Post by Howard Black on Apr 26, 2015 16:42:56 GMT -5
Sarah Black was worried. As she sat at on the fabric couch in the living room of her house, she couldn’t help but question the lack of communication she’d received from her husband since his debut in the XWF. Sure, he’d sent a stray text message now and then, but he hadn’t called her nor made plans to come home, despite being in the relatively close Chicago area last week. It had been rough for him lately, she knew, and this was typical: he’d get quiet and recluse himself. As much of a fighter as Howard was in competition, he’d always been socially shy and conflict averse. A PR nightmare had been a long concern of his.
Still, this long without communication was odd. He had never taken loss well, but she was confidant in his love for his family. Joey had been asking about where Daddy was for a few days now. Even as his father lost, the little boy had never once strayed from the TV. He’d always be proud and supportive of his father; he meant so much to that little boy.
She picked up her phone, scrolling through the contact list until she found her husband’s name. Looking at the time, she guessed that he wouldn’t be at the arena yet and at least have a few moments to talk before his match. She hit the call button and raised the phone to her ear, her heart beating loudly in her chest as it rang, hoping for a response. As the fourth ring finished and her heart began to drop, she heard a click through the speaker and the voice of her husband, lifting the heavy heart once more.
Howard Black: “Hello?”
Sarah couldn’t help but smile, her shoulders and face relaxing into an open smile.
Sarah Black: “There you are. We’ve been worried about you.”
There was a silence on the line before she heard her husband take a deep breath and let out an exhausted sigh. His voice was tinged with embarrassment, and he gave a nervous chuckle.
Howard Black: “Yeah, uh… I’m sorry. Really, Sarah. It’s been sort of rough lately.”
Sarah Black: “Yeah, I know. I’ve been following it online. The internet feminist community is torn in half about whether you’re an outspoken cultural progressive champion or the anti-christ king of misogynists.”
Howard laughed again, still noticeably nervous. His voice had a subtle shake to it.
Howard Black: “Yeah… About that. What do you think?”
Sarah’s voice dropped, acquiring a tone of both comfort and understanding.
Sarah Black: “I know you, Howie. You’re a good guy, and you don’t hate women. You know I fell in love with you back in high school for how you stood up against the grain.”
There was another silence. Howard’s voice became clearly relaxed, his answer full of relief.
Howard Black: “That means the world, Sarah.”
Sarah smiled again, bright and beaming.
Sarah Black: “Oh, you big dope, I’d never be mad at you for putting your foot in your mouth. I know you. I love you.”
Howard Black: “I… I love you, too, Sarah. Sorry I’ve been a bum, I just didn’t know what to say.”
Sarah Black: “I know, it’s fine. But Howie? Don’t push away next time. We’ll always be in your corner. Joey’s been asking about you.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, I can imagine. Is he there?”
Sarah Black: “Sure is. Let me get him.”
Sarah lowered the phone, tilting her head back.
Sarah Black: “Joey? Daddy’s on the phone!”
Behind her was a clattering of toys falling to the ground and the patter of tiny bare feet as her son scattered over to her. He pulled himself over the couch and landed on his back, facing up at her beaming. He was a feisty, precocious looking little boy, not a year older than 7. His hair was sort of long and shaggy, messy and a deep chestnut brown. Two big blue eyes (no doubt resembling his mother) sat above a wide grin missing a few teeth between two cheeks round with the remains of his baby fat. He wore a big, baggy black shirt from his father’s indie days reading “FEAR THE FOX”, a shirt far too large as the small federation lacked child sizes, and blue jeans with no shoes or socks. His voice was loud and radiant with childish joviality.
Joey Black: “DADDY?! I wanna talk to Daddy!”
Sarah couldn’t help but laugh as her husband did on the line. She reached down and tussled her son’s hair affectionately, offering him the phone.
Sarah Black: “Now be careful, Mommy’s phone is fragile.”
The little boy nodded energetically, taking it from her hands.
Joey Black: “Don’t worry, Mommy, I will. Hi, Daddy!”
