p data-p-id="00ced99037b5cabef1b96b51b0f8ee01""Dad, can I talk to you?" I asked./p
p data-p-id="4705115f68214601c5aeba596c0cfa55"Dad kept walking, and I struggled to keep up with his longer strides. "I'm a bit busy, Sarah."/p
p data-p-id="899e8417df2b116a5c2ba1bf879b2825""Yeah, I know, I just thought-"/p
p data-p-id="b4ca9fe990b116922795027ad12aa4ba""We'll talk later, alright?"/p
p data-p-id="6bc63166969be7095e5fbf1dc705d659"I jumped in front of him, stopping his path. He stared down at me. "You told me that last time. And the time before that. And the time before that," I declared./p
p data-p-id="79fef0f58bd958f7f975de2fcfe56820"He sighed and crossed his arms. "I'm not letting you join this business. Not as a talent. The amount of work these people put their bodies through, the trouble they get into-"/p
p data-p-id="21c8b43dedd6997fe276bc1b589c86a5""This is the only thing I've ever wanted!" I pleaded. "I never wanted that stupid summer home, or the car, or, or-any of that! I just want to wrestle."/p
p data-p-id="1b5b9b0f31b9866e839fd74f85596656""I won't allow it."/p
p data-p-id="29f7c1dae6d58e1800cb55a95f45f332"I wanted to scream. He didn't care at all what I felt. He was never going to let me wrestle and there was nothing I could do about it. The same argument, the same results. Insane, I'm telling you./p
p data-p-id="e9e636d3ec877b4e695448efb291cc7a""What about a manager? Like a valet! I wouldn't have to wrestle, but I'd get to be part of the show," I asked. I'd never asked to be a manager. I didn't really want to be a manager, but it was better than nothing. Maybe, just maybe, he would actually go for it./p
p data-p-id="bb940a969f5f407dfe19c7d0a4a4a3a3""I don't think any of our wrestlers need a manager," he answered. He was making excuses now./p
p data-p-id="a60e21f874d65175aa4a5e8020f7c4d4""What about Shawn Michaels?!" I blurted out. I don't even know why I said it; it just came out./p
p data-p-id="ed47c787e4d570a69cf1dbe36f876875"Dad raised an eyebrow. "Shawn Michaels?"/p
p data-p-id="20fc45e7c5696cdd0eb39073a1bc7735""Yeah!" I said, trying to convince him. "Uh, he's a heel. Heels usually have managers that like distract their opponents, and his character is all cocky and definitely the type of guy that would come to the ring with a girl on his arm. You know, kinda 'look I can get girls and you can't'," I blabbed. I was impressed with myself. That actually sounded reasonable./p
p data-p-id="6220d49e62bbf824539ae11a8634001f"Dad was quiet. A good sign. If he didn't like the idea, he would have said so right away. "I'll have to get Shawn's opinion. I have stuff to take care of right now, but we'll talk about it later."/p
p data-p-id="ab61b16cad1ece096230726c3673fbd2""Promise?"/p
p data-p-id="8ee13da62a16238c63a77bb280eb8067"Dad's face softened. I always made him promise me things when I was younger. He never broke one of those promises. Like the time he told me he'd be home for Christmas./p
p data-p-id="a919e5ad2af54bc01ff794cde0158f25"em"Promise?" I asked, all of six years old./em/p
p data-p-id="094d0133a126fed114944f9eda33f209"emDad smiled at me, the little doe-eyed girl sitting on his lap. "I Promise."/em/p
p data-p-id="2773e734465847086ab408b7438b3ed0"emWhen /ememI/emem woke up /ememChristmas morning/emem, /ememhe was/emem standing right at the bottom of the stairs/emem, wearing a /ememSanta/emem hat./em/p
p data-p-id="e303755047a76949caa73ba7c0868be7"em"Daddy!" I ran into his waiting arms, Steph and Shane not far behind. "You made it!"/emem I hugged him tightly, as he did with me./em/p
p data-p-id="ff3307b630dcb9674e43b636ef26aa90"em"A promise is a promise, /ememisn't/emem it?"/em/p
