HWA Message Board: Diary Flashbacks

Fourteen Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – April 27, 2011

My brothers’ Toyota Corolla GT-S AE86 is their pride and joy. It’s old, like from the 80’s or something, but it still runs and gets them to work. Every weekend I get to squeeze in the back of it (the front seat is stuck so like…literally squeeze) and I go with them to watch their Lucha Libre matches if I finish my homework in time. Mom and dad work late, y mi abuela stays home with Juanito…cutest 2-year old ever. I love him so much. It’s so loud, and fun and I get good seats and the lady comes around with fresh chicharrones de harina. Pedro and Jesus are like superstars so everybody is extra nice to me.

Thirteen Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – July 8, 2012

Pedro and Jesus’ team lost their match tonight. I’m so mad. I don’t feel like writing.

Twelve Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – January 4, 2013

I hate Lucia! It’s a piñata, you’re supposed to break it. I didn’t want her stupid candy anyway. She’s not coming to my quinceanera. She just cried like a brat so we left. I don’t know why mom tried to give her mom some money, I didn’t break anything in the house…just the piñata outside. And she took it, like we owed it to her. She’s so spoiled. Monday, when we go back to school I won’t talk to her. We’re not friends anymore, just like Alejandro…I overheard Pedro saying they shorted him and Jesus. It’s not their fault Luis was late again…stupid three-man tag matches!

Eleven Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – December 17, 2014

I can’t believe Diego lied again…TNA didn’t have any scouts at the show. I think he just didn’t want my brothers (his star attraction) to miss it. He didn’t care our abuelo died. I think he took advantage because we need the money. We always need the money. Jesus and Pedro will never forgive themselves…they said so, but mamma and papa told them it was okay to miss the funeral, abuelito would understand.

Ten Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – June, 9, 2015

I’m scared! Mi abuela is sick and the little office job I have is barely helping. It’s not much because I’m not legal to work anyway so they pay me under the table. All I do is a little filing. Jesus and Pedro started training me “for fun” I said. They said I was a natural. Damn right, I’ve watched them for years and really I’ve wrestled them my whole life. If mom and dad find out I’ve been doing it for real though I’m dead meat, they can never find out. Not mom, not Dad, not my brothers…no one! Thank God for the mask. Diego said I can get a raise in a few months, but we’ll see. He never keeps promises. He said the same last year when I started. He might not keep promises, but he has kept quiet. I’m a draw and he doesn’t want to lose me so he won’t tell Jesus or Pedro. Besides, if he does I’ll tell everyone he hired a minor, that will show him.

Six Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – February, 17, 2019

I haven’t had time to journal in forever. The office job, weeknights at the market and weekends wrestling I haven’t had the time but the world is a little different for me now, I’m not a teenager anymore.

They found Diego in some alley in Mexico City. Jesus said they cut his pinga off and stuffed it in his mouth, that he owed them lots of money. I don’t know who “them” is he was talking about but I have a good idea. I hate Covid, that’s what they’re calling this thing. Abuela got sick again, the hospital turned her away…said there was nothing they could do. I told them I would pay for medicine, I could work after my other jobs, I’ll work hard. Harder than anyone. I’ll manage with 4 hours sleep. I have to, mom and dad lost their jobs. It’s just Pedro and Jesus bringing money home, and me…but they don’t know about the wrestling. I just slip money in moms purse and dads wallet. They’re too busy with Abuelita to notice.

Six Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – April 5, 2019

She’s gone…Abuelita is gone with the ancestors. I don’t know what we’re going to do. There’s no money. The legal office let me go too, I can’t tell mom and dad…they can’t suffer anymore heartbreak. Jesus and Pedro found some work. It’s this warehouse place down in the garment district putting on secret shows. The pay is supposed to be good so I guess I’ll check it out too in secret of course. God, please help us. Please help our family.

Six Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – April 16, 2019

I can’t let them see me. Not like this. Mom, Dad, Jesus, Pedro…they’ll go nuts. I told them I’m staying with friends, Claudia’s Tia has a bakery and that I was helping out for a few weeks for extra money and I could do my other job remote in the evenings. The truth…the truth is…unimaginable. The Claudia part (not the bakery) is true, she’s my homegirl from high school so we go way back and I know she can keep her mouth shut. God help me. I just wanted to help my family. I did it for them. Why? How could this happen? I’m so ashamed.

Six Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – April, 21, 2019

How did they find out? They cornered me and I didn’t have to say a word. I just cried like a baby when Pedro asked. They weren’t even supposed to be there it was Latina night, but it all came out. The lost jobs, the wrestling I’ve been doing the last two years…Raul and those guys last week…everything. They were beyond angry. I begged them not to tell mom and dad. I don’t think they will, but I’ve never seen them so angry. They were crying, saying it was their fault, that they should have protected me. I’m numb!

Six Years Ago: Ciudad Victoria, Mexico – April, 27, 2019

They didn’t come home last night. I’m getting worried.

To be continued…