(Leslie): That nice man Eric from the company dropped your bag off, he said everything’s there.
Other than her cell phone, she hadn’t needed much from it confined to the hospital bed and robes. She might have needed some makeup but thus far had made every effort not to look in the mirror, even closing her eyes when she opened the restroom door so she wouldn’t see it, but today was the day. Her spirits were high, and while still in a fair amount of pain, other battles were on the horizon before her.
(Leslie): Why don’t you go freshen up sweetheart, Sean will be here soon and they’ll be bringing your discharge papers around any minute.
Her mother handed her a small bundle of clothes, clean socks, bra and panties from her bag, and she went to the bathroom. There was a deep breath when she opened the door, but she still didn’t look at the mirror. She undressed and put on clean undies then turned to the sink gripping the edges, lifted her head to the mirror and for a moment didn’t recognize herself.
Her face was still swollen a bit, and her skin was discolored in so many places…around her broken nose, her eye sockets, her jawline, her ribs, the small area on her side where they performed that procedure pulling fluid from her lungs. She clutched her hands to her mouth to muffle the wail that was coming out, quickly turning the faucet on so her mother couldn’t hear her crying.
Seeing herself felt worse than the pain she was in. All of the confidence she had at the prospect of leaving the hospital was now gone and flashes of Erica swinging metal at her flashed in her head. That demonic look on her face, in her eyes. She told herself that she wouldn’t watch the match between her and Erica. She didn’t need a play-by-play the lingering pain was enough to fill in the gaps of what had happened, but suddenly she found herself getting a wave of flashbacks perhaps her subconscious had suppressed.
(Leslie): Sweetheart? You okay in there?
Her mother’s voice snapped her out of it and she realized she had been a while. Standing upright, sniffled and began wiping her eyes while trying to sound normal.
(Michelle): Yes ma’am…just taking my time…still very sore.
(Leslie): You want some help?
(Michelle): No, I’m okay!
She looked in the mirror trying to pull herself together but finding it more of a challenge than she first thought. She did need help. The room spun and she gripped the sink again as an overwhelming revelation hit her. She began to feel sweaty, shake, and couldn’t control her breaking and this time she couldn’t disguise it.
(Leslie): Michelle?
She could hear her mother calling to her, but it didn’t register, or at least she couldn’t respond.
(Leslie): Michelle, sweetheart?
She was utterly frozen, had curled up on the floor and was trying to call out “Sean” but nothing was coming out of her mouth.
Seconds later the door swing open and her mother saw her there on the floor.
(Leslie): Gracious Me!
Her mother turned back to the room, rushing over and pushing the call button on the wall and grabbing the blanket off the bed, quickly wrapping it around her as she pulled Michelle up to her feet.
(Leslie): Sweetheart, what happened? What’s wrong? The doctor’s on the way? Oh my goodness! Let’s get you to the bed!
Her mother guided her to the bed, and she sat down on the side of it shaking. Ten minutes later the doctor had been in to see her and told her that it seemed she had had a classic panic attack. In addition to the antibiotics for her lungs, and the pain meds he was prescribing…he was going to add a short trail of Xanax. Her brothers had already returned home two days ago, not now with her father back in her room, both parents were insisting that they now extend their stay.
(Michelle): I’m fine, really…I don’t know what came over me. You two have done so much already, you should get back. I have Sean and when I get home Matt and Jeremy are coming by and Sarah, and Alexis…I’ll be fine.
Gary and Leslie looked at one another with resigned expressions. A year ago they’d be arguing with her, but they’d grown just as much as she had to a degree, and if they didn’t have some measure of trust in Sean they’d have said something…but silence prevailed. Then speak of the devil…Sean appeared in the doorway. He walked in, a bouquet of Michelle’s favorite flowers in one of his hands.
(Sean): Hey, how are we all doing?
He noticed there was a little bit of an atmosphere as well the tell-tale redness around Michelle’s eyes. He’d known her long enough to know when she’d been crying.
(Sean): Sweetheart, are you ok?
She didn’t directly respond. Instead she simply nodded then looked to her parents.
(Michelle): Ma? Pa? Why don’t you get your things. We’ll meet you downstairs and Sean will get us all to the airport.
Leslie kissed her on the head, then turned and patted Sean on the cheek. Gary nodded as they exited the room. She wanted to be strong, but she couldn’t hold it in anymore and the tears came as she looked at Sean. He immediately went into recovery mode. He was careful around Michelle’s injuries as he moved her hair from her face, gently tucking the strands behind her ears, stroking her cheeks softly.
(Sean): Hey, hey, hey, sweetheart, what’s up? Come here…
He delicately pulled her close to him.
(Sean): I’m here for you, ok? You’re safe…
She rested her head on his shoulder and tried to envelope herself in his very being.
(Michelle): I think…..Sean, I think I’m afraid of her.
Sean let a subtle exhalation escape his nostrils. He was furious that that c*nt of a woman had done this to the most beautiful soul he’d ever known. But now was not the time for anger.
(Sean): Its ok to be afraid, sweetheart. Fear is good. And after what happened, no one could blame you… but her? She’s not someone to be afraid of. She’s a bully and we don’t fear bullies because that’s how they get away with doing what they do… through fear. And you?
