PART 2 — THE PROFILE
Coach Miller walked toward a large screen mounted on the wall.
He tapped his tablet.
A photograph appeared.
It showed a much younger Evelyn Carter.
She wasn't wearing a sweatshirt.
She was wearing a military uniform.
The room became silent.
Miller continued.
“Evelyn Carter served for more than two decades as a close-combat instructor for the United States military.”
The fighters stared at the screen.
Another photograph appeared.
Evelyn teaching a group of soldiers.
Then another.
A younger Evelyn standing inside a training facility surrounded by elite instructors.
Miller looked around the room.
“But that's not the part you need to know.”
He changed the slide.
A list of qualifications appeared.
Former Military Combat Instructor.
Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor.
Specialized in hand-to-hand combat and tactical movement.
Instructor to military and federal personnel.
The fighter who had joked about the “senior fitness class” lowered his eyes.
Miller turned toward Evelyn.
“She retired from active instruction years ago.”
Evelyn finally spoke.
“And I thought I was finished.”
She looked around the gym.
“Then Coach Miller called me.”
Miller nodded.
“I asked her to help me evaluate the next generation.”
One of the fighters stepped forward.
“Evaluate us for what?”
Evelyn smiled.
“For discipline.”
She pointed toward the heavy bags.
“Anyone can hit hard.”
Then she pointed toward the fighters.
“Not everyone can stay calm when they're tired, scared, or embarrassed.”
Nobody laughed now.
Evelyn picked up her gym bag.
“I don't care how strong you are.”
She looked directly at the fighter who had mocked her earlier.
“I care about how quickly you learn.”
The fighter swallowed.
Miller stepped forward.
“Today, you're going to train with Evelyn.”
A fighter whispered,
“She can't be serious.”
Evelyn heard him.
May you like
She smiled.
“Oh, I'm serious.”