Howard Black: “Hey, my little man! How you been, buddy?”
Joey Black: “Good, Daddy! Mommy’s been letting me stay up late on Sundays to watch you, and you’re so cool in the ring. I saw last week when you were facing that bad guy with the greasy hair and you were like BAM POW POW BANG!”
As he narrated the fight between Howard and Joey Flash last week, little Joey Black flailed his arms in the air, miming trading shots with an imaginary adversary. Howard couldn’t help by laugh in response.
Howard Black: “Well I’m glad you’re my biggest fan, bud. You gonna watch Daddy tonight?”
Joey Black’s face lit up like a pinball machine on Christmas. He looked up at his mother who beamed in return, and he nodded frantically as he spoke.
Joey Black: “Yeah, Mommy got the Pay Per View and she ordered a pizza and we’re gonna stay up late and watch you go POW POW again! Are you gonna win, Daddy? Are you?!”
Howard laughed again on the other line, his voice full of affection for the young son.
Howard Black: “Heck yeah, I’m gonna win. Just you watch, little dude.”
Joey Black: “And are you gonna punch them in the face? And kick them in the balls?”
Howard Black: “I mean… I don’t plan on doing any of that kicking. And don’t you do that to anyone, either. But yeah, I’m gonna probably punch someone in the face.”
The little boy grinned, his eyes widening and his free hand shaking excitedly.
Joey Black: “You’re the best, Daddy. You’re gonna be champion and I’m gonna tell everyone at school how you’re the best ever.”
Howard laughed, an act he’d done a lot during this conversation. His voice couldn’t have sounded any more full of love for the kid.
Howard Black: “Thanks, little man. You wanna put your beautiful Mommy back on the line?”
Joey Black: “Kay! Mom, it’s for you!”
He held the phone out for his mother, who reached down and plucked it from his hand, her face full of relief. Her son hadn’t been this excited since his father had left, and while the price of the PPV was hard for her to financially justify, the happiness of her son reminded her that some things were worth the money.
Sarah Black: “Feeling better?”
Howard Black: “Much. I’m sorry again, Sarah. I won’t cut you out; I promise.”
Sarah Black: “I believe you. You know he thinks the world of you, Howie.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, I know. I’m gonna try to stop by this next week.”
Sarah Black: “I think we’d all like that. Excited for your match tonight?”
Howard Black: “Yeah. I mean, same as week one, kinda. Looking forward to a redo on that.”
Sarah Black: “So I saw. Are you worried at all?”
Howard Black: “A little bit. Zione got his ass kicked by Scarecrow last week, so I think he may be softened up. And Eve and Florian got their own head games going on.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed with concern, looking down at her legs, turning over the fate of Eve Vega last week.
Sarah Black: “Yeah, I saw that. I actually turned off the TV when that woman- Eve, I think?- got attacked. Just a touch too violent for Joey. That woman’s a psycho.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, no shit. And she doesn’t like me too much, either.”
Sarah Black: “Considering that woman’s definition of ‘liking’, I’d say that’s a good thing.”
Howard snickered. Sarah smiled, quietly pleased that she’d gotten a reaction out of her husband with the joke.
Howard Black: “Yeah, no kidding. Did you see the backstage after the match with Grime and I?”
Sarah paused for a moment, her concern deepening, and her eyes locking to the floor. She hardly noticed her son get up and run out of the room.
Her voice was tense and measured.
Sarah Black: “I did. What’s on your mind?”
Howard Black: “I… I don’t know. I don’t really trust him… but I can’t help but feel like he’s got a point. Maybe it’s worth considering.”
Sarah’s concern turned to a determined look of disapproval, her mouth creasing downwards into a firm frown.
Sarah Black: “Look, honey, I love you. And I know that it’s been hard getting in. But that man is trouble. He’s going to go down and try to drag as many people with him. I don’t like him, I don’t trust him, and I don’t think anything good will come with associating with him. I’d stay away from him. I promise people will start noticing you soon; you don’t have to do it this way. You or that poor guy, Florian.”
