Under Attack 2020 #2
{{Friday, October 16th
New Orleans}}
It's almost ten in the morning, and Jaina and I are sitting in the waiting room of the Women's Health Care Clinic in New Orleans proper. I made her put her hair up under a hoodie, and I have on a wide brimmed beach hat. We both have sunglasses too, and no makeup. Jaina didn't understand why I told her to dress that way. I explained that she is a TV personality and the last thing either of us needed or wanted was a report about the two of us being present at a known abortion clinic. I could tell that she hadn't considered that, and likely hadn't taken any precautions when she came Monday. I told her not to worry about that, it was done, if anyone had seen or recognized her it would have been in the news already. But we didn't need to take any chances today.
The drive here was silent. I almost expected pro-life people to be outside causing trouble but there was no one. Jaina checked in and we sat. It's been about ten minutes since we arrived. There are only two other people in the waiting room, a man and woman holding hands. I've been slipping through a magazine but the silence is starting to get to me. I turn to Jaina sitting next to me, she's playing a game on her phone.
“Are you nervous?”
Jaina looks at me, surprised that I said something. “Only about if it's gonna hurt. They said it's different for everyone.”
I nod. “Do you want me to go in with you?”
“You want to?”
“I came this far, I might as well go all the way.”
Jaina grins. “Okay. Yeah, I would like that. If they let you. I don't know if you can.”
“Ask when they call you.”
Jaina nods. She goes back to her phone.
I turn the page in the magazine in my hands, but I'm not really reading it. I'm thinking back over the last few days, and how I came to be sitting here with Jaina at all....
* * * * * {{Wednesday, October 14th – Kenner}} * * * * * *
I know I haven't been coming to Divine Mercy church for very long, under a year, but so far I've really liked it. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming, even those who know me from TV. In a short time I've even gotten to know Father Robert quiet well, we've had several conversations privately, and he's been a help to me, especially when I brought up how I didn't want to get married again because of feeling like I would be lying. Thanks to Father Robert's perspective, of the fact that I didn't break the promise, someone else did for me, I no longer had any reservations whatsoever about getting married again. I made the appointment for today hoping to get something similar about Jaina's predicament. I mean, I know what the church's stance on this issue is publicly, but like in many other things, maybe they had exceptions, or leniency for certain situations. Dom was right the other day, I want to help Jaina. I just don't want God to be mad at me for it.
I am waiting in Father Robert's office. I'm not sure yet what I will say but I know I have to be here and get some kind of guidance. My parents are gone, my brother Heath is gone, I promised Jaina I wouldn't tell her father or mother. Dom did his best to help and he wasn't wrong on some things, but he isn't a believer and I'm not sure he really understands the depth of my dilemma.
Father Robert enters the office, and I stand to greet him. We shake hands as usual, then take our seats.
“Thank you for seeing me this morning, Father.”
“Of course. How can I help you?”
“Well... I'm not specifically here about me this time. It's my niece.”
“Is she in trouble?”
“Kinda. She's eighteen, almost nineteen... and recently discovered she is pregnant.”
Father Robert smiles. “Oh, what a blessing!”
I shake my head. “Not really. She isn't in a serious relationship with the father, and she doesn't want the baby.”
His smile fades, but he nods in understanding. “I see. Well, Divine Mercy does work with a wonderful Christian-based adoption agency, I can certainly give you their information.”
“No... I'm sorry, I'm not being very clear. She wants to get rid of it.”
“Yes, that's what-”
“I mean she wants an abortion.”
“Oh.” Father Robert sits back in his chair, his expression hardened. “I see.”
“Yes, and she asked me to help her.”
“I can certainly understand how this would be troublesome for you.”
“It really is. She moved in with me a few months ago. Her father is my brother, and I promised her parents I would look out for her, take care of her. I want to stress, Father, that this is something that I would never, ever consider for myself. But my niece is adamant about it. I'm worried about her going through it alone, or turning to someone she doesn't trust as much as me. I guess what I want to know is... is there any kind of, exception, or even forgiveness for just helping her?”
Father Robert glares.... actually glares at me. I've never seen a priest do that in my entire life.
“Absolutely not. The church is very clear on this matter, Bree. All life is precious to God. Aiding someone in committing this act of sin is tantamount to committing the sin yourself. In fact, knowing that this is your niece's intention, you must convince her to change her mind. Otherwise you are complicit in the eyes of God.”
I frown. “I've tried! This has gone on for weeks, I've given her every option I can think of, every argument, told her I believe she is strong enough to handle this. But she won't budge. Doesn't my effort count for something?”
“To a degree, I suppose. But this is a precious life we are talking about, a gift from God. You cannot knowingly allow her to commit this act, much less assist her!”
