Breakdown 5-9-24 #2
March 3
Glendale, AZ
Retribution
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“Let go of me, you motherfuckers!”
Just as I’m pulled through the curtain, I twisted my body trying to get the men’s hands off my arms. They pulled me about three more steps away from gorilla before letting me go. I spun around and glared at them, Dillusion and Tanaka. Behind them I saw Beard – excuse me, he wants to be called by his name now, Scott Reed – hurrying down the hallway away from us.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“We’re just doing our job, Kandis. We were told to get you away from the ring.” Dillusion shrugged at me.
“Were you told to dislocate my shoulders in the process?”
“No, but you were resisting, so—”
Just then CHBK stepped up from the side, I hadn’t seen him approaching. “So they did their jobs. Thank you, gentlemen. You can step back.”
“Are you sure?” Tanaka seemed skeptical, probably because I’d already punched CHBK once, a few minutes ago.
“Kandis won’t risk further punishment, I’m sure.”
The two men nodded and stepped back from me, but remained close by. I rubbed my left shoulder, the one that had been twisted harder.
“What do you mean, further punishment? I haven’t been—”
“Yes, you have. You can’t strike the Chief Operating Officer on international pay per view nad expect no reprecussions. You’re being fined, the amount of your pay per view bonus.”
“What?!” That’s bullshit and you know it! Those goons of yours had their hands on me for no fucking reason, I was just defending myself!”
“I hadn’t touched you. And yet….” CHBK rubbed his chin.
“I thought you were one of them! And you’re avoiding the issue. Why the fuck was everyone out there so goddamn fast? There’s no way you could have expected to need security for me, unless this whole thing was a set up to fuck me over again!” The more I thought about it, the more I felt that had to be the only explanation. Demitra getting my my way and trying to pretend it was an accident. The officials hiding in the crowd ready to drag me away immediately. The whole thing stinks. CHBK stepped up closer to me, glaring down at me.
“That’s one hell of an accusation, Kandis.”
“And you’re one hell of an asshole!” I raised my arm, fist closed, ready to throw another punch. I stopped myself, but not before CHBK noticed and stepped back. He gestured to my closed, but lowerd fist.
“Great. Now along with that fine, you’re suspended. Thirty days.”
“You can’t do that! I didn’t—”
“I can, and I just did. Gentlemen?” CHBK gestured to Dillusion and Tanaka, who were still hovering behind me. “Please escort Ms. Valentine to her locker room to collect her gear, and then escort her out of the building.”
Dillusion grabbed my arm gently, and I shrugged him off. “Don’t fucking touch me! I can walk on my own.” I turned back to CHBK. “As for you, Mr. Desoubrais, as long as we’re being formal and shit…. Go fuck yourself.”
Dillusion led me down the hall, with Tanaka following. It was as if they actually expected me to cause more trouble. The only problem was… I wasn’t the one who caused any of this. I was being railroaded and I think even they knew it. In all of the yelling I hadn’t been able to ask them why Tommy hadn’t met me near the curtain, or where he was. Going down the hallway under fucking escort, I realized – because they didn’t let him. Neither Dillusion nor Tanaka spoke a word to me as I went into my locker room, stuffed my shit into my bag, and threw my hoodie on over my gear. Tommy was livid when I walked in and he saw me being led there by the agents. I shut the door and explained to Tommy what was going on as I shoved my gear into my bag. I doubted they were going to let me shower before showing me the door. At the exit, they literally walked outside with us and stood near the doorway while I found my rental car. They must have been told to make absolute sure I didn’t get back inside. Part of me wondered if that order had come from CHBK or from someone in Selena’s camp. Either way, I was being treated like garbage and every last one of them were going to regret it.
As Tommy drove us back to the hotel, he fumed and cussed.
“This is all complete bullshit. You’re being railroaded.”
“Of course it is! But what am I gonna do about it? Alex is the fucking boss thanks to D being a pussy and stepping back. It’s not like that motherfucker is gonna do me or you any favors.”
Tommy sighed hard. “Yeah, I know.”
“I guess I’ll have plenty of time to figure everything out though. Goddamn thirty days!”
“Well, you’ll just have to make the best of it. We’ll work it out."
"Oh I already have plans babe, don’t worry about that.”
We made our way up to our room and proceeded to drain the mini bar of it’s beer contents.
