After rushing back Stateside from his rehabilitation in Scotland Sean made his way to the Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Medical Center where Michelle had been recovering from the horrific injuries suffered at the hands of Erica Martinez. He rampaged up to the main reception, planting his palms firmly on the desk.
(Sean): Hello, I’m here to see Michelle Learner. Can you tell me what room she’s in please?
(Nurse): I’m sorry, sir, are you a relative?
(Sean): I’m her boyfriend, please, I need to see her!
(Nurse): I'm sorry sir, it's only family visitors allowed in the ER, and there is someone already in with her.
Before Sean can politely rip the poor front desk nurse a new one he hears someone clearing their throat behind him and turns to see Michelle's dad.
(Gary): I'm glad you came, Sean, let me call Leslie...she's in with her now....we'll get you in. Procedure went well last night, and they took her off the ventilator a few hours ago, she’s not long woke up. Go easy with her, she's still a bit disoriented, she's been sedated the last 36 hours or so everything is pretty raw to her.
Gary walks over to the desk and speaks with the nurse, making sure Sean is let through, and he calls his wife who within a minutes is out the main ER door. She comes up and hugs Sean and immediately starts crying, holding him in a death grip. Over her shoulder in the waiting room, Sean can see her brother Markus who gives him a nod and a knowing look.
(Leslie): Oh, Sean, you're here...she's had a rough go, but she's a fighter. It will really lift her spirits to see you. We'll talk after, now go...go one ahead.
She nudges him towards the door and watches as he heads in. Sean cautiously walks in. The sight of Michelle with IV leads sticking out her arms, neck brace and everything else immediately brings him to tears. His cautious walk quickly turns into a hurried run as he rushes to her bedside, clutching her hand, kissing it repeatedly. He gently pushes some of her blonde hair away from her eyes, stroking her cheek.
(Sean): I’m so sorry I wasn’t there! I’m so sorry! Please forgive me! I should’ve been there!
Sean buries his face in Michelle’s lap, the floodgates opening. She felt weak, tired, and in a bit of pain but she raised her hand to his head. Just the touch of him was enough to soothe her and her own tears flowed. She hadn't seen herself, but the look on everyone else's faces told her all she needed to know. She knew her head was bandaged, she had defensive wounds on her arms that she could see, but that was all.
(Michelle): It's ok! I'm so glad you're here.
She squeezes his hand and tears fall from her eyes. It actually hurt her to cry as her eyes and face were all still swollen.
(Michelle): Mom and Dad told me bits and pieces but I know they're holding back. I just remember going for my Moonlight Sonata, I knew I had her but she got her knees up, I felt my ribs crack. She got me in that submission and it was just pain...I tried to focus but it was so hard and I don't remember much after that.
(Sean): Sssshhh, don’t think about that. I’m going to make things right, babe. I swear to Almighty God, I will make this right, if it’s the last thing I do. You just concentrate on getting better, put everything else out of your mind.
(Michelle): Everything hurts, I've never been in this kind of pain in my life. The doctor said I was "this close" to having my jaw wired shut. I don't understand...I know she blames everyone for everything but why…
Michelle cries harder.
(Michelle): Why would she do this, Sean? Why would she do this? This is wrestling...this isn't how it's supposed to be.
She cries and he scoots up close to her carefully putting his arm around her and she tilts her head into his chest.
(Michelle): I thought I could help her, I prayed, I asked God to give me the strength to get through to her but I don't know if there is any getting through.
Sean does his best to soothe her, gently stroking her hair, wrapping a protective arm around her. It broke his heart to see her so broken, both physically and emotionally. But it also infuriated him; whilst he wanted to be there to comfort Michelle and be her rock the way she had just been for him, he pictured himself with his foot on Erica’s throat, watching her gargle on her own blood.
(Sean): There’s some people in the world that not even the big man can help, Sweetheart. Their souls are so blackened not even the brightest lights, like yours, can break through. She’s beyond saving and she’s not worth another second of your tears, your pain or your prayers, you hear me?
(Michelle): I don't think she's beyond the touch of God, maybe it just wasn't me he needs to work through to reach her. And "No" I don't mean you. I know that look in your eyes. It's the same look and tone you had last year with Fallen. I don't want you going anywhere near her. I know you can whip her butt, that's not the point. The point is she is crazy, Sean. Look what she did to Hans and Vanessa. I don't want her messing with you or my family in that way.
I know that sounds bad, like I'm trying to kick the can down the road and let her turn her sights on someone else, but that's not how I mean it. I just think that it doesn't have to be us...she trusts Maniac, maybe he can get through to her and this thing in her.
Michelle looks up at Sean, her eyes going wide.
(Michelle): Oh no....I just remembered...I didn’t get the Spaghetti Parm from Chef’s you wanted. I'm sorry!
Sean can’t help but smile. She was so cute with stuff like that.
(Sean): I can live without that, Michelle. As for Erica, I love you too much to be dishonest. I can’t promise you I won’t hurt her. I could care less about a match with her. But I can’t move on with my life, with our life, support you through your recovery, focus on Ring Master without closure.
He gives her a kiss on the head.
(Sean): I need to go see Wisdom and Butch. Straighten this out but I’ll be back later, ok? I love you, Jelly Bean.
