78: Atlanta, written by Dana, and is in Danny's POV. Any questions?
I decided not to go after my mother. I had a feeling she needed to be alone. I wiped away the tears that were starting to fall. What had I done? I wondered. I was hoping reuniting my parents would be a good thing. I hadn't expected mom to slap dad in the face. I guess after everyone else's reaction to finding out maybe I should have known.
I didn't want to go back into the room right away. I knew they would yell at me. I deserved to be yelled at but I wasn't ready for it. But then again if I just stood here that could attract attention. Oh I don't know what to do!
I stood there just staring at the elevator door. My mother hates me. Or at least I think she does. She didn't say anything directly to me about how she felt about me not telling her. But if her reaction to dad was any clue then she does. What a mess.
I walked back into dad's hotel room feeling a bit worried. Would he yell at me for bringing mom there without his permission? I know he wouldn't have given me permission even if I had asked.
It was a bit calmer then I thought it would be. I had thought there would be yelling or screaming. But no it was rather peaceful. Dad was hugging David and David who didn't do it often was crying. But would I have expected anything else? Tatem was looking at me strangely. I was pretty sure I knew why. Megan and Uncle Ric were standing off to the side.
After giving Tatem a hug, dad turned to face me. "I told you I didn't want to see anyone else." He looked angry. But then again, so did Tatem. David looked really confused. I nodded solemnly.
"We thought it would only be right for you to see Nancy, Tatem, and David again." Uncle Ric said.
"Was this your idea Ric?" Dad asked turning to face him.
"No it was mine." Megan answered. "I agree with Ric. It was only right."
Now it was Tatem's turn to talk. "Just how long have you guys known about this?"
"Me a week. Danny and Ric I don't know." Megan answered.
"Almost three months." I answered. Tatem sighed. "I would have told you guys if I could."
Dad sat heavily down on the bed. "This isn't how I wanted to see you guys again. But I guess it as going to happen eventually. You all look great." He gave us a weak smile. I could see the tears in his eyes. "I understand I'm a grandpa."
"Yeah. I have two boys Nick and Kelly." He took out his wallet. "Kelly's seven and Nick's four. That's my wife Sally."
Tatem stepped forward. "And I have a five year old girl named Misha." She handed him the picture.
"They all beautiful children." Dad said looking like he was going to cry again. "I am sorry I wasn't around to see you all grow up."
"Maybe I'll bring Nick and Kelly here for you to meet. How long are going to be staying at this hotel?"
"Until the trial is over." Dad answered. "I have no idea how long it will go. It could be days or weeks. Maybe even months"
There was a knock on the door. Dad ducked into the bathroom, which seemed to be the custom around here. I looked through the peephole not really knowing whom to expect. Shit! It's Uncle Eddy. I wonder why he's knocking on this door and not the connecting door. I opened the door bracing myself for the explosion that was sure to come.
Eddy took two steps in I closed the door. Then Uncle Eddy exploded. "What are they all doing here?" He demanded turning to look at me. Why does he think it's me right away?
"They had a right to know Eddy." Uncle Ric said. He sort of put himself between Uncle Eddy and me. "They'd have found out at the trail anyway."
Uncle Eric looked around. Dad came back into the room. "I'm assuming you brought Nancy here too?" He asked looking at me again. I nodded. He started cursing. "Danny I need to talk to you."
"Eddy it was my idea." Megan said. "I thought dad and Nancy should see each other again. Don't be mad at Danny."
I was stunned. My sister had changed so much in the past week or so. I liked the new Megan.
Eddy just nodded. "I need to talk to him about something else." He led me through two sets of connecting doors and even then he locked the door. "We are going to leave for San Antonio in a couple of days to pick up Austin. Eric thought you might want to come along."
"Sure." I said. Why not? It made me feel useful. "About my mom finding out..."
He looked as if to make sure the door was still closed. "Between you and me, I'm glad she did. Owen's going to see Martha and I'm glad neither of them will find out about it first from the papers. Though I do not look forward to Nancy finding out my involvement." He sighed. "I assume she didn't take the news well."
"No. She slapped dad." Uncle Eddy did not look shocked he just nodded. "I tried to talk to her but she left quickly. She hates dad for what he did. And she hates me too."
"I don't think she hates your dad. She probably was just shocked by it and didn't know how to react. If I remember correctly, when you found out you went right to my office. I'm not sure I want to know what would have happened if I wasn't picking up Shane and was in my office. It may have been better if I was but then again we wouldn't be gearing for Vince's trail. But this isn't how I imagined it would be." He had a wistful look in his eyes. I can't say I blame him. I'm sure no one imagined things would end up this way. "And I doubt very much that she hates you. She loves you. She's probably just like I said too shocked to really think."
