A new beginning chapter 26
*Sammy/Taker*
Where is she? Taker wondered after the fifth ring. The machine is going to pick up soon.
Sammy stared at the phone.
It's Mark. Sammy thought. I know it is. But I still haven't figured out how to apologize.
Pick up. Taker thought.
I should just let the machine get it and call him back later when I've figured it out.
Has she decided not to talk to me? Taker wondered. She has to know it's me.
No, he's expecting me to answer. Sammy thought picking up the phone.
"Hello." Sammy said.
"Hi." Taker replied relieved that she'd picked up.
"Mark before you say anything I need to apologize." Sammy said.
What for? Taker wondered. She didn't do anything.
"I never should have asked about the fire. It was none of my business." Sammy said quickly wanting to get it done and over with.
Why is she sorry? She apologized last time and I told her it wasn't a problem. Taker thought.
"Really Sammy you have nothing to be sorry for. I'm glad it's in the open between us." Taker said.
I only wish I could be that open. Sammy thought knowing she couldn't tell him her secret.
"So why weren't you on the show tonight?" Sammy asked hoping it wasn't the wrong thing to ask.
"I didn't have a match so Vince sent me home." Taker said still not believing it himself.
"Does he do that a lot?"
"No, never that I can recall until tonight. I thought he was setting Kane up and that's why he sent me home. But no one interfered in the match." Taker said
"No," Sammy thought. "Kane did great tonight."
"More than you know." Taker replied. "He's never used a lot of those moves before."
"Really?" Sammy said surprised
"No really. I didn't even know he knew them." Taker said.
"Wow." Sammy said quietly.
"So what about you?" Taker said. "Did the signing go well."
I wonder if she got the package yet. Taker thought.
"Yes it went well." Sammy said. "I want to thank you for your gift but you really shouldn't have."
"Why not." Taker asked.
"Because it was expensive. I really shouldn't accept it."
"Please accept it." Taker said hoping she would relent. "I want you to have it."
"I've never been on motorcycle before Mark. I don't know if I can do it." Sammy said sounding really unsure.
"Even if you can't I'll understand and I still want you to have it." Taker said surprised that she'd think riding was a condition of taking it.
"So what did you do tonight?" Sammy asked Taker.
"I watched the show and then called you. I would have called sooner but I wanted to see Kane's match and wanted to devote my whole attention to you when I did call." Taker said.
He wants to pay attention to me. That still amazes me. Sammy thought. Why is he even bothering with me? It's not like I'm pretty or even that smart.
"Why are you so quiet." Taker asked. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No I was just thinking." Sammy said running her hand down the front of the jacket she was still wearing.
"About what?" Taker asked trying to get to know her better.
"Nothing in particular." She said.
"Where did you learn to wrestle?" Sammy said trying to quickly change the subject away from her.
"I learned in a school called the dungeon." Taker said. "Rather fitting name too." he continued.
"I went to another federation first when I got moved up through the ranks." Taker said. "But after a little while they let me go. Said I was never going to make it in wrestling."
"Wow were they wrong." Sammy said.
"I'd like to think so." Taker said.
He's just being modest. I've seen all the fans he has they always have lots of signs for him. Sammy thought.
"I miss you." Taker said surprising even himself.
How can he miss me we saw each other day before yesterday?
"What do you do in your spare time Mark?" She asked.
"Truthfully I do a lot of reading. Most things are closed by the end of the show and I'm too wired to sleep yet. So I read." Taker said.
"What kind of books do you like?"
"Almost anything fantasy, mystery, horror." Taker listed off. "I think I'm finding a new appreciation for young adult reading too thanks to a certain author I know."
He's got to be kidding tell me he's not reading my books. Sammy thought.
"Really but you have much better things to do with your time than read my books." Sammy said.
"What would that be?" Taker asked. "Why wouldn't I read your books?"
Because they are kid's books and because my writing isn't that good. Sammy said to herself.
"I just didn't think you would." Sammy said almost too quietly for Taker to hear.
"J.J. loves them." Taker said. "And so far so do I."
He's got to be kidding me. Sammy thought. He's just being nice.
"Who's your favorite author?" Sammy asked Taker.
"Beside you? Tolkien" Taker said
Now I know he's just being nice. He probably just wants to be friends so he's being kind. Sammy thought. Especially if he reads Tolkien on a regular basis my books are nothing.
Why is she so quiet and why won't she talk about herself. Every time I try to get her to open up and talk about something in her life she clams right up. Taker thought.
"Who do you like to read?" Taker asked.
