"That's great hun," my mom exclaimed as I showed her the badge I earned earlier this morning "I'm proud of you". The team and I decided to celebrate our victory with some fine dining. Which in this case meant TV dinners. Despite the freezer burned "meat" being less than satisfying, I decided to give my mother a call and let her know the progress I've made.
"Thanks," I replied with a slight smile. Its been a while since I've heard those words said to me. Being on the road has its ups and downs. A major issue would be the seeming lack of support. But the bright side is you get to see new places, assuming you don't lose too many battles. You do that and you wouldn't even have enough to eat let alone travel. Regardless my team and I had been experiencing a recent winning streak. Due to our fortune I expressed my happiness in a rather ecstatic matter.
"That's great dear, I'm glad to hear that you're seeing success as...a trainer."
"Yup!" I replied rather joyfully. Though I couldn't help but notice her hesitation. Knowing where our conversations usually end up I was hoping to avoid it this time.
"You know your friend from childhood? He just graduated high school, now he's off to some university across the sea."
"That's good, I wish him the best."
"Same here. I hear he even has a job lined up for him once he gets over there. So he'll have a stable income and everything. Maybe someday you'll have the same."
Oh boy here it goes yet again.
I chuckle, "Mom, I don't care if I stable income or not. My team and I can beat nearly anyone. And besides we aren't starving anytime soon."
She adorns a look of concern despite my accomplishments.
"Look don't worry okay? We're having a constant stream of wins right now. Life is good!"
"But what happens when you start losing dear?"
"Well we'll train, get stronger and earn our money back!"
She sighs, that look of concern still present.
"I just worry worry about you, I mean it was cute when you started all of this but you're grown now. Not many people become professionals for a reason. And even those that do have some sort of steady income because they understand it's nothing more than a hobby."
At this point my anger was boiling inside of me and I hung up despite her protest. She didn't know what she was talking about. This has been my life long dream and I'm living it right now!
I close my eyes, doing my best to let the anger subside. Instead streams of tears roll down my cheeks.
'What if she's right?'
A thought that has crossed my mind many times. Though I love traveling and training with my team, I can't help but wonder if I made the right choice.
As I sit there alone at the phone booth I suddenly I feel a nudging on my leg. I look down to see one of my team mates looking up at me with an apple in its mouth.
I smile at the sight, this little guy has helped me through a tight spot or two. Hell all of them have. And as I look towards them all, even as they continue to munch on the food purchased earlier, I feel a sense of pride. They are the reason I keep going, they are the reason I started my journey.
Wiping the tears from my face I follow my team mate to join the others. I sit down knowing that despite the opinions of others, I can do anything I wish. Especially with guys like this at my side.