Chapter 2
Friendships
Jake and Traci had been home for a few days. Jake was actually staring to feel a little better. He still felt like crap but it was better. Traci was down stairs going over bills while Jake was in bed resting. The phone started to ring. Jake checked the caller ID because he really didn't want to talk to anybody until he was sure of when he would be back. The facial injuries he could wear a protective mask for but the concussion was the real issue. Last thing Jake wanted to do was become a vegetable when he got older.
Looking at the caller ID he saw it said private meaning it was some dirt sheet writer trying to get a scope. Sure enough the phone stooped ringing and the left a message it was "so and so" from "such and such." Jake was going to answer back to CM Punk when he was ready. Some one knocked on the door; Jake looked up and saw AJ standing there.
"Hey Jake, how you are feeling?" AJ asks. "Like I got driven face first though a table crashing into a cornet floor," Jake says. "Ok I see the bump hasn't affected your since of humor. Sadly," AJ says. "Well you asked a stupid question. How do I feel," Jake says almost laughing. "It's what people ask when they care about someone," AJ says. "No it's what people say when they have no idea what to say," Jake says.
"Remind me why I'm friends with you," AJ says. "I was a good cook when we first meet and you were living alone and some how burned water," Jake says. "Well why did we stay friends after I got married?" AJ asks. "How the hell should I know," Jake says. "You know Christopher, Rhino, and I are going to make Punk pay for what he did to you," AJ says turning serious. "Yeah I know but be careful the guy is dangerous," Jake says. "Don't worry about it man. But I'm going to make him pay," AJ says with a lot of determination.
CM Punk was working out in the old Steel Domain wrestling school. He was in the ring with a student getting ready to run the gauntlet at impact he quickly hit the Pepsi Plunge and beat the kid. "Does Jim Cornett know who I am," He yelled out loud. "I've gone over 90 minutes with Chris Hero. I've gone sixty with Joe twice and with Daniels once. I could run the Chicago marathon and still wrestle a no time limit match with Bryan Danielson," Punk yells.
"Hey Punk how about you call it a day," Colt says. "Call it day? What are you nuts do you think Reed is calling it a day?" Punk says. "I think Jake Reed is still trying to recover from what we did to him. I think beating up a bunch of kids that haven't had a time to sweat isn't helping," Colt says. "Hey dude I just want to be ready," Punk says.
"The day you not ready I'm looking out for falling pig shit because there are flying," Colt says. "Yeah I'm ready because I work out all the time," Punk says. "Working out is one thing this is obsessing," Colt says. "Get off my back," Punk says as he looks for his next victim. Colt takes his arm to pull him back to face him. "Phil come on," Colt says. "Don't call me that," Punk says pulling away. "Why that's your name," Colt says.
"Just don't call me that. Besides no one has called me that in years," Punk says. "Yeah the last person was Traci," Colt says. "Shut up Colt!" Punk yells before walking off. Ace climbs in the ring. "Why?" He asks. "Because you know that if Traci weren't with Jake Reed than he would be going about this different," Colt says.
Dixie Carter was walking toward Cornett's office. Just before she walks in she sees Scott D'Amore and Christian Cage run out with there "tail tucked between there legs." "What was that about?" Dixie asks. "Oh those two idiots are convinced that Jake will have to forfeit the title and came in here to make the case of Christian should just be awarded the title," Jim says.
"Well are there any updates on Jake?" Dixie asks. "Well he's home and says he wants to go to his own doctor before making any decisions," Jim says. "Sounds like he is being smart, but we do need to know if he will be able to wrestle. I mean he is our world champion," Dixie says. "Yeah trust me if Jake Reed is able he will wrestle," Jim says.
Jake and Traci were in the kitchen. "So any dizziness?" Traci asks. "No I'm fine but I won't be going sky diving any time soon," Jake says. "Well the doctor said you could be back in the ring in time for the next PPV. But he didn't say you should be," Traci says. "Yeah but I have thirty days or else I forfeit the NWA title," Jake says. "Well with everything you went thought to win and now keep it I can't blame you for not wanting to give it up," Traci says.
"Besides if I forfeit the belt it might wind up on Christian or some other jackass hell Punk may even get it," Jake says. "You could always win it back," Traci says. "Yeah but I think Punk wants to fight me no matter what but why risk it," Jake says. "So do you have the face guard?" Traci asks. "Corino has a friend that is express shipping it to me," Jake says.
"Well let's just forget about everything right now. Let's just enjoy tonight," Traci says with a smile. "Sounds good to me," Jake says as they kiss.
CM Punk walked into his apartment. He was still pissed off about what Colt said. "The idiot jokes around his whole life. Than today of all days he gets serious," Punk said out loud as he took a Pepsi from the refrigerator. "First Ace now Colt. I swear of Prazak or Ian says anything I am punching them in the face.
He picks up his up his mail looking for a letter opener he goes to open a drawer that sticks. He gives it big pull and the drawer winds up coming all the way out the contents spill out on the floor. "Son of bitch," Punk says as he shoves the drawer back in its spot and goes to pick up the contents. He puts everything back in until he comes to an envelope with a bunch old pictures in it. He puts the envelope aside.
He puts everything else away and than looks sits at the kitchen table and looks at the pictures. The are old ones of he and Colt. A shot of him Ace and Colt. One of him and Joe after there second draw. And he gets to the one of Traci and him together. He looks at in longer than all the others.
Soon he puts the other away but just leaves the one of Traci on the table. He keeps looking at it, before realizing what he is doing and quickly stuffs the photo in the drawer. He turns to leave the room before turning around opening the drawer and putting the picture of he and Traci back in the envelope to make sure it won't get damaged.