Inner Peace: Part 4

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September 20th, 2019

Boston, Massachusetts

Off Camera

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The sound of the loud, reverberating church bells rings out in and around Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church.  The gorgeous gothic architecture and enormous size is both beautiful and intimidating at the same time.  For the Jones family, however, this is normal.  Angelica Jones, the Matriarch, not only grew up Catholic but was once a nun and has raised her children Catholic.  Standing here before the Church building dressed in an ankle length black skirt, black patent leather pumps, and a silk white floral print blouse is one of her children.  Upon first glance one may think this is Marie Annabelle Jones.  She is, after all, dressed the part for a Church function.  But if you could see underneath the white silk shirt you would see the “I Groped Mr. D” t-sirt that she’s sporting and you would realize that this is all a scam, for reasons known only to “The Woman Scorned” Kimberly Williams.

Kimberly ascends the large marble stairs that leads to the front doors; then the eccentric redhead pulls the doors open and steps inside into the narthex where she immediately sees the vestibule, a large, standing font or pool used to perform the sacrament of Baptism.  Smaller, wall-mounted holy water fonts are found near the interior church doors.  Kimberly approaches the doors, touches the holy water with her fingers, and makes the sign of the cross; then she touches the holy water to her tongue and contorts her face upon tasting the salty water.

“Gross!” Kimberly exclaims before entering the church sanctuary itself.  The sanctuary is carpeted with red carpeting.  Two columns of pews are on either side of Jones as she looks down a long center aisle that leads up to the front of the church, the altar.  The altar and the pews are separated by a rail where worshipers may kneel if they so choose.  The altar itself is just behind the rail, as is a crucifix which is mounted on the wall.  Finally a pulpit is to the left.  But Kimberly isn’t here for Eucharistic Adoration or a worship service, neither of which are scheduled today anyway.  The Woman Scorned turns to the right and spots what she is looking for.

The Confessional Booth, two of them; one for her and one for the priest who she suspects is already inside waiting.  A sly grin forms upon her face as she walks over and opens the confessional door and steps inside.

“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.” Kimberly makes the sign of the cross.  “It has been, um...well shit, I don’t know how long it’s been since Marie, errr I mean I, since I’ve been to confession!”

“It’s ok, my child.  God knows the answer.  Just tell me your sins.”

“How long do you got, Dad...can I call you dad?”

“I’d really rather you call me Father.”

“Right.  So how long do you got, dad?  I say that only because I know you’re a really busy guy and all, you got people to see, souls to save, and little old me, I got a crap ton of sins on my ledger soooo what I’m getting at is that this may take awhile.”

“It’s perfectly fine,my child.” The priest says with a light chuckle. “I have plenty of time for everyone in my parish.”

“Seriously?”  Kim says, sounding rather stunned.  She’s always listened to her sisters and mom talked about church but she never really paid that much attention to it.  The fact that this man seems to sincerely be willing to listen to her and pay complete attention to her is impressive.  “You rock, dude!”

“Um...thanks?”

“I might get you tickets to SCW Apocalypse because you’re so cool.  You can watch me beat the crap out of Ryan Watson and Autumn Valentine and become tag champion.”  There is a slight pause.  “Wait, is that a sin?”

“Is this malicious in any way?” The priest asks.  Kimberly shakes her head.

“Oh no!  Well, kinda?  I mean, we’re wrestlers and we’re supposed to be malicious and stuff.  So maybe?”

“Ah, I see.  Well, if this is part of a competitive sport then there is no sin.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be a sin but trust my Dad, there are plenty aspects of it that might be sinful.  I mean, just a couple weeks ago I stole Ryan Watson’s underwear.  Is that sinful?”

“Yes, my child.  Stealing is against one of the ten commandments.”

“Right, of course, so there’s one sin.  I also sold his underwear on ebay.  Is that a sin?”

“Profiting off of another’s pain that you caused would be a sin, yes.  Is there anything else?”

“Plenty!” The Woman Scorned exclaims. “I took a staple gun and stapled Abigail Lindsey’s ear.  Is that a sin?”

