Ricky Gilbert's world is about to be turned upside down. After moving with his adopted American parents and Chinese sister from the only home he's known in Singapore to a new one in New Jersey, the Filipino teenager finds himself feeling lost in unfamiliar surroundings and alone as the new kid in school. With the help of Max Parada, an American-born Filipino, and Amy Cho, his Korean American classmate, Ricky begins to find his place and identity through Taekwondo training. The training, however, is more than simply kicks and punches. It becomes his guide to life as he progresses from one belt to another. Just as he begins to adjust to his new environment, however, Ricky's world takes another hit when he discovers a secret that forces him to question who he is and what family means to him. As he tries to come to terms with what he's learnt, he inherits a large sum of money and is faced with a major decision - stay with the family he's known all his life or leave and become a family of one. To help with his decision, Ricky travels to The Philippines and back to Singapore but he's not just on a trip down memory lane. While on his quest, Ricky learns things about his father that make the two of them more alike than he'd ever thought - or even hoped - possible.

BACK KICKS AND BROKEN PROMISES

By JUAN RADER BAS

abbott press

Copyright © 2012 Juan Rader Bas
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4582-0168-3

Chapter One

QUARTER POUNDER WITH CHEESE

"Damn SHIOK, huh?" Alex was animated more than usual. "Imagine having your own teacher like that? I'd be king, man."

We had just seen The Karate Kid and Benny, Alex and I were walking to McDonald's in Kallang. It was our usual Saturday get-together that always ended with a trip for Quarter Pounders with cheese or Big Macs and Caramel Sundaes. If we didn't catch a movie, we'd play football, imagining we were our favorite players from Arsenal, Liverpool or Man U. If it were raining, we'd meet at Alex's flat for a round of Space Invaders or Asteroid.

"What, you'd go around kicking people?" Benny said. "That was the whole point of the movie, wasn't it? Not having to fight and learning karate so you can avoid it?"

Alex made a throaty noise, disapproving of his cousin's comments. "I was just saying that it's cool," he added.

"I agree. I mean, I wouldn't go around picking fights or bullying anyone but it would be awesome to be able to do that stuff," I said, imagining as I'd done many times before being able to kick and punch like Bruce Lee. "You have to admit that you wouldn't mind being able to fight like that."

"Sure, sure. But it wasn't even that good, huh? I want to go watch a Shaw Brothers movie now or, even better, Enter The Dragon." He started waving his hands in outward circles. "Wax on, wax off. What is that nonsense?"

"Chibai!" Alex whispered but not quietly enough because it was loud enough for us to hear. I assumed he was referring to Benny and not me so I chuckled.

"Pussy, huh? Screw you," Benny said with a firm finger pointed at his cousin.

"Yeah, chau chibai!" Alex ran behind me for cover.

"That's okay. You run. I'll just kick your ass in class," Benny countered. Puzzled, Alex and I looked at each other.

"School's finished," I said. "What class?"

My attention and anticipation for Benny's reply was averted when a young Chinese man, probably someone's office boy, passed by with a plastic bag. The bag's handles were in a tight knot and inside were three Styrofoam lunch boxes. The smell that wafted by was unmistakable - freshly cooked white rice, goose, scallion and ginger sauce. I almost suggested a change in plans. Bag McDonald's and hit the outdoor food court at Newton Circus but this was our thing so I didn't. There was still plenty of time for prawn curry, chicken rice and banana shake. I wasn't leaving for a month yet.

Benny straightened himself and puffed his chest out as far as he could. He wasn't very tall or muscular, although he was in good shape, more like a runner, so his posture was more comical than imposing.

"Karate class," Benny replied, pointing at himself with his thumb. "I'm going to start karate lessons."

Again, Alex and I turned towards one another with blank faces looking for any kind of clarification. I shook my head and Alex shrugged.

"You're taking karate, is it?" I asked.

"My father wants me to be more active. He says I don't do enough physically. And, now that the school year is over I don't have any excuses."

"What do you mean that you don't do enough? We play football every week," I said.

"Yeah, but that's not good enough. That's just playing." Benny stopped walking and turned to face us. He leaned a shoulder against the exterior glass door of the McDonald's.

"Ricky, at least you play on school's football and basketball teams. You actually train and practice. Alex plays badminton with his dad three times a week and his dad was a pro and coaches the national team."

"So?" I said, looking up and seeing my reflection in the glass, my brown Filipino face next to their Chinese ones.

"He's been getting on me to find something that I can do as I get older," Benny continued.

"At least he talks to you," I said, under my breath.

Benny shook his head. "He's still not talking to you? That's really lousy. What's your father's problem?"

I raised and dropped my shoulders. "Ma says that he's just stressed out from work and our move to America."

"Sorry. That really sucks," Benny added.

"Yeah, whatever." I shrugged.

"So, when did you decide to take karate class?" Alex jumped in. "You're going to be the new Bruce Lee, is it?" Benny and I chuckled.

"Bruce Lee never did karate, you idiot!" Benny turned to Alex sharply, scrunched up annoyance all over his face.

"You're too skinny," Alex went on. "You're going to have to pump up." He raised clenched fists, like a boxer, in front of his chest, and tightened his muscles.

"Yeah, so let's eat. Come on, I'm hungry." Benny opened the door and walked in.

As usual, I ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese, small fries and Caramel Sundae. Benny and Alex got Big Macs, fries and apple pies. We got soft drinks, too. For the most part, Alex did whatever Benny did. If Benny was going to study karate, so was Alex.

"Okay, so what about the class already? Talk!" Alex said as he chomped down on french fries dipped in mayonnaise and catsup.

"I went and watched my dad's friend, Peter Kwok," he began, and then turned to Alex. "You know, Uncle Peter?"

Alex nodded then Benny continued. "He was practicing at the S. K. A."

"S. K. A? What's that?" I was insistent, filled with excitement.

"Singapore Karate Association."

I moved to the edge of my seat. "So, when do you start?"

"Monday," he replied, then drank from his Coke. "And the two of you better be there with me."

Alex beamed. "I'm in."

I couldn't wait. Monday was two days away. I had never studied any martial arts, at least not formally, but I had always wanted to. Once, I must have been eight or nine, one of my mother's friends gave me a gi as a Christmas present. I don't know why she did. I'd never expressed any kind of desire to do karate, keeping those thoughts secret, but I wore it anyway and mimicked what I saw in the movies. It didn't matter either that the jacket was too tight and the pants too short. I must've spent the majority of the following year wearing it and hearing my mother yell for me to stop kicking inside the flat and that I was going to break something.

Class wasn't until 7:00 but we had to register and get our uniforms so we arrived at the Singapore Karate Association, which was a part of the larger Singapore Sports Council, at around 6:30. As we came into the lobby, I saw signs pointing in the direction of the various facilities - basketball courts, swimming pool, squash courts, badminton hall, weight room. On our left was a signboard, the typical office type with a black felt backing and white push-in letters. It was encased in a metal cabinet with glass doors. In the middle of the frame, where the two doors met, was a keyhole. The signboard had the usual information on it - directors' names and offices, coaches' names and offices, start dates for summer programs - but none of it said anything about the karate class.

Since he'd already been there, Benny took charge. Confidently, he strutted to the counter where a petite Malay girl was sitting. She was pretty, with a short bob for a hairdo, and dressed simply in jeans and a t-shirt. I guessed her to be around eighteen or nineteen. She could've been twenty. She wore a nametag that told us her name was Saalima.

Using a combination of Chinese, Malay and...