan, you met Samantha, this is her sister Amy," I told him.

"Hi, you two."

"Hi. Hi."

"Everyone will be showing up soon," he said.

Dawn took the girls and walked over to the bleachers and sat.

"Those two definitely need to learn self-defense," Dan said.

"Samantha thinks she wants to go all the way. Her sister is not that interested."

"Is Sam tough?"

"We'll see."

I helped Dan, and his students get everything set up. We tested the huge screen that he was going to show videos on. Women were showing up now.

"How many are you expecting?" I asked.

"Forty have signed up, but they may have brought others."

About 7:45, Linda and Rachel came in, and Samantha ran to them to say hi. She escorted them to the bleachers so it wouldn't look like I knew them.

By 8:00, there were a lot of women in the gym mingling and talking.

"Ladies!! It is time to start! If you could form a couple of lines here, we will get started," Dan announced.

About forty women made two lines across the gym. Dan and I were standing in front, and his students were lined up behind us.

"I want to thank all of you for coming today. We have a good crowd, and I have plenty of my students here so there will be plenty of one on one instructions. My name is Dan Darden, I am a Lieutenant with the Police Force, and I am also the hand to hand combat instructor. I have been studying martial arts since I was about fifteen. I have learned several different forms of martial arts and have combined parts from all into this self-defense class."

"To my right is Dr. James Smith. He and I met in college at a tournament, where I kicked his ass."

There was some laughter.

"But, I had the advantage of surprise on him. He was not familiar with the form of martial arts I was using at the time. Don't underestimate him. He held several black belts in other martial arts before we started studying my style. He now holds a black belt and the rank of Expert in Krav Maga. Krav Maga is an Israeli form of self-defense that was developed during the twentieth-century and is still taught to all their military."

"Krav Maga has taken the best parts of many styles of martial arts and rolled them into a style that is often called street survival. We are not going to teach you any particular style of martial arts today. What we are going to do is teach some basic self-defense moves that could save your life."

Dan talked for another 15 minutes about the basics of self-defense.

"If you are being attacked by someone, there are some basics of self-defense you need to understand to survive. Number one, if your attacker can't see, he can't attack you. Number two, if he can't breathe, he can't attack you. Number three, if it is broken, he can't grab you with it. Number four, if it is dislocated or broken, he can't chase you. And lastly...if your attacker is dead...he can't attack you."

"Self-defense using your hands and body can be as lethal as if you were using a gun. Yes, if you can escape your attacker, that is the first thing to do. But...if you can disable your attacker it is even better. Today we will be teaching you how to escape from your attacker, and we will also be teaching you how to disable an attacker. You need to know and understand that some of the moves we are going to be teaching could kill someone. That is something you must understand and be ready to accept."

"How many of you have a carry permit and sometimes car a weapon?" He asked.

A handful of women raised their hands, including Linda and Rachel. Dawn didn't.

"I know in this state you had to go through a training class before you could get your carry permit. I hope the instructor made you very aware that there can be consequences to using deadly force. I hope before you decided to carry a handgun, you thought through what you were doing and were prepared to take someone's life if that is what it took."

"I want you to understand that people like myself, my students, and Dr. Smith, can easily take someone's life using our hands. As a police officer, I carry a weapon all the time. But if something happens and I am too close to get my weapon out during an attack, I have the ability to use what I know to disable or kill an attacker. We are not here today to teach you how to kill someone, but, some of the defensive techniques we are going to teach you can cause permanent injury and even death. Once you see them, you will understand."

"What our goals today are is to first to teach you how to escape an attacker. Then teach you how to disable an attacker if you can't escape. But the most important thing we are going to start teaching you is how to avoid an attack in the first place. The one thing that is the most important of all is to be alive after an attack. If that means you have to kill your attacker, then that is what you will have to do."

"Any questions?"

One lady raised her hand.

"Yes."

"Are there classes we can take after this?"