p data-p-id="78a03b8f44d8515dcb646f498f00c607"I missed those days so much. We used to be so much closer. I wished I could get that back, but I didn't know how./p
p data-p-id="43d5cb77146f4883fdbe1cc5634d1277""I promise," he whispered./p
p data-p-id="b7db3da43eae5e803643d1304a2c0e23"My heart swelled with hope. Maybe we could be that close again. And maybe, just maybe, I was going to be Shawn Michaels' manager. I thought I was going to melt into the floor right then and there./p
p data-p-id="8a7ab20ec0ab3262ce329c7dcb399a4e"***/p
p data-p-id="9b65b5c9e3cda6ac12870f4c3dcea304"We did talk about it later. Dad called Shawn and I into his office and we sat across from his desk. I thought I was going to barf, I was so nervous./p
p data-p-id="c7a9f9014c7377a22365ed5eb8312787""I've been thinking," Dad began, pacing behind his desk, "and I've decided to go ahead and assign Sarah as Shawn's new manager."/p
p data-p-id="5d153db62a660219f57468480e2cc983"I nearly leapt from my seat. I was actually going to barf. My head was spinning, trying to comprehend the fact that he actually just said yes!/p
p data-p-id="800dfef56b99f2f4e5b5c3a68059ed55""I have some conditions," Dad announced. "First off, you," he looked at me, "will still travel with Stephanie. And you," he looked at Shawn, "will keep it in your pants. Understand?"/p
p data-p-id="b6484311ca6063cce7bd83bf4fa194ed"We both nodded./p
p data-p-id="0cc35a7e73f3050e39de21f3c8c769f5"Dad sighed. I knew this was a tough decision for him. He never wanted me anywhere close to the wrestlers. "We'll start next week. Sarah, you may want to talk to wardrobe unless you have something in mind to wear." He looked over at Shawn. "Does this seem reasonable to you?"/p
p data-p-id="9102fe752dae75d9c53230764084b277""Yes, sir."/p
p data-p-id="4d7d1a781bc8801e3b37ea63f1f2740f""You can go, then. Thank you for your time," Dad told him./p
p data-p-id="48f10361f412b4878b6d2675deb21fad"Shawn thanked him and left. I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. I squealed, leaping from my seat and wrapping my arms around dad's neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"/p
p data-p-id="eb79658f641e46adcff5780f508c8948"He hugged me back, even tighter than I was hoding him, if that was possible. I realized something then. I couldn't remember the last time I'd hugged my father. The thought brought tears to my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. This was a happy moment, and I wasn't going to ruin it. He smelled like old paper and that strong cologne that older men always use for some reason, just like I remembered./p
p data-p-id="bb568631877ccd27931b9e4768a5c944"I was about to burst with excitement. Everything in my life had finally led to this point, when I was finally going to get into the wrestling business. I released my dad, smiling widely, and found that he was smiling too./p
p data-p-id="2b306339f0892ad9a77bab3f3150e3e1""I can't believe it!" I exclaimed. "I'm actually going to be on Raw!"/p
p data-p-id="de2525629690a3352ec20ef34ec0a4ac"Dad chuckled. "A promise is a promise, isn't it?"/p
p data-p-id="671cd37b45cfa2efa9213018291c5a6a"I thanked him again and ran to go tell Steph and Mark. Stephanie was in the women's locker room. When I told her, she didn't believe me at first. She thought I was playing a trick on her. She said there was no way. But when she figured out I was telling the truth, she was just as excited as me./p
p data-p-id="64ded8362e0da03a2d1c540ca05d2b3f""Really?!" She knew this was what I'd wanted basically my whole life./p
p data-p-id="00d44e4d2e0bd442809d58c816dc5d13"I nodded, and we dissolved into an excited hug./p
