Los Angeles had experienced a variety of weather in the last week going from near 90 degrees, to now a much cooler high 60’s. It was sunny with a cool breeze, and Michelle’s mother was flying down to take part of this very precious moment in her daughter’s life. Michelle was expecting her to bring her wedding dress. They’d talked about it, and Michelle was keen on wearing her mother’s wedding dress that her grandmother had handmade. It was by no means modern, but its sentimental value meant the world to her.

When she arrived at the airport to pick her mother up…carefully disguised as Sean suggested with her hair pulled up into a ponytail looped through the back of a baseball cap, large black sunglasses, and an unassuming track suit. Leslie found her way through the gate, got her luggage and met Michelle at the arrivals area for Delta Airlines. Michelle’s heart raced seeing her mother pull her large suitcase behind her. The dress, her dress was inside. They embraced and kissed as they met.

(Michelle): Oh Mom…it’s so good here. You shouldn’t have come all this way, I could have come later.

(Leslie Learner): Nonsense, this is important.

They shared some small talk as they went to the parking garage to the car. Traffic was heavy but they were still on track for the dinner reservation Michelle had made. The two had a nice dinner at Musso & Frank’s. She knew her mother would enjoy the old-school charm of the place. She hadn’t been herself but it’s reputation preceded itself. They retired to Michelle’s place and she couldn’t contain her excitement any longer helping her mom pull her luggage inside. Leslie smiled at her. She looked like the same little girl that was downstairs in front of the tree Christmas morning at 5:00 a.m. excited for the day to begin and to open gifts.

(Michelle): Do you have the key?

Leslie reached into her purse and pulled out the tiny key to the lock on her luggage. Michelle eagerly plunged to the floor to open in with glee, as her mom stood back anxious. She unlocked it, unzipped it and flipped the lid open. Jeans, a sweater, a bag of toiletries, underwear, socks, dress slacks, shorts……………..confused she turned to her mom who had sat down on the sofa.

(Michelle): Oh no…Mom, did you forget the dress?

Leslie patted the seat of the sofa next to her. Michelle looked concerned at the seriousness of the look on her face and hesitantly rose from the floor to do as her mother bade.

(Michelle): Mom?

(Leslie Learner): The dress is at home in the box where it belongs.

She can feel Michelle’s heartache, see it in her eyes and tries to get her words out as quickly as possible.

(Leslie Learner): Sweetheart, that dress is over 30 years old.

(Michelle): But we…

(Leslie Learner): I know what we talked about, but I also talked to your grandmother. Mom thought I was crazy even going along with the idea, and she put some sense into my head so I’m going to put that same sense into yours.

Leslie puts her hand on top of Michelle’s.

(Leslie Learner): Your grandmother and I love you. Look at you Michelle. You’re young, beautiful, successful, modern Mormon woman….that dress isn’t for you.

Tears stream Michelle’s face, she tilts her head down wiping at her eyes as she forces her head back up to look at her mother.

(Leslie Learner): You deserve a dress that reflects who you are.

Still in tears she tries to make a desperate plea to her mother.

(Michelle): But…I was going to have it tailored to fit and cleaned. It’s only that little yellow hint in it, I could have professionally cleaned out easily like we talked about. It was going to be my “something old!”

Her mom smiles at her.

(Leslie Learner): Well……we do still have that covered.

Leslie rises from the sofa and goes over to her luggage. Beneath her pants is a long, rectangular, flat box. She pulls it out and returns to the sofa setting it in Michelle’s lap with a nod for her to open it. She lifts the lid and bursts into tears. Leslie begins to tear up as well now.

(Leslie Learner): I had her dress, but Mom kept her veil. She wanted you to have it.

(Michelle): Oh mom!

Michelle leans in and they hug. More tears are shed and Michelle resigns herself to the decision her mom and grandmother have made. It was too late to call her, but it was her first priority in the morning to phone her grandmother.

(Leslie Learner): Now…tomorrow morning, you and I will go to a few stores and you can start looking for “Your” dress.

The evening continued with them catching up on a few family things over hot coffee and some caramel biscotti. Michelle had asked her mother to stay the week, she could attend the ppv with her and after some pressing she relented to do so. They sat into the early morning watching HWA, her mother remarking on who she liked and didn’t and asking some clarifying questions…getting a little inside perspective along the way from Michelle.

(Leslie Learner): Now that one…we hadn’t seen her in a while…what’s her name again?

(Michelle): Alexis. She’s been out on injury and mostly at the Academy, she’s been a great trainer.

(Leslie Learner): Alexis…that’s it. I’m so glad the two of you made up. There’s so few of you girls, you have to stick together. Not that like that other one.

(Michelle): Alexis has really grown up a lot I guess you could say. She has tons of experience but things run a little different in HWA than she was expecting so I understand where she was coming from.