If Kim could see the other side of the wall she would no doubt see the priest’s eyes growing wide with surprise.  Williams stifles a chuckle as the priest composes himself.

“Yes, that most certainly is a sin, my child.”

“I also peed in a cup and gave it to my bestie friend Sophie James to help her pass a drug test.  Is that a sin?”  Kimberly listens and hears the priest sighing.

“Yes, that is a form of lying and lying is a sin.”

“Also I…” Kim pauses and thinks for a moment “...hey wait a sec, you are supposed to keep this private, am I right?”

“Of course.  I am bound to keep silent about what is said within this confessional booth.”

“Great!  In that case I can also tell you about how I kidnapped my twin sister and took her place; is that a sin?”

“Did you release her, my child?”

“Of course!   Not only did I release her but we buried the hatchet and became best friends!  Almost as close as sisters…oh wait, we ARE sisters!  HA!”

“Praise God!” The priest exclaims.

“Yeah, and I made up for it because when her abusive ex boyfriend came back wanting her back, I took her place on a date without her knowing and then took a shard of glass to his throat.  That makes up for the kidnapping, right?”

“No…” the priest’s voice fades off “...that, too, is a sin.”

“Oh...in that case I have another sin to confess!  I took a shard of broken glass to some asshat’s throat!”

“Right, ok,” clearly the priest is beginning to get a little shaken up from the sins confessed by The Woman Scorned “anything else you wish to confess, my child?”

“No, that’s it.  But I do have a question if you don’t mind.”

“What is your question?” He asks quietly, cautiously.

“My sister has been having some real major problems lately.  Her husband killed himself was the tipping point of it all.  Now she thinks she can make the pain go away by joining some crazy hippy cult.  But I have my doubts.  I worry about my sister, you know what I mean, Dad?”

“Of course, my child.  It is normal to worry about a sibling.  You love her, do you not?”

“Damn skippy!  And so I was thinking about going to that sleazy rat of a leader they got, Raul Alfaro, and slice his stomach open and then hang up, just so I can watch to see if his entrails come bursting out of his gut!” There is a long tense pause as Kim stares wild-eyed at the screen separating her and the priest. “Would that be a sin?”

“Ye...yes.  Definitely a sin, my child.”

“Damn!  I mean, dang!  Will I have to add that ‘damn’ to my list of sins too?”

“No, you’ve listed quite enough for today.”

“Cool beans.  So now what?”

“Say your Act of Contrition?”

“Oh yeah, that…” Kimberly pulls out a sheet of paper, her ‘cheat sheet’ as she calls it “... O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love.”

“I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The priest remarks.

“Right, awesome sauce.  Thanks, dad!”

“Go and sin no more, my child.” The priest says.  Kimberly could almost detect a sense of gratefulness that this particular confession is over.  But The Woman Scorned is not done; at least not yet.

“Uh, dad?”

“Yes?”

“I know I may sound crazy and off the chain and shit like that.  But I was serious when I said I was worried about my sister.  I think she’s getting herself into deep crap trouble and I want to help.  I really do want to help her.”

“Helping another, especially family, is most noble.  You should help her but you cannot force her to listen, my child.  First, she must WANT help.  My advice?  Be there for her.  Listen to her, comfort her, and help guide her to the truth.”

Kimberly flings open the door to the confession booth and bounds away, skipping happily.  She rounds a corner and skips through to the vestibule, spots the holy water jar and again dips her fingers in and places it on her tongue.  Kimberly spits it out immediately and shakes her head.

“Still gross…” she turns back towards the sanctuary “...hey dad!  The water fountain is still salty!”

Kimberly turns back around and starts skipping back towards the doors where she exits outside.  Immediately upon exiting she begins to head down the steps towards the sidewalk.  Along the way she bumps into a nun, slightly younger than Kimberly’s mother.  The nun is dressed in the traditional black and white habit and she approaches The Woman Scorned as if she knows her.

“Good afternoon, Marie!” The nun exclaims, clearly mistaking the twins.  Kimberly chuckles.

“You got the wrong sister, sister.” The Woman Scorned winks. “See what I did there?”

