Catch & Release

Every night before I go to bed, I thank God for giving me all he has. I talk about my job, financial worries, and the state my loved ones are in. Tonight however, I find myself talking about being fired. I talk about how much I'll miss being a Diva. Then I carefully turn myself (positioning my leg just right) and close my eyes. I can only hear the rain beating on the windows. I just need to relax and let the pressure fade away. Slowly my mind falls asleep, and my body follows.

"So Mickie. Tell us, what's it like to be unemployed?" The blinding white lights make way for two slim figures. Michelle and Layla.

"I-I'm not fired. Not yet. I haven't got the call." The two burst in retched laughter.

"But Mickie, you know you'll get the call."

"No. I won't!" I start shaking my head and soon I realize I'm awake and two nurses are checking my stats.

"Miss James, can we give you something to help you sleep?" No.

"Yes, that would be great." Not really.

"One second." And soon I'm asleep again. This time, it's Jeff that appears.

"Mickie. You know I love you. C'mon girl, we haven't even fucked yet."

"Jeff you're so disgusting go away!" I'm pushing him away and then he disappears. Then a black door opens. I look in and see Jeff and Matt snorting cocaine off a title belt. I slam the door and my eyes open to see that it's now 9:30 AM. As good a time to awake as ever.

"Are you okay?" Lillian is starring at me with astonished eyes.

"Yeah. I had a bad dream."

"I can tell." It would seem that staying in a hospital would be fun. No work, no stress, no Layla and Michelle. But this visit was over. They sent me home to relax with Candice and get on the fast track to recovery. Recovery. I never thought I would be injured like this. I always thought I would go down in flames in a brutal match up. Never did I believe I would be in a car accident that ended my career. But had it ruined everything? Only time would give me that answer... When we finally made it home, Butch greeted me at the door ever so affectionate. He had missed me terribly and I could tell. My answering machine was flashing red.

"You have five new messages."

"Damn." My finger without hesitation wanted to press the play back button, but my heart did not. I pressed it anyway, I was going to have to face the blinking light sooner or later.

"Hey Mickie, it's Matt I was just calling to see if you were okay. Call me back." So Matt's voice was on I did not care for but today it was seemingly alright to hear.

"Mickie, this is your Mom. Call me." Mom. There is someone I have not talked to in a really long time.

"Miss James, this Alissa Janis. I am calling on behalf of Stephanie McMahon. She is wishing you a quick recovery and would like for you to remain on staff." Thank God. No release for me. The waves of relief came swimming over me.

"Mickie, he it's Jeff. Call me I would love to take you to dinner." Bullshit.

"Hello Miss James, this is your mysterious admirer. I would absolutely love it if you call me back. My number is: 754-3672. Call me." Of all the things I had thought about while in the hospital this mystery was one I had not even rambled about. Who could this be? The bigger question was, why would Jeff still call? Why had Matt called? Out of the five messages I had received, only three of them really mattered. And with that, I walked into the living room and slept on the couch right up until the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"You sound really groggy. I'll be there in five minutes be ready."

"Who the hell-"

"It's me, Jeff?"

The call dropped and I felt like locked everything and hiding, but as fate would have it, five minutes isn't enough to do much of anything.