I nodded. It made sense I guess. Or at least I hoped what he said was true.
"There's something else I wanted to talk to you about. I think it would be a good idea that you know before the trial. There's a theory I want to talk to you about. Have you ever heard of the Kliq?"
I shook my head. Clique? What kind of clique? I wondered.
"Well I have a theory that has been nicknamed the Kliq theory. The theory involves one of the worst groups of people backstage." He paused. "Well most were bad. There was only one exception and he wasn't involved in the later stuff. Anyway it was a group of seven men. They were: Shawn Michaels, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman, PJ Walker, and Louie Spicolli. They pretty much ran things backstage from 1995 to May of 1996. They held a lot of talent down including Shane Douglas. They did a lot of underhanded things too. The exception is Louie Spicolli. He was in the group because he was a friend of Waltman and Hall. Spicolli was fired in 1995 because he was considered a health risk. PJ was fired too but I forget why. Both remained friends with the Kliq. Louie was even getting a push in WCW because he was good friends with Nash and Hall."
He paused as if letting me absorb all that information. "I knew Louie Spicolli. In fact he was a friend of mine. We were in a group called Los Gringos Locos in Mexico when he wrestled as Madonna's Boyfriend. But back to the theory. Louie died in February of 1998. We know it wasn't a Vince crime. Then there was Rick Rude. He was a friend of Hunter and Shawn and this is where the theory applies most. Rick was in the WWF in 1997 as a member of Degeneration X but Vince had never signed him to a contract. Back then RAW was live every other week. He made history by being on both shows on the same night. Rick died in 1999 at his home in Atlanta less then a month before Owen 'died.' Under usual, for Vince, circumstances we'd think Vince's men had killed him but it wasn't so. That's where the theory comes into play. Friends of Shawn and Hunter are protected. Hall died a couple of years ago from kidney failure due to all of his drinking. But we are sure the rest of the group is still active and have been doing Vince's dirty work. With Shawn having confessed we are hoping that will clear things up better. Though the DA thinks Shawn will get out on bail. Which is kind of why I thought you should know. Just in case something does happen."
I left when he picked up the phone. Well he asked me to leave first. I found dad, Uncle Ric, David, Tatem and Megan sitting on the two beds talking. David moved over slightly so I could sit next to him.
I looked around the room. This is dad and Eddy's room. My room was a few floors up. I'm not quite sure why the rooms are that way but maybe it was a precautionary measure.
Dad smiled as I sat down. "I was just telling David and Tatem what happened."
"I want to kill Hunter and Vince myself." David said pounding his fist into his palm. David wasn't really the violent type so I was sort of surprised by his reaction. But I guess finding out three people tried to kill your father would bring that out in a person. Probably why mom slapped dad in the face. "I guess what Nancy's been saying is true."
Dad nodded. "Yeah well I didn't know Daniel was training to be a wrestler until he showed up at the place I was living at. I was so shocked to see him standing there I fainted." Tatem, David, Megan and Uncle Ric all grinned. Uncle Ric was probably thinking of Bret's reaction to finding out Owen was alive. "I don't think I would have agreed to it either. Not after what Vince, Stephanie, and Hunter did. But I saw him wrestle. Not bad for someone still training." I was happy to hear my dad say that. It meant a lot to me.
There was another knock on the door. Dad went into the bathroom. I looked through the peephole but didn't see anything. I felt a little nervous about this. We were probably hearing things. "It's okay." I said and dad walked back into the room looking uneasy. I know why. We were all worried someone would find out Owen and dad were alive and tell Vince and group. I sighed wondering if this was such a great idea being at this hotel. And now that I heard about this Kliq theory I feel even more uncomfortable. Eddy was worried they would do something, but to whom?
I needed some fresh air so I stepped out into the hall and headed up to my room. I thought dad should spend some time with the others for a little bit before I gave Tatem a ride home. I decided to call Athena. She was going to be reuniting her parents today. I wonder how that had gone. Hopefully better then mine! After a couple of rings Athena answered. "Hello?"
"It's me Danny."
"Hey. How's your family reunion going?"
"Not well at all. My mom slapped my dad in the face and left. Tatem and David are taking it well I think. How's yours?" I asked. I was hoping hers was going better then mine. Well I don't think it could go worse.
"Great. My mom was so glad to see dad." I felt tears start to slide down my face. Hers was going so well at least her mother was happy to see Owen. I wish I could say the same about mine. But maybe I should have known since mom did remarry and her mother didn't. "Danny I'm sorry yours went badly."
"Thanks." I wiped away the tears. I'm sure she could tell I was crying. "Enjoy the family reunion. I've got to go." I hung up. I just lay back on my bed with a sigh. What else could possibly go wrong?