They continue watching matches and other backstage exclusives and YouTube videos.

(Leslie Learner): That Tobias…he’s a snooty one isn’t he? He makes sense when he wants to, but all that cursing. It’s “F” this and “F” that…didn’t they teach him any other letters in school?

(Michelle): He can be a bit of a potty mouth. I’m really looking forward to his match with Jeremy.

(Leslie Learner): Oh Jeremy, that poor boy. At least someone is there trying to protect what you all worked so hard for.

(Michelle): Sean’s fighting hard too, he’s just focused on a few other things right now.

(Leslie Learner): I know he is, I didn’t mean he wasn’t dear. It’s just all the evil. Jeremy is there in the thick of it, but God will protect him. He will be his sword and shield and the might of the lord will shine through him. You know I wish ill on no one, but Maniac and his demon need to leave.

They continue watching and see Sean in the ring at the arena last week in online exclusive footage before the show.

(Leslie Learner): Ohhhh, isn’t that sweet. Those are the kids you guys visited at the Boys and Girls Club?

Michelle smiles…

(Michelle): Yes, we invited them to the show and Sean surprised them again taking them ringside before the doors opened. He was showing the older one a few moves.

(Leslie Learner): I see…….and there…..that’s the one he taught you, that “decapitation” thing?

(Michelle): MmmHmm!

(Leslie Learner): Couldn’t he have thought of something else to call it, it’s such a nasty name Michelle?

She shudders.

(Leslie Learner): It’s the name of the sword, and I guess since it’s aimed at people’s head it…

Her mom throws her hand up.

(Leslie Learner): I know…I get it. Well, I’m sure he and Red Dragon are going to be the best match on the show next to yours. Your father is going to flip when he hears I’m staying and will see it live.

(Michelle): Daddy can come too if he wants.

(Leslie Learner): No, he won’t travel right now. His gout flared up just the other day, you should see him limping around the house.

(Michelle): I might be limping myself after that Battle Royal. It’s going to be so much fun, they’re all so talented but I want to win this one so they better watch out.

(Leslie Learner): They’re talented athletes but they don’t have your heart. You remember that when you’re in there. The lord’s strength itself is on your side. Chronicles 16:11.

Michelle nods in her mother’s reference to the scripture. She turns as she points at the tv.

(Leslie Learner): Now him….him right there…Wolfy. He’s the one who just died isn’t he.

Michelle nods, her face turning to sadness and she wipes her eyes that begin to tear.

(Michelle): He and Sean didn’t exactly get along, but Wolfy was always so kind to me. I’ve prayed for him ever since the whole “demon” situation. I don’t understand any of this, first it was Maniac, then Erica, and Wolfy….poor Wolfy. All those kids…they loved him so much.

Her mom takes her hand and pulls her from the sofa to the floor.

(Leslie Learner): Come….we’ll pray for him. We’ll pray together for his soul.

Michelle nods and takes her mother’s hand as they bow their heads.

(Leslie Learner): Heavenly Father, we lift up the soul of our dear friend Wolfy, a man whose heart was as vast as the wild and as gentle as a lamb. You blessed him with a love for all Your creatures, great and small, and he cared for them as You care for us…..with kindness, patience, and devotion. Lord, we thank You for the life he lived, for the joy he brought to those who knew him, and for the love he shared with both animals and people. He was a protector of the innocent, a teacher to the young, and a light to all who crossed his path.

Now, as he walks through the gates of Your eternal kingdom, may he find peace in Your presence. Let him be surrounded by the creatures he loved so dearly, running free in fields of endless beauty. May his spirit live on in the hearts of those he inspired, and may his memory continue to bless us as we cherish the lessons he taught. Comfort those who mourn him, Lord. Wrap his loved ones in Your embrace, and remind them that death is not the end, but a doorway to everlasting life with You. We trust in Your mercy and grace, knowing that Wolfy now rests in perfect peace, where no cage can confine him, and no sorrow can touch him. Amen.

(Michelle): Amen!

They rise from the floor back to the sofa, Michelle wiping her tears.

(Leslie Learner): It’s almost 1:30 a.m., we better head to bed. We’ve got an early start to see if we can find you a dress.

Leslie smiles at her daughter trying to lighten her mood a little and Michelle manages a smile.

(Michelle): I’m really glad you’re here Mom!

(Leslie Learner): Of course sweetheart, now get to bed. We’ll talk more in the morning…maybe Sean can join us for some lunch.

(Michelle): I know he’d love to see you, but he’s really focused on his training for this match. I don’t want to disturb him, not after I just told him to focus on this, but you’re staying and he’ll see you soon and we can hang out after the ppv for sure.

Her mother nods and they hug. Michelle starts to get her luggage but she shoos her away and waves her off to bed. She gets her own luggage and takes it to the second bedroom as the scene fades to black.