Healing: Part 9

==========

Off Camera

==========

SCW Supreme Saturday live from Puerto Rico did not turn out the way Marie Jones would have hoped.  Her reign as United States Champion came to an abrupt halt when she lost the title to Jinn.  Now Marie’s road to Rise To Greatness has run into a major intersection.  She doesn’t know quite where she will go from here or what the future for her journey to Rise To Greatness will hold.  What she does know is that she doesn’t intend to let the United States Championship slip away from her grips that easily.  She may no longer be United States Champion but she will do everything she can to remain relevant and to keep her name in the title picture and in the short term that means defeating Blake Mason.

Blake Mason has been infamous lately for his heinous acts, acts such as orchestrating the hacking of the deceased Orlando Cruze’s twitter account, pile driving a stroke victim after breaking into his house, and other crimes too numerous to count.  Now Marie gets to face him one on one on the next edition of Breakdown.

Her wrestling career is the farthest thing on Marie’s mind right now, however…

“I never noticed the beauty before…”

This is the voice of Kimberly Williams as she walks side by side with her twin sister, former SCW United States Champion Marie Annabelle Jones, down the streets of Boston, Massachusetts, the hometown of the famous Jones Wrestling family.  Their gorgeous red hair flows lightly in the wind, and while that and their facial features make them look identical, their clothing styles are a complete contrast to one another.  Only recently have the sibling pair finally buried the hatchet, the grudge that Kimberly once held against the Jones family, and just now, finally after so many years of struggle, heartache, and infighting within the family, Kimberly and Marie are on the verge of achieving something both thought impossible.

Peace.

Kimberly is the same woman who once kidnapped Marie and held her hostage, all out of jealousy; jealousy over the fact that she viewed Marie as the favored child in the family and that Kimberly was just a mere outcast.

It’s hard to argue against it.  The two are the very case study of nature versus nurture.  Marie had the nurturing of parents growing up whereas Kimberly was raised off the grid by a sociopath, filling her head with lies, twisting her into the psychotic monster she would become.  It is no surprise that Kimberly turned out the way she did and would eventually wage war on her own family and on her own sister.

The Jones family seemed willing to give up on Kimberly; all but Marie.  Marie was not ready to give up on Kimberly.  She kept trying to redeem her twin sister, she kept trying to establish a relationship with her, despite misgivings from their own family.  But she and Kimberly kept persevering, they fought through the good times and the bad, and even being committed into a mental institution.  Now Kimberly is on the verge of potentially being accepted back into the Jones family.

“You never noticed the beauty because you’ve always been too busy being paranoid over the lies Emma told you, or too busy plotting some crazy vengeance plan, or something crazy like that.  Finally you can just enjoy the beauty of creation.”

Marie motions with her hands to some birds flying “…the birds…”

She takes in a deep breath “…the fresh air…”

She motions up in the sky “…the sun!  It is all truly beautiful!”

“I wasn’t talking about any of that, sis.” Kimberly says with a knowing grin.

“What were you talking about?” Marie asks, frowning.

Kimberly stops walking, as does Marie.  Kimberly then points off to the right at a man in tight jean shorts.

“That…” she snickers “…now that is beautiful!”

“Oh Lord…” Marie rolls her eyes “…and here I thought you had finally matured…”

“I am no longer mentally unbalanced.” Kimberly says, correcting her sister. “I never said anything about maturing.”

“Obviously.”

“Oh give me a break, sis,” Kimberly says with a slight laugh “you got to admit, I’ve made progress!”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Marie nods her head, smiling warmly “you have made a great deal of progress and what’s more I’m proud of you.  I’m very proud of you.”

“You are proud of me?” Kimberly feigns excitement as she pretends to cry. “Oh I’m about to cry…”

“Knock it off, Kim.” Marie retorts. “You are guilty of serious crimes, yes, but you owned up to your mistakes, you admitted to your past, and you took the steps necessary to change yourself.  Changing yourself is a very brave thing to do, so yeah, I am proud of you.”