“So... my promise to her parents to take care of her means nothing? She is begging me to help her, ignoring that doesn't feel like taking care of her.”
“I understand that you feel beholden to this promise you made your brother and his wife, but you first promised God that you would follow his commandments, his laws, and you renew this promise every time you take Holy Communion. Promises to God supersede promises to mortals. This is Catechism one-oh-one.”
Now I'm getting angry. He's speaking to me like a child. I glare. “Oh? What about the promises I made to God and had every intention of keeping, yet the actions of others forced me to not be able to keep them? Remember our talk about marriage? There is also the case of my Godson, who's father gave up custody to the child's biological mother, who hates me, and I will surely never be allowed to see him again. What about those?” I remember how Dom brought that up to me a few weeks ago. At the time it upset me, because I didn't really have an answer for his question, but right now I'm starting to think he was right.
“Those promises do count Bree, and the breaking of them were not your fault. We spoke about this. God does not hold those against you.”
“Hearing that doesn't make it any easier to deal with, I did what I was supposed to and lost anyway.”
“You need to accept that those things did not fit God's plan for you.”
I scoff. I have never been so insolent with a man of cloth in all my twenty-nine years, not even when I was a child. But this? I can't. “God's plan? What about my plans? Actually, forget that. I'm here about my niece, what about her plans? I'm really supposed to keep trying to talk her into accepting this and letting it ruin her life? Because that what she feels this baby will do.”
Father Robert leans on his desk again, the glare and stern tone he had moments ago gone.
“Just as you need to accept that your broken promises are not your fault, your niece needs to accept the consequences of her actions.”
“God gave us free will, didn't He? So why can't we use that free will to handle the consequences the way we choose?”
Father Robert nods, and I would swear the look on his face is actually smug.
“I understand why you feel you can negotiate with God's laws. Your previous churches have let you slide by rules over and over again.” I give him a questioning scowl. “I have looked into your church records, everything is on file. Your former husband Blake Mason and the rushed then canceled convalidation. The fact it was allowed at all when he is not a practicing Catholic. The fact that you currently cohabitate with a man you are not married to. I have overlooked that myself because that sort of thing has become acceptable in society and if we pushed that? We would alienate and lose most of the congregation. But this? Your niece is talking about murdering an innocent child, there is no wiggle room on this. Unless....” His expression softens a bit. “Is the pregnancy a result of an act of violence?”
“No, they just made a mistake. I have made mistakes, many of them, and been forgiven. Why is this different?”
The stern look returns. “I'm going to assume that you've never committed murder on top of your harlotry.”
I sit up straight, my jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!” Father Robert simply shrugs. It was at that moment that I realized I had known what I was going to do before I walked in here. I just wanted to be told it would be excused. Instead, I've been called a whore. I don't need the church's permission to do the right thing. “You know what? I don't give a damn what you think of me or the way I've acted in the past. I accepted a long time ago that some people will always think the worst of me. But Jaina is only eighteen and she did her best to do things right, but accidents happen. She is not a whore! She is a young woman who doesn't deserve to be put through this stress and humiliation and forced to give birth and then either raise or give away a baby she doesn't want. I don't think the God that I've believed in my whole life would want that for her, or anyone!”
“These things should have been taken into consideration before she made the choice to get in bed with the man unmarried. You are right, in that God gave us free will to choose to sin or not, but that does not shelter us from the consequences of that sin. Trying to “fix” the sin with an even bigger one is blasphemous.”
I laugh, dry. “Blasphemous? Really? Would you have preferred if she had just continued to date women instead?” Father Robert's eyes go wide. He starts to say something, then closes his mouth. “Seriously, which is the bigger sin, huh? Adultery or homosexuality? Or does the church think they're the same, since most of you won't marry same sex couples anyway?”
Father Robert takes a deep breath and puts his hands out in what I'm sure he thinks is a calming manner. I see more condescension. “Bree... I am sorry I'm upsetting you, but this has been the church's stance for many years. Maybe you were expecting to be given slack or... special coddling, like your previous churches have done, but I do not run my parish that way, and I will not give special pardon to your niece's harlotry just because you think she is too young to accept the consequences of her actions!”
I stand up, I have enough of this garbage. “Do you want to know why those other churches bent rules for me before? Because they accepted bribes disguised as donations for 'favors.' How much do I have to donate for you to stop calling my niece a whore?” Father Robert looks up at me in horror. He starts to say something, but I cut him off. “Don't answer that. I tell you what, keep your Bible, and your rules, and your God. I am done with all of it. Take my name off your rolls.”
I grab my purse from the chair I was sitting in and start to leave. “Bree, wait. God-”
I spin back around with my hand up. “I said I'm done!”
I turn again and walk out. I could hear Father Robert yelling, but I don't care. I made my choice.