“What do you…” The nun suddenly gets a look of realization upon her face “...oh yes, I do recall Marie having an identical twin sibling.  That must be you, am I correct?”

“And bingo was his name-o!” Kimberly says in a sing-song voice.  The nun extends her hand, offering a handshake to Williams.

“My name is Sister Maria.  I am a good friend of your mother’s.”

“My name is Kimberly and I’m freaking insane.” Kimberly says, taking the hand and shaking it.

“Are you Catholic, my dear?” Sister Maria asks.  Kimberly scoffs and shakes her head.

“No, I wouldn’t know the first thing about church.  I just needed some advice from dad and since I knew Marie always came here for confession I thought why not do the same?  I’m probably going to hell for that, aren’t I?”

“Hardly.” Sister Maria says, shaking her head. “You lied, perhaps repenting for lying but that’s a small little thing.”

“A small little thing?” Kimberly laughs out loud.  “If only you knew half of the things I’m guilty of, Sister.  I can come back  here week after week after week for confession...and I guess if I did actually become a Catholic like my sisters and my mom then I would have to...but it would do someone like me no good.”

“Now why would you say a thing like that, Kimberly?” Maria asks inquisitively.

“I’m far too gone, lady!” Kimberly exclaims. “And don’t give me the God is love and forgiveness line of crap because I don’t buy it.  I mean, Marie may have forgiven me but God?”

The Woman Scorned shakes her head. “I kinda doubt God would forgive everything I’ve done in the past.”

“You are wrong, Ms. Williams; forgiveness is always there.  You just have to ask.”

“Whatever.” Kimberly rolls her eyes. “I didn’t get much help from Dad anyway.”

“Dad?” Sister Maria is obviously confused by this.  Kimberly sighs.

“Father, the priest, whatever his name is.  Anyway, sorry I wasted your church’s time.  Later…” Kimberly starts to walk off but Sister Maria calls out after her.

“Kimberly, wait…” Williams stops “...if you didn’t come here for yourself, then why did you come here, if I may ask?”

“You really thought I was here for myself?  Fair assumption I guess.  But hell, I’ll tell you the real reason why.  I’m here to get advice on how to help the one person who bothered to help me, the one person who never gave up on me despite being too far gone; my sister Marie.  She’s gotten herself into trouble; at least I think she has.  I want to help her.”

“Marie?” The nun begins to look concerned. “What happened to Marie?”

“She’s gotten herself mixed up in some hippy cult.” Kimberly shrugs her shoulders. “Then again, some may consider you guys and this place a cult.  At this point, I don’t really know what to think.  It may be good for her.  My gut tells me that this is a scam.  Trust me, I know scams.”

“I see.” Sister Maria sighs deeply. Like Kimberly, she too is concerned about Marie. “All you can do is be there for her, comfort her, and let her know you will help her in any way she needs.”

“Yeah, that’s what the priest said.” Kimberly remarks flatly. “Look, I gotta go.”

Kimberly starts to walk off again, but this time Sister Maria grabs her by her arm and stops her. “Kimberly, I want you to listen to me for a moment before you go.”

“What is it?” Kimberly asks. “I am busy.”

“You really are a good person.”

“No I’m not.” She shakes her head.

“Yes, you are.  You came here for your sister.  You are thinking of others over yourself.  That is good.”

“I’m doing it because I owe her and because I love her.  Who wouldn’t do that for a family member?  Even the hardest of criminals would love their family and help their family.  And you say I’m good?” Kimberly scoffs. “Sister, I’ve murdered people.  I have blood on my soul.  I’m going to hell and there’s nothing that being on your church’s membership roll can do about it.”

Kimberly pulls away and storms off angrily.  She hopes that no one notices the tears forming in her eyes.  Meanwhile, Sister Maria stays back.  She lets Kimberly go this time but she smiles warmly as she watches her go.

“I agree, Kimberly.  And I will not give up on you, just as you will not give up on your sister.”

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On Camera

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“I don’t care!”

That’s the voice of none other than Kimberly Williams skipping around and chanting that same phrase over and over in a sing song voice.  She is wearing torn denim jeans, black boots, and a black t-shirt which reads “I Stole Ryan Watson’s Underwear”.

