"Thank you so much, everyone." Jill wrapped up the class with a hearty hug for Matt who grinned sheepish delight at the embrace while we all cheered his good humor. "You all did amazingly well, and I'm proud of your efforts to learn how to defend yourselves. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take this guy home," she winked at him while giggles broke out, "and tend to his bruises."

Matt seemed suddenly happy he'd said yes to being a punching bag.

I lingered in ...