(Butch): Evina! David! Come on!
There is a muffled response from upstairs, and Butch sighs. He knew he shouldn't have let them stay up so late last night, but it was hard to say no to their pleading faces. He finishes putting the sandwiches in their lunchboxes and walks over to the bottom of the stairs, calling out again.
(Butch): Come on, you two! We need to leave in ten minutes!
A few moments later, Evina appears at the top of the stairs, rubbing her eyes and yawning.
(Evina): Morning, Dad.
(Butch): Morning, sweetie.
Butch smiles at his tired daughter.
(Butch): Are you ready to go?
Evina nods and starts to make her way down the stairs. But before she could get too far, David's voice echoes down from the top of the stairs.
(David): I'm coming daddy! I'm coming!
His footsteps thump down the stairs and Butch grins as he watches his son race down the final steps, his backpack bouncing behind him.
(Butch): Ready for school, big man?
David nods enthusiastically, grinning up at his dad.
(David): I can't wait to see my friends!
Butch ruffles his son's hair and hands him his lunchbox.
(Butch): Let's go, then. We don't want to be late.
(Evina): Mom always leaves earlier so avoid the track.
(Butch): Yeah, well, mom is at work, come on, less yapping, more walking!
Butch leads the way out the front door and towards the car parked in the driveway. He quickly stows the lunchboxes in the back seat before getting behind the wheel.
(Butch): Seatbelts, everyone.
Evina and David dutifully buckles up, and Butch pulls out of the driveway and onto the quiet residential street. He hopes they'd be able to avoid most of the morning rush hour traffic, but he knew it was wishful thinking. As they drive, Butch tries to make small talk with his children.
(Butch): So, what do you have planned for today, Evina?
When Evina replies, her voice is still tinged with sleepiness.
(Evina): I have a math test, and then we're going to learn about ancient Egypt in social studies.
(Butch): Wow, that sounds interesting.
Butch glances at her in the rearview mirror before shifting his gaze to his son.
(Butch): What about you, big man? What are you looking forward to today?
(David): I get to play kickball at recess!
Butch smiles at his son's enthusiasm.
(Butch): That sounds like fun!
As they near the school, the traffic starts to pick up, and Butch groans inwardly. He didn't want to be late dropping off the kids, but it looked like they might not make it on time.
(Butch): Come on, come on!
He tries to inch the car forward in the snarl of vehicles. Finally, they pull up in front of the school, and Butch quickly leans back to give his kids a quick hug.
(Butch): Have a good day, you two. Love you.
The kids shout back in unison, grabbing their backpacks and running towards the school entrance.
(David and Evina): Love you too, Dad!
Butch watches them go, feeling a pang of sadness at how quickly they were growing up. He sighs and pulls away from the curb. After dropping off his children at school, Butch heads to his pre-booked doctor's appointment. The well-documented concerns surrounding Butch’s health weren’t going away anytime soon and Wisdom was still watching him like a hawk. He know Matthew and Hans had agreed to keep an eye on him and he was keen to get their frequent gazes from him.
As he drives, he can’t help but worry about what the doctor might tell him. He had never experienced anything like this before prior to the first Havoc and he was getting sick of the symptoms lingering over him, as if they were teasing him.
When Butch arrives at the clinic, he checks in at the front desk and takes a seat in the waiting room. His heart is beginning to race, and he starts to feel those familiar feelings again, like the world around him was closing in. Finally, his name is called, and he makes his way to the examination room. The doctor, a young woman with a kind smile, greets him and shakes his hand.
(Dr. Davis): Butch, it's great to see you again.
(Butch): Dr. Davis, it's been a while. I wish I could say it was for a better reason than this.
(Dr. Davis): What seems to be the problem?
She leads Butch to a chair to take his blood pressure as he explains his shortness of breath, the tightness in his chest, and lightheadedness he’d been experiencing all the way back to what happened before that infamous press conference. Dr. Davis listens attentively before performing a quick examination. After a few moments, she looks up at Butch.
(Dr. Davis): Based on your symptoms, it definitely sounds like anxiety, Butch. This isn’t like you. What’s changed in your lifestyle? Are you still as active in the ring?
Butch shakes his head.
(Butch): No, not nearly as I used to be. Let’s just say my responsibilities are more…corporate these days, for lack of a better term.
(Dr. Davis): Ahh, yes. Signing pay-checks, making sure the machine keeps turning, HR calls, all that jazz?
Butch smiles and rolls his eyes.
(Butch): Yeah, pretty much.
(Dr. Davis): Well, I’m not going to tell you to ease up because I know that is an exercise in futility. You’ve never been one for taking doctor’s advice particularly well. But in this case, I have to insist you take this seriously, Butch. It’s not something I subscribe pain relief or give you a cortisone injection for. If you want to get on top of this, you’re going to have to adapt.
(Butch): What do you mean?
(Dr. Davis): First of all, talk to someone.
(Butch): What? Like a shrink?
(Dr. Davis): Possibly, or even just your wife. Do you two talk a lot.
(Butch): Of course we do, we run a company together.
(Dr. Davis): I don’t mean business, I mean do you tell her how you’re feeling?
(Butch): Well, I mean we have a rule when we get home we don’t talk about work.
(Dr. Davis): Good, good that’s a start and is she supportive of you?
(Butch): Of course she is! She’s incredible. But sometimes I feel like I’m under house arrest, you know.
(Dr. Davis): Well, forgive a caring wife for not wanting to see her husband in an early grave.
Butch is taken aback by the sinister phrasing.