“There’s at least one person not proud of me.”

“If you mean mom, then you just need to give her time.  You have to understand she has trouble trusting people and…”

“No, I’m not talking about mom.” Kimberly answers shaking her head. “I’m talking about our sister.”

“Oh…” Marie says as a look of realization comes across her face “…Jessica.”

Jessica Jones and Kimberly Williams have the most strenuous of relationships.  Whereas Angelica and Kayla Jones simply do not trust Kimberly, Jessica took that distrust even further.  She has gotten physical with Kimberly before, going as far as to physically assault her a little over a week ago.

“I do want to be accepted back into this family,”Kimberly begins with a sense of sadness in her voice “but I don’t want to do it at the expense of your relationship with Jessica, and I can’t help but think I’m tearing you two apart and the family apart.”

“No, do not even think that.” Marie remarks, shaking her head. “You are every bit a part of this family as Jessica.”

“Well what about Jessica?  She’s clearly not happy.”

“No, she isn’t.” Marie sighs, shaking her head. “I don’t know what to do about her.  She is deeply troubled, though.”

Kimberly is about to respond when she spots an unusual sign up ahead.  Her face lights up in a look of puzzlement as she gazes upon the sign, a sign that reads “Danny’s Coffee”.  Kimberly frowns with confusion as she turns to face her sister Marie.

“Danny’s?”

Marie nods her head.  “Mmmmhmmm…”

“Looks like a rinky dink place.”

“You’ll love it, Kim.” Marie assures her. “Trust me.”

“Alright…” Kim does not sound very convinced.

Kimberly follows Marie up to the entrance of the small coffee shop.  Marie pushes the door open and steps inside.  Her identical twin follows in after her.  Inside we see several tables and booths.  There is a white counter and a middle age woman with brown hair working behind the counter.  Marie and Kimberly approach the woman at the counter who turns to them and smiles.

“Hi, Becky!” Marie says with a friendly wave of her hand.

“Marie, how are…”She frowns as she looks at the two women.“…wait, two of you?”

“Yes,” Marie nods her head “two of us.  This is my twin sister Kimberly.”

“Twin sister…” Becky’s voice trails off, she chuckles a little “I never knew you had a twin sister.”

“To be honest, we didn’t know about one another for a long time either, Becky.” Marie responds honestly.

“So what can I get you two ladies today?”

“Just coffee, for now.” Marie answers. “French Vanilla for me.”

“Yeah, coffee….” Kimberly answers “…but make mine black.  I need the strong stuff.”

“The strong stuff it is.” Becky winks at Kim. “I’ll have it right out.”

With that, Marie turns away from the counter and walks down the aisles of tables and booths towards the back of the café where there is one small booth.  Marie sits down, followed by her twin sister Kimberly.

“This is a nice place.” Kimberly remarks as she turns her head from side to side to get a good solid look at the surroundings and the features of this café. “Quiet, quaint…”

“Yeah, that’s why mom likes it so much.” Marie responds.

“Mom comes here?” Kimberly asks, to which Marie responds with a brief nod of her head.

“Yeah, it’s her special place.  She likes to come here in order to get away from it all.”

“This is certainly a good place to get away,” Kimberly remarks “it’s tucked away in a nice spot that’s hidden away from the public eye.  I imagine it doesn’t get much business.”

“It doesn’t,” Marie responds, shaking her head “they get just enough business to make a profit and stay open.”

“Who comes here?” Kimberly asks, genuine curiosity etched across her face.

“People like mom; wealthy and want to stay away from the public for one reason or another.”

“Yeah, mom…” Kimberly silently muses, sighing somewhat regretfully “…you two don’t seem to be as close as you used to be, and I can’t help but think I’m to blame for that too, just like I’m partially to blame for Jessica going off her rocker.”

