He took advantage of coming to a set of traffic lights to call Michelle’s mum to get an update on how she was doing. He swiftly located her contact number in his cell phone and turned on his hands free. After a few seconds of ringing the familiar voice of Leslie Learner answered.
(Leslie): Sean, it’s good to hear from you, are you alright? You left in such a hurry, Gary and I were both worried that you… well, you know…
She didn’t need to finish her sentence, Sean was fully aware of what Michelle’s parents were worried about. Them and everyone else.
(Sean): You’re not the only one, Leslie, don’t worry. I’m fine and I’m not doing anything stupid. I’m back in California, just to freshen up, see my aunt and uncle and I’ll be back in Buffalo tomorrow. How’s Michelle?
(Leslie): She’s very tired and has been asking for you but she’s strong. God definitely answered our prayers and we’re so grateful for the local church group here. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you this though…
(Sean): Leslie, it’s fine, you know how much I respect your faith. Just because I don’t believe myself doesn’t mean I don’t understand it-
(Leslie): -No, not that… we were told someone visited Michelle when she was asleep! A man in a wheelchair was seen on CCTV entering her room! You don’t think anyone else is trying to hurt her, do you?
Sean instantly felt his blood boil. All that hard work Wisdom had done before to hush the active volcano back to sleep was threatening to be undone.
(Sean): It's…I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about Leslie. I’ll have a word with the hospital security when I come back tomorrow. Listen, I have to go, I’m on the freeway and I don’t want to miss my exit. Give Michelle a kiss from me and I’ll see you all tomorrow.
No sooner had he hit the red “hang-up” prompt on his cell phone, a blood-curdling roar pulsated through his car.
(Sean): Maniac! The creepy rat-####-son-of-a-b***!
An hour later, he was pulling into Butch and Wisdom’s drive of their lavish Santa Barbara home. Still stewing over Leslie Learner’s revelation, he tried to put on his best poker face. He was angry but the last thing he wanted to do was upset his little cousins. He rapped his knuckles on the front door and a moment later, it opened inward and the smiling face of little David Parker beamed up at him.
(David): Uncle Sean!
Although they were biological cousins, given the age gap, Sean had been more than happy to take on the role of fun uncle as opposed to big cousin. He genuinely smiled as he grabbed David under his arms and lifted him with ease.
(Sean): Hey, big man! How are you doing? You’re getting soooo big! Who told you that you could get so big?!
Sean tickled David under his chin as he walked into the house, shutting the door behind him with a gentle back-kick.
(Sean): Where’s your sister?
(David): She’s in her room SnapChatting her boyfriend! Where have you been?! I’ve missed you! I completed Super Mario Wonders and didn’t even get to show you!
(Sean): I’m sorry, big man! But I had a sore leg and needed to get special medicine to make it all better!
(David): Just like daddy?
(Sean): Exactly like daddy! Except…
Sean exaggerated a whisper.
(Sean): I’m wayyy stronger than daddy. Sshhh, don’t tell him I said that!
David giggled as a large familiar figure walked in from the kitchen.
(Butch): Uncle Sean wishes he was as strong as daddy!
Sean smiled upon seeing his uncle. It had been a long time since they’d last seen each other. Butch had taken an unofficial sabbatical to focus on training and preparation for his match with Cody Rhodes and had practically shut himself off from the entire world. He was amazed how good he looked. There had been whispers in the media that Butch had suffered another anxiety-fuelled setback and that his own well-documented knee issues had resurfaced. Truth be told, Butch looked ten years younger and his performance against Cody Rhodes exemplified that.
Sean set David down and Butch pulled him into a hug. The hug lingered, both men holding on tight for their own personal reasons. They separated slightly but Butch’s hands remained clasped onto Sean’s shoulders, looking at his nephew.
(Butch): You alright?
Sean sighed. He knew he couldn’t lie to Butch. Not just because he didn’t want to but because Butch would see right through him.
(Sean): That’s a… complicated question…
Butch nodded knowingly. He looked down at David.
(Butch): Hey, mate, why don’t you go play in the den? Uncle Sean and I need to have a chat and we’ll be right through.
(David): Okay daddy!
Without hesitation or question, David ran off towards the den to immerse himself in some gaming fun, leaving Butch and Sean alone. Butch directed Sean to the kitchen with a jerk of his head. He opened the fridge and handed Sean a can of Strongbow Dark Fruit.
(Butch): I don’t want to be condescending, Sean, I know how you’re feeling…
Sean held his hand up, knowing where the conversation was headed as he took a sip from his bottle, leaning back on the kitchen island.
(Sean): I know, I know…Thane Givens… we had the same conversation after what happened with Fallen…
(Butch): Wisdom is right though, Sean. This isn’t like it was with Fallen. Was what Erica do f**king deplorable? Of course it was! We’re all angry with what Erica did and that’s why the best thing to do was to remove the one thing she wanted and that was Ring Master.
