Ever since she started on with this new therapist her drinking had picked up again, just like it always had. Her sessions would last for a week or two followed by several months of heavy drinking. This time around, though, seemed to be a little different. This time there was more than just the drinking. Vengeance and the longing for closure were rolled up into a nice little ball and stuffed into her subconscious. She wouldn’t stop until she had both.
Seth heard the front door open. With the El Camino still not visible from the window he figured it was Carmen coming to talk to him since she was a little uneasy to do so with her sister at the present time. Almost on cue she appeared around the corner with Alex in her arms. He pulled out one of the chairs from the table and Carmen took a seat. Nothing was said as Seth prepared his cup of tea; it was as though both had anticipated that this was going to happen the first chance Jalie wasn’t around.
“Where’d they go?” Carmen asked, finally breaking the silence. Seth shrugged as he took a sip from his cup then sat back in his chair. Carmen’s gaze danced across the kitchen. She wasn’t sure on what to say or how to go about it. Seth knew what was on her mind. He didn’t see the need in rushing the topic but could tell Carmen was having trouble on where to start.
“How’s your jaw?” He asked. It was difficult to draw the line between sincerity and the lack of concern he was infamous for in situations like this. Carmen picked up on it and turned her head away. Seth studied her as he took another sip of his tea. Her lower lip trembled slightly as she drew in a deep breath and let it go.
“I’m worried,” she said flatly. Although Seth was looking right at her she still refused to make eye contact. Jalie and her sister had always been very close but there was never any sort of strong bond between Carmen and Seth. Even with Jay or Cody there was never a “sibling” connection despite constantly being around them for the better part of four years, so it’s not like the low level of compassion Seth leaked out was a surprise to Carmen.
“About getting backhanded by your sister again?” Seth said more so in spite then in actual wonder. This didn’t help Carmen with the way she was feeling. She hoped that Seth would at least listen to her without spouting off comments like that. Fighting the urge to just up and leave, she adjusted herself in the chair so that her body was facing in Seth’s direction.
“No, about Lielee,” she said with a bit of an overtone. Pouring her feelings out to Seth was the last thing she wanted to do but knew they would, one way or another, make their way to Jalie. “Can you at least listen to what I have to say without being an asshole?” Frustration was starting to get the better of her, as it did with the Dumas women, which really brought out her accent. Without saying a word Seth crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side. “Look, I don’t want any hostility in front of Alex so can we please just talk about this?” she pleaded.
“From what I’ve gathered you don’t want a conversation. What you want is for me to listen while you go on about how you’ve been feeling in hopes that I’ll go running to Jalie and informer her of said things so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself.” he stated. Carmen didn’t respond; instead she looked away from him once more. So far this wasn’t going as she had hoped. Seth seemed a little more standoffish towards her now that he indeed knew the purpose of her visit was intended for him to talk to Jalie for her. He didn’t appreciate it. “So is that what you sent Cody off to do?” He reached for his cup.
“No, I didn’t,” she snapped. “He was upset and wanted to talk to Jalie about it.”
“I’m sure you guys have been talking about for the last three days.” he said in a rather firm tone. “When we see each other everyday and all of a sudden you stop showing up it’s either because you’re trying to let it blow over or Cody was trying to work up the nerve to confront Jalie about so you wouldn’t have to. Since I just saw them pull out of the driveway twenty minutes ago I’ll lean towards the latter.” He left his seat and finished the contents of his cup on the way over to the counter.
“Where were they going?” she asked, trying to tone down the mood. Seth set his cup in the sink and turned to lean against the counter.
“Home,” he told her. She took a couple seconds to think it over before realizing what was more than likely going on. Seth took note of the look on her face.
“I know,” he started. With a hint of genuineness in his voice he lowered his head, at which point Carmen raised hers. “What’s going to happen when… Cody finally gets the third degree from your papa?” That was it. Carmen stood up and headed for the doorway but stopped her self short.
“You need to start taking this more seriously before something bad happens,” she warned him. Before he could say anything she turned around and left the kitchen. Seconds later he heard the front door open and close. The little smirk he had on his face slowly disappeared as he sat back down at the table. Footsteps quickly approached towards the kitchen and Jay stormed past the open doorway. He stopped and took a few steps back until he was facing Seth.
“You’re an asshole,” he said while pointing at Seth. Before Seth could retaliate Jay continued along and followed Carmen out the door. Torn between slight amusement and his conscious shaking it’s finger at him, he slumped back into his chair. He knew he had gone to far. He knew this whole situation wasn’t a joke. He knew why Jalie was going to visit her parents. Yet he did nothing.
Another week, another ego. This time around I’m facing the great Tony Barrera, or so I’ve been told. Greatness is a matter of perspective. Ask some people, like Shawn, what they think of Tony and they’ll tell you he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. I’m not educated in the ways of Mr. Barrera but what I’ve seen of him doesn’t seem to fit the hype he brings around with him. I remember back in the day how Shawn would put Tony on a pedestal and sing his praises, which it looks like he still is. Word around the back, much like Tony has told us, management went to find him.
That’s true.
Which member of management could that have possibly been? Yeah, Shawn Walsh. Quite the coincidence that I’m now facing Barrera this week. Walsh has been trying to fuck me over since Resurrection. Virgil didn’t get the job done two weeks ago. Bob Dole and his cousin managed to keep Jalie and I from our match last week, which they just so happened to win. This week management continues their attempt to demoralize us by booking what they believe to be “unbeatable” matches. They’re having Jalie facing Dryden, our first and only Universal champion, in hopes that he will take her out of the running. This has nothing to do with the Universal title. They just want to see what damage can be done by the time the final bell rings. This match isn’t for the entertainment of the fans, it’s for Shawn and Aiden. As is the case with my match. It’s nothing more than an attempt to keep us under their thumbs, and Tony is only too happy to oblige.
And why not?
Him and Shawn go way back, so what’s a little favour between old buddies? Tony dusts off his shoulders and drags his ass out of retirement for what looks like nothing more than a few “glory” matches gone horribly wrong. Sure, Tony got himself over at Resurrection when he beat up on Brett Lukas in that impromptu match, but it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing since then. You can bitch all you want about what you didn’t get three years ago because it’s doesn’t mean anything right now. After getting embarrassed last week all you need to worry about is getting past me. You’re not the only one with gold in mind. I came mere inches away from getting that belt but you don’t hear me bitching and moaning about it every chance I get. You need to earn that shot against Dryden.
Your reputation won’t get it for you.