A sequel to A Different Kind of Game.
Getting Ready for a Car Crash
The story takes place right after WM29.
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Getting Ready for a Car Crash – 10
Walking in to a quiet house reminded me I hadn't talked to Joe today. When I lost him, it took me a few weeks to get used to not having him in my life, but since he came back, all I wanted was for him to be around. Steph was in the living room with her laptop, in her sweats, smiling when she noticed me. I kissed her and sat next to her on the couch as I removed my tie.
"Oh honey, it's so cute how much you hate ties." She laughed.
"I don't know how I got from Jeans and leather jackets to this crap." I complained.
"It's my dad's fault, really." She smiled as she traveled her soft hand along my arm and ended on my cheek. "How was your day? Are you hungry?"
"I ate dinner with Vince. This day was brutal."
"I figured. I talked to Joe earlier and when he said you haven't called him today, I knew you must've been really busy."
My heart broke thinking about him lying in bed all day waiting for me to call. I got up and walked over to the window as I got rid of the annoying grey jacket.
"Honey?" Steph nearly whispered in concerned.
"What if we can't find a donor in time? What if he…" I couldn't even say that word.
"We just have to believe." She whispered as she held my hand. "All we have is faith and we need to hold on to it."
"I wanted to call him today." I confessed as I turned to look at her. "But I was afraid he'd hear it in my voice. I mean if I'm scared for his life where will he get the strength he needs to pull through?"
"It's okay to be afraid, honey."
"We have to find a match for him. We have to find someone that can help him get better. I just don't know where I'm going to get more people to take the test."
"I'll take the test, daddy." I suddenly heard the sweet voice of my daughter. Murphy was standing at the bottom of the staircase in her PJ's.
"Murphy, why are you up so late?"
"I couldn't sleep and you weren't in your room." She answered in a sleepy voice.
"Come here, baby."
I sat my little baby on my lap and looked into her tired eyes. "Can I take the test and help Uncle Joe?"
"No, baby, I'm afraid you're too young."
"Can we go see Uncle Joe tomorrow? I want to tell him I'm too young and I can't take the test."
"He knows, sweetie, but we can go see him if you want."
"Can I sleep with you tonight? I had a bad dream."
"Of course you can. What was your bad dream about?"
"I dreamed you were crying, daddy, and mommy too."
"You did?" I hugged her. "Well we are not crying, you see?"
"I still want to sleep with you and mommy."
I smiled and then looked at Steph's loving eyes. "Come, on Murphy, let's go to bed and wait for daddy."
As I watched them go upstairs, I took my phone out and checked the time. If I knew him even half as much as I thought, he'd still be awake. Texting him, I went to the kitchen to have some water.
The reply didn't take long as I got a picture sent. It was me, lying on the mat inside the elimination chamber with Undertaker. I recognized it immediately.
That's a good one. I replied quickly. And I won!
Yes you did.
I won the title in that one, didn't I? I love that match.
Me too. It's my favorite chamber match.
You know it was my stupid idea, right? I just didn't think it would be such a devastating structure. I took one look at it the first time and I knew we were fucked.
I think the chamber is a brilliant idea.
That's because you weren't in it. I smiled to myself as I remembered the first chamber match when Rob almost killed me with the frog splash.
I waited a few moments for his reply, but it didn't come. I was still afraid to call him, afraid to expose my fears of losing him to that damn disease.
So how was your day? He finally asked.
Long. I replied. I'm sorry I didn't call you today.
It's okay, I know you're busy wearing a suit and tie.
I chuckled. He made fun of me, but I knew he was right. I hated every second I was in that suit and tie. How about I wear jeans and leather jacket on Saturday and bring the girls? We can go eat out and maybe go to the park.
Sure.
Okay, kid, I'm going to bed. Enjoy the rest of the match. Good night.
Night.
He was never a conversation guy, but he tried for me and I loved that about him. His brick wall was back on, but I knew that inside he was still the great guy I knew briefly before he left. Walking upstairs I thought about all the great things that could happen for him if he'd get over this disease and live.
As I walked into the bedroom and watched my beautiful girls playing, I hoped that one day Joe will get the chance to experience family. There was nothing in this world I wanted right now then to see him holding his own baby and having the life he always dreamed of.
The next few days went by fast. I was unable to see Joe because I was on the road with Raw and smackdown, but we talked. We talked in the morning, we talked at noon after his chemotherapy session and at night before he went to sleep. I guess it was good for me to be on the road because I knew facing him would be hard.
I got home on Thursday evening after I had made a trip to Florida. The performance center we were building was coming along nicely and the developmental system I renamed NXT was getting better and better every day. I had high hopes for everything down in Florida and hoped I could take Joe there one day and show him around. He was almost a part of it until everything blew up and I had to cancel the deal with Nike.