“I don’t care! I don’t care! I don’t care!” She stops and turns to face the camera.  Williams shrugs her shoulders. “I have Zero Fucks TO GIVE!”

Kimberly holds a hand over her mouth. “Oops!  Silly me, copyright infringement!  Sorry about that Ryan and Autumn!  I guess that’s two apologies I owe you now since, you know, I stole your underwear and all, but at least it is making you a profit!”

The Woman Scorned motions to her t-shirt. “These brand new t-shirts are available for purchase on the SCW website!  Ryan will get a nickel for every t-shirt purchased.  I get the rest of the profits because, you know, I actually had to touch the nasty lingerie!”  Kimberly waves her hand over her nose as if there is a bad smell.

“Does it bother you that I have no qualms about stealing your personal property?  Does it bother you that I don’t lose any sleep over putting staples or some other sharp object through your flesh?” Williams laughs nastily. “It shouldn’t bother you two little miscreants, because that’s what you two claim to be all about.  Zero Fucks To Give.  I have Zero Fucks to give either.”

The Woman Scorned shrugs her shoulders. “So there you go!  It shouldn’t bother you at all when Marie and I march into Apocalypse, whip your asses all over Baltimore, and take those championships just like I took your underwear!  But that shouldn’t bother you, should it?”

Kimberly shakes her head. “No, not you two!  Not the two fuck fuckity fuckers who don’t give a fuck about a fucking thing!  Fuck!  Can I say that?” She looks off camera as if looking for confirmation.  “I can?  Great!”

She turns back to face the camera. “See you claim that you don’t give any fucks and, quite honestly, I’m not sure I buy any of that crap.  But lets just say for argument sake that you actually don’t care.  You really don’t care?  You really don’t give a fuck about anything, even those tag team titles?”

Kimberly pats herself on the chest as a look of intensity passes across her face. “I have watched my sister succeed in this business, I have watched my mother succeed in this business, and I have been there along the way to help both of them.  I have had championship success before but it was few and far between.  Apocalypse is going to be MINE AND MARIE’S TIME!  OUR TIME TO SHINE!”

She points at the camera and then at herself. “You may not give any fucks but I do!  I damn sure give a fuck!  I care about going out to that ring and beating the holy hell out of both of you and taking those tag team championships so that Marie and I can prove that we really are the best tag team in SCW.  And it will be a chance for me to prove that I am more than just a crazy as hell staple gun slinging psycho.  I am a second generation wrestler with all the skills imaginable to be among the best, but because I am a second generation wrestler, I do have a sense of respect for this sport, even though it doesn’t always show.”

Williams points a finger at the camera. “You two? Not so much.  And maybe a little stabby, stabby violence will make you respect this business?  Maybe some bloodletting and destruction will make you respect this business?  Because I am ready, willing, and able to do whatever is necessary to win those tag team titles with Marie and make you respect this business in the process.  I am deadly when I want something and boy do I ever want those tag team championships.  And I will do whatever it takes to put you Ryan and you Autumn down like the dogs that you are!  And believe me when I say that I will do ANYTHING to accomplish the goal of taking away your SCW World Tag Team Championships.  And when the match has ended and Twin Magic is declared your NEW world tag team champions, then we will really find out how many fucks you two clowns actually give!”

Kimberly pinches her nose. “Only please do me a favor, ok?  Make sure those titles are cleaner than the underwear.  Please!”

Inner Peace: Part 3

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September 14th, 2019

Boston, Massachusetts

Off Camera

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A feeling unrest and unease has settled over the being of one Marie Annabelle Jones as she walks through the halls of The Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat.  These halls and corridors are so plain and ordinary.  So drab with literally no decorations to speak of lining these walls.  The floors are simple hardwood.  The Phoenix cannot help but take notice of the drastic contrast between the inside of this facility and the bright, upbeat happiness of the outside courtyard.  This doesn’t have the appearance the joyous hope-filled organization that Marie was introduced to when she toured the property with its leader Raul Alfaro.  Instead it has the appearance of the one organization that frightens Marie more than anything else…

...an insane asylum.