p data-p-id="14febd6c442a2bbaf63159766aac62d2""So, you're going to be with Shawn," she said, winking at me./p
p data-p-id="f75e34d19419cf4f880eef805899f2b8""I'm just his manager, Steph. It's not like I'm actually on his radar. I bet he doesn't even care." I really hoped he emdid/em care, but I wanted her to stop teasing me./p
p data-p-id="45afeb0e2b5afccc8c5373e12752a78d""Whatever! I bet he thinks you're cute," Stephanie told me./p
p data-p-id="c70680c535289a7cf93975584e934ec3"I started walking to catering, and she followed. "Why do you think that?"/p
p data-p-id="25b47cd4b7760a7dc9a2ecc7249f01c1""He asked your name last time you ran into him."/p
p data-p-id="61bd43b3d250de78f7e8c15b3455fdcf""So? He probably just wanted to know who this girl that kept running straight into him was," I replied, denying her conclusions./p
p data-p-id="cd25cbb6d66bd87198e2a6958bdfb341""Whatever you want to think..." she whispered, still teasing./p
p data-p-id="2f307a05ed0abf0cd7884b048f8512db"When we entered catering, it wasn't very full. There were a handful wrestlers on one side of the room, eating and chatting together, and on the other side was Mark, seated alone. His hoodie was pulled up to hide his face as he ate his food in solitude./p
p data-p-id="0d896772112b0667ad0525f846a4bbe3"Steph and I walked over to him and sat down at the table./p
p data-p-id="96344b370de39196dc733aa45c3be8ba""Hello, Katherine," he greeted, without looking up. I was really the only person who would dare to bother him right then./p
p data-p-id="0a41b8bb8f73ee53a7a88a7d5e79389f"He looked up and noticed Steph as well. "Hello, Stephanie." He looked at me. "What brings you to me, kid?"/p
p data-p-id="37ec1ca275b1736abeb0b3d929b70660"I was practically bouncing in my seat. "You'll never guess! Dad is letting me to be a manager!"/p
p data-p-id="d756aac3e4456cb0340f9c398411034c""Hey, that's awesome!" He smiled, genuinely excited for me. "Congratulations. Who are you managing?"/p
p data-p-id="53d83f18476b3f6988462b9f7394d2ce""Shawn Michaels."/p
p data-p-id="3a3452cdfea433547f2225343d9e1494"His mood changed immediately. "Why him, of all people? You couldn't have managed Brett Hart or someone?" He was speaking loudly now, and I was glad we were isolated. "Tell me you aren't riding with him."/p
p data-p-id="481f8411fdbe4ddca7fce9c44b6f55fd""No, Dad told me I had to ride with Steph-why? What's wrong?" I asked, frightened now. I hadn't expected him to act like this. He never got upset with me, and it was a scary sight./p
p data-p-id="43f6a0e2ed3b0649f02632f52993e824""That man is a womanizer and a partier. Along with the rest of his gang. You need to stay away from them."/p
p data-p-id="0d39f62e05aed8a6512746fe23bf1dd0"I couldn't imagine that Shawn, the guy who'd been so nice the few times I'd met him, would be like that, but I trusted Mark with my life. He was like a source of infinite wisdom. If Mark said it, I had to believe him./p
p data-p-id="05ba444f7199d9d71f14841908621538""I had no idea. I was just so worked up about actually managing-" I attempted./p
p data-p-id="dd92589a672d7626f18928723bb20788"Mark raised a hand slightly to stop me. "It's not your fault. Just be careful. That character you see on screen isn't just a character for that guy. It's him."/p
p data-p-id="bbe11325b8d220f545d549a6b41d3b21"My head was spinning again, but now for a much different reason than earlier. Coming from anyone else, I would have shrugged off the assessment of Shawn and went about my merry way, but coming from Mark.../p
p data-p-id="1a839b8417bf26edd615fc9adc7aca29"I was right. This little crush emwas/em going to be the end of me./p
