A/N: I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff 3 days before his last match, and despite being obviously physically and mentally exhausted, he was a superstar. And on Sunday night at SummerSlam, he made every person in that arena, myself included, remember why it is we are wrestling fans.
We love you Jeff, and we will miss you more than you could ever know. Be well.
Disclaimer: I do not own Jeff Hardy .. he has proven time and time again that he is, and always will be, his own man.
Lyrics from "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris.
Find Your Wings
And if I never told you I want you to know
That as I watch you go
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings..
Even three days before, it had already started. They were approaching him in record numbers, all saying the same thing. "We'll miss you Jeff." "We love you Jeff." "Thank You, Jeff." Of course they knew, it had been speculated for months that his contract was up and despite the company's best attempts, he had chosen to walk. Still, every set of eyes that met with his, in every hand he shook, he could sense the same thing. Maybe they were wrong. Maybe, just maybe, he'd stay.
He stood at the top of the 20 foot ladder, his arms raised, his eyes scanning the crowd. Not a single seat was occupied, the entirety of the Staples Center on their feet cheering him on. Even those who wore shirts with two taped fists on the front, who had previously dubbed him the worst high-flyer in the industry, nothing but a screw up, "Meth Jeff", were now shouting his last name in unison. "Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!" His eyes stopped on a set of 3 signs that read "THANK YOU JEFF", he took a steadying breath, and jumped.
He paced around the ring, the microphone at his lips. Around him he could see kids crying, fans shaking their heads in disbelief, the start of a "Thank You Jeff" chant beginning to ripple through the crowd. He plugged his older brother, one of the only people that had ever stood by him throughout everything, and took one last bow, stating his final words. "Yours truly, Jeff Hardy. Ours truly, this life."
He didn't expect the range of emotions that came as he made his final walk up the entrance ramp. Relief, pain, exhaustion, sadness, excitement. He even got choked up as he lifted a final hand to the crowd before taking the planned shot from CM Punk to put him over.
And after the lights had gone up and the crowd had gone home, he walked back out to the arena in his street clothes, watching as the tech guys took down the ring, removed the entrance ramp piece by piece, closed up shop to go to the next city. The city that for the first time in years, he would not be going to as well. He sat out there for what seemed like forever, breathing, reminiscing, remembering. From Wolverine and Willow the Wisp, to jobbing to Razor Ramon at 16 years old, to the Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian in a ladder match, to his release and appearances in TNA, to his first Championship win, to his feud with Matt that brought down the house at WrestleMania 25, to his last title win.
And now, it was over.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see his brother standing there, looking healthier and more battle ready than he had in a long time, and next to him Jeff's beautiful wife Beth, the person that completed him mind, body, and soul.
"You ready?" She asked, giving him a concerned look. He took a deep breath, looked around the empty arena one last time, and stood up.
"Yeah. I'm ready."
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly ..
To be honest, don't feel the need to review if you don't want to. I did this one for me. :)
