A red Corvette Z06 sped down the Las Vegas road, blending in with the traffic at a steady pace so that none would look twice save for perhaps an admiring glance at the quality of the sports car. The occupants within were notable, but none paid them any heed as those inside of the other cars on the road focused more so on their own destinations, conversations, and yes – telephone calls.
The weather was only mildly humid, but overall pleasant with an airy breeze that sifted through the car’s open windows. The day was early, noon had not even arrived, but it was still easy to tell that autumn had arrived. The heat of summer was all but gone, save for the warmth of the sun and the clear, blue sky that brought about a sense of calm. The man driving had read once that the color blue was thought to release something in the brain that brought about a sense of calm in a person. It would explain why a person felt good about whenever the heavens over them were a bright blue with little to no clouds in the sky – much like now.
An ironic thought the driver silently contemplated, as he himself had always enjoyed stormy skies with gray clouds and the threat of rain and lightning. To each their own.
“Why won’t you tell me where we’re going?” Came a singsong whine from the young man crouched down in the passenger seat, his roaming eyes darting about everywhere they passed, the buildings and pedestrians walking about, with his long, wild hair whipping everywhere.
Synn glanced over at Despayre who was hunched down in his seat with his chin rested on his arm as he drank in the pleasant weather outside. It had been well over a year, close to two actually, since he had the young man released from a Canadian mental institution. That did not stop him though from gazing at him and wondering if he would ever begin to take for granted the things everyone else did not even think twice about in their every day lives. Despayre had lived off and on for so many years in isolation that it seemed the smallest things fascinated him and brought the boy such a feeling of euphoria.
Synn couldn’t help but feel the pangs of time lost and the resolution to regain them.
Despayre closed his eyes and rested his cheek along his forearm as the wind blew over his upper body and the sun cast down on his fair skin. Had Synn ever experienced such innocent perceptions at the world around him? No, not that he could ever recall. When he was Synn’s age, all he felt were traces of bitterness at the world around him. Not even when he was younger could he recall. He felt pity for all the years Despayre had lost to the cruelties of fate, and yet he at times realized their lives were so intertwined by similar chances. Synn, too, had been caged but it was of a prison he crafted himself within his own soul. Barriers and walls built to keep the affections of others out.
And yet here there was this young man not even twenty years of age that was threatening to cause those very walls to come crumbling down around him. Not an unpleasant thought Synn was forced to admit.
“Why won’t you tell me where we’re going?”
Keeping his eyes to the road ahead, with the occasional glance at the GPS on the dash, Synn answered, “Now Joshua, you know that I told you it was a surprise. If I were to let you know where I was taking you, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise now would it?”
Despayre grumbled beneath his breath and tried to push himself further back into his seat.
Noting the youth’s discomfort level, Synn added, “Don’t be such a fuss budget. You’re going to love it.”
Despayre glanced up from where his head rested on his arm. “Promise?”
“Promise. Just be patient.”
Despayre laid his head back down and sighed, “I’m not the patient type.”
Synn could not help but chuckle lightly and he said, “I never would have guessed.”
“Neither is Angel.” Despayre added in a soft whisper.
Synn looked up into the rearview mirror and at the object of Despayre’s wanton devotion; the cream colored teddy bear clad in a bite sized business suit, and fastened snugly into a child’s car seat. Synn never possessed one of those little bundles as a boy, so it remained a mystery to him just how such a thing could bring Despayre out of his shell as it has since ‘Angel’ was introduced into their lives. It shouldn’t, however. Teddy bears have long been a universal sign of protection, love and comfort, regardless of age or gender. He remembered reading a quote somewhere that stated, “Nothing brings a feeling of love like squeezing a teddy bear.”
Despayre seemed to be living proof of that fact.
Synn often wondered if he and Gabriel would have gotten anywhere this close to breaking Despayre’s emotional walls if it hadn’t been for Angel.
Synn broke himself from his inner contemplation and said, “Yes, well you don’t hear him grumbling, do you?”
Despayre’s brow furrowed, “Yeah well, he says he’s in on your little secret.”
Synn smiled and looked over at Despayre. “Has your little friend been listening in on my phone calls again?”
“Teddy bears are nosey too.” Was Despayre’s only answer. A few awkward seconds passed when Despayre picked his head up and looked into the back seat. “Well you are!” Despayre turned back around and flopped against his seat, exhaling sharply.
“He didn’t like appreciate that little assessment?”
“Their feelings are hurt pretty easy too.” Despayre turned back around to gaze at the bear and he murmured, “I’m sorry you’re nosey. I mean, I’m sorry I said that you’re nosey.”
