Authors Note: TW: Child Abuse. Nick = Dolph Ziggler and Ryan = Briley Pierce/Ryan Nemeth. This takes place in late 2003.
Janela shifts in his seat yet again. He just couldn't get comfortable, no matter what. He knew he couldn't sit on his feet or hands and sitting up against the wooden chair was irritating his back even more. Jerry looks over at him with concern.
"You alright, Joseph?" Jerry asks. Jerry drops his fork when Janela drops his gaze. "I can see you fidgeting in your seat there son."
"I'm fine," Janela mutters, wincing as he shifts yet again.
"No, Joseph, you are obviously not fine," Jerry says. Janela looks at him with tears in his eyes. Could he really trust him? Janela just shakes his head, sobbing into his hands. "Oh…uh…okay. It's alright, junior." Jerry wanted desperately to comfort him, but he wasn't even sure where he was hurt. "Can you show me?" Janela nods, standing up. He gently and slowly takes his shirt off. Jerry stands up, in complete shock, Janela's sides were covered in bruises, he maneuvers to look at Janela's back. It was also riddled with bruises. "Are there others?" Janela nods, but is more reluctant to show Jerry where those are at. "Who?"
"Please, don't be mad," Janela says. Jerry sighs.
"I'm not going to get mad, junior," Jerry says. Janela gulps, he might as well be honest with him.
"Dad," Janela says. "He was real pissed about something. I don't even know what it was about. He always takes his aggression out on me. It's never been this bad before though. He hit me on my sides, took his belt off and hit me and then grabbed the spoon and…spanked me."
"Junior, why didn't you tell me?" Jerry asks. He starts to rummage through the cupboards.
"He threatened to take me away from you," Janela says. "You are my only escape. I fucking love it here."
"And how would you feel if I were to take you away from him?" Jerry asks.
"He'll manipulate a judge," Janela says. "He said so. Told me he has a judge on speed dial. I cannot lose you."
"Well, how about we trade?" Jerry asks. Janela cocks his head to the side, confused.
"Trade?" Janela asks.
"You come to stay with me during the week," Jerry says. "You've been having problems at school, right? We could use that. I could also threaten to turn him over to the police, which I am very close to doing."
"But…Nick," Janela says. Jerry looks back at his son. "He'll weasel his way out of it and then we would be screwed."
"Then we limit your time there," Jerry says. "Can you sit? How bad is it down there?"
"There's no open wounds but it is really red," Janela says.
"Can I at least see?" Jerry asks, putting the supplies on the kitchen counter. Janela reluctantly pulls down his pants and boxers, this had to be embarrassing to him, he was 14-years-old after all. Jerry grimaces seeing just how red Janela's bottom was. "We'll have to ice it. Get that swelling down." He stands up taking the rib tape. As he is taking a closer look at him, he can see the scars underneath the bruising and he hates himself for not knowing, for not figuring it out. But he was happy that his son felt comfortable enough to tell him and that he trusted him.
"I only have 4 more years with him," Janela says. "Nick comes to see me all the time. Or at least when he can. He got accepted into law school but he still wants to be a pro wrestler. I heard him say that he's had offers from WWE."
"And are you still going to be a pro wrestler?" Jerry asks.
"Well, of fucking course," Janela says. "I think I'll go in your direction, hardcore shit."
"Junior," Jerry says. "I hope you don't mean that Tournament of Death shit you are always watching."
"Pop, that's what hardcore wrestling is today!" Janela says.
"Yeah, but still," Jerry says. "It worries me."
"Well, it worries me too," Janela says in response.
"Okay, yeah, touché" Jerry says. "Ryan still come around?"
"He comes and picks me up," Janela says. "I don't think he wants to be around Dad."
"I'd imagine not," Jerry says. Luger had practically abandoned the poor kid. Only when Nick asked if Ryan could come stay did Luger give him attention. Silence filled the room as Jerry attended to Janela's ribs.
"You know, you don't have to feel guilty," Janela says. "He knew when to do it so that by the time I came here I'd be healed."
"How long?" Jerry asks.
"Since I can remember, honestly," Janela says. "Nick says I was about two. Said it started off pretty tame but then it just escalated."
"I cannot imagine," Jerry says. "I'm really glad I found out. Glad I met you backstage at WCW."
"Me too," Janela says. "Can't imagine life without you."
"Alright, all set," Jerry says.
"Is this how it feels when you have to tape your ribs?" Janela asks, touching the tape.
"Not exactly," Jerry says. "Usually one of the trainers does it. They know how to do it better than I can. I did the best I could."
"Feels okay," Janela says, shrugging. Jerry looks back at his phone.
"Damn it, not again," Jerry says, sighing. He stands up answering the phone. Janela sits back down only this time he sits on his feet. It was awkward but it was a lot better than sitting on the hard chair. He starts to eat again, looking up when Jerry hangs up the phone. "You want to tag along with me tomorrow?"
"Where we going?" Janela asks.
"TNA," Jerry answers. "Daniels said John and Stu will be there too. He didn't want to leave John with Stu. I think Shane's kids might be there too."
"Ugh, does that mean Cornette?" Janela asks.
"No, I don't believe so," Jerry says. "It is Shane's week so he has them."
"It'll just be the two of them?" Janela asks. He wondered what had happened to Dalton. "Are they like us then? They share custody?"
"Yes, just Donovan and Alan," Jerry says. "Yeah, they share custody. Donovan goes to Ace's, but Shane takes him from time to time. I think the way theirs works is Cornette has Alan every other week and with Donovan it is like us, he stays with Cornette on the weekends."
"Stu still only speak French?" Janela asks.
"I believe so," Jerry says. "I mean he's only been in the states for maybe 7 months, 8 at the most."
"I guess my French classes are going to pay off," Janela says. Jerry chuckles.
"Told you so," Jerry says.
"Anyone else's kids going to be there?" Janela asks.
"Didn't ask, junior," Jerry says. "You'll just have to wait and see. But it's a big production meeting so I'm assuming the whole roster will be there. And since it is such a short notice not many people can get sitters this late. We are lucky that the management doesn't mind."
"I can't wait," Janela says.
"Don't even think about playing in the ring," Jerry says. Janela just scoffs, folding his arms. "Hey, what'd I tell you?"
"16 or older," Janela says. "We still building a ring out back?"
"That's what I'm planning on," Jerry says. "Maybe make the spare room a small gym."
"So…we are planning on staying here for good?" Janela asks.
"I don't know about Luger, but this company seems solid," Jerry says. "I think I could get used to working for them. And not even as a wrestler."
"You are getting old," Janela says.
"Excuse you?" Jerry asks. "I might be old but I can still go."
"But for how long?" Janela asks. "I'd rather not lose anyone else."
"I know, junior," Jerry says. "Your ribs and back feeling better?"
"Actually, yeah," Janela says.
"Good," Jerry says. "You better get a good night's sleep tonight so that means no video games."
"Yeah, but I got so much time left before bed," Janela says.
"One hour," Jerry says. "I'm having the 64 fixed, so you'll have to stick with the Playstation."
"I wish I could bring my xbox here," Janela says.
"That's the one you play most often?" Jerry asks.
"I have the most games for it," Janela says. "Other than my Game Boy, but I forgot that. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could."
"Maybe we can swap it out for one of your other consoles," Jerry says. "You can bring your xbox here and maybe take your 64 over there."
"That sounds alright to me," Janela says. "I'm finished."
"Alright, junior," Jerry says. "I'm not going to make you do your chores. Just relax, take it easy."
"Thanks, Pop," Janela says, hugging him. "Love you, Pop."
"I love you too, Joseph," Jerry says.