Not one of these motherfuckers who conspired to fuck me over were going to like my plans, from Selena herself, to CHBK, all the way down to the lowest grunt in the goons who dragged me out of the ring.
March 5
Jacksonville, FL
HCA Florida Memorial Hospital
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I had to put my anger at SCW aside when Tommy and I got to Jacksonville. When I told him my promise to Rose’s mother, that we would be there right after Retribution, he agreed easily. We’d arrived to the city Monday, but couldn’t see Rose then because she had tests and a minor procedure being done. So, Tuesday morning Tommy and I met Mary, Rose’s mom, in the waiting area of the cardiac floor.
“Kandis, I’m so glad you made it. Rose has been waiting for you.”
“I said I’d be here and I am.” I made introuctions and Tommy shook Mary’s hand.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr—”
“No mister. And good to meet you, too. Kandis told me all about you and your daughter. I’m happy to be here and meet her."
Mary led us to a section of the waiting room that was set off a bit from the rest of it, and we sat.
“So, how is she? Did it go okay yesterday?”
“Everything went fine. She’s even off oxugen today.”
“That’s good news. I wish I was coming to see her with good news of my own.”
Mary waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about that. Rose knows you did your best. She’s more upset at those referees than anything else.”
“She’s not the only one. But let’s focus on her instead of me.”
Mary stood, and gestured for us to follow her. “Okay, let’s go see her. But she’s going to talk about your match, whether you want to or not.” Mary gave me a weak smile.
Mary stopped at a closed door, I saw the name on the sign. “Baker, Rose.” Next to her name were two symbols, a heart and a mask. I then noticed a box mounted on the door, like hospitals usually have glove boxes, except this one held a box of disposable masks. Mary pointed to it.
“Sorry, she’s more high risk than when you saw her before,, you have to—”
“Of course, no problem.” I grabbed two and handed one to Tommy. Mary already had one, and we slid them on before Mary opened the door.
“Hey babydoll. I have some visitors for you.”
Rose sat up in bed, and smiled when she saw us. She was not wearing a mask herself, but instead had an oxygen tube across her nose. I thought Mary had said she wasn’t on it. Mary noticed too.
“Oh… you got the tube back.”
Rose nodded. “Yeah… Nurse Nancy was just in here, my levels were low.” She then turned to me, I saw her eyes flick towards Tommy quickly. I don’t think she had expected him to actually come.
“Kandis, I’m so glad you came back! Mom said you would, but I thought maybe after Sunday…”
I stepped forward a little. “What? You think a little scuffle after losing a match would make me break a promise?”
“Well… when you say it like that… I guess not.” Rose grinned. “But that wasn’t just a little scuffle. I read online that it got worse backstage?”
Fucking dirtsheets. “In a way. I got fined and suspended, but—”
“That’s not fair!”
“It’s not, but I can’t do anything about it. But let’s not worry about me, okay? I want to know what’s up with you. But first… I think I forgot to do something when we came in.” I turned to Tommy and waved him forward. “Tommy, this is Rose Baker. She’s my new friend thanks to Make A Wish.”
Tommy gave her a nod. “I’d shake your hand, but I don’t think that’s allowed right now…” He glanced at Mary.
“Unfortunately, it’s not, not right now. Maybe in a few days.”
“That’s okay. I’m just shocked you’re here, too. Mom told me maybe, but—”
“Hey. What did I say about breaking promises?”
“You promised you were coming. Not both of you.”
“Then I misspoke. It was always going to be both of us.”
“She’s right. When Kandis told me everything going on, there was no question about coming along. I had to meet this strong young lady who lit a fire under my wife.”
Rose looked at me, eyes wide. “I did what?”
“Let’s just say, our last conversation convinced me to accept an offer that I was hesitant about. Because life is too shor to not do what you want.” I was talking about the offer from Jakob Sparx and his website. When I told Tommy I’d decided to go for it, and why, he understood. I think he still doesn’t like it, but he’d never stop me from doing something I truly want to do.
“You did? What’s that?”
Tommy and I glanced at each other, then I looked at Mary. She had no idea, either, and seemed just as curious as Rose.
“Uh… well. I can’t exactly talk about it yet. It’s not announced. But as soon as I can, I’ll tell you all about it.” That meant I’d have to talk to Mary first. I had a feeling she may not want her sixteen year old daughter to know her idol just agreed to do sexual content work, no matter her health status.
