Post by Dead Eye on Apr 28, 2018 21:45:51 GMT -5
“History Repeated”
•December 1, 2014•
•4:00 PM•
•Dead Eye's Rental House•
•Tokyo, Japan•
•Camera: OFF•
•Entrer•
If you told me that what was supposed to be the last stretch of my extended training would be derailed by a torn Achilles heel, I'd likely have called you a liar. If only. Unfortunately, that is indeed the case. I know how Vinny Testaverde felt in what would be one of his last stints in the NFL.
Yeah, he played two more seasons, but he was never quite the same...proven by a second injury two years later in the former University of Miami quarterback’s final season of play.
Unlike Testaverde, I'm not 41 years of age, so this isn't career-ending. It is, however, a pain...and not just in my foot.
It couldn't come at a worse time. Well, I guess it could but not by much. I COULD be getting prepared to go back to the U.S. and go pro. I've had several “big-league" offers. Instead, I have to sit down a few months, heal, and rehab. I get the pleasure of having my manager call these companies and deliver the bad news. I suppose I'll have to see what the market will be like when I've recovered.
I can deal with the physical part of this with little sweat involved. For me, the fight will be more mental. This isn't to be misconstrued with this being an emotional battle; I'm stable in that department. The mental aspect will mostly affect me during this process that's beginning with me and the surgery I'm now returning “home" from.
This is a beautiful country, but I can't help feeling homesick right now. After my divorce, this was a nice escape, but it's not feeling that way right this minute. Is it all worth it? My wife left me because I went to Mexico then here to continue training when most felt I was ready to turn pro after my training in Vegas ended.
I'm here all alone, unless you count the friends I've made here. My manager is here with me, but he's stressing about this setback. Bryan and I have been friends since we were kids, but he doesn't understand this plight, really. I WAS planning on signing with one of the companies interested after the first of the year, so I understand his mindset. He was looking forward to the big day as much as I was.
•March 2, 2016•
•3:00 PM•
•The “J Estate”•
•Long Beach, Indiana•
•Camera: OFF•
Karin: “Did you hear me, babe? We're home.”
Déjà vu-- The illusion of having already experienced something actually being experienced for the first time. Unfortunately, it wasn't an illusion. Experiencing the sit-down process for the second time in my career via surgery had me at a crossroad mentally, which may explain why I heard Karin’s voice but not the exact words being spoken.
Turning around from the driver’s seat of a rented SUV, KJ looked me straight in the eyes deeply and very concerned.
Karin: “This, too, shall pass.”
Acknowledging that I'd snapped out of my trance, I offer a lopsided smile at my wife.
CJ: “I can't help but feel personally responsible for being here right now.”
Karin: “This is our home, Charles.”
CJ: “You know what I mean, hon. We should be soaking up some sun on an island right now. Instead, I'm sitting here in a damn wheelchair in LBI. Possibly, the worst part is that I broke my promise to you.”
At this point, Karin had moved right in front of me and is now stroking my cheek. I can't help but think back to asking her if we'd be okay after I'd snapped at her and the doctor a few weeks ago. Now, my mind’s eye wonders if there is more behind the cheek stroking instead of the normal peck on the cheek. Am I overthinking or nah?
Karin: “We've been over this. Yes, I was worried about the danger of the move, but I know that you push yourself to be the best. That's one thing I love so much about you. I can't possibly know what you're going through right now in that head of yours, but I will be with you. Together, we'll figure this out.”
And now, she puts her hand on top of mine. By this gesture, I truly know I've received her forgiveness just by the tenderness in which she placed her hand...regardless of me expecting the “I told you so" moment others would give me. Of course, she'd never pull that one on me. A full smile invades my face, as well as warmth in my heart. I sigh as I still can't help but to feel like there's something amiss between us.
CJ: “I can't help but feel like this happened to ensure I'd remain humble. I was on a wild ride, and I just fell off the roller coaster, halfway through the ride. It feels like Japan all over again.”
Karin: “I don't know what to say to try to make you feel better. I could care less that you “let me down" and got hurt. I'm just happy that everything with your surgery turned out well. Let's just focus on this next phase of this ‘ride’, as you call it.”
Again, I sigh. This time, though, it comes with a little more contentment. She's right. Much like my Achilles injury a little over a year ago, I'm going to have to take this recovery process one step at a time.
