Eddie and Sabrina had been visiting his father Ray, for most of the day. They tried to make time for such visits when they were back home in Maryland visiting the Lyons Den. Since the move to Las Vegas, Eddie didn't get out this way as much anymore.
Sabrina had done most of the chatting with his father during the day, and of course Jordan had been the center of it all as she always was these days with her big wide eyes full of curiosity.
“Uh-oh I think somebody might need a change..” Sabrina said as Jordan started to fuss. “I better go get her cleaned up.”
“Might be some extra diapers in the guest room still if you need them.” said Ray
“Thanks dad.” Sabrina smiled “Come on Jordan, let's get you cleaned up then you can come back and play with Grandpa some more.”
Sabrina made her exit from the kitchen, you mean Eddie alone with his father.
“She makes it look so easy.” Eddie said.
“The baby or your wife?” his dad said with a grin.
“Both.” Eddie replied with a grin to match.
“Well you're doing great son.” his father said “A lot better than you think you are.”
“Sometimes it doesn't always feel like it..” Eddie said with a shrug
“You're not talking about Sabrina or the baby are you?” said his father
“High Stakes was supposed to be my shot to turn it around dad.” he said “But now I find myself stuck in another grudge match with Bill Barnhart. I just need to find my way to move past all this.”
“Still chasing the big one huh?” his father said.
“Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?” said Eddie
“Maybe not supposed to..” his father said “But driven to.”
His father gestured to a picture on the wall, it was of both his uncle's and his father. They all look so unstoppable and hungry. It was the three of them before the fame. Before the family name became a brand and a burden.
“Your Uncle Vincent and your Uncle Zachary…” his father said “They ended up being the champions of the family one just about every title there was worth holding between the two of them, and me? I never won a damn thing.”
“You ever think about how the three of you turned out so differently?" said Eddie, "Uncle Vincent and Uncle Zachary? Sometimes it's like the three of you come from completely different worlds.”
"That's one way to put it" his father's shrugged "But we had the same house and the same father. You never got to meet your grandfather but let's just say he wasn't the easiest man to be around. He was a military man, and the language he spoke was discipline. There was no showing weakness under his roof.”
“That kind of sounds like Uncle Vincent.” Eddie said.
“That's where he got it from.” his father nodded “Spent his whole life trying to be with the old man wanted him to be. I suppose being the eldest of the three of us he felt he had more to prove, and your uncle Zachary went the other way rebelling everything that came out of our father's mouth. The youngest and the wild child he was always causing some sort of problem.”
“What about you?” Eddie asked.
“Went ignored mostly..” Ray said “You get good at that as the middle child. I got my licks too, but I was mostly able to hide and watch from the shadows and vow that that was something I would never be.”
Eddie took a sip of his coffee as his father continued speaking.
“That might be why I never had the drive for championships your uncle's did.” his dad said “I loved the wrestling sure, it was a way for all of us to rebel because your grandfather hated it. But at the end of the day I didn't need gold around my waist to know who I was. I was just happy doing the work.”
“I know..” said Eddie softly “I think that's part of what pushes me, like if I get to that next level it would mean something for you as well.”
“You've already made me proud son.” his father said “You carry our name with pride and not ego. You don't need to win championships to get people behind me and you've already done more for the family name than I ever have and now you're building a family of your own while doing it.”
“Yeah but..” Eddie began
“No buts…” his father said “Your grandfather believed strength meant being hard and there were times I used to think that as well. But I've learned that true strength is about getting up and knowing what you stand for, and you've already figured that out Eddie. That's why you'll always be better than the three of us ever were. Championship or no championship.”
“You really think so?” said Eddie
“I know so.” his father said "Just keep fighting and make sure it's for the right reasons.”
Almost on cue, Sabrina returned with the baby. Eddie smiled at them.
“Yeah Dad, I will.” he said
The afternoon continued on into the evening. The feeling of warm family values fill the house the entire time alongside the smell of his father's “famous” Chicken Parmesan.
__________
The cameras open on any lion sitting on the back porch of a home in Maryland it's mid evening and the chirp of the cicadas can be heard as Eddie quietly looks into the camera with that familiar fire behind his eyes.
“It's funny how life has a way of circling back on you.” said Eddie “I'm back here in my family home in Maryland, my dad's in there with my wife and daughter and everything has been so calm like I can just come here and… be.”
He pauses.
“You and I have done this dance before many times Bill.” Eddie said “I feel like I beat you more times and I can count. Somehow the road I'm traveling just keeps taking me right back to the same intersection.”
He sighs.
“It's like being back at the starting line staring at a face I've already left behind.” said Eddie “And that's no disrespect Bill, it's just truth. You've been around this place forever, one of those faces that never leaves. But you keep running laps around the same block, and I'm trying to break out of the neighborhood. I fight because I want something bigger and that's what makes this situation so frustrating.”
He exhales.
“When I look at you across from me in that ring at High Stakes." Eddie said “I'm going to be looking at a reflection of everything I'm trying to move past. I'm facing every close call, every almost that I've had in my career.”
He pauses shortly again.