Walking in, I didn't understand why it was so quiet. I found Steph standing in the kitchen with Angie. "I'm home." I smiled.
The look on Steph's face suggested something was wrong. As I walked towards her, I noticed that Angie was smiling. "What's wrong?" I asked.
Steph smiled suddenly and when I reached her, I saw tears in her eyes. "What's going on? Where are the girls?"
"They are upstairs."
"Why are you crying?"
"Joe's doctor called." She said.
"And…?"
"They found a match."
"What?" My heart started racing. "Really?"
"Yes." She smiled as she hugged me. "And you'll never believe who."
"Tell me."
"It's Angie."
My jaw dropped as I looked at the smiling nanny. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"And are you…" I wanted to ask her if she was willing to go through with the whole procedures, but something stopped me.
The bright young woman we hired and turned out to be more than we ever dreamed she would be, smiled. "Of course I am. I didn't take a test for nothing. I read everything online and I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm more than happy to help."
"I have to tell Joe." I failed to control my emotions.
"You guys go, I'll stay with the girls." Angie smiled.
"Actually…" Steph said as she wrapped her arms around the young woman. "I think you should go with Paul."
"We can all go." Angie suggested.
"That's okay. I have a lot of work and I think Joe will probably be too emotional for the girls when he hears the good news."
"You're probably right, baby." I agreed.
"But tell him I'm very happy and I will see him tomorrow like I promised." She smiled as she put her arms around my waist and kissed me.
"You were going to see him tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Without me?"
"Are you jealous, honey?"
"I am just surprised."
"We've been talking every day and I promised him I'll come and see him when I have time. I have time tomorrow."
"He didn't say anything."
"Oh, honey, you and your constant thirst for knowledge." She laughed as she kissed me softly.
"You two better not be plotting against me. No surprise parties! You know I hate parties."
"You're Impossible. Go already."
On the way to Joe's house, Angie was really quiet. Usually she talked none stop about the girls and sharing all the stories from their day, but tonight she was different. "Is everything okay?" I asked fearing she would have a change of heart.
"Yes. Why?"
"You're very quiet."
"It's not every day that you have an opportunity to save someone's life."
"True."
"I just hope everything goes well and he recovers. I can see he means a lot to you guys."
"He does."
"The girls always mention him and especially the day he went sailing with you. It was special for them. Rory told me he answered all their questions about the sea and the fish. He means a lot to them."
"That day was special and I know they love him. They loved him since the first day they met him. We all did."
"I'm sure he's a great guy."
I parked the car and saw him through the window, looking at the sky. He noticed me right away and waved. Lorena opened the door and welcomed us in. My heart was racing as I tried to keep the tears inside. He stood up and we hugged.
"What are you doing here?" He asked and turned to say hi to Angie.
"Let's sit down." I offered as I saw the expression on his face change. "It's good news, don't look so gloomy."
"Good news?" He asked. "You're going to be champion again?"
I laughed as I sat next to him. "Not that kind of good news."
"So what's the good news?"
I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. "We found a match."
"A match for what?" He looked clueless.
"We found a donor."
The look on Lorena's face didn't help with me trying to be brave as the tears showed up in her eyes. A little smile started to form on his lips as he looked into my eyes. "You did?"
"Yes, we did. The doctor called earlier with the good news and I had to come here and tell you face to face. I don't know all the details, but I know he's probably going to talk to you about it tomorrow."
"Do you know who it is?"
"It's Angie."
Overwhelmed Joe looked at Angie in disbelief. "You?"
Angie smiled and nodded. "Yes. I took a test that day we took you to the hospital."
"Wow." He let out. "I don't know what to say…"
"You don't have to say anything really." She assured him. "I'm more than happy to help."
"And you agree to go through with this?"
"Sure. That's why I came." She smiled as she brushed her hand along his arm. "To let you know that I know what I need to do and I want to do it."
"Thank you." He smiled as he shook her hand.
"He's doesn't do emotions very well, so I'll translate that handshake for you." I chuckled. "He's grateful and he appreciates it very much."
"I know." She said. "I can see it in your eyes, don't worry." She winked.
"I do appreciate it. I'm just a little shocked."
Lorena suddenly walked out of the house and Joe's eyes followed her in concern. "I'll go talk to her." I offered right away and went after her.
She was crying as I closed the door behind me and made my way to her. I held her in my arms as she cried and couldn't control my own tears. "There's hope, Lorena. It's a good thing."
"I know." She said as she pulled away to wipe her tears. "I never thought that day will come."
"You have to have faith, girl." I smiled. "He needs us to believe."