p data-p-id="4705115f68214601c5aeba596c0cfa55"Dad kept walking, and I struggled to keep up with his longer strides. "I'm a bit busy, Sarah."/p
p data-p-id="899e8417df2b116a5c2ba1bf879b2825""Yeah, I know, I just thought-"/p
p data-p-id="b4ca9fe990b116922795027ad12aa4ba""We'll talk later, alright?"/p
p data-p-id="6bc63166969be7095e5fbf1dc705d659"I jumped in front of him, stopping his path. He stared down at me. "You told me that last time. And the time before that. And the time before that," I declared./p
p data-p-id="79fef0f58bd958f7f975de2fcfe56820"He sighed and crossed his arms. "I'm not letting you join this business. Not as a talent. The amount of work these people put their bodies through, the trouble they get into-"/p
p data-p-id="21c8b43dedd6997fe276bc1b589c86a5""This is the only thing I've ever wanted!" I pleaded. "I never wanted that stupid summer home, or the car, or, or-any of that! I just want to wrestle."/p
p data-p-id="1b5b9b0f31b9866e839fd74f85596656""I won't allow it."/p
p data-p-id="29f7c1dae6d58e1800cb55a95f45f332"I wanted to scream. He didn't care at all what I felt. He was never going to let me wrestle and there was nothing I could do about it. The same argument, the same results. Insane, I'm telling you./p
p data-p-id="e9e636d3ec877b4e695448efb291cc7a""What about a manager? Like a valet! I wouldn't have to wrestle, but I'd get to be part of the show," I asked. I'd never asked to be a manager. I didn't really want to be a manager, but it was better than nothing. Maybe, just maybe, he would actually go for it./p
p data-p-id="bb940a969f5f407dfe19c7d0a4a4a3a3""I don't think any of our wrestlers need a manager," he answered. He was making excuses now./p
p data-p-id="a60e21f874d65175aa4a5e8020f7c4d4""What about Shawn Michaels?!" I blurted out. I don't even know why I said it; it just came out./p
p data-p-id="ed47c787e4d570a69cf1dbe36f876875"Dad raised an eyebrow. "Shawn Michaels?"/p
p data-p-id="20fc45e7c5696cdd0eb39073a1bc7735""Yeah!" I said, trying to convince him. "Uh, he's a heel. Heels usually have managers that like distract their opponents, and his character is all cocky and definitely the type of guy that would come to the ring with a girl on his arm. You know, kinda 'look I can get girls and you can't'," I blabbed. I was impressed with myself. That actually sounded reasonable./p
p data-p-id="6220d49e62bbf824539ae11a8634001f"Dad was quiet. A good sign. If he didn't like the idea, he would have said so right away. "I'll have to get Shawn's opinion. I have stuff to take care of right now, but we'll talk about it later."/p
p data-p-id="ab61b16cad1ece096230726c3673fbd2""Promise?"/p
p data-p-id="8ee13da62a16238c63a77bb280eb8067"Dad's face softened. I always made him promise me things when I was younger. He never broke one of those promises. Like the time he told me he'd be home for Christmas./p
p data-p-id="a919e5ad2af54bc01ff794cde0158f25"em"Promise?" I asked, all of six years old./em/p
p data-p-id="094d0133a126fed114944f9eda33f209"emDad smiled at me, the little doe-eyed girl sitting on his lap. "I Promise."/em/p
p data-p-id="2773e734465847086ab408b7438b3ed0"emWhen /ememI/emem woke up /ememChristmas morning/emem, /ememhe was/emem standing right at the bottom of the stairs/emem, wearing a /ememSanta/emem hat./em/p
p data-p-id="e303755047a76949caa73ba7c0868be7"em"Daddy!" I ran into his waiting arms, Steph and Shane not far behind. "You made it!"/emem I hugged him tightly, as he did with me./em/p
p data-p-id="ff3307b630dcb9674e43b636ef26aa90"em"A promise is a promise, /ememisn't/emem it?"/em/p