Sean knew Butch and Wisdom were both right.
(Sean): It’s not that… I just feel like Michelle is the best thing this company has, the best thing I have! And it’s just one more f**king piece of shit that wants to make an example out of her! I just know her parents are going to wanna take her away from wrestling… I just feel so helpless! And now I find out that f**ker, Maniac, went and visited her in the hospital!
Butch’s eyes widened for a moment at Sean’s latest revelation.
(Butch): Okay… that I can understand the anger…
(Sean): I mean, who the f**k does he think he’s fooling with this new leaf bullshit? He’s the same egotistical, self-centered piece of shit he always was.
Butch took a drink from his cider and couldn’t help smiling; something which Sean noticed too.
(Sean): What?
Butch moved across the kitchen, standing beside Sean and leaning back on the island behind them.
(Butch): Nothing, I’ve just missed this is all. I’ve missed you guys.
Sean had missed it too. For a moment he forgot all the shit going on in his life. He remembered the weird feeling he had after his surgery and how messed up it made him feel.
(Sean): Y’know… when I had my surgery… I thought about dad…
(Butch): You did?
(Sean): I had a dream that he was still alive…. Michelle and I were engaged… Diana was still going out with Logan Nielsen! Dad was so happy…
(Butch): Thank God it was just a dream… the thought of your aunt Diana still with that bellend…
(Sean): This didn’t feel like a dream… it felt real, like I was really talking to him…
(Butch): Post-surgery is always a head-f**k, Sean, I wasn’t all there after mine. How is your knee anyway?
Sean instinctively looked down at his repaired knee.
(Sean): Never felt better. Tell you what though…
Sean puffed his cheeks out.
(Sean): You weren’t wrong about the pain afterwards! Jesus Christ!
Butch smirked knowingly, draining the remnants of his cider.
(Butch): I told ye.
(Sean): Genuinely the worst pain I’ve had since my back injury.
(Butch): Well, I’m glad you got it done. Wisdom wasn’t so sure on it but I knew it was the best plan.
(Sean): For what it’s worth, Michelle wasn’t so hot on the idea either and now I feel guilty because if I’d just rehabbed it on my own like she wanted, I would’ve been at Havoc and I would’ve been able to stop what Erica whilst everyone sat in the back with their thumbs up their arses!
Butch placed a comforting hand on his nephew’s shoulder.
(Butch): You canny think like that, lad with all that shoulda coulda woulda shite, otherwise you’ll just torture yersel. Michelle will recover. She has you, her family and her faith to get her through this. But remember why you got this surgery to begin with…. In fact, I’ll show you, come on…
Butch jerked his head to motion for Sean to follow him.
(Sean): Where are we going?
(Butch): Just follow me. David!
(David): *faintly* Yeah?
(Butch): Uncle Sean and I are in the basement if you need us! Don’t answer the door!
Butch led Sean down a set of stairs leading into his personalized gym. Butch and Wisdom had the very best equipment money could buy including a full-sized training ring. Along the walls were framed posters from some of Butch’s best matches and events as well as trophies, awards and championships. Incredibly, this was the first time Sean had been down here in all the years he’d known Butch and was trying so hard not to “fanboy”.
(Sean): Wow…
Butch reached up and pulled down one of the championship belts and held it out in front of Sean.
(Butch): So this is…
(Sean): … the 2004 Ring Master Championship! Holy shit!
(Butch): Indeed. It’s a belter, right?
(Sean): *Sarcastically* Does the Pope wear a funny hat?!
(Butch): I know you know how I won it, you don’t know how I won it.
(Sean): What do you mean?
(Butch): I was in so much ####ing pain that entire tournament. No one knows apart from Hans. Our match? I twisted my knee two minutes in… felt something pop. I’m surprised I even made it through the match. The officials tried to talk me out of competing in the final match but I said I’d rather go out on my shield than give up the chance of a lifetime… ended up being the greatest achievement of my career.
(Sean): What about the World Championship?
(Butch): I’d won World Titles before and winning four in HWA was great but Ring Master is the pinnacle, lad. It’s the upper echelon of pro wrestling and nothing else comes close.
Butch points to Sean.
(Butch): And you need to start wrapping your head around that. I know you’re feeling at odds with what’s happened to Michelle and no one is saying you don’t have a right to be. But this event? You went through all that agony and rehabilitation for this. From the moment HWA made its return last year, from the moment Wisdom announced Ring Master was happening, I only ever had one thing in mind. You, Sean. It’s you. You’re the one… Ring Master was made for YOU, Sean!
Sean mulled over Butch’s words, his stare fixated on the 2004 Ring Master Championship as the scene faded to black.
Message Thread
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