The West-Ward Blogicles
Season 4, Entry #6 -- “Is this a Storm front?”
The camera opens up to a grey sky, it looks foreboding as if a storm is going to be rolling in. It’s not clear where this is as the sky is the only thing that can be seen in the camera, that is until the face of the SCW Boyscout himself appears.
“Nasty storm coming in...”
He looks behind his shoulder and then back to the camera.
“In the past, I have underestimated Caleb Storms and I would apologize for that, but you see, for all the good work he did or has done lately, he’s let it all go to absolute dog shit because of his big mouth and lack of any sort of tact. Regardless of if you agree with someone being worthy of your respect, you don’t say shit that’s going to get you in a lion’s den match or an MMA match against someone that is an MMA master. Just as an example. And I know that Caleb is going to talk about our 4 way battle for the Heavyweight title and how I didn’t win. How I ended up out due to a kick to the head from my sweetie. I don’t deny that. Fen has a wicked kick. It’s his signature move. There’s a reason why it has taken out a lot of the roster. But here’s the ‘kicker’
He smirks as he uses quote fingers.
“At least I didn’t get pinned in that match. And at least I wasn’t stupid enough to say “Thank god” on twitter when the person who lost is very volatile and especially aggressive. People who do proper research would know this, but I get it. A guy like Caleb STorms doesn’t need to research because once upon a time he used to hold the Roulette championship. And even though he is easily distracted and only had that championship as a result of a distraction and has failed to regain that championship since then. I don’t have to resort to below the belt insults. The proof is in tapes up in the offices of SCW. Feel free to review them at any time.”
He sighs heavily.
“I want to give Caleb the benefit of the doubt that he’s going to come at me with something new. Some real hard-hitting commentary about this match but based on what I have seen, even in the year and a bit I’ve been here... that might be expecting too much. I know he’ll try and give it all he has and I can appreciate that, but in the end, Caleb Storms has never been able to pin my shoulders to the matt for a three count and he probably never will. That may sound arrogant, but it’s the truth and sometimes the truth hurts.”
He offers a shrug.
“He should keep aiming for the Roulette title. Instead, he issued an open challenge and the only stipulation was “Anyone not named Fenris...” Well, he should have been a little more selective but those are just fighting words. I know that Fen doesn’t need me or anyone else to defend him (although he does like it when I do it...)
He winks.
“But when you issue an open challenge you have to expect that anyone that has any sort of issue is going to step up. It’s almost an insult though too. I mean, you seem to think that Fen is the only one worthy of beating you. I’m going to do it once again, just to make sure you add me to that list of people you don’t want to face. Consider it a debt paid.”
“And you know what Caleb, a bit of honesty here, for a long time I was adamant about not facing you again. So I can understand why you feel that way about facing Fenris. You have been across a ring from him a lot lately. That was just like being publicly flogged for your little twitter faux pas. Also if you think Fen is done holding a grudge you’d be wrong. He doesn't let anything go so you’re not off the hook just because you’re facing me this week and not Fen again.”
He chuckles.
“But back to the subject at hand. You and I facing this week. See when you get in front of a camera to do a promo what you think other people see is this...”
He points to the dark clouds behind him.
“But I’m not scared by a little drizzle. I’m not underestimating you at all Caleb. All of us here in SCW have seen what you’re about, so in fact, it’s exactimating what you can do. I know your moves. I know what you do when you are in panic mode. I know what you say when you are angry when you are being cocky when you’re scared. That’s how many times I have had to get in front of this camera and talk about you. How many times I have come down that ramp and seen you waiting for me. But I figured why not give you one more chance. One more match to prove that you are as good as you claim to be. That you are worthy of being a champion again. I do not doubt that if you can put me away on Sunday, you’ll be a damn good Roulette candidate. Honestly, it’s not up to me when or if you get a shot, but if you pin me, Caleb, I’ll put in a good word for you. So let that be the motivation you need to be just that much better. We’ll see if it works.”
He nods his head with a smile as a streak of lightning lights up the sky and the corresponding boom of thunder leads to the screen going black.
***
Off Camera
Ty West is breathing heavy, his brow is damp with sweat and red. He lets out a breath of air. He huffs a little and keeps doing whatever it is.
“Come on. I”m going to beat you...”
The camera pans to the left to see the equally red and sweaty brow of his Aunt, Nurse Valora West (Soon to be Rodriquez)
“I don’t think so...”
It’s still not seen what the aunt and nephew are up to until a younger female voice interrupts.
“When can I get a chance to play the Wii?”
As the camera pans out, it can now be seen that two of them have challenged each other in Wii Dance. Wiimotes in hand, they are both frantically trying to keep up with the dancers on the screen while a bored-looking Evan Caron rolls her eyes from the sofa.
“After this sweetie, I just gotta beat Auntie...”
Based on the scores on the screen, Valora was leading by several hundred points. She was, after all, an accomplished dancer.
“Ah, my sweet senorita is a very good dancer, it is no wonder she will beat you, Senor Ty.”
From the kitchen of the West household appears the fiance of Valora, Senor Vinnie (a.k.a. Vinnie Rodriquez) He is carrying two bowls, one of homemade pico de gallo and another of chips, also homemade.
“Sweet Senorita, you copied my Mama’s recipes exactly. I feel like a young boy again back in Tijuana!”
He takes a long inhale of the salsa, closing his eyes. Evan’s eyes light up and she takes the bowls from Vinnie and immediately starts to dig in. Although Evan had texture issues when it came to food, she had accepted everything Valora had made since she arrived two weeks ago. On the table, was a notice. It said that Ty had been granted temporary custody of Evan until a decision was officially made regarding adoption. Ty was still thinking about it.