There is a history of mental illness within the Jones family.  Marie’s identical twin and tag team partner, Kimberly Williams, spent time in a mental ward.  Their mother, the matriarch of the Jones family Angelica Jones, also spent time in a mental hospital. Marie doesn’t want to suffer the same fate as them, she doesn’t want to believe that maybe she too needs mental help.  Yet it was just a couple of months ago when Marie attempted suicide.

Grief will do terrible things to people and her grief over the death of her husband Arthur Pond nearly drove her to ending her life.  So maybe, for her sake, she does need help?  Going to this place, this retreat, is a risk she is willing to take in order to get her mind off of her problems, to forget her grief, and hopefully refocus on her career.

She doesn’t like the idea of going to a session with anyone at all and sharing her problems; it sounds too much like the kind of mental asylum that Marie fears.  Raul Alfaro assured her that this was different and that they could help her.  So she will give it a chance, as soon as she drops her belongings off at her room.

The Phoenix eventually round a corner and spots a door with the numbers “2718”.  Jones checks a piece of paper with the same numbers written on it.  She sighs and walks towards the door and pushes it open, preparing to step into what will be her room for today at least.  That is another thing that bothers her; in order to receive the benefits of The Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat, she must spend at least one full twenty four hour period there.

Why?  For what purpose?

Upon pushing open the door and stepping inside she is pleased to find that the room is larger than expected with two large Queen size beds side by side.  Marie is great full to find that there is a large window that next to one of the beds.  The window overlooks the beautiful courtyard.  The Phoenix is grateful for at least some nice view while she’s here.  Still, two beds?  That’s odd, Jones thinks to herself as she walks further into the room and sets her bag on one of the Queen size beds.  Shortly after doing so she spots the reason why there are two beds.

She isn’t alone in this room.  Standing in the corner is a blonde haired beauty, about her age or a little older.  The Phoenix clears her throat to get the woman’s attention.  She turns around and smiles pleasantly at Marie, but it’s Marie who speaks first.

“Excuse me?”

“Good afternoon!” The woman seems to have a sickeningly sweet voice and seems to be very happy.  Her pleasant mood matches that of the joy that Marie witnessed outside on the courtyard. Still, who is she?  The woman approaches her and embraces her with a tight hug, which Marie finds unusual for a complete stranger to hug her like this.  “It’s so nice to meet you!”

“Yeah, same…” Marie says uneasily as they break the embrace “...but we just met; can we hold off on the hugging?”

“No!” She declares happily. “We got to get used to one another since we’re gonna be roomies!”

Jones wrinkles her brow out of confusion.  This was most definitely not something she had been planning for.  “Roomies?  Seriously?”

“Yup!” The woman nods her head enthusiastically. “Didn’t Mr. Alfaro tell you how this works sweetie?”

The Phoenix shakes her head as she pulls away from this stranger and walks back over to the bed.  She sits down on the edge of the bed and it isn’t long until she is joined by this strange woman who she only just found out is going to be her roommate for the duration of her stay at the retreat.

“All I was told was that I would spend one night here and that I would have to go to some kind of sessions…” she shakes her head “...I wasn’t told anything about a roommate or anything else for that matter.”

“Awwww now don’t be a sour puss!” She sets her head on Marie’s shoulder. “You’re gonna love having a roommate, because it’s me!”

The Phoenix gently pushes this woman away and stares at her incredulously.  She is in disbelief that this woman actually is thinking this way and acting in this way.  Where is she, the twilight zone?

“I’m sorry, but I don’t even know you.”

“Oh, silly me!” She smacks herself on the head. “I can be a ditz at times!”

She extends her hand, offering a handshake to Marie. “My name is Julianne, Julianne Brady.”

Jones stares at Julianne’s hand for just a few moments before looking back up at her and finally, for the first time, smiling. “This is a start.” Marie shakes her hand. “Nice to meet you, Juliannne.”

“That’s the spirit!” Julianne slaps her on the back. “No need to be so grouchy, eh?”