She knew she wasn't going to sway him. Once he gets this one-track mindset going, it's hard to derail that train. There was a silent surrender inside her, one knowing what he might do, and feeling guilty about allowing it to happen. "One-track mind" she told herself, may just be an excuse for her own weakness.
(Michelle): Promise me you won't do anything foolish. What's important is that I'll be okay, and you've got Ring Master coming up...you should focus on that. You just took care of your knee. Don't do anything that jeopardizes everything you've sacrificed and worked for. Please, promise me.
She wanted to tell him "If you love me, you'll..." she knew he would listen to her, but she refused to manipulate him that way...it wasn't right. She had to trust in God that he would steer Sean in the right direction. Sean picked up Michelle’s hand, kissing the top of it and looking in her eyes.
(Sean): I promise you, babe.
HWA Academy
Several hours later
Sean barged through the big double doors. Some students were working out on the mats and in some of the training rings. Red Dragon spotted him and knew immediately this can’t be good. He rushed to stop Sean before he could do anything stupid.
(Red Dragon): Sean-Kun! Kōkai suru koto o shinaide kudasai (Don’t do something you’ll regret!)
Sean bulldozed past his Sensei, tunnel vision taking over as he made a beeline for Wisdom’s office.
(Sean): Jama o suru na, Sensei! (Get out of my way, Sensei!)
He storms up the stairs, wrapping his knuckles on Wisdom’s office door.
(Sean): Aunt Wisdom! You in there? We need to talk!
The door opens and there she is...having partly expected him by about now. She wants to go in for a hug but he practically barges in and begins pacing the floor. Emotions were high as one would expect.
(Wisdom): Welcome Home! I take it you've been to see Michelle. How is she?
(Sean): Not good, Aunt Wis, not…good! She’s in pain, she’s traumatized and she feels like she’s failed Erica! Like she’s failed her! Can you f**king believe that?!
Sean scoffs incredulously as he continues to pace the floor.
(Sean): So what’s happening then? What are we doing about her?
(Wisdom): We are not doing anything, mister. Your uncle and I have already decided, she's being removed from Ring Master. She came round here earlier this morning, didn't take it so well, but hopefully it sends the right message to her.
Wisdom walks over to Sean, taking a hold of his shoulder to stop him walking a hole in the carpet. She put her hand to his face and looked at him.
(Wisdom): I know you're upset, but why don't you go home, get some rest? I love you but let’s face it, you look like shit. You can come up to our place if you want, Butch and the kids would love to see you.
(Sean): You think removing her from Ring Master is going to change her mindset? She doesn’t care about anyone but herself!
He felt like a bubbling volcano about to erupt. He ball his hands up into his fists, clenching them so tight his knuckles whitened. He knew Wisdom was right though and eventually, uncurled his hands, defeatedly and laid his forehead on his aunt’s shoulder. Wisdom rubbed his already messy head.
(Sean): I want her blood… I want her blood on my hands so much… I want to see her suffer… but I know I shouldn’t….
(Wisdom): Sean, we know you want to rip her damn throat out, I nearly did it myself earlier. But listen…
She pulls him back holding him at the shoulders.
(Wisdom): Erica's undoubtedly got some serious mental issues, and you can probably get in line from the people she's pissed off. She's not the first and damn sure not the last...you need to learn to pick your battles. We've got a lot going on now, Ring Master is coming, we're bringing gold back to the company...these are huge. She's a distraction at best and you can't fight every battle for Michelle. Fallen was one thing, but she's on even ground with Erica. To be fair...this isn't your fight...it's hers. This is wrestling, she rises to it or she doesn't...the best thing for you to do is be by her side and support her. Your uncle may have wanted to, but he knew to let me fight my own fights. He had plenty of his own to deal with. Michelle will find her way, or she won't… now…. Go apologize to Sensei for being rude to him, go home, take a shower, phone Michelle’s parents and come round for dinner later on, ok?
She cared for Sean deeply and although he was a teenager when they met, Wisdom treated Sean like a surrogate Sean. He was more than a nephew to her, as he was to Butch as well. And whilst he was a grown-man now, he never quite shed that bullheaded, stubbornness he had when he first came onto the scene. Fortunately, she had plenty of experience dealing with Parker men over the years and was well-equipped to deal with them.
Sean sighed heavily, looking at the floor.
(Sean): Fine…
He turned his head slightly to look back at his aunt as he made his way out of her office.
(Sean): Aunt Wisdom?
(Wisdom): Yeah?
(Sean): Thanks.
Wisdom smiled.
(Wisdom): Don’t mention it.
As Sean made his exit, Wisdom released a deep, relieved sigh. That definitely went better than she expected given how the meeting with Erica had gone earlier. She brought her phone out and dialed a number. After a few moments, a deep voice could be heard answering “Hello?” She smiled, recognizing the voice of her husband.
(Wisdom): Hey Mister… just to let you know, you may have one more mouth to feed for dinner tonight… yup… he just left… I don’t know, Butch, he’s hurting but he’s conflicted… no, it’s different from Fallen, he wants revenge but it’s different this time. I managed to calm him down and make him see sense but he needs his uncle Butch right now… please talk to him… ok…yeah…. Of course…. I love you too, babe.
As she hung up the phone, the scene faded to black.
Message Thread
« Back to index