I decided not to go after my mother. I had a feeling she needed to be alone. I wiped away the tears that were starting to fall. What had I done? I wondered. I was hoping reuniting my parents would be a good thing. I hadn't expected mom to slap dad in the face. I guess after everyone else's reaction to finding out maybe I should have known.
I didn't want to go back into the room right away. I knew they would yell at me. I deserved to be yelled at but I wasn't ready for it. But then again if I just stood here that could attract attention. Oh I don't know what to do!
I stood there just staring at the elevator door. My mother hates me. Or at least I think she does. She didn't say anything directly to me about how she felt about me not telling her. But if her reaction to dad was any clue then she does. What a mess.
I walked back into dad's hotel room feeling a bit worried. Would he yell at me for bringing mom there without his permission? I know he wouldn't have given me permission even if I had asked.
It was a bit calmer then I thought it would be. I had thought there would be yelling or screaming. But no it was rather peaceful. Dad was hugging David and David who didn't do it often was crying. But would I have expected anything else? Tatem was looking at me strangely. I was pretty sure I knew why. Megan and Uncle Ric were standing off to the side.
After giving Tatem a hug, dad turned to face me. "I told you I didn't want to see anyone else." He looked angry. But then again, so did Tatem. David looked really confused. I nodded solemnly.
"We thought it would only be right for you to see Nancy, Tatem, and David again." Uncle Ric said.
"Was this your idea Ric?" Dad asked turning to face him.
"No it was mine." Megan answered. "I agree with Ric. It was only right."
Now it was Tatem's turn to talk. "Just how long have you guys known about this?"
"Me a week. Danny and Ric I don't know." Megan answered.
"Almost three months." I answered. Tatem sighed. "I would have told you guys if I could."
Dad sat heavily down on the bed. "This isn't how I wanted to see you guys again. But I guess it as going to happen eventually. You all look great." He gave us a weak smile. I could see the tears in his eyes. "I understand I'm a grandpa."
"Yeah. I have two boys Nick and Kelly." He took out his wallet. "Kelly's seven and Nick's four. That's my wife Sally."
Tatem stepped forward. "And I have a five year old girl named Misha." She handed him the picture.
"They all beautiful children." Dad said looking like he was going to cry again. "I am sorry I wasn't around to see you all grow up."
"Maybe I'll bring Nick and Kelly here for you to meet. How long are going to be staying at this hotel?"
"Until the trial is over." Dad answered. "I have no idea how long it will go. It could be days or weeks. Maybe even months"
There was a knock on the door. Dad ducked into the bathroom, which seemed to be the custom around here. I looked through the peephole not really knowing whom to expect. Shit! It's Uncle Eddy. I wonder why he's knocking on this door and not the connecting door. I opened the door bracing myself for the explosion that was sure to come.
Eddy took two steps in I closed the door. Then Uncle Eddy exploded. "What are they all doing here?" He demanded turning to look at me. Why does he think it's me right away?
"They had a right to know Eddy." Uncle Ric said. He sort of put himself between Uncle Eddy and me. "They'd have found out at the trail anyway."
Uncle Eric looked around. Dad came back into the room. "I'm assuming you brought Nancy here too?" He asked looking at me again. I nodded. He started cursing. "Danny I need to talk to you."
"Eddy it was my idea." Megan said. "I thought dad and Nancy should see each other again. Don't be mad at Danny."
I was stunned. My sister had changed so much in the past week or so. I liked the new Megan.
Eddy just nodded. "I need to talk to him about something else." He led me through two sets of connecting doors and even then he locked the door. "We are going to leave for San Antonio in a couple of days to pick up Austin. Eric thought you might want to come along."
"Sure." I said. Why not? It made me feel useful. "About my mom finding out..."
He looked as if to make sure the door was still closed. "Between you and me, I'm glad she did. Owen's going to see Martha and I'm glad neither of them will find out about it first from the papers. Though I do not look forward to Nancy finding out my involvement." He sighed. "I assume she didn't take the news well."
"No. She slapped dad." Uncle Eddy did not look shocked he just nodded. "I tried to talk to her but she left quickly. She hates dad for what he did. And she hates me too."
"I don't think she hates your dad. She probably was just shocked by it and didn't know how to react. If I remember correctly, when you found out you went right to my office. I'm not sure I want to know what would have happened if I wasn't picking up Shane and was in my office. It may have been better if I was but then again we wouldn't be gearing for Vince's trail. But this isn't how I imagined it would be." He had a wistful look in his eyes. I can't say I blame him. I'm sure no one imagined things would end up this way. "And I doubt very much that she hates you. She loves you. She's probably just like I said too shocked to really think."