Marie sighs and rolls her eyes.  Perhaps Julianne is a little too happy for her own good?  It does get on Marie’s nerves.  But at the same time Marie also recognizes that she has been a little grouchier than usual, due in large part to the apprehension she feels about being here at this retreat.

“Maybe I have been in a little bit of a bad mood.” Marie offers. “I apologize for that.”

“No need to apologize.” Julianne insists, shaking her head. “You’re new here so I can understand the butterflies, the jitters, and all that.  I think it happened to almost all of us the first time.”

“Even you?” Marie asks.  The Phoenix finds it hard to believe that this woman who doesn’t even seem to know the meaning of the word negativity to have had a hard time adjusting to this place.  Yet she gets an answer when Julianne nods her head.

“Yep!”

“I find that hard to believe.” Marie states plainly. “You are just so...happy?”

“People do say that about me!” Julianne chuckles. “But believe it or not, I wasn’t always this upbeat.”

“What happened?  If you don’t mind me asking.” Marie asks.  Julianne smiles back at her and shakes her head.

“Not now, sweetie.  Maybe later but not now.  All you need to know is that I owe everything to the Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat.”

Jones is still curious about what brought Julianne here to the retreat.  She still finds it hard to believe that she, like Marie, was as upset and angry and needed help.  But it isn’t any of her business so she lets the issue rest, for now.

“Hopefully it can do just as much for me as it did for you.” Marie answers.

“Oh Raul Alfaro’s methods are proven!” Julianne states excitedly. “Whatever your problems are, the Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat will heal you spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.”

“I’m looking forward to it.  Speaking of which, when is this session supposed to begin?  Raul told me that there would be sessions in which we’d share our problems.”

“There are.” Julianne says smiling knowingly. “And it’s already started.”

“Really?”  Marie asks curiously. “Where?”

“Right here!” Julianne happily declares.  Once again Marie finds herself perplexed about the goings on at this retreat.  She cocks her head to one side and stares blankly at Julianne.

“Wait...what?”

“Did Mr. Raul Alfaro explain anything to you?” She giggles.  Marie shrugs her shoulders.

“Apparently not.”

“It’s ok, because your buddy Julianne is here to explain things!” The blonde winks playfully at Marie. “See, The Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat believes in one on one personal, individual relationships that heal our wounds.  Sure, you can throw money away at psychiatrists with fancy medical degrees but they’ll get you nowhere except maybe in a loony bin and who wants that?”

That mere statement causes Marie to shudder with fear.  She doesn’t want that at all.  She doesn’t want to end up in a mental hospital the way her mother and sister did.  Jones shakes her head as she continues to listen to Julianne.

“Friendship, Marie; friendship is what can heal our wounds.  And we all have wounds that need healing, even me.” She takes Marie’s hands and squeezes them tightly. “I hope we can be friends, Marie.”

Jones stares into the eyes of Julianne Brady.  She can sense the sincerity in the blonde haired beauty’s eyes and her voice.  Tears start to form in the eyes of Jones as she nods her head.

“Yeah, I’d like that too!”  Marie leans in and embraces the blonde in a tight hug.  After breaking the embrace Jones seems to have as big a smile on her face as the one Julianne has been sporting this entire time.

“Now Marie, sweetie, people come here to this retreat for healing.  So tell me, your friend, why do you need healing?  Tell me what hurts.” Julianne’s words are comforting as they break through Marie’s rough exterior.   Before Marie can speak up, Julianne places a hand upon her shoulder. “And please, start at the very beginning.  We are friends now, after all, and we need to get to know one another.”

“Right, sure.” Marie nods her head. “What do you want to know?”

“Tell me about your family?” Julianne asks. “Your mom and dad?  Brothers or sisters?”

“My family situation is…” Jones pauses as she tries to think of the appropriate language.  Finally she comes up with one. “...complicated.  I’m not sure you would understand.”

“Now Marie, we are friends.  Do friends keep secrets?  You can tell your friend anything.” Julianne insists.  “I won’t judge you.  I promise.”

Jones ponders this for just a moment before nodding her head. “Right.  I have sisters, two half sisters and an identical twin sister.”

