Havoc had its ups and downs for Michelle. She was pulled from the 6-Woman Tag match because of Erica’s antics back in Los Angeles at Han and Vanessa’s house, but surprisingly was placed in the main event against none other than Wisdom herself. This was beyond her wildest imagination. She was going to step in the ring with a legend, with the bonified queen of the ring herself. After Wisdom announced the match and left her dressing room, and despite Sean’s pep talk…she felt like a rookie all over again, about to step into the ring for the first time. She pushed all that aside and went out there to give it her all, and the match was going fine until things took a turn. Awesome Kong invaded Havoc and stood there in the ring starting across at Wisdom. A dream match of the century in the making. Wisdom pulled Michelle behind her and told her to get out of the ring. She wanted to protect her, and Kong was more than a threat. Like being in there with Wisdom, she knew she was way out of her league there. Even after their match, and against a fresh Kong…Wisdom showed exactly why she was, and still is the dominant woman in wrestling. She was utterly fearless, and Michelle was so proud of being there in that moment to see her in her element.
When she got backstage she found Sean with bloodied knuckles. He had apparently gotten into it with CM Punk who had been subsequently fired by Butch. She didn’t know a whole lot about him, except for the rumors…all of which seemed to be true given his attitude backstage. Sean almost looked ashamed of himself given the look on her face, but when he went to open his mouth to explain she put her finger to his lips.
(Michelle): It’s okay, we’ll talk about it later.
He quickly realized why he was being let off the hook for the moment, as her parents appeared over her shoulder. She turned to face them, trying to stand in front of him to block their view a little, but her mother caught sight if his hands.
(Leslie Learner): Goodness gracious…your hands?
Sean looked at Michelle, there was no hiding it now, and he wanted to give it to them straight. He didn’t want to lie to them.
(Sean): I found out Punk was the one who let Awesome Kong in and let her go to the ring. He knew she didn’t belong her and had ill intentions. Wisdom’s my aunt guys, and Michelle could have been seriously hurt. Awesome Kong is no joke, she’s bigger than most guys, bigger than I am physically.
(Gary Learner): You better get that looked at son.
Michelle’s father making note of Sean’s busted knuckles, then looked at his watch. It dawned on Sean that he wasn’t necessarily asking out of concern, but because they had dinner reservations. Reservations in which Sean had organized and promised. He wanted to get to know Michelle’s parents and more importantly for them to get to know him better. Michelle thought dinner would be a nice ice breaker, especially on their home turf where they may have felt more at ease than they would in Los Angeles. Sean chose one of the more expensive restaurants in town “Table X.” She had told him, he needn’t try to impress her folks in that way but he insisted. He looked down at his hands…
(Sean): Oh right…I’ll be just a few minutes.
He then looked to Michelle.
(Sean): By the time you’re showered and changed, I’ll be ready.
Both Sean and Michelle leave her folks, agreeing to meet shortly to head out and handing them off to one of the staff who would occupy them until they returned. Thirty minutes later Michelle was showered and packed, Sean was changed and bandaged and his rental had been pulled forward in the garage by valet. Table X was only about 15 minutes from the Delta Center, and from what he understood, neither she nor her parents had ever been. Even though it wasn’t astronomical…Michelle had said, they couldn’t ever imagine spending that kind of money on food. Once they got there and had been seated their server went over the options and recommendations. Michelle’s mother’s eye went straight to be prices and widened as she looked at her husband. He didn’t flinch, in his eyes it was the least the boy could do. It was a 7-course dining menu at $100 per person, and out of respect…Sean forwent the wine pairing but did opt for the non-alcoholic pairing for the table as well as a separate round of the amuse bouche. A few of the opening dishes arrived and the server carefully explained the dishes to them.
(Server): Our house Sourdough is made fresh throughout the day, the mother is 100 years old from Montana Dough and gives a light and tangy aroma and taste.
He sets the bread on the table along with some butter. An assistant has a cart behind him with the next dish.