"I know, but it's hard seeing him struggle every day with the treatments. Sometimes I can hear him cry at night and then of course I hear your name blasting from the TV and the crying stops. Every time it gets rough on him he watches one of your matches and he feels better. You give him strength, not me."
"We all give him strength. I know it's hard for him to show how he really feels, but he's not an ingrate. He appreciates everything you do for him, I know he does."
She suddenly smiled as she looked through the window. I turned to see what she was smiling about and saw Joe and Angie laughing. It felt weird to me, watching him with her. He seemed relaxed and comfortable as he laughed. The way she brushed her hand along his arm bothered me a little, but I smiled as Lorena looked at me.
"I like her."
"Oh, yeah, Angie is great."
"Who knows, maybe something will happen there."
"You think?" I tried to keep my jealousy hidden, but I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. I used to be the only one who made him laugh. Well, me and Murphy. My little angel always made him laugh.
"I honestly don't know. I just hope he finds someone. He deserves to love again."
"What time do you have to be at the hospital tomorrow? You want me to come with you?"
"No, it's fine. You're a very busy man, we'll be okay."
"You tell the doctor that money is no problem and that they should start the whole process as soon as Angie is ready. I don't want to waste any time. I just have to find someone to replace Angie for a little while."
"I can do that, if you want."
"That's a good idea. I'll talk to Steph tonight."
We walked back inside and Joe smiled at his sister. "You okay?" He asked as he gestured for her to sit next to him. Lorena smiled and sat down. "I'm good."
As he wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulder, he whispered something in her ear and she smiled.
"I've got to take a picture of you guys." I laughed at Joe's frowning face. "Maybe I don't have to do it now." I added and we all started laughing.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Angie asked Joe.
"I'll be here. Hopefully…"
"Stop your nonsense." I pointed at him. "Of course you'll be here."
As I kissed the top of his head and rested my forehead against his, I smiled. "Just a little longer, kid."
I wanted to tell him that I loved him. I wanted him to know how I felt at that moment as our foreheads were glued together. He meant the world to me and the thought of not looking into his eyes ever again scared me to death. Living my life without his jokes or his smart ass comments weren't an option I was even willing to consider.
I would walk through fire to save him, just like I'd do for my 4 girls. There was nothing in this life I wouldn't do for him. I cleaned his vomit and gave him baths, I fed him and took care of him and I will continue to do whatever he needs me to do. As I walked to the car with Angie and saw her looking back at the house, I knew this was probably another thing I'd have to do for him.
If I had to watch him fall in love and kiss someone else, I'd do it. If I have to watch him get married and have babies, I'd be there by his side. It will hurt me, as it does right now as I'm watching Angie smiling at him, but I will do it.
Driving home, I thought about how unfair I was to him, just by thinking all those thoughts. Yes, it kills me that I can't be with him and it kills me to know that one day he will say I love you to someone else, but what about him? I asked myself. What about him watching me with Steph and say I love you to her?
I was the most impossible situation I was ever in. We loved each other, we wanted to be with each other, but we both knew it would hurt so many people in the process and so we made a choice. It was better us hurting then others. 2 broken hearts are better than 4 broken hearts. Add my family, Steph's family, the company and the fans. So many people will suffer if I made a choice to walk away from everything and be with him.
"Joe is different, you know?" Angie suddenly brought me back to earth.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I said Joe is different." She repeated.
"Different how?"
"I can't put my finger on it, but he's not like anyone I have ever met. I mean he seems shy, but it's not really shyness. He seems threatening, but he's quiet and gentle. I don't know how to explain this, I was just surprised."
"The thing about Joe is that most of what he projects is really just a defense mechanism. The guy inside is entirely someone else."
"Defense mechanism from what?"
"People." I answered simply, knowing it would make no sense to her.
"Why would he be scared of people?"
"You look confused." I smiled. "He's not scared of people, he's been through a lot in his life and he built these walls to keep people out."
"It didn't keep you and Steph and the girls out."
"It's the questions he keeps out. As long as no one wants to talk about him and his life, he's cool with people. I haven't met anyone who didn't like him. He's a great guy. He's funny, he's smart, easy going and he gets along with everyone as long as they don't ask him about his life or his past. That's when you see what you see now. He just doesn't like to be exposed or vulnerable."
"So he doesn't talk to anyone about his past? He's not a criminal or anything?"
"No." I smiled. "He wasn't a criminal and we have talked about his past, but it took a lot of work… a lot of work." I laughed as I emphasized my point.
She smiled as she looked outside the window. Judging by her curiosity I realized something was going on inside her head.
"So… you seem to be a little curious about him."
She smiled and hesitated for a moment before she said. "There was something in his eyes. I just can't put my finger on it. I think I've seen him before."
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