“Two halves make a whole!” Julianne says with a laugh.  She stops immediately when she notices Marie not laughing. “Sorry…”

“Well, my mom gave up both me and my twin sister at birth.  But I was the lucky one who got a good home.  My sister ended up in a bad situation.”

“Did you two ever reunite?  Whatever happened to her?” Julianne asks.

“We did reunite.”

“Well that’s a wonderful thing!” Julianne states happily. “Truly wonderful!  And you reunited with your mom?”

“Yeah, I did.” Marie nods her head.

“See, Marie?  You need to start focusing on the positives.  You have so much to be thankful for, to be grateful for!  You truly are blessed, you just need to know how to recognize those blessings!”

A warm smile forms on Marie’s face. “Yeah, maybe I do.”

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September 15th, 2019

Boston, Massachusetts

Off Camera

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Normally the buzzing of her alarm would wake Marie up in the mornings, and while she did bring her alarm with her to the Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat for that very purpose, her roomate Julianne insisted that she ditch the alarm.  According to Julianne peace and tranquility was all part of the healing process and that Marie needed to forget about her busy, intense schedules.  She should just let her body relax and conserve energy.  Today is a Sunday and normally on a Sunday Marie would rush to Sunday morning mass at the nearest Catholic Church she could find and immediately begin a strict training regimen for whatever wrestling match she was booked for that week.  In this case, she would be going to mass and then preparing for a World Tag Team Championship Match with her twin sister Kimberly against Ryan Watson and Autumn Valentine.  Julianne suggested that instead of such a strict, regulated Sunday schedule, Marie should just “soak up the beauty of nature.”

All of this is about healing spiritually and emotionally.  And while the idea “soaking up the beauty of nature” sounds somewhat like a crazy hippy notion to her, the idea of at least relaxing a little instead of being so focused and so tense all of the time is definitely worth trying.  Thus it doesn’t really bother Marie when she wakes up and looks at her clock, noticing the time is eleven o’clock.  Eleven is when her church’s Sunday mass starts, so she knows she has already missed it.  It feels odd to miss such an important event in her spiritual life and yet, she also doesn’t feel guilty.  Does this make her a sinner?  In the eyes of the Church, yes.  Does Marie care?

Right now, the answer to that question is no.

Marie swings her legs over the side of her bed and stares at the other bed.  It appears as if Julianne is still there, fast asleep.  Julianne is completely covered by the covers and massive comforter.  Her head and entire body must be underneath as Marie can see nothing but the form of a human body covered up underneath.  Jones chuckles lightly, she can’t imagine how anyone can sleep underneath that massive, thick comforter.  It would be so hot.

Jones is careful to quietly stand up, trying not to disturb her new friend and roomate.  But then just as she stands up the comforter and covers fly off of the bed and Marie spots her identical twin sister Kimberly Williams staring at her with an insane grin on her face.

“PEEK-A-BOO!” Kimberly points a long slender finger at Marie. “I SEE YOU!!!!”

“Kim?!” Marie exclaims loudly.  She is startled to see her here; then again, she shouldn’t be startled to see Kimberly do anything wild or unusual like this.  “What on earth are you doing here?!”

“Oh come on now!  Can’t a girl stalk her twin sister anymore?” Kimberly leaps out of bed and embraces her in a tight hug.  Marie shoves her off.

“Get off me!”

“Oh, what’s wrong?” Kimberly asks coyly. “You act like I’m gonna kidnap you, tie you in a basement, and replace you or something!”

“In case you forgot, you actually DID that to me once.” Marie states, placing her hands on her  hips and glaring angrily at her twin sister.

“Oh yeah!  I forgot!  That was back when I was all evil and shit but then you turned me back to the light side of the force!  You turned me into a Jedi again!”

“Star Wars references, Kim?  Really?”

“Why not?” Kimberly asks. “Abi makes Batman references all the time!”

“You’re not Abi.” Marie states plainly.

“This is true.” Kimberly answers, nodding her head.  Marie sighs out of frustration and points towards the door.

“You need to get out of here, Kim.” Marie tells her twin angrily. “I don’t think the people here at the retreat would be very pleased knowing you broke in.”