(Server): You’re first course is our Roasted Carrot Salad, with lemon verbena farmers cheese & coriander honey. Those of you Vampire Dairy fans may know this herb as “Vervain” it pairs very nicely with soft cheese like this.
The dishes are small, but well crafted and beautifully arranged. As the evening progresses they come to heartier dishes, that the server is now placing on the table.
(Server): Here we have the Niman Ranch Bavette Steak, it’s served alongside zucchini, miso bagna cauda, tomatillo, with currants.
It’s one small, nearly bite-sized cut of steak. Michelle’s dad looks at the plate then up to the server.
(Gary Learner): Where’s the rest of it?
(Server): Sir?
(Gary Learner): The steak, where’s the rest of the steak?
(Michelle): Pappa, that is all of it, it’s a tasting menu. The portions are meant to be that way to spread the meal out.
(Gary Learner): Sweetheart, I know what portions are. Matthew 14:13-21… Jessus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. You’d think a place like this could feed 4 people with a decent cut of meat.
A little annoyed but not showing it Sean raises his hand to the waiter.
(Sean): I’m sorry, would you mind having the kitchen prepare a full sized steak for Mr. Learner?
The server looked a bit caught off guard…they really don’t to such alterations to their menu and Michelle seeing him struggle to find the words is about to step in when her father does, looking at the server.
(Gary Learner): It’s fine son, I’ll eat it as is. Thank You!
He leans over audibly whispering to his wife.
(Gary Learner): We’ll just stop by Spitz on the way home and I’ll grab us some sandwiches.
(Michelle): Papa, you’re being rude. Sean planned a wonderful dinner for us, please…be kind.
(Sean): It’s okay Michelle, I should have picked some place else, I just wanted to do something nice and…..
Michelle’s mom, reaches across the table and puts her hand on top of Sean’s and looks him in the eyes.
(Leslie Learner): It is nice Sean, and we’re very appreciative of this delightful meal. I’ve wanted to come here for years, it’s quite the treat.
She smiled warmly at him which eased both he and Michelle a bit, then stared at her husband who stabbed the slice of steak, put it in his mouth, and chewed without further complaint. As the evening commenced, Michelle and her mom had, had their fill…Gary clearly was left unsatisfied as far as being full. He was a big man after all, and he wasn’t about to admit it…but Sean could go another round himself. He knew coming in he wasn’t going to bust a gut, but it was a meal about an experience more than filling up. He wanted to show her parents that he wasn’t just a brute, he had character and class and that he would share those things with their daughter. At least Michelle and Mrs. Learner seemed to enjoy it, he thought. That pleased him, and it made him smile as they continued going on about the dishes on the ride to her parent’s house.
(Leslie Learner): That Pacific Halibut, Oh…it was so delicate and flaky…I’ve never had pickled Okra like that.
(Michelle): The Butterscotch pudding was divine. Remember the little hard candies Mrs. Hanson used to give out after services?
They pulled into the drive and Sean escorted her parents out of the car. She hugged and kissed them, knowing this would be goodbye for at least several months, but she promised to visit more frequently than she had before. Now that they were on the road a lot, it would be easier to get a flight over for a day or two in-between shows sometimes. Sean got a hug from mom, and a sturdy handshake from dad before they turned and went inside. Michelle got back in the car and Sean started it up. She looked over at him with the cutest little face, smiling at him at him, her big eyes blinking.
(Sean): What?
(Michelle): Wanna go to Spitz, I’ll get us some nice sandwiches!
She raised her eyebrows at Sean who smiles broadly into a laugh. She knew he was still hungry and while she might not eat a whole sandwich herself, she could definitely go for half of one and so they found themselves at Spitz grabbing sandwiches on their last night in Salt Lake City.