Unfortunately, this process will be longer--assuming I make a full recovery with no setbacks. Doctor Andrews says that it is very unlikely...a setback, that is. It was a clean fracture, confirmed by the expert himself. I still can't believe I'm sitting here in a wheelchair, a medical precaution to limit me from moving too quickly. Those people act like they know me or summin.
KJ opens the back “gate" of the sports utility vehicle and unbuckles the safety harness that locks my chair in place. She sets up the portable ramp, and I wheel myself down the ramp. With Karin not paying attention, I grab her and pull her onto my lap. She gasps in surprise. Regardless of my apprehension of the way things seem, I need to make some kind of effort to do something to make things feel normal.
Karin: “Charles! You're not supposed to be exerting yourself!”
CJ: “No exertion, really. You're light as a feather. Besides, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you.”
Karin: “You're welcome, but what for?”
CJ: “Everything. When I was in Japan, I was practically on my own a good bit. I felt like my world was upside down. If I were doing this alone, I'd feel like my world was crashing down on me. I can't possibly express how much this means to me.”
A tear comes to the corner of Karin’s left eye that she thinks may be concealed by her sunglasses, but the partial translucency of the glasses prohibits that. Is it a happy tear, or is it one of pain? Your guess is as good as mine.[/i]
CJ: “I promise that, as soon as I get my mobility back, we will have our honeymoon.”
Karin: “I know, babe. For now, let's get inside The ‘J Estate’, okay?”
CJ: “Sounds good to me.”
•April 27, 2018•
•4:00 PM (EST)•
•The Madison (hotel) •
•Washington, D.C.•
•Camera:ON•
The scene opens with an NGW camera crew following Dead Eye as he checks into his hotel room. A man that sticks to his traditions, he has arrived “at-least a day early” in the city where an event is to be held.
In this case, he is even earlier than normal, as the return has grabbed headlines and has garnered him some radio and television interviews. With all that in mind, Dead Eye felt it necessary to arrive even earlier to get mentally prepared for his upcoming match with Coral Rose. As he heads toward his room, crew in-tow, his cell phone rings.
Dead Eye: “Yo, cuz. What's poppin’?”
Marcus: “I was just calling to check on you. I went to stop by your crib last night to talk shop with you, but you weren't home. You good, huh?”
Dead Eye: “Yeah, bruh. I'm Gucci. I, uh, spent the night at Chey's.”
Marcus: “Oh, okay… Wait. Hol’ up. Didn't you do that a couple weeks ago? You sure y'all just ‘friends’?”
Dead Eye: “Damn, son. If I knew the third degree was comin’, I'd have kept hush on that 4-1-1. All up in ma ish. Yeah, we just kickin’ it, man. We get along, plus, I know she's nervous about her first match.”
Marcus: “Uh-huh. You ain't gotta lie to me, playa. I'm ya cousin. I know you, C.”
Dead Eye: “Marc, do I make a habit of lying to you, bruh?”
Marcus: “No, but…”
Dead Eye: “No ‘but’s, negro. That was a yes or no question. If there was something more, you'd know. Right now, I'm just enjoying hanging out with her. Besides, it's way too fast since…you know.”
Marcus: “I get that, man. I do. I just want to see you happy. I know things haven't been easy for you. I also know you well enough to know that you ain't good at not keeping your heart on ya sleeve. I'm not tryna tell you to hop in head or heart first with this girl, but there's obviously something there if you'll allow yourself to explore it.”
Dead Eye: “I thought I was the psychologist in the fam?”
Marcus: “Will you listen to yourself right now? You're doing that duck out thing you do. You know damned well I see right through that mess. We kin. You can't slip that past me. But… I’ll leave you be for now. Just promise me you'll think about what I said. You deserve to be happy, and I don't wanna see you ruin a shot at that because you have this false sense of creating chaos in someone else's life. You are hands down a good dude. I'm not just saying that cuz you ma people. I mean it, cuz.”
Dead Eye: “I feel ya, Marc. Honestly, I can't let things distract me. I got a lot riding on this weekend. This match against Coral Rose is huge. I mean, I was expecting some warm-up match, not a former World Champion coming out the gate. Honestly, I'm a little nervous about it.”