"Of course. You can take classes in self-defense from most martial arts schools. I do have a school that teaches more advanced methods you are welcome to check out."

Another hand went up.

"Yes."

"Why is he wearing a Karate uniform, and you are only wearing sweats?"

"I asked Dr. Smith to wear his uniform so you could see it. I don't usually wear my uniform and belt during instruction, but that is a Krav Maga style. Other styles of martial arts do wear their uniforms and belts during training. Since I don't wear my Karate uniform when I am on the streets from day to day, and neither do you, you need to learn to fight in the clothes you normally wear. You will discover today that some of the clothes you wear can cause limitations in a street fight. That is something you have to understand and even train for."

Samantha raised her hand.

"Yes."

"How long does it take to become a black belt?"

"Good question. In most forms of martial arts, with regular and intense training, it probably will take you at least three or more years to reach the first level of a black belt. Now, to reach the level of ability that I have or Dr. Smith has, at least ten years or more of intense training. Martial arts can become something you study and get better at for the rest of your life. You can never practice too much or be too good."

"Any more questions? If you have questions at any time today, don't be afraid to ask. I need to get ready, so I would like all of you to introduce yourselves to my students and Dr. Smith. You all will be getting very close today."

While Dan went and put on all his padding, the women came up and introduced themselves. After about 15 minutes, Dan had on all his safety padding.

"Okay, let's get started," I said. The women all got back in line.

"I am wearing all this padding for several reasons," Dan said.

"Mostly, to keep you ladies from hurting me, I hope! The techniques we are going to teach you will be demonstrated first by my students. They will not be holding back, and I don't want to get hurt. Then I will let you ladies try them on me, so don't be afraid to hit me. You won't hurt me, I hope."

There was some laughter. While he talked, several of his students put on safety pads.

"The first things we are going to teach you is how to get away from someone that has grabbed you either from the front or from behind. It is easier to get away from someone that has wrapped his arms around you than you may think. Remember, the first thing is to escape and then run like hell! The next thing to learn is how to disable your attacker if you can't outrun them."

"Something you will practice today is screaming and making as much noise as you can if you are being attacked. Your attacker doesn't want to attract attention. So if we tell you to scream, you scream as loud as you can, just as if you were being attacked."

"Okay, are you ready to start!"

"Yes!"

"The first thing to learn is how to get away from someone that has grabbed you from behind. I need a volunteer."

No one volunteered.

"How about you?" He said, pointing at Dawn.

"Me?"

"Sure, you look vulnerable. Come up here."

Dawn looked around and walked up on the mats.

"What's your name?"

"Dawn."

"Okay, Dawn. The first thing I want to demonstrate is how to escape if you have been grabbed from behind. Is it okay if I wrap my arms around you and hold you like I don't want you to get away?"

"Sure...I guess."

Dan turned them sideways to the ladies and stood behind Dawn.

"Now don't hurt me," he said, and the ladies laughed.

I'm sure Dan meant it.

"Okay, I am going to wrap my arms around you."

He wrapped his arms around Dawn just below her head and held her.

"Now, try and get away."

Dawn started struggling, trying to get away from Dan.

"Okay, stop a minute. As you can see, when someone grabs you from behind, it could be very hard to get away from them. They are in a good position to control you. At this point, you have to know what to do to get away. The element of surprise is on your side because an attacker may not be prepared for you to become a fighter. Are you okay, Dawn?"

"Sure."

"Okay, now I am going to wrap her up again..." Dan held Dawn tight,"...and this time..."

"Yiiiiiii!!" Dawn screamed as she reached up and grabbed his arms tightly.

Dawn started pushing Dan backward hard because she had surprised him. As he stumbled back, about two steps later, Dawn wrapped one leg behind his and pulled it out from under him as she shoved herself back.

"Yiiiiiii!!"

Dawn pulled her knees and feet up, so she was in a ball, making sure all of her weight landed on Dan when he hit the mat.