p data-p-id="78a03b8f44d8515dcb646f498f00c607"I missed those days so much. We used to be so much closer. I wished I could get that back, but I didn't know how./p
p data-p-id="43d5cb77146f4883fdbe1cc5634d1277""I promise," he whispered./p
p data-p-id="b7db3da43eae5e803643d1304a2c0e23"My heart swelled with hope. Maybe we could be that close again. And maybe, just maybe, I was going to be Shawn Michaels' manager. I thought I was going to melt into the floor right then and there./p
p data-p-id="8a7ab20ec0ab3262ce329c7dcb399a4e"***/p
p data-p-id="9b65b5c9e3cda6ac12870f4c3dcea304"We did talk about it later. Dad called Shawn and I into his office and we sat across from his desk. I thought I was going to barf, I was so nervous./p
p data-p-id="c7a9f9014c7377a22365ed5eb8312787""I've been thinking," Dad began, pacing behind his desk, "and I've decided to go ahead and assign Sarah as Shawn's new manager."/p
p data-p-id="5d153db62a660219f57468480e2cc983"I nearly leapt from my seat. I was actually going to barf. My head was spinning, trying to comprehend the fact that he actually just said yes!/p
p data-p-id="800dfef56b99f2f4e5b5c3a68059ed55""I have some conditions," Dad announced. "First off, you," he looked at me, "will still travel with Stephanie. And you," he looked at Shawn, "will keep it in your pants. Understand?"/p
p data-p-id="b6484311ca6063cce7bd83bf4fa194ed"We both nodded./p
p data-p-id="0cc35a7e73f3050e39de21f3c8c769f5"Dad sighed. I knew this was a tough decision for him. He never wanted me anywhere close to the wrestlers. "We'll start next week. Sarah, you may want to talk to wardrobe unless you have something in mind to wear." He looked over at Shawn. "Does this seem reasonable to you?"/p
p data-p-id="9102fe752dae75d9c53230764084b277""Yes, sir."/p
p data-p-id="4d7d1a781bc8801e3b37ea63f1f2740f""You can go, then. Thank you for your time," Dad told him./p
p data-p-id="48f10361f412b4878b6d2675deb21fad"Shawn thanked him and left. I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. I squealed, leaping from my seat and wrapping my arms around dad's neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"/p
p data-p-id="eb79658f641e46adcff5780f508c8948"He hugged me back, even tighter than I was hoding him, if that was possible. I realized something then. I couldn't remember the last time I'd hugged my father. The thought brought tears to my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. This was a happy moment, and I wasn't going to ruin it. He smelled like old paper and that strong cologne that older men always use for some reason, just like I remembered./p
p data-p-id="bb568631877ccd27931b9e4768a5c944"I was about to burst with excitement. Everything in my life had finally led to this point, when I was finally going to get into the wrestling business. I released my dad, smiling widely, and found that he was smiling too./p
p data-p-id="2b306339f0892ad9a77bab3f3150e3e1""I can't believe it!" I exclaimed. "I'm actually going to be on Raw!"/p
p data-p-id="de2525629690a3352ec20ef34ec0a4ac"Dad chuckled. "A promise is a promise, isn't it?"/p
p data-p-id="671cd37b45cfa2efa9213018291c5a6a"I thanked him again and ran to go tell Steph and Mark. Stephanie was in the women's locker room. When I told her, she didn't believe me at first. She thought I was playing a trick on her. She said there was no way. But when she figured out I was telling the truth, she was just as excited as me./p
p data-p-id="64ded8362e0da03a2d1c540ca05d2b3f""Really?!" She knew this was what I'd wanted basically my whole life./p
p data-p-id="00d44e4d2e0bd442809d58c816dc5d13"I nodded, and we dissolved into an excited hug./p