“Okay, I understand. Whatever it is though, I know you’re gonna kill it. You’re amazing at everything you do.”
“She’s certainly amazing at this.” Tommy gave me a sideways smirk. I smacked his arm with the back of my hand, and he chuckled a little.
“Thanks for the support, babe.”
A knock on the door made everyone look. A young nurse in light blue scrubs and a mask came in.
“Good morning, everyone. Hi again Rose.” She waved at the teen.
“Hi Nancy.”
“I’m sorry Rose, Mary, but your guests are going to have to step out. Dr. Finstein will be in shortly to discuss a few things.” She looked at me and Tommy. “I apologize. It’s—”
“No apology needed. We don’t want to be in the way.”
Nurce Nancy’s eyes squinted in a way that told me she was smiling under her mask. “I appreciate it very much.” She stepped aside and gestured at the door. It was clear to me that she had no idea who me and Tommy were.
“We’ll see you later, Rose. We’re in town until tomorrow.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Tommy and I left the room, and as we went to the waiting area, saw a doctor go past us. I turned and my guess was right, he was going in to Rose’s room. We sat, and Tommy grabbed my hand.
“What do you think that’s about?”
“Her condition, is my guess. It seems like every time I hear from Mary, something has gotten worse. I hope it’s not too bad. She’s too strong and too smart to die so young.”
“I know it’s a big ask for you, but try to have some faith.” He grinned at me.
“Not as big of an ask as it used to be. I’m trying.” He squeezed my hand, but said nothing else. I pulled out my phone to check messages. Tommy did the same, then got up and stood close to the window to return a call as quietly as he could. Five or so minutes later, movement in my periphial vision made me look up towards the hallyway. Mary was walking our way, with the doctor at her side. She’d removed the mask and it looked like she had been crying. I stood to meet her. Tommy noticed and came over to my side.
“Mary? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. It’s meant to be that you’re here when this call came.” Mary glanced at the doctor. He nodded. I assumed that was giving her permission to tell us. “Rose… she has a donor.”
“What?”
Mary nodded, smiling, her eyes tearing up again. “Yes. That’s what Dr. Finstein came to tell us. Early this morning on the interstate… there was an accident. And…” Mary shook her head. But she didn’t have to speak. I guessed what happened. The doctor finished explaining.
“Unfortunatley for one family, they lost their teenage son. But when asked about organ donation they were happy to agree. Rose will be getting the heart of a fifteen year old boy. We’re scheduling surgery for this evening.”
“Oh my God Mary, I can’t believe it!” I couldn’t remember ever using that phrase before in my life, but nothing else fit my astonishment. Mary grabbed my hands and squeezed.
“I can’t either. I don’t know how to feel. I’m so grateful my daughter has a chance, but that boy…” Mary shook her head. “I hurt for his mother.”
“I can’t imagine how that feels.”
“Neither can I. But his mother agreed to give it, knowing her loss would save someone else. I’m willing to bet that gives her some comfort, so try to see it in that light.”
Mary looked up at Tommy, and smiled. “Yes. You’re right. Thank you.”
“Ms. Baker, we’ll have to do some paperwork and such, I hate to pry you from your, uh, friends…” Dr. Finstein looked up at us and grinned. Unlike the nurse, he clearly recognized us. “But there’s a lot to be done before the heart arrives.”
“Oh, of course.”
“Say no more, Doctor. The last thing we want to do is be in the way. Mary, we’ll be at our hotel. Just call and let us know, okay?”
“I will. Thank you so much for coming. And… I hate to ask you for anything else, but would you—”
“Stay until after the surgery? You couldn’t make us go home.”
Mary smiled again. “Angel. That’s what you are.”
Before I could dispute that, Mary and Dr. Finstein left down the hallway together. Angel? I would’'t go that far. I just hoped that knowing we were staying would give Rose a little extra strength to get through everything and come out on the other side stronger. I couldn’t bring her the title belt to show her like I wanted to, but she hadn’t seemed to care about that. Just that we were here. Maybe this suspension had a silver lining. I could stay here far longer than I would have been able to if I was going back to work in a week. Jakob Sparks would just have to wait a little while longer for my services.