Divine Mercy, my ass.
* * * * * {{Women's Health Care Clinic – New Orleans}} * * * * * *
I made my choice, and that's why I'm sitting here with Jaina. I'm taken out of my memory by a voice.
“Jaina?”
I look up, and the nurse is the doorway. Jaina gets up, glances back at me, then back to the nurse. Much like at the doctor's office weeks ago. “Can my aunt come with me?”
The nurse smiles sympathetically. “I'm sorry. But she can come see you in recovery when you're done.”
Jaina nods. She turns back to me. I reach my hand out to her. She grabs it, and I squeeze.
“I'll be here. Promise.”
Jaina gives me a smile and a nod, then follows the nurse through the door. I breathe deep. For a split second I started to second guess my decision to be here, but the condescension and judgment that came from Father Robert's mouth rang in my memory. No. I was doing the right thing. I set the magazine aside, not bothering to even pretend to read it anymore. I let my thoughts go back to what happened after I left the church for what was probably the last time....
* * * * * {{Wednesday, October 14th – Kenner}} * * * * * *
The church is only a little over a mile away from my house. My eyes were blurry from tears the whole drive home. I couldn't believe I'd just told a priest, one that before today I really liked and looked up to, to take his Bible and stuff it. I see Jaina's car in the driveway, right next to Dom's. I go inside and run upstairs. I didn't see Dom anywhere when I went through the house, so I was really hoping that he wasn't in the bedroom. I needed to be in there alone. I get upstairs and notice two things – Sienna's bedroom door is open, I see her sitting at the vanity. And Jaina's bedroom door is closed.
I go into my room, Dom is not there. Good I shut the door and sit on the edge of my bed. On my nightstand, on the shelf under the top, is the Bible mom gave me when I was young, and the pink-beaded rosary Heath gave me when I made my conformation. I was 16. It was right before I stopped going to church because of the pedo priest. I pick up the rosary and run the beads through my fingers. The twelve year anniversary of Heath's death was in a few days, the eighteenth, the same day as Under Attack. Ever since he died I have hated October, things seem to go to shit during this month every year now. This year was no different. Some years were worse than others, like three years ago when Sienna and I were on that Cessna that crashed into Big Bear Mountain. Sure, the accident gave me my best friend, but we could have died. I remember sitting in the wreckage, holding this rosary that I had dug out of my bag, praying that we wouldn't starve to death or be killed by some wild animals before we were found. There was a casualty, our pilot didn't make it. For a long time I credited God with saving us, with giving Sienna and me to each other as a consolation for the traumatic event. Sitting here now though, I question why, if God didn't want us to die, did he allow the plane to crash in the first place? Why was the pilot not saved, too? Did God just enjoy playing with people's lives? Does He even care about us at all?
Is He really there?
My vision goes blurry again as I look at the beads in my hands. Maybe it's just this time of year making me think these things. October always messes with my emotions. But.... there was still the issue of the things I had promised to God and kept my word. My marriage to Blake. Being Nathaniel's Godmother. Being as truthful and honest as I could because God doesn't tolerate liars. All I seemed to get was heartache and judgment. Instead of being rewarded for my faith and service, it felt like I was being punished instead. Two things I loved were taken away from me. Sure, I'm happier now than I ever was with Blake, but at the time it felt like the end of the world. And Nathaniel? I loved that little cherub like he was my own family, and despite what I say to Sienna to try to keep her calm, I don't think either of us will ever see him again. Kelcey hates us, and she is a petty bitch like that. Father Robert tried to tell me those things didn't fit God's plans for me. If we have free will, then why do His plans matter? Fuck that.
We're not beloved creations... we're playthings. Live action figures.
Dom had been right when we talked about this. Real people deserve promises kept. Not so-called deities who fail to take care of those who keep their word to Him. I bunch up the rosary beads in one hand, wiping my face off with the other. I open my hand and stare down at the pink glass beads, the crucifix sitting on top.
“I'm sorry Heath.... Forgive me, Mom. I tried to be the God-loving, God-fearing woman you were, that you tried to raise me to be.... but I can't do this anymore.”
I grab the Bible from my nightstand too, then get up and go to the closet. There is a small storage tote box on a top shelf. I grab it, and stuff the book and beads inside. I close the lid and put it back on the shelf, then walk out of the closet and close the door. Part of me thought I would cry again after putting those things away, but I don't. I just feel.... unburdened. I lean against the closet door and close my eyes. I make myself take a deep breath, then give myself a nod. I think deep inside I always knew I was going to make this choice.
I go across the hall and knock on Jaina's door. She opens it, and looks at me questioningly.
“What time is your appointment Friday?”
“Ten.”
“Okay. I will bring you.”