“I didn’t break in.” Kimberly insists. “They let me in.  And I’m pretty sure I’m welcome here any time I damn well please.  At least that’s what that nice used car salesman Raul told me.”

“Raul?” Marie gasps in shock then in embarrassment, curious as to what her sister said to him. “You spoke to Raul?!”

“Of course!  He thought I was you, but then again, everyone here thought I was you.” She winks playfully at Marie. “That’s what made it so easy to get inside.”

“Oh God…” Marie’s voice trails off as she walks back over and sits down on the edge of the bed.  She buries her face in her hands out of humiliation.  She cannot believe Kimberly did this.  Kimberly smirks as she walks over and sits down on the bed next to Marie.  She wraps an arm around her shoulder.

“Don’t be upset, sis!  You should’ve known that a crazy loon like me would’ve tried something like this!”

“You’re right.” Marie answers, looking up at Kimberly and staring deep into her eyes, demanding answers.  “What I really want to know is how you found out about this place?  I only told one person about Inner Peace Enlightenment.”

“Yep,” Kimberly nods her head with a knowing smirk on her face “and who do you think was the snitch?”

“Crap!” Marie exclaims, rolling her eyes. “I guess I can’t trust our mother to keep any secrets anymore.”

“Oh don’t blame her.” Kimberly tells her. “The truth is, once again I impersonated you and during our conversation she mentioned this little hippy commune.”

“It’s not a hippy…” Marie stops, her voice fades off as she ponders what Kimberly just told her “...wait, you managed to convince our mother that you were me?”

“Yep!” Kimberly states proudly.  Marie, despite the situation, can’t help but be impressed.

“Wow, you’re real good at that.”

“Thanks!” Kimberly embraces Marie in another tight hug.  Marie gently shoves her off though and shakes her head.

“It still doesn’t excuse your actions this morning.  You broke in…”

“Snuck in.” Kimberly corrects her.  Marie rolls her eyes.

“Whatever.  You snuck into a place that you don’t belong.  You invaded my privacy, Kim!  Does that mean anything to you?!”

“Privacy, is that what you’re all upset about?” Kimberly cackles. “It’s cute that you think privacy means a damn thing when it comes to family.  Maybe I should turn the tables?  Instead of me telling you what I’m doing here, how about you tell me what brings you to a dump like this?”

“It is not a dump.” Marie states pointedly. “And why I’m here is none of your business.”

“Is that how it’s going to be?” Kimberly asks.  Marie nods her head.  Kimberly sighs. “You tried to kill yourself, then you joined this hippy cult and didn’t tell anyone; you’re starting to worry people.”

“This isn’t a hippy cult.” Marie insists. “They are nice people.  And I’m fine.  I don’t need your help.”

“Don’t play that card with me, Marie.  I tried that when I needed help but you told me we were sisters and we helped each other.  So I’m here to help you.  Besides, we’re fighting for the SCW World Tag Team Championships against one fuck to give…”

“That’s Zero Fucks To Give.”

“Does it matter?  Point is I need my sister back and preferably in a competent state of mind.” Kimberly winks knowingly. “I don’t think I can escape this place dragging your limp body behind me after I’ve drugged you.”

Marie furrows her brow, staring at Kimberly. “You wouldn’t drug me…”

“I came prepared.” She reaches into her pocket and produces a syringe. “Go ahead, make my millennium, BWAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“Beetlejuice reference.” Marie observes. “That’s better.”

Kimberly puts the syringe down and takes her sister by the hands. “Look Marie, you know I’m the last person to judge anyone.  If you want to hang out with these clowns go right ahead.  But you are worrying me.  You are a perfect little Catholic girl, but you missed mass for these people.  Wrestling is your whole life and you missed our training session today.  Now I’m not one of those weirdos who obsess over championships, but I do obsess over my sister’s well-being and right now I question your well being.”

The Phoenix stares into her sister’s eyes and notices the sincerity.  Marie smiles and then embraces her in a tight hug. “You’re right.  I’m sorry for scaring you, Kim.”

“It’s ok, babe.  Don’t sweat it.” The Woman Scorned points towards the door. “Now lets beat it before people discover two of you running around, ok?”