Sean cradled Michelle’s face like she were a porcelain doll. He tenderly leaned his forehead on hers and gave her the softest of kisses.
(Sean): You are the bravest, most beautiful soul I’ve ever met in my life and I’m going to help you through this.
Just then the nurse aid came in with a wheelchair to escort Michelle out of the hospital. Sean grabbed her bag and looked at the room having seen enough hospital lately to be more than happy to leave it. An hour later they were all at the airport. Michelle assuring her parents once more that she was fine, Sean promising to look out for her, and them expressing they’d be on the next plane out if she needed anything. Sean and Michelle saw them to their flight on Delta, they were flying American Airlines and still have a little time before their flight.
(Leslie): Oh Sean…Markus said he left you a message days ago, he said you didn’t call him back but he wanted to talk to you about something…I don’t know.
Damnit, Sean thought. He’d been so preoccupied with worrying about Michelle and going home and catching up with Butch and Wisdom, he’d forgotten about Markus’s call. He made a mental note to call him back ASAP.
(Sean): Of course! It completely slipped my mind! Sorry, between flying back to LA and back to Buffalo, my head’s been all the place. Not that that’s any excuse!
They said their last goodbyes and Leslie and Gary were on their way. Michelle turned to Sean with a puzzled look on her face.
(Michelle): When did Markus call you? What did he want? He hadn’t mentioned anything before he left.
(Sean): I have no idea, I remember seeing his missed call when I landed back at LAX but he didn’t mention what it was about…. Listen… about how you’ve been feeling… if you decide you don’t want to go back to HWA…if you want to go back to Utah, you know I’d support you, right? I’d go back with you and we could start a new life.
She looked at him, holding his hand. A serious look was on her face.
(Michelle): Sean, I don’t know if I want to go back or now right now. I can’t even think about it one way of the other, but I know I don’t want to go back to Utah. Do you think….do you think we could start a new life here?
Sean looked around him.
(Sean): Here in Buffalo?
He pursed his lips, in a manner that said he wasn’t completely against the idea.
(Sean): I don’t see why not. I’ve made enough money from wrestling to help us start afresh. I could go back to school, or even open a HWA wrestling school, branch out a bit but away from all the drama.
He focused on Michelle, stroking her hand.
(Sean): I’d do anything for you.
(Michelle): Well, not here, here…but LA. But….I don’t want you to go back to school, or open a wrestling one at least no time soon.
She looked at him, her eyes still serious but now only pleading. There was something forming in her gut as she reached up and felt his cheek examining his face. A deep imploring look in her eyes.
(Sean): Well, tell me what you want, sweetheart, and I’ll make it happen. I don’t care if it’s wrestling or ummm… basket-weaving, anything!
(Michelle): I want you to win Ring Master.
Her eyes began to tear.
(Michelle): Win Sean! I know I was never going to win and I’m glad they took Erica out too, but you…you can do it! You know I have nothing but love and respect for Jeremy and Mr. Hans, and Stu-E…and I feel so terrible still about Matt, but….
She now puts both her hands on his each side of his face, pulling his eyes directly to hers.
(Michelle): Win!
Sean couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was willing to put everything aside to make sure Michelle was happy and safe and here she was willing him to go on to win Ring Master.
(Sean): Are you serious?
She nods
(Michelle): I almost feel guilty for asking, for pushing you. I know what you're willing to go through to win, but I know how much it would mean to you and I don't want to be the one to hold you back. I want to be there ringside cheering you on.
All Sean wanted to do was kiss Michelle right now. But he knew she was feeling torn about her faith and she was also in a lot of pain. But the thought of her cheering him on and being in his corner gave him a renewed sense of purpose.
(Sean): I love you so much, you know that?
(Michelle): I love you more.
She squeezed his hand and cozied up next to him.
(Sean): So, home? You can stay at mine if you like? Or I can come to yours and crash on the couch?
(Michelle): Home! And I'll be ok...really. You need to focus right now, and you can't do that trying to keep an eye on me. This is too important Sean. Besides, I'll have plenty of visitors.
Sean wasn’t entirely convinced. Even though he was feeling good physically, Michelle was still nowhere near one hundred percent.
(Sean): Compromise? You let me crash tonight, make sure you’re not wanting for anything, get you settled, a little snuggle on the couch with some Disney Plus. Then I’ll get out of your hair? Don’t make me break out the Disney eyes!
He brought a smile to her face.
(Michelle): Deal, can we watch the new Indiana Jones movie? It was always one a family favorite when I was a kid, I can't believe he did another one...I was so excited.
A little bit of that high spirited Michelle Learner was peeking through now. They heard the boarding call for their flight and made their way over and Sean handed them their tickets. He took care of the luggage inside and she'd been so consumed with things she didn't even think about all these arrangements, it suddenly dawning on her when he guided her to a first class seat that she could really stretch out in. She gave him that big "you shouldn't have look" but her eyes then gave him a look of such appreciation.
He knew how much pain she was in and it was going to be difficult for her to sit in regular seats, she was very grateful and didn't have words. He sat in the seat across from her and she couldn't wait for people to top passing so she could reach out and hold his hand. The flight was soon on its way and that’s exactly what they did for 6 hours minus the brief interruptions from flight attendants, held hands lovingly as the scene faded to black.
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