Pausing while wrapping her hands, Sharon cocked her head to the side. “Full gear, Jason,” she said. He lifted hand guards, disappeared them, and reappeared them on his hands. He checked the straps and then went through the same motions with foot and shin guards.
“Why?” he asked, taking up a padded helmet.
Sharon was donning her own gear in a more ordinary manner. “Because we are about to have an audience.” Quietly, she counted down. When she reached zero, Dani called down from the upper gallery, “Hi, mom!” Jason glanced up to see Marlene, Warren and Beth take up positions along the rail.
“Hi, Honey! Told you so.” She checked Jason's gear and then he checked hers, making sure everything was tightened down properly. “First round is unarmed. Second round will be staff work. If the third round is necessary, anything goes.”
Jason nodded to her and stepped out on the mat, slipping a mouth guard in. He rolled his neck and shoulders, loosening up. He dropped to do a couple of quick stretches for each leg. Standing back up, he brought up one knee to his chest, and then did the same with the other leg.
Sharon stepped out on the mat. She didn't do any quick stretches, apparently already limber from either yoga or a morning swim. “Ready?” Jason nodded to her and she slipped her own guard in her mouth. Facing off, they bowed to each other.