"Oh I'm pretty much like you. I read most anything when I have the time." Sammy said.
I bet she spends all her time working and not doing a damn thing for herself. Taker thought beginning to know her as a person.
"What movie is your favorite?" Taker asked her.
"I love the tear jerkers." Sammy said. "Like most women."
"But which is your favorite."
"Good will hunting." She said after a few minutes.
"I like that one too." Taker said.
"I'm a huge Robin Williams fan." Sammy admitted. "I've seen every film he's ever been in, I love most of them."
"Yeah he's a great actor and comedian." Taker agreed.
"What's your favorite Robin movie? Beside good will hunting." Sammy asked.
"You'll laugh." Taker said.
"No I won't." Sammy said.
"Mrs. Doubtfire." Taker said. "It made me laugh so hard."
I don't believe it. Sammy thought. I can't picture him watching something like that.
"Really." Sammy said.
"Yeah, I was stuck out with injury and it was on so I watched it. I've never laughed so hard in my life." Taker said. "I thought it would be stupid to tell you the truth. But there wasn't much on so I watched."
"What's your favorite Robin movie besides 'good will hunting'?" Taker asked.
"Well it's got to be a tie. 'the fisher king' and 'august rush'." Sammy said.
"I've never seen those. We'll have to watch them together some time." Taker said.
They talked more about movies for a while. Then more about tonight show before long it was late into the night.
"I have to go again Mark." Sammy said. Knowing she was well past time to take her meds.
"Sure." Taker said reluctantly.
"When can we talk again?" Taker asked, deciding to let her set the pace.
"How about in a couple of days." Sammy said.
I want to give him time to himself. With his schedule he probably needs it.
"Ok," Taker said trying not to sound too disappointed. "Friday?"
"Don't you have a show on Friday nights." Sammy said.
"Yes, but we managed to talk tonight after a show." Taker said wanting to tell her she was important.
"If you're sure you won't be too tired." Sammy said.
"I'll be fine. But you call if you need anything." Taker said hoping she would call him sooner.
"Sure." Sammy said knowing she wouldn't.
*Slaughter*
I can't believe I lost. Sgt. Slaughter thought pacing the floor in his hotel. And to the camel clutch no less. I didn't even know he could do that.
I've never seen him use any submission move much less the camel clutch. He thought still amazed at tonight's turn of events.
Vince is not going to be happy. He was counting on me beating him.
*Vince*
What do I have to do to make him lose? I gave Sgt. Slaughter the tapes to almost every Kane match. How could he have lost? He scouted him for days.
Where did Kane learn those moves? I didn't think he had any submissions moves in his arsenal. Vince thought getting angry.
He can't keep this up someone has to be able to beat him. Vince thought getting even more angry.
*Kane/J.J.*
"So spill." J.J. said walking into Kane's locker room. "Where did you learn to do that? You really shocked Sgt. Slaughter tonight."
"I learned along the way. You'd be surprised what you can learn watching and having holds put on you." Kane said. "Back when I was with father before I came here I was taught by another wrestler. He told me to learn every hold I could that only in knowing them can you escape them."
"Well that makes a lot of sense but why use them tonight. Why not before?" J.J. said.
"Because I knew Sgt. Slaughter knew my moves. We've fought so many times. I thought I would throw him off his game." Kane said.
"Well it definitely worked." J.J. said smiling as she walked into his arms.
J.J. showered and they headed back to the hotel.
*Sammy*
I wonder how long he'll try to stick around. Sammy thought. Oh who am I kidding he won't stay they never do.
Getting off the couch Sammy went back into the bedroom to her computer and began to write.
*Taker*
Why does she keep putting off talking to me? Is she not really interested? We seem to have so much in common aside from our jobs. She's got a job using her mind and I just use my fists. Taker thought wondering if she was still frightened of him.
Does she think I'll hurt her? Taker wondered. I never could. I really like her.
*Jerico*
I want my rematch. Jerico thought seeing Sgt. Slaughter lose to Kane. I know I can beat him. Even if he is pulling new moves. I can counter any move out there.
Tomorrow I call Vince and demand my rematch. He has to give it to me it's in the contract. Jerico thought.
*Kane/J.J.*
"Well we eating in or out?" J.J. asked as they got to the renta.
"In." Kane said wanting some alone time with J.J.
"Sure hun." J.J. said looking at her husband.
Something is still bothering him. J.J. thought with surprise.
Maybe I should try to talk to him about the other day when he had that dream. J.J. thought. He seemed really upset afterwards and still doesn't seem right.