Jaina gasps, her jaw drops. “Really?” I nod. She lunges into me and hugs me. “Thank you.” I hug her back, rubbing her back. “What changed your mind?”
I pull back and look at her. “Don't worry about that, just know I'm here for you. Always.”
She nods, and we hug again.
* * * * * {{Women's Health Care Clinic – New Orleans}} * * * * * *
And here I am. Waiting in the clinic waiting room while Jaina has the procedure she knew she wanted from the start. I check the time, about twenty minutes has passed since Jaina went to the back. We were told it would take about half an hour, an hour at the most. I send a text to Dom.
[JSYK. She's in the back. Waiting.]
A minute passes. He replies. We exchange a few texts.
[Thanks for update. How do you feel?]
[Good. It's what she wants, and she's happy I'm here with her.]
[Glad you feel good about it. Love you.]
[Love you too. Thx for talk last night. I couldn't do this without you.]
[You won't ever have to do anything without me. X]
I smile at the screen. I would have never guessed that turning away from the church would somehow bring me closer to my future husband. The idea of that just a week ago would have sounded absurd.
The door to the back opens, and I look up at the sound. The nurse that came and got Jaina earlier walks out and over to me.
“I just wanted to let you know that Jaina's procedure is done, everything went perfectly. She's in the recovery area and you can come see her in about ten minutes. I'll come get you.”
“Thank you.”
She smiles and goes back through the door. I look down and re-read my texts with Dom. He'd been so patient with me and supportive through all of this. He's the only atheist I ever knew who didn't automatically speak with condescension to any believer as soon as religion came up. He never tried to tell me what to think. He only asked me what I thought, what I believed. Even last night, when we talked about this again.....
* * * * * {{Last night – Kenner}} * * * * * *
We had dinner together, me, Dom, Jaina, Sienna, and Xiomara. It was a cool night and Dom grilled some steaks in the backyard. After dinner Dom and Jaina cleaned up while us three ladies had after dinner wine outside. Jaina didn't always accept a glass with us so no one questioned it when she declined. I found it odd considering what she was going to do in the morning. But, maybe they'd told her not to, due to anesthesia or such.
Anyway, after our drinks we went in and upstairs to relax. It wasn't quite bedtime yet. Sienna and Xio went into Sienna's room together, those two always seemed to be plotting something. I go into my bedroom and have a quick shower then dress in pajamas – really just cotton shorts and a cami. I get in bed and sit up against the headboard, my Kindle in hand. I start deleting Catholic and church related books. I hadn't told Dom yesterday about church or agreeing to bring Jaina to the clinic. He hadn't asked either, even though he knew I went to see Father Robert. I figured he knew it was a touchy subject and I would talk to him about it when I was ready. Dom comes in, gives me a grin, then has a shower too. He comes out wearing just shorts and sits next to me.
“Reading anything good?”
“No. I am cleaning out my library.”
“Oh. So I'm not interrupting you then?”
I look up and grin at him. “You would never be an interruption from this thing.” In fact, I set it aside as proof. “I actually want to say something to you.” It was time to tell him what happened, what I'd decided.
“Okay....”
“I owe you an apology. About the church stuff.”
“Bree-”
“No, just listen.” He nods. “Everything you said wasn't meant to upset me, even a few weeks ago when I shut the conversation down. You were right. People are what matter. I'm sorry I got upset with you for just trying to help, especially since I asked you for your thoughts. Our talk the other day went better, but I was still being stubborn. I should have told you yesterday but... I am going to do the right thing based on rational thinking and what Jaina says she needs. I'm taking her to the clinic tomorrow morning.”
“You are?” I nod. “That's good.” I grin halfway, almost embarrassed. I can count on one hand how many times I changed my mind on something I had been so dead set on. “So... what about the church and God?”
“I've decided it doesn't matter. I'm done with them.”
Dom sits up straight and turns to face me fully. “What? What actually happened yesterday?”
I take a deep breath. This was one of those things where saying it out loud made it official.
“Yesterday, Father Robert made it clear what kind of people Catholics are and what kind of organization the church really is. They're a pile of judgmental hypocrites, and I'm ashamed I didn't see it sooner.”
Dom looks at me with the eyes of a person who has about a dozen questions and doesn't know which one to ask first. So I tell him everything that was said at the church.
“So, I walked out and I'm done. That's it.”
“That's it?” I nod. “So... have you given up your belief all together?”
“No. I'm sure God exists and pulls strings, I just don't want anything to do with him. Not if everything the Catholic Church says about him is true. He doesn't give a fuck about us, baby. He just gets off on playing around with our lives. And I refuse to believe that being there for Jaina when she begged me for help is going to send me to Hell. If Hell even exists, I'm not really sure about that.”