“I could have made it easier.” he said “Done what my cousin Victoria did and found a back door into a championship match, but that's her style, not mine. If I'm going to do it I'm going to do it the right way, and if that means I have to keep beating Bill Barnhart a thousand more times then that's just what it's going to be.”
His words come firm and with conviction.
“I could even take another route and to be like my cousin Vincent." said Eddie “Act like I'm owed something, and try to carry out personal vendettas because I feel I've been wronged somehow instead of taking accountability. But again that's not me.”
He exhales softly.
“And Bill..” said Eddie “After everything I've done, what does it mean that I'm right back here facing you? Maybe it means this business doesn't care about your past wins, or how many times you think you've proven yourself.”
He shrugs.
“It could mean that I'm just destined to start over.” said Eddie “But that's fine because I'm not afraid of starting over, and grinding my way up because that's who Eddie Lyons is. My dad reminded me tonight that strength isn't always about winning championships, it's about knowing what you stand for.”
He nods.
“I know what I stand for.” said Eddie “I stand for truth and honor and hard work. I stand to remind you that no matter how many times you fall short you shouldn't give up. You keep fighting until you reach what you came to reach, because you can do it and you will do it. Just like I know I can become world champion, I can do it and I will do it.”
He takes another short pause letting his words linger.
“I honestly don't know much about what to say anymore Bill.” said Eddie “You and I've done this so many times and you know what the results are going to be. It will be me defeating you once again like has happened time and time again. I'll probably have a chance to get another title opportunity, Where I will finally either cross that finish line, or fall back to the starting line once more, face you and we'll do this all over again.”
He laughs but there's no amusement behind it.
“So I guess let's do this again.” Eddie said “Because the real story is not if Eddie Lyons is going to beat Bill Barnhart It's WHEN Eddie Lyons beats Bill Barnhart will he take that momentum and finally go all the way?"
He pauses.
“I don't know the answer to how far I'll go after.” said Eddie “But I do know when it comes to you and I, I will always be your better. I'll see you at High Stakes Bill.”
With that he turns and heads back into the house and the scene fades to black.
Eddie and his wife Sabrina stood outside their car in front of a little roadside cafe in Tucson Arizona, they looked through the cracked window at their 3-month-old daughter Jordan fast asleep in her carseat.
“She's out cold.” Eddie said “Think we can move her without triggering the alarm?”
“I would say the odds are not in our favor….” Sabrina replied. "But I'm hungry, and somebody ate all the pretzels before we left Henderson. So we're having brunch.”
Eddie grinned.
“Well, someone else ate all the Reese's cups that were left over from Halloween.” he said with a sarcastic grin.
“That was fuel for all the late night feedings.” she said.
“You also intentionally weren't handing the Reese's out to the kids.” said Eddie. "We had a mixed bag of candy and you were handing out everything but the Reese's.”
“Yeah… well Reese's are sacred.” she said matter of factly.
“Sacred?” said Eddie raising an eyebrow and grinning.
“Yep they're like communion wafers for new moms who don't get to control their sleep schedule.” she said.
“You're unbelievable.” Eddie said shaking his head with a laugh.
“And you're pretzeless.” she fired back.
After a laugh they decided to brave it, and it must have been there lucky day because as they removed the car seat Jordan stayed fast asleep, all the way into the cafe.
The little bell jingled as Eddie held the door open allowing Sabrina to step through with the car seat. The inside of the cafe was warm and comforting, a waitress was finishing pouring some coffee for an elderly couple sitting in a booth together.
“Feel free to seat yourselves,” said the waitress.
Eddie found them a seat near the window. Jordan was still out cold as Sabrina sat the car seat next to her in the booth.
“You think she's dreaming about us?” Eddie asked.
“She's probably dreaming about how she's going to scream the moment the food gets here.” said Sabrina.
“Hey it's been a good day…” Eddie said “Let's not put that in the universe.”
A middle-aged waitress appeared beside their table.
“Welcome in, I'm your host Mindy, can I get you folks any drinks to get started.” she smiled, handing them some menus.
“Coffee.” Sabrina said immediately.
“Make it two.” Eddie replied “Make mine strong.”
The waitress looked at the car seat.
“Of course.” she smiled “New parents?”
“Three months.” said Sabrina
“I remember when mine were that small.” said the waitress "Now my oldest is starting High School this year.”
“Well, thankfully I got a long time before I worry about those days.” said Eddie.
“It's a tough job, not going to lie.” the waitress said “But it's also one of the most fun. I'm sure you guys will be great. Let me go get those coffees for you.”
It only took a few moments for her to return with two piping hot cups of coffee.
“Here you go..” she said giving Eddie a curious look “You know you look familiar, have you been in here before?
“No.. first time.” said Eddie.
“Well my husband is pretty famous...” Sabrina grinned.
“Wait yeah that's it. You're on one of those signs on the freeway “ said the waitress “For that wrestling show that's in town.”
“...Eddie Lyons.” Eddie's said “Sin City Wrestling.”
“Well something tells me Mr. famous wrestler man might have a big appetite.“ said the waitress “What can I get for you.?”