I nodded. It made sense I guess. Or at least I hoped what he said was true.
"There's something else I wanted to talk to you about. I think it would be a good idea that you know before the trial. There's a theory I want to talk to you about. Have you ever heard of the Kliq?"
I shook my head. Clique? What kind of clique? I wondered.
"Well I have a theory that has been nicknamed the Kliq theory. The theory involves one of the worst groups of people backstage." He paused. "Well most were bad. There was only one exception and he wasn't involved in the later stuff. Anyway it was a group of seven men. They were: Shawn Michaels, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman, PJ Walker, and Louie Spicolli. They pretty much ran things backstage from 1995 to May of 1996. They held a lot of talent down including Shane Douglas. They did a lot of underhanded things too. The exception is Louie Spicolli. He was in the group because he was a friend of Waltman and Hall. Spicolli was fired in 1995 because he was considered a health risk. PJ was fired too but I forget why. Both remained friends with the Kliq. Louie was even getting a push in WCW because he was good friends with Nash and Hall."
He paused as if letting me absorb all that information. "I knew Louie Spicolli. In fact he was a friend of mine. We were in a group called Los Gringos Locos in Mexico when he wrestled as Madonna's Boyfriend. But back to the theory. Louie died in February of 1998. We know it wasn't a Vince crime. Then there was Rick Rude. He was a friend of Hunter and Shawn and this is where the theory applies most. Rick was in the WWF in 1997 as a member of Degeneration X but Vince had never signed him to a contract. Back then RAW was live every other week. He made history by being on both shows on the same night. Rick died in 1999 at his home in Atlanta less then a month before Owen 'died.' Under usual, for Vince, circumstances we'd think Vince's men had killed him but it wasn't so. That's where the theory comes into play. Friends of Shawn and Hunter are protected. Hall died a couple of years ago from kidney failure due to all of his drinking. But we are sure the rest of the group is still active and have been doing Vince's dirty work. With Shawn having confessed we are hoping that will clear things up better. Though the DA thinks Shawn will get out on bail. Which is kind of why I thought you should know. Just in case something does happen."
I left when he picked up the phone. Well he asked me to leave first. I found dad, Uncle Ric, David, Tatem and Megan sitting on the two beds talking. David moved over slightly so I could sit next to him.
I looked around the room. This is dad and Eddy's room. My room was a few floors up. I'm not quite sure why the rooms are that way but maybe it was a precautionary measure.
Dad smiled as I sat down. "I was just telling David and Tatem what happened."
"I want to kill Hunter and Vince myself." David said pounding his fist into his palm. David wasn't really the violent type so I was sort of surprised by his reaction. But I guess finding out three people tried to kill your father would bring that out in a person. Probably why mom slapped dad in the face. "I guess what Nancy's been saying is true."
Dad nodded. "Yeah well I didn't know Daniel was training to be a wrestler until he showed up at the place I was living at. I was so shocked to see him standing there I fainted." Tatem, David, Megan and Uncle Ric all grinned. Uncle Ric was probably thinking of Bret's reaction to finding out Owen was alive. "I don't think I would have agreed to it either. Not after what Vince, Stephanie, and Hunter did. But I saw him wrestle. Not bad for someone still training." I was happy to hear my dad say that. It meant a lot to me.
There was another knock on the door. Dad went into the bathroom. I looked through the peephole but didn't see anything. I felt a little nervous about this. We were probably hearing things. "It's okay." I said and dad walked back into the room looking uneasy. I know why. We were all worried someone would find out Owen and dad were alive and tell Vince and group. I sighed wondering if this was such a great idea being at this hotel. And now that I heard about this Kliq theory I feel even more uncomfortable. Eddy was worried they would do something, but to whom?
I needed some fresh air so I stepped out into the hall and headed up to my room. I thought dad should spend some time with the others for a little bit before I gave Tatem a ride home. I decided to call Athena. She was going to be reuniting her parents today. I wonder how that had gone. Hopefully better then mine! After a couple of rings Athena answered. "Hello?"
"It's me Danny."
"Hey. How's your family reunion going?"
"Not well at all. My mom slapped my dad in the face and left. Tatem and David are taking it well I think. How's yours?" I asked. I was hoping hers was going better then mine. Well I don't think it could go worse.
"Great. My mom was so glad to see dad." I felt tears start to slide down my face. Hers was going so well at least her mother was happy to see Owen. I wish I could say the same about mine. But maybe I should have known since mom did remarry and her mother didn't. "Danny I'm sorry yours went badly."
"Thanks." I wiped away the tears. I'm sure she could tell I was crying. "Enjoy the family reunion. I've got to go." I hung up. I just lay back on my bed with a sigh. What else could possibly go wrong?