Synn shook his head as Despayre turned back and made an attempt to relax. Synn had never kept a secret from Despayre from the moment they met, but this was special. At least, he hoped that it would be. He had went thru many months of planning for this deal to come through and once it had, it took an even harder level of work to bring it up to his own personal expectations. All of this served as a catalyst for Despayre’s unending string of questions for him.
”What are you doing?” “Where are we going?” “If you won’t tell me, will you tell Angel?” “Does Gabriel know anything?”
These were but just a few of the queries the young man fired off at him, and each one garnered neither an answer nor a clue. At first Despayre seemed to be worried and Synn reassured him that they were not returning to Canada. Synn had finally managed to make Despayre understand and accept that he would never be returned to Broodmoore, but he did not even want to set foot inside the Canadian border ever again – period. Canada was his hometown, but it represented a dark period of time in his life he could not face, and Synn would not force it upon him. Not even if a wrestling show or tour would make bookings in Canada would it happen.
This time, however, Gabriel was the key in his plans. The shared bond between them, and Gabriel’s having made his nest in Las Vegas had provided Synn with the key to what Despayre sorely needed most in his life.
A stable home.
“Well, we’re here.”
“Hm?” Despayre brought his head up and looked around and saw that they had maneuvered their way into a rather upscale part of Las Vegas where the houses were decorative in modern structure and spaced apart for the personal and private comforts of those housed within.
The car pulled into the white marble drive of a house that seemed to have jumped right out of a modern enthusiast’s dream home magazine.
<img src=http://www.insulationforhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/las-vegas-homes.jpg>
The car pulled to a stop in front of this two-story house that seemed almost on the verge of being a ‘mini-mansion’ and Synn turned off the ignition. He looked over at Despayre who’s eyes were as wide as saucers drinking in the detailing of this structure, and he asked, “Well? Do you like it?”
Despayre silently nodded and leaned out of the window but got snagged on his seat belt and could go no firther. He reached in and unfastened himself and quickly scrambled from the car without the benefit of opening the door and collapsed to the pavement. He scrambled to his feet and reached into the backseat of the car to get Angel from ‘his’ car seat and held him tightly as Synn shut his own car door behind him. Synn walked around the car and stood at Despayre’s side.
“Joshua?”
“Wow.” Came the whisper that was nearly inaudible. “Who’s house is this?”
“Ours.”
Despayre turned and looked at Synn and his eyebrows shot up. “Ours?”
Synn nodded and turned back to look at the fancy house. He said, “Most of the places we lived in over the past year or so were just rentals Joshua, save for the two houses in New York and Louisianna. A few months back I sold both of those, and bought this place.”
“Why?”
“Because I thought you needed a home, Joshua. A real home.” Synn looked down at the smaller man and found his gray eyes glistening with excitement and… and hope. Synn turned back and gave a nod toward the house. “This is it.”
”Nice.” Christian said as he slid the photograph of the house back across the table. “I always thought you were wealthy but I never knew you were quite that rich.”
Synn smirked, “I don’t know about rich but I am comfortable. I’ve never touched any of the money I’ve made over the years in wrestling. Most of my money has been made in stocks and real estate.”
“Well, that’s one piece of the Mystery of Synn revealed.”
“Wow.”
Synn smiled at him, “You want to see the inside?”
Despayre needed to more prompting as he tore off for the front door and pulled it open before dashing inside, Synn quickly following in after him.
Despayre was like a child in entirely new surroundings, feeling the need to explore every single nook and cranny. The house was completely furnished in a blend of Greek and modern décor and Despayre was busy inspecting every thing he could lay his eyes and hands upon. Synn just stood and watched in silent pleasure at the ‘boy’s’ enthusiasm.
Despayre turned over cushions and moved chairs aside to inspect everything, then was followed into the large kitchen where he pulled open every cupboard and pantry door, searching for whatever elusive goodies there were to find – and there was plenty. Every single food Despayre had a fondness for, from cookies to pastas and mac and cheese, Synn had made certain to have stocked aplenty. The freezer had all his favorite pizzas inside and once the fridge door was pried open, Despayre let out whoop of delight at the bounty of Cherry Cokes inside.
He quickly pulled a soda free from the plastic rings and took a giant swig when he spotted something even more amazing right outside through the patio door. He choked on his drink and croaked out through a hoarse tone, “No way!” And he dashed outside and stood in amazement at the sight of the sparkling pool set in the spacious outdoor patio.
Synn followed him with a beeming smile, taking intense pleasure at Despayre’s delight in his new surroundings. “Well, what do you think?”