A Week Later…
Fast forward a week and on their own date night Michelle finds herself in the Hollywood Hills. It was just near sunset and Sean, in his sweet and clever way had packed a picnic for her. The weather was cooler than it had been in recent weeks and the outdoor air was perfect for an evening like this. They parked at a lookout point where you could see the sun go down and stars begin to shine and lay on the hood like you see people do in movies. The dinner with her parents was still on her mind and despite having talked about it already, she was worried that it still bothered him despite his insistence that he was fine. The subject came up again about family, her mom, her dad and Sean’s suggestion that he perhaps do something with him alone at some point like fishing again.
(Michelle): I’m sorry about my dad, but I think he does like you.
(Sean): Michelle, babe…you don’t have to keep apologizing…I get it, I know this isn’t going to happen overnight.
(Michelle): But it bothers me. I think he’s frustrated because he doesn’t want to like you, and he’s trying to find reasons not to, but can’t. The bible tells us not to judge one another. Judgement is for God, not for us, but he’s finding it harder than he thought.
(Sean): Like I said…I get it, you’re his little girl. I always knew he would be a tough nut to crack. Your mom is the one who’s really surprised me.
(Michelle): I think she’s just happy for me, and she see’s how much we care for one another, that’s all that really matters. This is what the lord has ordained for us, even my folks can’t argue with that.
Michelle sighs, wiping at a tiny speck of mayo in the corner of her mouth. She was still on a sandwich kick since last week, and Sean had picked up some sandwiches from Capriotti’s and a selection of sides from Brent’s Deli.
(Michelle): Its funny, I used to stare up at these stars back home and wonder what else was out there in the world, and now that I’m experiencing it. Sometimes…I just want to be back home, but if I didn’t take that leap, I’d never know the world, I’d have never met you, I’d probably be engaged to some missionary and getting a job at the church…..but I never wanted that life.
Now I have a career in HWA. It’s weird having people cheer for me, the meet and greets and all the stuff we do. I feel so humbled by this experience, so grateful. The poor kids we see in the hospital. The ones you visited that time and gave them tickets to the show, it just broke my heart. Such a small gesture was so meaningful to them, you’re a hero to so many people Sean.
(Sean): So are you!
(Michelle): Not like you.
(Sean): Bullsh….I mean…nonsense. After what you’ve been through the last months. You see how much fan mail and message we get with people thanking you for taking a stand, for being brave, for fighting back and not being a victim. You’ve helped so many people, you’re a far bigger hero than I am.
(Michelle): Why are people so mean Sean? Why can’t it be like it was our last years? We had great matches and just enjoyed that competitive spirit. I know that’s the foundation of what HWA is all about but Art of War…it scared me. You and Matt in those matches, that’s not what wrestling is supposed to be about.
Sean turns to Michelle a subtle smile on his face. He sees her struggle to understand the human condition as it relates to wrestling.
(Sean): You’re right it’s not at its core, but it’s a business where there are far more wrestlers than there are superstars so a lot of people like the Maniac’s and Fallen’s and Erica’s of the world feel the need to step on others backs or stab it to get to the top and be in the spotlight. If forces some of us to take things to the next level to bring them back down to reality.
Michelle lets out a long sigh.
(Michelle): I don’t know what’s going on with Erica. God help her but I think she’s lost her poor mind, going to Hans’ house like that…and the lies she’s telling. Sean…Hans has never touched any of us like that.
(Sean): I know, you don’t have to explain it to me. She needs help!
(Michelle): Alexis and Sarah were talking about bringing her back down to reality…like you said, but…
(Sean): It’s not a bad idea!
(Michelle): Sean, violence begets violence. There has to be another way. I was really looking forward to that tag match last week, I thought we’d have a chance for all of to us hash things out there in the ring...the Blackthorne’s too.
(Sean): This is why people love you…you always see the best in them even when it isn’t there.
(Michelle): But it is there, God is in us all, even behind the evil in the world he’s waiting to shine through. Erica wasn’t always like that, people used to cheer for Maniac and for Fallen back in the day, I saw in the old videos…I know they have good in them, they’ve just strayed from his footsteps.
(Sean): You can’t save everyone Michelle, some people don’t want to be saved and they’ll drag you down with them for trying.