(Butch): Are you saying this could kill me?
(Dr. Davis): No, but try telling her that. There’s only so much the body can take, physically and mentally. What I am saying this is that this can be treated effectively with medication and therapy.
(Butch): What kind of medication are we talking about?
(Dr. Davis): We can start with some anti-anxiety medication like benzodiazepines or antidepressants like SSRIs. These medications can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your panic attacks and help you manage your anxiety. It's important to note that medication is just one part of treatment. We'll also work on therapy and lifestyle changes to help you manage your anxiety in the long term.
(Butch): Antidepressants? I’m not depressed though, I’m happy! I don’t need my brain filled with dopamine for this.
(Dr. Davis): Antidepressants like SSRIs can also help with anxiety and panic attacks, even if you're not clinically depressed, Butch. They work by regulating the levels of serotonin in your brain, which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve your overall mood. It's a common misconception that antidepressants are only for those with depression. In fact, they are often used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders.
Butch still looks a little hesitant. Dr Davis sees this.
(Dr. Davis): Of course, medication is just one option and it's important to find the right treatment plan for you. We can discuss other options as well, like therapy and lifestyle changes. But I want you to know that there are safe and effective medications available that can help you manage your panic attacks.
Butch nods and takes a deep breath in through his nose, taking in the information. He realises he still has a lot to learn about what is going on and the options available to him. He feels grateful to have a doctor who is patient and willing to explain things in a way he can understand. He takes a long moment before nodding.
(Butch): Okay, I'm willing to give it a try. What's the next step?
Dr. Davis smiles reassuringly.
(Dr. Davis): Great. I'll write you a prescription for a low dose of benzodiazepine to start with. We'll also schedule you for therapy sessions to work on coping strategies and discuss lifestyle changes that can help you manage your anxiety. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Butch still feels a little uneasy about what he’s agreed to but at this stage, he knows it’s for the best and that Wisdom will be happy he’s at least taking proactive steps. He nods, grateful for the doctor's reassurance.
(Butch): Thank you, Dr. Davis. I really appreciate your help.
(Dr. Davis): Of course, Butch. Just remember to take the medication as prescribed and follow up with a therapist to address the underlying causes of your anxiety.
Dr. Davis pauses for a moment before adding…
(Dr. Davis): By the way, how's your knee doing? I remember I diagnosed your ACL tear a few years back. Did you get it fixed?
Butch smiles, surprised that she remembers. He replies with a shrug.
(Butch): It still clicks and gets stiff from time-to-time. I don't think it will ever heal in the truest sense of the word. But you know, I can walk, I can train, play with my kids, so I'm grateful for that.
Dr. Davis nods, understanding the limitations of ACL injuries.
(Dr. Davis): It's good that you're still able to stay active and do what you love. Just make sure to take it easy when you need to and don't push yourself too hard.
Butch smiles ironically. “Don’t push yourself too hard”. He’d heard that hundreds of times over the years.
(Butch): Thanks, Doc. I'll keep that in mind.
As he leaves the doctor’s office, Butch knew Wisdom would want to know how he got on. She knew exactly when his appointment was too so there was no point in delaying it. As he climbs into his car, he puts himself on hands-free and dials Wisdom’s number. After a few moments, he hears her answer.
(Butch): Hey, babe, it's me
(Wisdom): Hey, how did it go at the doctor's office?
(Butch): Uhh, it went well.
Even though she’s several hours away at the HWA HW in Santa Monica, Butch can still literally feel Wisdom’s eyes on him.
(Wisdom): What do you mean “Uhh, it went well”?
(Butch): The doctor prescribed me some antidepressants to help with all the…you know…
(Wisdom): The anxiety? It’s ok to say it, babe.
(Butch): I know, I know, it’s just weird to say it out loud, is all. The kids got into school fine by the way.
(Wisdom): That’s good, what time did you leave?
(Butch): About 7.30 and before you say, I know, I should’ve left earlier, Evina took great pleasure in reminding me.
Butch can hear Wisdom laughing on the other line.
(Wisdom): Well, that’s what you get, mister, for letting your 10 and six-year old stay up after 10pm.
(Butch): I know, I know. Are you still at the office?
(Wisdom): Yeah, I’m just finishing up some paperwork. I’m thinking about hitting the mats with the girls. I think I seen Sarah and Michelle in earlier. It’s been a while since I ran the ropes with them.
(Butch): That’ll be good for you, babe. Any word on Erica’s work visa?
(Wisdom): No, but I’ll be phoning Immigration today to find out what the hold up is. What does your day look like?
(Butch): I’m going to go home for a bit. I have a Teams call with Francois from Venum to put me in touch with his design team for the personalised lines for you, Sean and I and then I’m going to work out for a bit before I go get the kids from school.
(Wisdom): Just remember and take it-
(Butch): -Take it easy, I know. I need to stay active, babe. Working out isn’t going to make me have a panic attack, if anything it will actually be quite relaxing. I’m just going to hit the bag and weights, that’s all.
(Wisdom): Well, all the same, just don’t be too strenuous, ok? I’m not nagging you, I hope you know that, Mr Parker!
Butch can’t help but smile.
(Butch): I know and you know I appreciate it. I’ll let you back to work Missus, fancy going out for dinner when you get home? That Italian place we took Evina to for her birthday?
(Wisdom): Sounds delightful. Can’t wait.
(Butch): I love you.
(Wisdom): I love you too, mister!
Butch hangs up, placing his phone back in his pocket as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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