Despayre’s head whipped around and his face was alight with joy. “A pool!” he exclaimed. “Is that ours too!?”
Synn nodded in the affirmative and Despayre held Angel up in front of him and cried out, “A pool! Look Angel!” He looked back to Synn and asked, “This means we can go swimming!?”
Synn nodded, “Yes, it means you…wait. Wait Joshua!”
**SPLASH!!!**
**********
Synn, smiling despite himself and shaking his head, led the dripping wet (and fully clothed) Despayre into a bedroom on the upstairs level of the house. Despayre looked up in amazement and then asked Synn, “Is this … ?”
Synn nodded, “Your room.”
“Mine?” Despayre looked around, “All mine?” Beside the King size bed, the first thing he saw was the large flat screen plasma TV and what appeared to be a complete collection of every Looney Tunes DVD ever released stored on a shelving unit. He made a cry of glee and went right for them but was caught by the arm.
Synn shook his head, “Not until you’ve dried off and had a change of clothes. We’re going to go see Gabriel at his show tonight.”
“All this and Gabriel too!?”
“Yes so start getting ready. I have to go make a few calls but I’ll get you some towels to dry off.”
Synn left the room and closed the door behind him and Despayre’s eyes went right back to the TV and video collection. He bit his bottom lip and contemplated playing maybe just one, but then looked at the equally wet teddy bear in his hands.
“I know, I know!” He said and he sat Angel down on the bedside and he started struggling to pull his soaked shirt off when he heard the door open behind him.
A plump, older Hispanic woman in a uniform stepped inside of the bedroom holding an armload of fresh towels in her hands and she smiled at the predicament Despayre found himself in, stuck in his wet shirt.
“Little help?” He called out and the woman set the towels down and walked over to him. She grabbed at the shirt and helped pull it over his head and he dropped it on the floor.
“Thanks!” He chirped. “I…AHHHHHH!!!!”
Synn had made it halfway down the stairs when the sudden outburst and now the multitude of shouts from upstairs diverted him and he turned back around and ran upstairs. He swung the bedroom door open and foun himself gawking at the comical sight of the woman swinging a small pillow at Despayre as he swung the sopping wet Angel at her. He was shouting incoherently at her and she was shouting back at him in Spanish.
“Hey!” Synn shouted. “Hey hey! Stop it! Stop!” He darted in and inserted himself between the pair and held them both back at arm’s length. The woman glared at Despayre who was baring his own teeth at her. “What is going on!?” Synn demanded.
Despayre pointed at the woman and whined, “She snuck in here behind me! She’s an intruder in our happy home!”
The woman raised a finger at him and said, “You told me to bring him towels and I went to help him with his shirt and … ¡Él iba salvaje en mí y comenzó a hacer pivotar ese oso de peluche! ¡Este pequeño hombre el suyo está loco en la cabeza!”
Despayre stood rigid on his toes and snarled, “How DARE you say that to me!?”
Synn turned his head to him and smiled, “You know what she said?”
He looked at Synn. “No.” Then he looked at her and said, “But how DARE you!”
Synn closed his eyes and nodded. He then opened his eyes and looked at Despayre and said, “Joshua, she’s not an intruder. This is Teresa Aguilera. She’s our live in housekeeper.”
Despayre blinked and looked at Teresa. “Live in housekeeper?”
“Yes. She lives right across the hall. I have a couple others helping take care of the house but this lady here…” Synn rested a hand on her shoulder. “… She’s in charge of keeping the home in order.” Synn shrugged, “You don’t think I’d be able to cook and clean myself, do you?”
Teresa rolled her eyes at that and Despayre smiled. He leaned over and looked at the housekeeper, “Will you watch Looney Tunes with me?”
Teresa blinked and looked up at Synn and she could not help but smile.
Christian Underwood, the second half of the SCW ownership combination with ‘Hot Stuff’ Mark Ward, picked up his pumpkin spiced latee’ and had a sip, then said, “So that explains how your lot arrived here in Vegas. But I don’t get why you decided to settle here when you had those other places all over the country.”
Seated across the café from Christian was Synn, no drink at his wn spot, but he leaned back in his chair, looking off. He said, “It’s like I said. Gabriel was the key factor. He told me ages ago about his dream of having a show in Las Vegas so I went about seeing what I could do. I mean, he’s made for it. He has the sexual appeal. The personality and the talent.”
Christian nodded as he set his cup down, “Well I’ll give you that. I’ve been to a couple of his shows with Scotty and we were both impressed. Amazed, actually. That guy does things on that stage I’ve only seen a few magicians do on TV specials.” Christian frowned and leaned in, “Is he going to get any specials?”