p data-p-id="14febd6c442a2bbaf63159766aac62d2""So, you're going to be with Shawn," she said, winking at me./p
p data-p-id="f75e34d19419cf4f880eef805899f2b8""I'm just his manager, Steph. It's not like I'm actually on his radar. I bet he doesn't even care." I really hoped he emdid/em care, but I wanted her to stop teasing me./p
p data-p-id="45afeb0e2b5afccc8c5373e12752a78d""Whatever! I bet he thinks you're cute," Stephanie told me./p
p data-p-id="c70680c535289a7cf93975584e934ec3"I started walking to catering, and she followed. "Why do you think that?"/p
p data-p-id="25b47cd4b7760a7dc9a2ecc7249f01c1""He asked your name last time you ran into him."/p
p data-p-id="61bd43b3d250de78f7e8c15b3455fdcf""So? He probably just wanted to know who this girl that kept running straight into him was," I replied, denying her conclusions./p
p data-p-id="cd25cbb6d66bd87198e2a6958bdfb341""Whatever you want to think..." she whispered, still teasing./p
p data-p-id="2f307a05ed0abf0cd7884b048f8512db"When we entered catering, it wasn't very full. There were a handful wrestlers on one side of the room, eating and chatting together, and on the other side was Mark, seated alone. His hoodie was pulled up to hide his face as he ate his food in solitude./p
p data-p-id="0d896772112b0667ad0525f846a4bbe3"Steph and I walked over to him and sat down at the table./p
p data-p-id="96344b370de39196dc733aa45c3be8ba""Hello, Katherine," he greeted, without looking up. I was really the only person who would dare to bother him right then./p
p data-p-id="0a41b8bb8f73ee53a7a88a7d5e79389f"He looked up and noticed Steph as well. "Hello, Stephanie." He looked at me. "What brings you to me, kid?"/p
p data-p-id="37ec1ca275b1736abeb0b3d929b70660"I was practically bouncing in my seat. "You'll never guess! Dad is letting me to be a manager!"/p
p data-p-id="d756aac3e4456cb0340f9c398411034c""Hey, that's awesome!" He smiled, genuinely excited for me. "Congratulations. Who are you managing?"/p
p data-p-id="53d83f18476b3f6988462b9f7394d2ce""Shawn Michaels."/p
p data-p-id="3a3452cdfea433547f2225343d9e1494"His mood changed immediately. "Why him, of all people? You couldn't have managed Brett Hart or someone?" He was speaking loudly now, and I was glad we were isolated. "Tell me you aren't riding with him."/p
p data-p-id="481f8411fdbe4ddca7fce9c44b6f55fd""No, Dad told me I had to ride with Steph-why? What's wrong?" I asked, frightened now. I hadn't expected him to act like this. He never got upset with me, and it was a scary sight./p
p data-p-id="43f6a0e2ed3b0649f02632f52993e824""That man is a womanizer and a partier. Along with the rest of his gang. You need to stay away from them."/p
p data-p-id="0d39f62e05aed8a6512746fe23bf1dd0"I couldn't imagine that Shawn, the guy who'd been so nice the few times I'd met him, would be like that, but I trusted Mark with my life. He was like a source of infinite wisdom. If Mark said it, I had to believe him./p
p data-p-id="05ba444f7199d9d71f14841908621538""I had no idea. I was just so worked up about actually managing-" I attempted./p
p data-p-id="dd92589a672d7626f18928723bb20788"Mark raised a hand slightly to stop me. "It's not your fault. Just be careful. That character you see on screen isn't just a character for that guy. It's him."/p
p data-p-id="bbe11325b8d220f545d549a6b41d3b21"My head was spinning again, but now for a much different reason than earlier. Coming from anyone else, I would have shrugged off the assessment of Shawn and went about my merry way, but coming from Mark.../p
p data-p-id="1a839b8417bf26edd615fc9adc7aca29"I was right. This little crush emwas/em going to be the end of me./p