“Stop with that kind of talk right now.” Marie remarks harshly, pointedly. “You have every right to be a part of this family as anyone else.  What you did to improve yourself was amazing.  Soon, we’ll make mom and Jessica see that too.”

At this time Becky arrives at their table with their coffee orders.  She places one up in front of Marie and another in front of Kimberly.  Marie nods her head in acknowledgement.

“Thank you, Becky.”

“Yeah,” Kim chimes in “thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Becky responds. “Enjoy.”

Becky walks off, leaving the two siblings to enjoy their beverage.

“Is your coffee strong enough, sis?” Marie asks with a wink.

“I’ve had stronger.” Kim states after taking a few sips. “But it’s good.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I like the coffee and I like this place.” Kim muses quietly. “This is quiet…few people here…it really is a good place to get away from everything.  I can see why mom likes it so much.”

“Yeah, and speaking of mom, we will get her and Aunt Kayla and even our sister Jessica to see the light, trust me, we’ll…”

“No…” Kim shakes her head “…just stop.”

“Huh?”

“Stop it, Marie.  I don’t want to talk about them right now.  I’d rather focus on something more positive, positive as in my future.”

“Oh?” Marie says, her curiosity peaked as she sips her French Vanilla coffee. “It sounds like you’ve been thinking about this.”

“I have.” Kimberly says, nodding her head. “I’d like to wrestle again.”

It is a little known fact that Kimberly Williams is a trained professional wrestler.  She received her initial training with the sole purpose of being able to follow Marie and the Jones family into the business, so that she could legally attack and assault them in the legal confines of a wrestling ring.  That was years ago, back when Global Division of Wrestling still existed.  When GDW went under, so did Kimberly’s wrestling career.

She did pop up here and there for a wrestling match once in a while.  She served as Marie’s stand-in during Marie’s tenure in Uprising Wrestling Alliance.  During that time she tag teamed with Sophie James as one-half of the UWA World Tag Team Champions in the Ginger Nation.  It’s no secret that Kimberly can wrestle, the question is where does she want to wrestle.

“Where were you thinking, Kim?”

“Do you have to ask?” Kimberly asks with a wicked grin. “SCW, of course!”

Marie was afraid she’d hear that answer.   She sighs and shakes her head. “Kim, I’m not sure that’s a great idea.”

“Oh and why not?” Kim asks, sipping her coffee.

“I hate to say it but let’s be honest, Mr.  D isn’t stupid, he does his homework and I’m sure he knows your past.”

“A past that I have put behind me.” Kimberly says with a frown.

“I know you did, but do you really think Mr. D would forget about it?  You kidnapped me and tried to take my place.  You were my stand-in in UWA.  That isn’t to mention your reputation as one of the most violent athletes in the sport.”

“Funny,” Kim says with a chuckle “I never thought you would be the one to judge me.”

“I’m not judging you, I just…”

“Oh yes you are.” Kimberly snaps back. “After everything I’ve done, everything I sacrificed, you still don’t trust me.  Maybe…”

Kimberly sighs and shakes her head “…maybe I am irredeemable…”

“No!” Marie snaps back. “Look, I’m sorry for the way that came out, but I’m just trying to prepare you for some hard truths and harsh reality.  I went through a redemption quest of my own, and mine was a hell of a lot easier than yours, and I still had people who doubt me to this day.  Of course people will doubt you.  Some never will believe you or trust you.  I think eventually someone like Mr. D might give you a chance, but right now?”

Marie sighs sadly and shakes her head. “Right now, I don’t see it happening.  Not in SCW.”

“Yeah, and denying me a chance would make him a hypocrite, don’t ya think?” Kimberly inquires. “I mean, this is the same company that allowed a psychopath to kidnap and brainwash his daughter, this is the same company that allows Regan Street  to attack and bully people on a regular basis with little to no retribution…”

“Uh, they are keeping David Helms out of the Hall of Fame because of her actions…”

“Doesn’t matter.” Kimberly remarks, shaking her head. “She’s still doing it.  If we really believed in an anti-bullying society, they’d fire her ass.  But they’re afraid to because she makes money.  Same with Blake Mason.  He attacked a freaking stroke victim and he’s still working for the company.”