“I know you just told me what happened with the priest, but I have to ask... does any of this have anything to do with me, our talks?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little. I told you that you made me think about things differently than I ever had before. I might not have made the appointment to talk to Father Robert if you hadn't asked me the things you did. But it's mostly him. His reactions, the way he spoke about Jaina as if she was a whore. I mean, he practically called me one too, but I don't care about that. No one gets to insult my niece!”
Dom grabs my hand. “I'm sorry you had to sit through that. Just because he has some position of authority doesn't give him the right to speak like that about anyone. You went for guidance and he talked down to you!”
“Like I said. Judgmental hypocrites.”
“I don't want this to come out the wrong way, like I'm.... I don't know, gloating or anything like that, but I'm glad you've made this choice. I think you'll be a lot happier, you won't be stressing yourself over trying so hard to follow arbitrary rules.”
“First of all, I don't think you're gloating at all, even though you probably have a small right to be. You were right.” I shrug. “And you're probably right about me being happier and less stressed, too. Maybe it was just another way I was trying to be something I'm not.”
“What about your mom?”
I sigh. I had thought about that a lot since the day before when I put the Bible and rosary away.
“I can honor her in other ways. I'm not gonna start randomly lying through my teeth, for one thing.” Dom grins. “And I am going to do everything I can to always be there for my family and friends when they need me. To make up for not being there for her.”
Dom is still holding my hand, and he raises it, and kisses the back of it.
“I'm proud of you, you know.”
“You are?”
“Yes. Very much. It takes a lot of strength for a person to look at themselves and change their thinking about something they spent a long time, a lifetime believing.”
I give him a smile. “You did the same thing though, when you decided you wanted to marry me.”
He shrugs, shaking his head a bit. “Yeah, but I don't think that's hardly on the same level.”
“I do! It affected your whole life.”
“Well... are you going back to church?”
“I don't plan to.”
“Then it affects your whole life, too. Id' say more so. I changed my mind on one thing. For you, it's everything.”
I think about that a few seconds. I can't debate that reasoning. Faith was behind most of my decisions. Without that base to guide what I do, I can really do almost anything I want.
“Yeah... I guess you're right.”
“Are you sure you're okay with this? It's a really big life change.”
I nod. “I am. Completely. My family needs my support more than something I'm not sure I trust to be there anymore, for me or or anyone.”
Dom kisses my hand again, and I lean on him comfortably.
* * * * * {{Women's Health Care Clinic – New Orleans}} * * * * * *
I smile to myself at the memory of last night. I fell asleep with Dom holding me, and woke up this morning without any hesitation in what I was doing or regrets about my decision. It wasn't my decision to make, it never was. It was only on me to keep my promises to Wyatt, Amy, and Jaina. That's all I should have been concerned about from the start.
The door opens again, and the same nurse steps out. I realize I am now the only person still in the waiting room. “Ma'am? You can come back now.”
I smile and get up, and follow her. On the walk back I remind her about our need for complete privacy. Sh assures us that all records are encrypted and confidential, and we are not the first well-known people to come to the clinic. I thank her for her help, and she leads me to a door that's labeled 'Recovery.' “You can go in, she's the only patient there for now.”
“Thank you.”
I open the door, and Jaina is laying on what looks like a fancy exam table. She's covered with a pale green blanket. There's a few chairs along the wall. I walk in. She must have heard me, because she raises her head.
“Aunt Bree.” She sounds sleepy.
“Hey babygirl.” I take one of the chairs and pull it closer to her, and sit. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.” She smiles. I can tell she is a little out of it, probably from the anesthesia. “Well, sore some, but mostly good. Better than I have in a while.”
“I'm glad.” I grab her hand. She holds mine tight.
“Can I ask you something?” I nod. “Why? Or, what changed your mind? You wouldn't tell me the other day, but I really want to know. I thought it was some religious thing.”
Now that everything was over, I decided I might as well answer. “It was. But, let's just say I had a bit of a reality check. I kept looking at this at how it affected me, taking you here, being a part of this. But this was never about me, Jay. It's always been about you. I'm sorry for that, okay? I said I was listening to you, but I wasn't. Everything was going through a filter that I no longer have.”
“The church?” I just nod. “What happened?”
I pat her hand. There's no way I was gonna tell her that a priest called her a whore.
“Don't worry about that, you don't need to concern yourself with it. Just know that the church isn't going to be an issue with me anymore. I'm done with them.” Jaina gives me a look of concern mixed with surprise. “Listen. Making sure that you are happy and taken care of is so much more important to me than anything a church or God could ever threaten me with.”
Jaina smiles and squeezes my hand harder. “I love you, Aunt Bree.”
“I love you, too.”
I've had enough taken from me in my life already that I don't think it really matters one way or the other if I gave up the church and everything that went with it, and just take care of my family. I keep my promises. No matter what.