“I'll take the Breakfast Dagwood.” said Eddie.
“And for the lady?” she asked.
“Pancakes.” Sabrina replied “Lots of syrup. Oh and a side of bacon.”
“Coming right up.” the waitress smiled, taking the orders to the kitchen.
They sat enjoying their coffee, each others company and the sleeping baby until finally the food arrived. The two dug in almost immediately. Eddie found the Dagwood heavenly stuffed with bacon ham sausage melty cheese and velvety eggs.
“How's the pancakes?” Eddie asked.
“Amazing.” Sabrina said through a mouthful of pancake.
Eddie smiled. He thought Sabrina kind of looked like a chipmunk the way she was stuffing all that pancake in her cheeks.
Jordan fussed slightly in her seat which caught their attention but she quickly fell back into her slumber. Eddie and Sabrina continued to eat their meal in a quiet rhythm of conversation and tasty bites.
These were some of Eddie's favorite moments. Calms before the storm, and this was his calm before the storm that was Bill Barnhart. He had beaten Bill several times but that didn't mean Bill wasn't tough. Bill hit hard and had a mean streak.
Eddie just wanted to do right by his wife and daughter, and it seems like he was. Win or lose these are who he got to come home to and no matter what happened in the ring, they always had his side and that always made him feel like he was winning.
All he wanted was to bring them home a championship, maybe this is where his championship journey begins. Maybe this victory over Bill Barnhart is the one that leads him to the world championship.
But for now all that mattered was dagwoods, pancakes and family.
__________
The camera opens on Eddie Lyons after a recent workout at a local Tucson gym, he takes a heavy breath as he begins speaking into the camera.
“So not much has changed Bill.” said Eddie “Seems like you're still as loud as ever. “Regurgitating how you're going to break me, or whoever you have to be facing that week. And you never really do. You really are no more than just a return to the starting line.”
He shrugs.
“But it's how these things go.” said Eddie “I don't really have anybody to blame but myself for being put in another match with Bill Barnhart. I'm the one who couldn't win the High Stakes tournament. I made all these promises about returning the belt to HB Carter and I was unable to do any of it. So here I am once again facing Bill Barnhart.”
He pauses.
“I can't help but continue to wonder.” said Eddie “Wonder what it is I'm doing wrong. I just can't seem to break through. Why? Why do I get so close to the finish line only to fall all the way back?”
He exhales.
“The truth is I don't know.” said Eddie “I just know that the fight doesn't stop. I will continue to fight and I will continue to be a symbol of honor and respect that people can believe in. Win or lose people know they can count on Eddie Lyons to do the right thing and that's something that matters to me, maybe even more than a championship. If that's what's holding me back, then I guess I'm going to be chasing that world championship forever because I refuse to compromise who I am.”
He speaks with a firm tone.
“Some may call that stubborn," said Eddie “Or even foolish. But I don't care it's who I am, it's what built into my bones. I know deep in my heart I will be on the top someday. I will be the World Heavyweight Champion but will be when the time is right and it will be when I am truly earned it.”
He pauses and there's a look in his eyes like he's wondering if he even believes that himself.
“I do admire your confidence though Bill.” Eddie said “Even though you lose about ninety percent of your matches you still come out loud, brash and as confident as ever that you're really going to do something that matters.”
He shrugs.
“That's something I guess, but it won't be enough and you know it won't be enough.” Eddie said “You hit hard no doubt, I mean you hit like a fucking Mack truck, but I've taken your hardest hits before and gotten back up. The thing you haven't been able to do is break me.”
His words carry through the air with a confident tone.
“I mean don't you ever get tired of it?” Eddie said “Loss after loss after loss, I know I do and I've lost way more important matches than you. Yet every show you drone on and on about this and that and you don't even seem to want to make yourself better.”
Eddie shrugs.
“I guess that's another thing that separates us.” Eddie said, “I don't just accept loss, I try to grow from it and make myself better so it doesn't happen again. And maybe I've still got some things to learn in that regard, but I definitely don't have as much to learn about it as you. You just seem to accept it week after week, it's almost like you're just happy to be here.”
He pauses.
“I mean I'm proud to be an SCW Superstar as well.” said Eddie “But I want to bring home a championship to my ladies, my wife and daughter. I know they will always be there for me no matter what or lose but they deserve to have me bring them home a championship to show them and I can tell my daughter hey sweetheart look your daddy did it.”
A smile goes on his face as the image of his daughter appears in his head.
“I just don't think you can fathom how much that means to me.” said Eddie “How much it would mean for me to bring that championship home to my family, and how much desire I have and how much fight I still have to keep going until Unbreakable Eddie Lyons is the man on top of the mountain.”
He pauses shortly again.
“Time for Eddie Lyons to start his next race.” he continued “It starts at the beginning with Bill Barnhart. Only time will tell how far he makes it this time, but at High Stakes Eddie Lyon's will be the one with his hand raised in victory, and that's just the truth of the matter.”
Eddie keeps his usual confident but intense gaze directly on the lens of the camera as everything fades to black .