“Blake was suspended, Kim.”

“But he still works for the company.  He has a job with SCW but you say the company that pays a man who attacks stroke victims wouldn’t pay me?  And I’ve changed my ways whereas there is no way in hell Blake Mason is changing his ways.”

“I disagree with you, Kim.” Marie shakes her head as she sips her coffee. “Blake can change his ways if he wants to.  You better than anyone else should know that redemption is possible for everyone.”

“Maybe, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.  Besides,” Kimberly points a finger at Marie “shouldn’t you be focused on beating his ass rather than redeeming his ass?”

Kimberly makes a good point, because sure enough, Marie’s next match is against Blake Mason and coming off of a loss to Jinn, a loss that cost her the SCW United States Championship, Marie could definitely use a big win.  Jones nods her head in agreement.

“I know full well what I have to do, Kim.”

“And I guess you don’t need to be reminded about how dangerous Blake is.” Kimberly’s voice grows more serious, graver. “This is a man who may have ended Chris Cannon’s career and nearly ended Sienna Swann’s career.  He attacked a stroke victim.  Don’t think he’ll go easy on you just because you’re Angelica’s daughter or he has history with your family or any of that shit.”

“I know this…” Marie says, nodding her head

“I hope you do,” Kimberly says, taking another sip of her coffee “because as a former monster myself, I know monsters.  Take it from me, Blake is a monster.  He isn’t the same man you knew.  He will hurt you if he gets the opportunity.”

Kimberly sighs as she reaches out and takes her sister’s hands. “Look, I’m used to situations like these against opponents like this.  If you need me to stand-in for you like I did in UWA, like I did a few times here in SCW, I can…”

“No, absolutely not!” Marie exclaims, shaking her head. “I appreciate the sentiment, Kim, but we’ve changed.  We both have.  We need to get away from that kind of cheap trick. No more ginger hoaxes, no more smoke and mirrors, and no more games.  If Blake wants to win, he’s going to have to take the fight to me, because I will take the fight to him.”

“Alright, that’s fine,” Kim says, nodding her head as a knowing grin wraps across her face “but that still leaves me without a job.”

“Job?” Marie looks rather puzzled. “What do you…oh, wait, you mean wrestling?”

Kimberly nods her head. “Yeah, I still want to wrestle.”

“I think I can help you with that.” Marie says, smiling warmly at her sister. “You need to build up your reputation in this sport once again.  People still look at you as the violent psychopath who played a role in the ginger hoax.  You need to change that image, first.  And while I’m not sure Mr. D would be willing to give you a chance, I am pretty sure I know of a few other places who definitely would be willing to give you a chance.”

==========

On Camera

==========

As a second generation superstar, daughter of the great Angelica Jones, I know, understand, and fully accept certain facts about this great sport of professional wrestling.  For starters, I accept that there is no straight and easy path in professional wrestling.

Actually I take that back, there is a straight and easy path in professional wrestling, but those that take it are all the same...the curtain jerkers, the jobbers, those who always lose, whose career never advances to become anything noteworthy, all because they refused to take risks.

To be a success story in this sport you sometimes have to take a risk, sometimes you have to throw it all out there and hope for the best. You won’t always succeed but if you do, the reward is definitely worth it.  And even when you have finally taken that gamble, taken that risk and achieved success in this business, that still doesn't mean your path will be an easy one from there on out.

This path to greatness, much like SCW’s road to the Rise To Greatness, is full of twists and turns, rises and falls.  I should know.  I attained highest level of success everywhere I’ve been, only to throw it all away because I felt I was being ignored, overlooked, and unappreciated.  I burned some bridges that may never be repaired.

But I was determined not to let that stop me.  I kept going forward and I found a chance at redemption from an unlikely source: Supreme Championship Wrestling.