{{Saturday, October 17th
Somewhere over the Southeast}}
The clinic gave Jaina some mild pain medication, and an anti-nausea one too. They said she would be okay to fly after 24 hours, so today we waited til afternoon to take off headed for Atlanta for Under Attack. Only myself and Dom knew what she'd done yesterday, which meant we couldn't really talk about it on the plane. I had a packed cabin, which is the way it's been since Sienna and Xiomara came to stay with me. Dom is coming to the show too, he wants to see me become Champion again. Sienna, Xio, and Scott are sitting in the front, Scott in his usual seat. Jaina is in the single seat across from the divan, Donatella is sleeping in her converted seat. Dom and I are on the divan next to each other. We've been in the air about thirty minutes. Jaina has headphones in and I can hear bass faintly so I know she has music playing. I nudge Dom and speak low just in case.
“Doesn't she look so relaxed?”
“Yeah.... a lot more than in recent weeks. You both did the right thing, you know.”
“I know. I just hope this trip doesn't make her sick.”
“She has the meds they gave her, she'll be okay.”
“Yeah. Probably.”
He nudges me back. “What about you? Are you ready for your match? Seems like you haven't had much time to focus on it.”
“I have been. I'm ready. And it's because of everything else going on that I am. Looking after Sienna the best I can, being there for Jaina, even the talks with you. It all reminds me what's important, being there for everyone, making sure I don't let anyone down. Not like I did at Rise to Greatness.”
“Bree, you didn't-”
“I feel like I did. You repeating to me that you didn't feel let down doesn't change how I feel about it. But I can make up for that tomorrow night. Set an example for everyone to not allow setbacks in life to keep them down. Show them that no matter what happens you have to get back up and be better than before.”
“I like that attitude."
“Its the only one I can afford to have, baby. I have to be better than Rise to Greatness. Better than the last time I fought Tommy. Better than Apocalypse. Better than everyone.”
“You are better than everyone. Now just prove it.”
I smile. “I plan to.”
“Speaking of your plans... are you still going to make that certain announcement in your promo?”
“Yes, if you're still okay with it.”
“Go for it. I'm actually looking forward to it, life has been a bit boring without the media chasing us down.” I giggle, and he smirks. “I've warned Lisa like you suggested, she's on standby waiting to handle the fallout.”
“What about you? Fallout from your family?”
Dom shrugs. “I don't care. It seems like ever since I found out about David and tracked him down, and then Jason once he popped back up, I've been trying to play catch up to the Helms' name, their standard, all of that. Turns out though that they aren't any better than anyone else. All of this mess showed me that. They're flawed human beings like the rest of us. They aren't ever going to take our relationship seriously, I know that now. So, their opinions don't matter. And I'm not gonna live my life worried about it anymore. What matters is that I love you, future wife of mine.” He smiles and leans over for a kiss.
“I love you, too.”
“Oh, I can't forget.... once and future champ.”
I smile as I lean back.
I like the sound of that.
ON CAMERA
We open to a shot of the CNN logo statue in front of the CNN Studio in Atlanta. The red letters are roughly ten feet tall and stand on a cement landing. As the shot zooms in, Bree Lancaster steps out from behind the second N, and leans against it. Dressed in black jeans, a gray silk long sleeved top and black boots, she has her hair pulled back into a low ponytail. It's a sunny day but the surrounding buildings cast enough shade that Bree doesn't need sunglasses.
Good afternoon, SCW Faithful. As you can see, I have arrived in Atlanta for Under Attack tomorrow night. As for my presence outside the CNN Center, well, I'll explain that later. Before I get to that though, there are some things we need to discuss. Or rather, one thing. A person.
David Helms.
It seems that my words addressed to Jay Gold were prophetic, doesn't it? David tried to do too much too fast, and now he's broken himself in some manner, to the point that he was no longer able to carry the World Championship that he took from me.
Bree shakes her head.
But you know, I have questions about that. First of all... David hasn't told anyone what this mystery injury is. And given how he's crafted this reputation of being an upstanding, honorable person, I have to wonder why this is the case. Here is a man who has spent the last few months hurling insults at me over my decision to vacate the United States Championship after I became World Champion. Selena Frost still makes the same claims I have repeatedly denied, but David? His words have been filled with vitriol over it, almost as if I personally insulted him by wanting the US Title to have the full focus of whoever the next champion turned out to be. Unfortunately that still isn't happening, because Selena is also Tag Champion, and the idea of willingly giving up gold probably makes her have nightmares.
But, I have to admit that when David made his announcement, I was amused. I laughed. Because after all the shit he hurled in my direction, he found himself in a position to do the exact same thing he'd criticized me for! I know, I know.... those of you who agree with everything he's said about me will claim he did so because he had to, because he's injured, and I did so by choice.