Vinnie, being nosey as he was, saw the paper and pulled it up off the table, just barely saving it from a glob of salsa that dripped off Evan’s too full chip.
“Only Temporary custody, senor? Valora said you were going to adopt the niña?”
This stops Ty immediately from playing with Valora and he turns, a scowl on his fact to look at the man he had not just a bit of contempt for.
“It’s not any of your business Vinnie. Stay out of it.”
Vinnie shrugs, sitting down beside Evan but not letting the subject go.
“But I still wonder why you do not just formally adopt her...”
Ty sighs agitated already by the fact that Vinnie was here in his home. He still did not trust the man and was even more wary of him after the very public proposal that his aunt accepted without question. Even more, the shock had befuddled him when they announced they were getting married at SummerExxtreme in only a few short weeks.
“Because Fen doesn’t want kids...” He blurted it out but then his face softened and showed sadness at the thought. Ty had always envisioned himself with kids but if he wanted kids, he couldn’t have that future with Fen and a future without Fen seemed to be worse than no kids. But his niece needed someone. Uncle Jesse wasn’t capable of really wanting to take over that responsibility. It was his responsibility. He couldn’t send her back to Jesse when his solution was to hire her a companion. With Evan’s ADHD she needed to have someone with her. She wasn’t as mature as other twelve-year-olds. She also needed role models. A normal life. Something she hadn’t gotten. His grandparents had done their best, but they were older. NOt able to give her the things she needed, especially with a learning disability and now that they were moving on to a long term care facility there were no other options.
Valora puts the remove down and Evan jumps up, immediately grabbing it and scanning through the song list. Valora puts a hand on Ty’s shoulder as he sinks into a chair.
“Vin... I don’t think it’s your place...”
Vinnie shakes his head with insistence.
“We are family now. I know that you still do not trust me Senor, but I want to prove it to you. When it comes to your aunt I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is taken care off. I have never married, never found my one true love. I think it’s because I was destined to wait for your dear sweet auntie.”
Valora blushes and Vinnie winks at her.
“Then what do you propose I do Vinnie?” His words are angry though, almost spiteful.
Vinnie doesn’t even stop to think and just blurts it out.
“Valora and I will adopt Nina.”
Ty and Valora look at him slowly, as if he had lost his mind entirely.
“Vinnie...” Valora looks confused.
“It’s not like either of us can have children now in our older ages. Your body is no longer able and I... let’s just say that it would not be possible for me as well. Besides I do not think I could deal with a baby and diapers...”
Valora nods her head. She wasn’t keen on the idea of having a baby at forty-two years old.
“But we could give Evan everything she needs. A home, two parents. A family. Support for her disability. And she knows us.”
Ty looks at Evan, seemingly oblivious to the conversation as she moves with the flexibility of youth to the moves on the screen. He then looks back to his aunt and future ‘uncle’.
“You’re serious about this? You know that it’s a huge responsibility. You can’t just lie to her when you want something. You can’t lie your way out of things, she deserves better than that...”
Vinnie’s face is completely serious. “This I know. I have not lied to either of you since our incident. I would not lie to the child.”
Valora, finally adds her bit to it.
“I love Evan. And I know that this situation is not easy for you Ty... But you can’t lose Fen. He’s your everything and in all honesty, what kind of Dad could you be to her? You’re barely an adult yourself...”
Ty stares at her with surprise.
“I love you. You know I do. But with how your life is, how much you love Kristjan, do you want to let that go so that you can take care of her? I know you feel responsible but look at what it did for your mom? For me? Your aunt in Japan... We all sacrificed for you. Now none of us regret that, but you are not like us that way. You have always aspired to be more.”
She sits in the seat formally occupied by Evan and pats Ty’s arm.
“How about this, I will petition to adopt Evan and Vinnie can earn your trust before we agree to let him also adopt her. Is that acceptable? I mean it’s not like you are going to lose her. She’ll be here until Vinnie and I find a home together. She’s going to be in Vegas. You can still see her and spend time with her. Isn’t that a better solution?”
He was still slightly insulted that his Aunt didn’t think he was mature enough to be a father but on the other hand, he knew she was right. The way he did things, how he looked at life, his profession... all those things made it possible that he would be away for long periods. He could get injured, sick just from what he did. And Valora was right, it wasn’t like he was going to lose her in his life.
“Can I think about it?”
Both Vinnie and Lora nodded. Ty saw a spark of something in Vinnie. Something he hadn’t seen before and he saw it when he looked at Lora. He genuinely loved his aunt. He grabs Valora’s hand, bringing it up to his mouth to brush his lips along her knuckles. Maybe he had changed? Ty was still uncertain, not just about Vinnie but about everything. He still felt like it was his obligation to take care of Evan. Evan was still playing the game and when it was over she turned, looked at the three adults and smiled.
“I beat you both. So there. Oh and, it doesn’t matter to me if you or auntie Valora adopts me, I just want to stay here with all of you.”
She then turns back to the TV to do another song and Ty was once again amazed at the way that Evan could pick up on things and act more mature than anyone else in the room. Even if it was rare for her to show that. It was like with Autism and how high functioning individuals seemed to be more advanced in some areas but social interactions were where they struggled. Evan lacked Tact. He found it eerily similar to his opponent on Sunday. Maybe Caleb STorms had some mild social interaction disability that he hadn’t been formally diagnosed with. Either way, he meant what he said. He truly hoped that Caleb pushed a little harder this week.