"Offff!!" Came from Dan as he landed on his back.

We watched as Dawn used her momentum to keep rolling backward until she rolled over his head in a flip and was on her knees behind him.

"Kiaaa!!" She screamed and punched him twice.

The first punch hit Dan in the chest. Dawn's second punch stopped about half an inch from his throat. Dawn jumped up and made a kick to the side of Dan's head.

"Help, Police!!" Dawn screamed as she ran away.

The room was quiet for a minute.

"...ohhhh...I hate it when she does that..." Dan moaned as he lay flat on his back, trying to catch his breath.

Dawn walked back and stood at Dawn's head, looking down at him. I bent over and took his hand and helped him up.

"Ladies...I would like for you to meet Dawn Smith, Dr. Smith's deadly wife."

The all clapped.

"We won't be teaching you that move today...that is one Dawn came up with after many years of training. Dawn also holds several black belts and studied with me for over ten years."

Dan hugged Dawn.

"The point I wanted to show was that if you surprise your attacker, your chances of getting away are much better. And...Dawn surprised me. I wasn't ready for that...I never am with her. Just looking at her, would you ever suspect that she was capable of a move like that?"

They mumbled and said no.

"The first time I saw her use that move was at a tournament. The lady she was fighting kept coming in on her. She turned and let her grab her from behind. The next thing her opponent knew she was lying on her back, struggling to breathe."

Dan used Dawn to demonstrate some escape moves for about 15 minutes.

"Ladies, the most important thing you must remember is to do whatever you must do to get away. Let me show you what happens if a guy is intent on raping you."

He had Dawn face him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"If you are in this position and a guy has you wrapped up and is trying to pull your clothes off, there are several things you can do. I want Dawn to show you the simplest."

Dan grabbed the bottom of her sweatshirt and started trying to pull it over Dawn's head.

"Stop!! Help Police!!" Dawn screamed as they struggled.

Dan had her shirt and was pulling on it.

"No!! Let go of me!!" Dawn screamed as they struggled.

Then suddenly Dawn reached down and grabbed the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up and off as Dan pulled on it. In a split second, she bent over and backed up and let Dan have her shirt.

"Help!! Police!!" She screamed as she ran away from Dan in her sports bra.

There were some gasp and some laughter as Dawn walked back up and retrieved her shirt from Dan.

"Ladies, if a guy wants your shirt off, give it to him like that then run like hell!"

Everyone laughed.

"The first time I demonstrated this on Dawn, she wasn't wearing a bra! She didn't know I was going to demonstrate this, and her instincts took over!"

More laughter as Dawn put her shirt back on.

"Ladies, if it gets to the point you are on the ground on your back, and some guy is trying to pull your pants or your skirt off, give it to him and get up and run. The hell with it if you are naked!" Dawn said. "Do whatever you must do to get away. If it means giving him your clothes, give them to him!"

"Okay, time for a short break and a video. Everyone have a seat," Dan said.

One of his students turned off the lights.

"What I want you to watch is a recording of an actual attack as it took place. The Smith's were in France at a club and Dawn was attacked. Watch closely at how everyone reacts and what happens. It will be fast."

Dan pushed the remote, and the video started.

We all watched as Dawn danced, then the guy grabbed her. There were gasps as Dawn broke the first guy's elbow then punched him in the throat and ribs and dropped him. More gasp when the second guy slapped Dawn hard. Then a loud groan as Dawn pulled his arm out of his shoulder joint then broke his shoulder blade.

I heard "Damn" in the crowd.

Dan stopped the video.

"As you saw, it was over in less than 30 seconds. Dawn took down two large men that attacked her before her husband or any of the security got to her. I am going to play it again in slow motion. Watch again and see what happens."

More groans and gasp as we watched in slow motion. Dan turned off the recording, and the lights came back up.