Marcus: “You have every right to be. You're just coming back. Outside of sparring, this is the first time you'll really be in the ring since that night.”
He chuckles for a second.
Dead Eye: “What's funny about that?”
Marcus: “Nothing. That just reminded me of how nervous you were for your NGW debut. History has a funny way of repeating itself when it comes to you; doesn't it?”
CJ laughs.
Dead Eye: “No doubt. That makes a lot of sense, though. If you think about it, it's all so eerily similar. When I first came in, I was coming off the Achilles injury, and I didn't know if I'd look like crap that first night. I was sweating bullets before that battle royal. Heh, I almost wish I was doing one of those this weekend.”
Marcus: “You'll be fine, man. We scouted her together. You've done everything you normally do before battle. Now, it's just time to get in the zone and do you. Focus on that. Don't focus on what she's gonna do…or that damn kick that scares the shit outta you.”
Both James’ men laugh, but Dead Eye groans.
Dead Eye: “I definitely don't wanna get hit with that one. You don't give a man a shot in the pills, it's just not cricket.”
He laughs after delivering the Austin Powers line, complete with British accent. Marcus laughs, as well. At this point, Dead Eye opens the door to his suite, inviting the camera crew in.
Marcus: “Just be you, and don't get disappointed that you're not gonna be 100% ‘Dead Eye’ for a while. It's going to inevitably take some time to get fully back into right shape. I know you've done your best to get back into form, but we both know that working out isn't the same as being in the ring. You'll be rusty.”
Dead Eye: “That's more my area of concern, man. How rusty will I be? Anyway, I'm holding up this camera crew, so I'll see you tomorrow, right?”
Marcus: “That, you will. I'm flying in first flight at six.”
Dead Eye: “All right. Deuces.”
He hangs up and turns to the camera after tossing his bags on the king-sized bed.
Dead Eye: “Sorry about that. I had to catch up with my cousin. So, as you can see, I'm here in the nation's capital early for my upcoming return. I have a lot going on, so I won't keep you long on this session. That said, #StayTuned cuz this crew will be with me a lot this weekend on some exclusive stuff that you can see @ngwfed.
“Speaking of, if you're wondering, I decided to take a moratorium on social media. Just too many people asking me way too personal questions about my personal life. I know, I've always been a bit of an open book with my fans, but there are some things that just don't need to be shared, to be quite plain with you. Some day, I may get back on, but that won't be anytime soon.”
He issues an apologetic expression.
Dead Eye: “For now, I'll be doing all my appearances in this type of fashion. So, that doesn't mean you won't see me around. It just won't be that personal touch you're used to. Now, let's get to the main course of this thing.
“Ever since I showed up at Lest We Forget, I been asked tons of questions. Are you really back? Why did you show up when you did? Are you declaring open war against The Destroyers? And all that is just a taste of what I've been asked.
“My focus right now is on Coral Rose. Beyond that, time will tell. Yes, I am back. I was backstage secretly at Lest We Forget to be near Avery. I had a feeling something may happen. That's why I came out, plain and simple. As far as The Destroyers are concerned, they just made the mistake of messin’ with my family. That couldn't go undealt with.
“If they got an issue with that, that's they biness. I think they should take Shields’ advice and find out just who the f I am, if they ain't heard by now or ain't up on game. If they do have beef; then, they know where they can find me. I just hope they don't take the puss way like they were tryna do Ave. Face me straight-up.
“Enough about them, though. This is about Coral Rose vs. Dead Eye. This ain't about Avery, The Destroyers, Jazmine, Envy, or anybody else. It's one on one, winner take all. I know there's no gold or anything tangible at stake. What is at stake is pride and that first step.
“For me, it's about picking up where I left off. Now, lemme pause for a sec and correct summin. Last rip, I said Coral is looking to make a name for herself here. I stand slightly corrected, as I have found out that she has been seen by this fan base. Ah, but this is different. She was doing a one-off. This time, she's legit NGW. That raises the bar.
“This match will have a lot of eyes on it. I have no doubt in my mind on that. There's a lot of questions that will be answered come bell time. I look forward to the challenge. Let's go out there and give the fans the match they deserve to see. In the words of Bart Scott, ‘Can't wait!’”
The scene fades out.
•Finis•