They continue eating their sandwiches, which are delicious and filling before cuddling up together against the windshield of the car looking up into the night.
(Michelle): Sean?
(Sean): Yeah, babe?
(Michelle): Can I ask you a personal question?
(Sean): Of course, you can ask me anything.
(Michelle): Well…have you ever, or I mean….do you masturbate?
Whoa! He was not expecting that and he shot upright looking at her in a bit of surprise.
(Michelle): I’m sorry, it’s too private…never mind…I’m so embarrassed!
(Sean): No, it’s okay….(he chuckles with a broad smile)…I said ask anything, but why do you ask?
She looks a bit frustrated, a small frown on her face.
(Michelle): Something Erica said not long ago. She said I was….
Michelle whispers low as if there are others around who could hear them, but there isn’t likely a person for miles around.
(Michelle): …fingering myself in the shower at the Academy.
Sean bursts out with a laugh and Michelle slaps him on the arm.
(Sean): I’m sorry, I’m sorry…so…
(Michelle): Oh My God….of course not! I’ve never done “that” before.
(Sean): Don’t worry about what Erica says, everybody knows she’s a consummate liar at this point.
(Michelle): Well, at least she’s where we can all see her at Havoc. I’m not sure what I should be doing out there though. It’s a bit confusing from what I’ve seen.
(Sean): Lumberjack match? Lumberjill, excuse me. Basically, your role is to encourage the competitors back into the ring, that could be just being a physical barrier they can’t get around, it could be tossing them back in the ring if they get tossed out or try to get out on their own, but there are those occasions where things get a bit more physical and folks might lay hands on the competitors.
(Michelle): Am I supposed to do that…lay hands on them?
(Sean): You don’t have to but it might make things more fun.
Sean grins at her and she gives him a serious look.
(Sean): No, but really…it’s like I said, but things happen ya know. You’re going to have some yourself and Sarah out there in favor of Alexis, and the others for Briar so it could get a little messy.
(Michelle): I don’t trust Erica and those girls, Sarah and I definitely need to watch Alexis’ back.
(Sean): You’re probably right, but just remember what your role is, and don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing out there.
(Michelle): I guess you’re right, maybe I’m over thinking it. I’ve just never been part of one of these before.
(Sean): You’ll be fine.
Sean puts his arm around her shoulder and the snuggle up as the night comes in. It’s chilly but not cold and they linger for about an hour more just watching the cityscape and the few stars you can see against all the lights. Being in love was so new to her, and she loved the sense of comfort it gave her knowing she had someone on her side. Sean had first been her friend and that foundation of trust is what had won her over about him. She looked back on the last few years and realized that he had always been that way, looking out for her and the others, a partner in learner, a mentor given his experience. It scared her at first, but she was smitten and she understood more the saying “love conquers all.” She had found her voice with her parents, she was growing as a competitor, but she was still very much herself.
The business, the city, the people around her hadn’t changed her, hadn’t shaken her faith, despite everything that had happened to her recently, seeing Sean and Matt leap off cages, the backstage verbal and physical assaults on people, Erica’s antics, the not so nice comments from fans at times, everything seemed to make her stronger in a way, deepened her spirituality and Sean was her anchor as well. Looking now onto Havoc and being a Lumber Jill, she worried about things getting out of hand. Sarah was a fighter, and had a short fuse, she hoped to balance her out, but Liliana she was only just beginning to understand…what she knew of her…she seemed… “sneaky” and Erica…sadly she couldn’t trust her in the way she once did…she had become unstable.
She knew Sean was looking forward to his match with Mr. Price. She loved that little Laney, and still felt guilty about not being able to protect her weeks back, but she appeared to be largely unaffected by the ordeal. She hoped that this time around Sean would not only have the win, but the match would go without the interference and drama a lot of others had recently experience, including hers. For now, here…staring out over the city, in Sean’s arms was all she wanted to focus on. Tomorrow would be a new day, training and hard work to get in before Havoc, but tonight…tonight it was just this…just them…and it was perfect.
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