"Again, you won't be learning those moves today. Dawn has studied street survival fighting for well over ten years. What she did was on instinct and came from many years of practice. Now I know many of you may be thinking that she was dressed pretty provocatively and may have brought on the trouble. Is that fair? Should a woman not be able to dress how she pleases and go out to a club without being held responsible if she gets attacked or raped!"

"No...no...no..."

"I hear too many women being accused of leading a guy on that rapes her, or a woman blaming herself if she was attacked because of the way she was dressed. Ladies, that is bull shit!!"

Some of the women clapped.

"Dawn, what were the results of you defending yourself?" Dan asked.

"I broke the first guy's elbow, crushed his throat so he couldn't breathe, and broke several of his ribs. His buddy got his arm dislocated, and his shoulder blade broken for his efforts."

"Dawn, did you think you may kill the guy when you hit him in the throat?"

"Sure, but the only thing on my mind was stopping him, and that meant incapacitating him. The fastest way to stop an attack is striking in the throat. If he can't breathe, he can't attack."

"Ladies, get ready because we will be teaching you how to strike someone in the throat," Dan told them.

Dan went over some basics for a few minutes. Then they all practice for 30 minutes.

"Let me demonstrate the next thing you need to learn," Dan said. "Dawn, can I use you...and don't hurt me this time, please."

Dawn stood facing him, and he reached out and grabbed her by her throat.

"Okay, now, things have gone too far, and he now has his hands around your throat and is going to choke you to death. What do you do? We are going to slow this down so you can see the easiest way to stop this attack. Go ahead, Dawn."

Dawn reached up and grabbed the side of his head and placed her thumbs over each eye.

"The easiest thing you could do in this situation ladies is to gouge both his eyes out," Dawn said. "Once I grab him like this, I can quickly jam my thumbs into his eyes. I can guarantee he will let go of you when your thumbs crush his eyeballs."

"Ewwww," came from the ladies.

Dawn and Dan separated.

"I heard some groans," Dan said. "If your life depends on it, you can poke out someone's eyes! You do what you have to do to get away! Remember that!"

"In some self-defense classes they may teach to jam your fingers into someone's eyes like the Three Stoggies did, that will work, but if you miss you may break a finger and you may not get but one chance. When you grab someone like I did quickly, they may only think you are grabbing them. They will not be expecting you to jam your thumbs into their eyes." Dawn told them.

"There are release moves that you can perform to break a hold like this and we will show them to you later. But, those moves require a lot of practice. You all saw what Dawn did when the guy grabbed her. She grabbed his hand and held it, then hit him as hard as she could on the back of his elbow and broke it. That one is easy to learn."

Everyone grouped up and were instructed on what we had been showing them until lunchtime. By then, many of the women were doing a good job. I was watching Linda as she worked with one of the students.

We broke for lunch, and all of us were sitting on the bleachers with Linda and Rachel.

"Dawn, how long have you been studying this?" Linda asked.

"I started after I met James in Grad school...I would have been 22 then."

"You are pretty good."

"I had a good teacher."

Dan came over and sat with us.

"Dawn, I am going to start having you tell me what you are going to do...that hurt," he said, and the girls laughed.

"You are just getting slow in your old age," Dawn said.

"Hey, I'm only a year older than you!"

"How are Katie and the girls? She didn't come?" Dawn asked.

"She is taking the kids to her parents for the weekend."

"I haven't seen her in a while."

"She has been busy with the girls. James keeps telling me to bring her and see your new house."

"You haven't seen it have you?"

"Not yet."

"What are you two doing tomorrow? We are going to grill out for lunch, why don't you and Katie come?" Dawn said.

"That sounds like fun."

"You two come, Dan, I'll show you around," I said.

"Let me call her, and I'll let you know."

"Tell her to come. With the kids gone, you two can have some adult fun," Dawn said.

"Okay, I'll call her."

Dan got up and went and talked to a couple of his students then walked off.