When One Door Closes, You Cannot Look Back

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Tone: Alechs. Don't do this man.

Alechs: I am sorry. For a long time, I haven't felt right enough. I never should have. I let everyone down. I am not good enough.

Antonio looks up to his brother.

Tone: Alechs. You were there for me. You were there for Arturo-

Alechs: Nah. I wasn't. I wasn't there for him, and look what happened.

Tone: Alechs. Please. You helped save me. When I could have gone to jail. You took the rap for me.

Alechs: That is what brothers do.

Tone: Then don't leave. Where are you even going?

Alechs: I just need to find myself.

Tone: What about me? What about ma? What about... Honey?

Honey's name strikes a nerve as Alechs chokes back a bit.

Alechs: She is better off. I- I am, and never been good enough. Everyone knows that. I am the weak link. I am the part of the team that is weighing it down. Look at her? Super Falcon Cup. She can do it on her own without me. She... she deserves better.

Antonio begins to shed a few tears.

Alechs: I will be in touch, Tone. I just. I just need to be a better me. A me that she deserves.

Tone: How long will that take? Are you saying goodbye to her?

Alechs slowly shakes his head.

Alechs: I can’t. I know that if I try, she will stop me-

Tone: That is a good thing.

Alechs: Nah, man. Since Alpha, I’ve never felt good enough. I lost my first match. And she’s carried this team. I was good enough to help train but never good enough to be… good.

Alechs looks down.

Alechs: She is so amazing. And I bring her down. I… I ask her to change who she is. And that’s not fair.

Tone: Relationships compromise.

Alechs: Nah. She is perfect. She does not need to change. I need to be better. Maybe if I can be better, she will take me back. Only if I deserve it.

Tone: What if- what if she moves-

Alechs: Moves on? That is a risk I have to take. It’s not fair of me. I am no good. I could not help Arturo. I could not help her. I am worthless.

Tone: Don’t say that.

Alechs: I’ve come to grips with it.

Tone: But- where are you going?

Alechs: Gone. I don’t know. Wherever things lead me. I will be in touch. I just- I just need radio silence for awhile. I don’t know how to better say it-

With that, Antonio grabs his brother and hugs him tightly.

Tone: You were always the best brother. You know that? You gave me confidence. I was always afraid to admit to myself-


Alechs look down at his brother.

Tone: I am gay, Alechs.

Alechs smiles.

Alechs: I know little bro. It’s all good. I am just happy you can be yourself. I still love you.

Tone: You knew?

Tone was surprised.

Alechs: Yeah. I knew for awhile. I knew you could have to discover it yourself.

Antonio squeezes tighter.

Alechs: Please make sure to check in on her for me. And make sure that she still gets to spend time with mom. She really loves her. And mom still loves her. Tell mom I am sorry. Tell Honey I am sorry.

Alechs begins to shed tears of his own, knowing that this was the last time he would interact with his little brother for some time. He did not know for how long. Alechs never felt like he was good enough for anyone. Or for anything. It was Lola that first made him feel like he could be something, but she went on her own way in life. It was Honey that showed Alechs that he could be loved. But he realized that to fully love someone… to truly be a man, he needed to loved himself first. And he didn’t. He hated who he was. Some gutter punk from the projects in East L.A. A punk that could not save his brother’s life, and a punk that was willing to murder some faceless drug dealer thug for taking away a part of his family. Ever since that fateful day, Alechs has not been himself. Fear has long haunted Alechs, and an ocean of doubt has always existed. If Alechs were to be a good husband one day, he needed to first be better. He needed to be happy. He needed to love himself first.

Alechs reaches into his bag and pulls out a Young Cubs hoody. “Chico” was stitched on it.

Alechs; Here. Give this to her, please?

Tone begins to cry hard, looking to his big brother.

Tone: Please, Alechs. No. Don’t.

Alechs wipes his eyes.

Alechs: I love you little bro. Just remember. With Honey, you are the big bro now.

He nods as Alechs makes his way out of the house. He was ready for his potential last match, taking place in West Coast Genesis. He had to leave right away, or else he would never leave.