Who would have thought a wrestling company whose intent is to make a profit would help me achieve redemption?  But SCW gave me a second chance when no one else would.  When I had squandered everyone’s faith in me, their trust in me, SCW gave me a chance and I took that chance and ran with it.

I became SCW United States Champion. I proudly held that title and defended it, I proudly represented SCW but it held special meaning to me because it represented the conclusion to my redemption journey.

Jinn defeated me at Supreme Saturday to win that title, more power to him.  I will get that title back eventually but what he did not take and what no one can ever take from me is the fact that I did redeem myself.  The Phoenix, The Crown Jewel of Professional Wrestling, is back.

Now that brings me to you, Blake Mason.

What can I say about you that hasn't already been said?  People call you scum of the earth, people say you are a heinous bastard, and some have said that you are the devil incarnate.

It truly is hard to argue any of that.  You may have ended Chris Cannon’s career, you nearly ended Sienna Swann’s career, you attacked a stroke victim, you orchestrated the Orlando Cruze twitter hack...the things Ive done pale in comparison to what you’ve done...some would say you are beyond redemption.

I would never go that far.  I will be called naive by my peers but to hell with them; I do believe redemption is possible for everyone, no matter what crimes you’ve committed, no matter how lost you may be.

Even someone as lost as you can be redeemed someday, Blake, if you wanted it.

My mother was once as bad as you.  Like you, she set out intentionally trying to end careers, and there were times that she was successful in that regard.  She may not have attacked a stroke victim but she did set someone on fire once.  Just ask Samantha Raine about that one.

There are other crimes she committed, crimes I dare not speak of but I'm sure you know about, and her crimes haunt her to this day.  But you know the difference between you and her?

She sought redemption and she found it.  She forgave herself and turned over a new leaf.

This isn't about redemption, Blake.  As much as I’d love to talk some sense into you, to get through to you, to end this brutal, violent rampage you’ve been on, I understand that talking may not work with you.  Some people require something more physical and you, maybe you just need someone to beat some sense into you?  Maybe a good old fashioned ass kicking will help you see the light?

Am I delusional enough to think that I alone can beat your ass enough to make you see the error of your ways?  No.  It'll take months, if not years, of guilt combined with beatings from those seeking revenge in order for you to realize how wrong you are, to realize that a change in your life is necessary.

People will say I’m wrong to think that you will ever see the light.  I may be wrong.  If I am, so be it.  But stories like yours are personal to me, not because I’m personally tied to it, because I’m not, but I have been where you are, Blake. I have been to that dark place.  I lived in the darkness.

But I came out of it, I found myself again and I brought myself back from the brink.

Now to you, this isn’t about redemption or anything else of the sort.  This is just a simple matter of winning and losing.  This is about you wanting to get a signature win over a former SCW United States Champion.

That's why you’re going to lose.

It’s so trivial to you, so materialistic to you, you have no real drive, no purpose.  Not the same kind of drive and purpose that I do.  This is personal to me, beyond just simply getting a win back in my column, as I try to right the ship on my way to Rise To Greatness.  This isn’t about simply another step forward in my quest to regain a championship I lost at Supreme Saturday.

This is personal, Blake.  Deeply personal.  This is about me showing you and the world what redemption is capable, what redemption did for me, and what hopefully someday it can do for you as well.

And if that means I have to drive your thick skull into the mat with an Ave Maria to get you to realize that, then so be it...because your actions have been heinous, they have been despicable, and no, they cannot be allowed to stand.  You have to face up to what you’ve done, you have to pay for what you’ve done.

This is going to hurt you, Blake.  This is going to hurt a great deal.  I’m going to put you through hell, because while my redemption journey has reached its conclusion, my quest to be the best wrestler I can be has not.  I still have goals, I still have dreams, and one of those goals, those dreams, is to once again reach the mountaintop.  I want to go to Rise To Greatness and make my impact on the grandest stage of them all.

If going through you is what it takes then so be it.