But, let me ask you this. If this man, who has claimed to always be honest with everyone, to stand up for what's right, can't come out and tell us exactly what this injury is? Then I have several questions. Firstly.... is he even injured at all? I'm going to assume he is, or SCW wouldn't have accepted his resignation. Okay, then how bad is this injury, exactly? This match between myself and Tommy Valentine has been stated to be for an Interim World Championship, that suggests that David's injury is something he can come back from. Are you with me so far?
David Helms is a man who made his name in the Underground. Brutal matches, no rules, injury on top of injury. If he is injured enough to not be able to defend the championship, then his history alone suggests that it's serious enough to where he may never be able to return. In that case, this isn't an Interim Championship match. Its a Championship match.
But, if it's not that serious, and he'll be back sometime in the near future to try to reclaim the title, that begs the question.... is he really as tough as he claims he is? I mean, let's look at recent SCW history. Regan Street, David's wife, had her fingers broken by Datura. Regan didn't take time off. Amy Chastaine, she tried her damndest to keep fighting me when I accidentally hurt her knee. She didn't choose to quit, the official called the match. Selena Frost fought with injured ribs for months. I questioned the intelligence of that at the time, but she did it. Yet here we have David Helms with some undisclosed injury vacating a championship he claimed to care about more than I do, more than anyone else! So, one of two things is happening here. Either this injury is more serious than he wants to let on and his career is over....
Or, those three women are tougher than he is... and knowing my opinion of Selena Frost, imagine what me saying that means for my opinion of David.... and he vacated this championship not out of any real need to take time off, but purely out of self-preservation!
Now, one can call me selfish all they want, claiming I gave up the United States Championship because I don't care about that Championship, but if I was selfish, wouldn't I have kept both? These insults and lies don't even make sense. I did what I did for the greater good of SCW. David though?
He did what he did for the greater good of David Helms.
Bree smirks.
So, David... if you're listening, I have a few words for you. Rest up. Heal yourself. I hope that whatever this is, is minor and you can make a grand return in the near future. Because I owe you a pinfall, babe, and once I reclaim the championship that you left behind, and you get your ass back in the ring... I am going to show you and everyone that while you were able to catch me once... it will not happen again.
Bree steps forward from leaning on the N of the CNN logo, and sits on the cement landing the letters are perched on, crossing her feet at the ankles.
Now then, as to why I am here in front of the CNN Center? Well, CNN is a news conglomerate, and I felt it was a fitting setting for me to release some news, that David Helms might be quite interested in. I know that for almost a long as I have been with his half-brother Dom Teller, that David hasn't really been in approval of our relationship. Jason Helms has made his opinion crystal clear on the matter, despite fact that I have tried my best to be civil with the both of them, for the greater good of our families relationships. Even recently, with everything that happened surrounding Rise to Greatness and David's clear disrespect of Dom in the middle of an SCW ring no less. It's clear that neither of you take us seriously, you hate the fact that we're together, and you want nothing more than for your brother to 'wake up' and distance himself from me.
Well, I'm afraid I have some bad news, Misters Helms.
You're just going to have to build a bridge and get over it, because you two and I? We're going to be related.
Bree smirks again, and raises her left hand, showing off a ruby and diamond ring.
For those of you who don't understand subtlety, this means that Dom and I are going to be married. And if David and Jason get their shit together in time, they may even be invited to the wedding. They'll both have plenty of time to think about if they are going to take our relationship seriously now while they nurse injuries. I hate to add insult to injury but.... oh wait, I actually love this.
Bree lowers her hand, still smirking.
Breaking news aside, I promise you that I haven't lost sight of what's important here.
Tomorrow night, Under Attack will be main evented by Bree Lancaster versus Tommy Valentine, round two for 2020. This match though is also a rematch from last year's Under Attack. Tommy won a tournament that determined a contender to face me for the United States Championship. He gave me one hell of a fight, but I walked out victorious. Our last meeting, right after Rise to Greatness, saw Tommy get the pinfall over me, but it was tainted. Even he doesn't consider it a real victory, thanks to Matt Hodges.
But that isn't important here.
What's important... is that SCW is currently without a champion. Camelot is without a king! David Helms, the White Knight, rode off to pasture leaving the kingdom in chaos.
But there is still hope, and I don't mean a 'last shadow.'
I am talking about myself, of course. I am your once and future champion, much like King Arthur is the once and future king. Legend says King Arthur never died, he just went to rest until Camelot needed him again. I'm willing to bet that many of you will hear that and equate Arthur to David. But you are wrong.
I am the savior of SCW!