“We’ve yet to discuss anything of that nature.” Synn answered. “I think he’s happy with his stage act, and now that he’s going back into wrestling, his time will be hard pressed enough. Besides, I’m still trying to get him another episode or two of ‘Supernatural’ and that was his big thing.”
Christian nodded. “And how is Despayre feeling? Is he adjusting well?”
Synn looked over to the other side of the café where Despayre was staring into the glass case where all the pastries were, trying to pick one. He said, “It’s been a slow process but … yes. He was a little down about not touring. He loved getting to see all of those places but I promised him we’d go on a vacation now and again so he could see more places.”
“Whatever Despayre wants…?” Christian smiled, taking another drink.
Synn smiled and nodded, “Pretty much. I think I’ve told him ‘no’ maybe once, and the second I saw that bottom lip….” He shook his head. “I can’t believe after all these years, someone else is actually managing to manipulate me!”
Christian laughed. “Well, I’m just glad I managed to get you guys to agree to sign on. This was something Mark and I had been meaning to put together and it’ll really help having two big names on the active roster. Most of the guys we signed were active on the indy scene.”
Synn nodded. “I’ve watched some tapes of some of the guys you have. Some of them are actually older and have more ring time than Gabriel or Despayre. I just think my two boys got the bigger breaks.”
Christian smiled, “It happens. The wrestling business has about ten wrestlers in it that haven’t gotten a break for every name in the big feds. Personally I always preferred the independents. The workers always seem to put more effort into their matches.”
“I’m still trying to figure out that duo you and Mark signed my guys against.”
“How do you mean?”
Synn frowned, “I mean I’ve never seen someone like that Virgil character. I couldn’t believe how he was going on and whining about the things that Saint Patty character was talking about in that first promo of his. He barely mentioned Virgil and Virgil started going on like there was some kind of conspiracy against him and that partner of his.”
“He did seem the sensitive type.” Christian agreed. “I don’t know if Mark was deliberately avoiding him or not but I couldn’t really blame him if he was.”
Synn scoffed, “Well what the hell did he expect Ward was going to do? Fine and suspend him just because he mentioned his name? If you’re going to belly ache about trivial details like someone talking about you then get the hell out of the business and let an actual man take your place who won’t act the part of a cry baby.”
“You’re being a little harsh, aren’t you?”
“Harsh?” Synn sneered. “You’ve known me for how many years and you think that’s what I’d be saying if I was harsh? The guy is so full of shit…”
“We heard that!” Despayre’s voice called the café, drawing Synn and Christian’s (and everyone else’s attention over to the counter where Despayre was stuffing a Danish into his mouth. “Swear jar!”
Christian snorted back his laughter and smiled at Synn who shook his head. He turned his attention back to Christian. “So in answer to your question, no. I’m not being harsh. That sawed off little gnome is already going around telling people that if his team loses it’ll be all the fault of Patty and what Patty said about him, and not the fault of him or his partner. Not because my team is the better team, or that he and his partner just fat out choked against two undefeated world champions. It’ll all be because of Patty!”
Christian shook his head as he took a drink and cast a glance over at Despayre. The little guy had been approached by a small child who asked if she could pet Angel.
“Are your hands clean?” Despayre asked the child, holding Angel back away from her. Christian choked on his drink as the child held her hands out for Despayre to closely inspect.
Christian looked back at Synn. “At least he gave your guys props on what they were capable of.”
Synn frowned, “How could he not? Half the world saw what Gabriel and Despayre accomplished during their stint in the AWA. They both held singles gold and left the AWA without ever having been beaten for the tag team titles. Gabriel is a crafty one and Despayre is…well, Despayre. Of course all the cards are stacked in their favor. So better to acknowledge that and have an excuse handy for the inevitable loss in an effort to save face.”
“So you’re confident in your boys’ chances against Virgil and Eddie?”
“Team Viagra?” Synn shook his head with a look of disgust. “I have nothing but confidence that my guys will win. With a team name like that, they’re a walking joke. Did you notice how they gave Gabriel all the props that he’d give them trouble but insinuated they’d have an easier time with Despayre?”
Christian only nodded.
Synn shook his head and smiled, “Then they obviously don’t know this guy!” He jetted a thumb over in Despayre’s general direction.
Christian smiled and started to rise from his chair. “Well, be that as it may, I still wish your guys good luck. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a few more appointments with some of the others guys so, have a good one.”
Christian turned around and headed out, never minding the fact Synn’s eyes were firmly glued to Christian’s even firmer backside. Synn shook his head and growled, “I am so going to have to get a piece of that!”