Let's look at history. Over a year ago, creeping up on two years... Selena Frost was gifted the United States Championship by me, as a means to shut her up. She went on to face cupcake opponents because Sasha did everything she could to protect her. Until Giovanni Aries happened. Selena let her guard down and lost to man who was never supposed to win. Then Sasha needed me. Then Sasha gave me my rematch. And I saved that championship and SCW from a champion who was disrspectful and unworthy.
April of this year. Cold Blooded. James Evans, a man with a history of mental illness, was running amok around here, tampering with the elimination chamber cage, he gave me a concussion at Retribution! Someone needed to put a stop to his chaos and bring credibility back to the World Championship.
I did that for you, SCW.
There is never a question of my loyalty. There is never any doubt if I mean what I say. I speak the truth even if it makes people angry. And I am needed once again to save this company from the chaos of being without a leader. Without a top champion.
Bree hops down from the concrete landing and walks around in front of the CNN logo slowly as she continues.
I am sure that Tommy Valentine is going to claim that he is the one who deserves to claim that top spot. After all, he recently defeated David Helms where I did not. I will grant him that, that's why I never denied that he deserved a shot at the World Championship. It's why I agreed to the deal we had, that I were to get my rematch before he got his shot, and I were to then reclaim the championship, I would ensure he would be my first challenger. He agreed to the same in the opposite circumstance. Some people thought that our business arrangement meant that we were friends. Allies, even.
At Breakdown last week, I put those ideas to rest. Tommy and I are not friends. We are fighters who want the same thing, and we were willing to make deals to ensure that we both got a chance to get it. Even with the Three Way Dance, there would have been questions over who deserved what next. What if I had eliminated David the Tommy beat me? Tommy wouldn't have beat the champion, therefore I would still have a claim. What about the opposite? Or what of David took one of us out? There were many variables. But... David Helms leaving the championship vacant changed the terms.
I no longer needed a deal to get my shot, and neither did Tommy.
Bre stops walking and faces the camera, her hands behind her back. Tommy doesn't get a condescending finger-wiggle wave – Bree respects him too much for that.
Tommy. Hi babe. This match happening between us tomorrow night is both of our shots. There will be no variables, no questions. Whoever wins... wins. David is out of the equation. Neither one of us is going to beat him for this championship any time in the near future. There will be no need for granting the next shot. This is it! And as much respect as I have for you, how good I know that you are, the fact that I know you want this almost as much as I do....
… I just can't allow that to happen.
You're a tough son of a bitch, I admit that, we've fought enough times for me to know it. But you've recently been through a lot of brutal matches, and last week showed something to me and the rest of SCW. I hit you with a Classifier to make a point that things had changed... and you went on later that night to be so affected by my shot to your ribs that you and Kandis lost your Tag League match.
You, Tommy Valentine, the man who bested David Helms under his own Underground rules... the man who took Xander Valentine to his limit and damn hear beat him too, if not for a last second desperation move. And I hurt you enough with one Classifier that you couldn't withstand a tag match and come out with a victory.
Bree shakes her head.
I'm afraid that maybe, as much as I know you will hate to hear this and you would never admit it, but maybe.... you are in the same predicament as David is. What if you do beat me, Tommy? Let's forget this Interim shit for now. Let's say you win tomorrow night and become SCW World Champion. What if I Classify you again? What if I focus on and tear your knee apart so much that even if you do manage to pin me, you're hurt?
Then what?
SCW will be in the same situation we're in now. No World Champion. Chaotic. Leaderless. Camelot without a king.
Bree gives another smirk as she sits on the cement once more.
Far be it from me to call myself a Queen, we have enough of those running around here. But I have been, and will once again be the savior of this company. SCW knows what they get with me. A resilient, fighting champion, who speaks the truth, and will never mislead or let the SCW Faithful down. I felt like I did that after Rise to Greatness, I will admit that to all of you.
But this? Will be my salvation and your rescue.
SCW will have a great and worthy leader, a True Champion once again. Tommy is a worthy foe, he will fight with everything he has, I know that. He always does. I will always respect that. But his all will not be greater than mine. I know Tommy wants to pull off the same thing David did, become a World Champion again after a decade since the last time he held it. I can't blame him for that, it's a worthy desire. Noble, even. And one day, he is going to accomplish it. I can see that, and when he does, I will respect his status as Champion.
It's just not gong to be now. Under Attack will see me at the top of SCW, once again saving all of you from the chaos left behind by a so-called leader who proved themselves to be unworthy of the challenge or the responsibility of being a champion.
I am up to the challenge. I can handle the responsibility. You all know this, you've seen it. You can take comfort in the fact that SCW will once again be in good hands, the hands of your Once and Future Champion.
You're welcome.
Bree smirks as she holds her arms out at her sides, a championship and leader-like pose as she prepares to claim the vacant throne.