Howard was silent on the other line. After what seemed like forever, he let out a long, deep, exasperated sigh.
Howard Black: “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. It’s not worth it.”
Sarah’s features softened from his answer, her voice taking a tone of pleading.
Sarah Black: “Keep your head up, hun. Winning this match and being a contender will get you noticed. In the right way. You’re so close, baby.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, you’re right.”
There was another long pause.
Howard Black: “Well, I should head out to the arena. Thank you for calling, Sarah. I love you. I’m sorry.”
Sarah Black: “I love you too. One moment.”
Sarah lowered the phone and held it in the direction of Joey Black.
Sarah Black: “Say good bye to Daddy, Joey.”
Joey Black looked up from the toy wrestlers he had, one of Dune and another of Kaz Mazy he’d been slamming into each other in the little plastic WCF Action Ring Playset he had on the wooden floor of the dining room.
Joey Black: “Bye, Daddy! Go beat them up!”
With that, the little boy returned to smashing the action figures together in imaginary combat, making action sounds with his mouth as he did so. Sarah returned the phone to those full pink lips of hers.
Sarah Black: “Good luck, baby. We’ll be watching.”
And with that, she hung up the phone.
Still, this long without communication was odd. He had never taken loss well, but she was confidant in his love for his family. Joey had been asking about where Daddy was for a few days now. Even as his father lost, the little boy had never once strayed from the TV. He’d always be proud and supportive of his father; he meant so much to that little boy.
She picked up her phone, scrolling through the contact list until she found her husband’s name. Looking at the time, she guessed that he wouldn’t be at the arena yet and at least have a few moments to talk before his match. She hit the call button and raised the phone to her ear, her heart beating loudly in her chest as it rang, hoping for a response. As the fourth ring finished and her heart began to drop, she heard a click through the speaker and the voice of her husband, lifting the heavy heart once more.
Howard Black: “Hello?”
Sarah couldn’t help but smile, her shoulders and face relaxing into an open smile.
Sarah Black: “There you are. We’ve been worried about you.”
There was a silence on the line before she heard her husband take a deep breath and let out an exhausted sigh. His voice was tinged with embarrassment, and he gave a nervous chuckle.
Howard Black: “Yeah, uh… I’m sorry. Really, Sarah. It’s been sort of rough lately.”
Sarah Black: “Yeah, I know. I’ve been following it online. The internet feminist community is torn in half about whether you’re an outspoken cultural progressive champion or the anti-christ king of misogynists.”
Howard laughed again, still noticeably nervous. His voice had a subtle shake to it.
Howard Black: “Yeah… About that. What do you think?”
Sarah’s voice dropped, acquiring a tone of both comfort and understanding.
Sarah Black: “I know you, Howie. You’re a good guy, and you don’t hate women. You know I fell in love with you back in high school for how you stood up against the grain.”
There was another silence. Howard’s voice became clearly relaxed, his answer full of relief.
Howard Black: “That means the world, Sarah.”
Sarah smiled again, bright and beaming.
Sarah Black: “Oh, you big dope, I’d never be mad at you for putting your foot in your mouth. I know you. I love you.”
Howard Black: “I… I love you, too, Sarah. Sorry I’ve been a bum, I just didn’t know what to say.”
Sarah Black: “I know, it’s fine. But Howie? Don’t push away next time. We’ll always be in your corner. Joey’s been asking about you.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, I can imagine. Is he there?”
Sarah Black: “Sure is. Let me get him.”
Sarah lowered the phone, tilting her head back.
Sarah Black: “Joey? Daddy’s on the phone!”
Behind her was a clattering of toys falling to the ground and the patter of tiny bare feet as her son scattered over to her. He pulled himself over the couch and landed on his back, facing up at her beaming. He was a feisty, precocious looking little boy, not a year older than 7. His hair was sort of long and shaggy, messy and a deep chestnut brown. Two big blue eyes (no doubt resembling his mother) sat above a wide grin missing a few teeth between two cheeks round with the remains of his baby fat. He wore a big, baggy black shirt from his father’s indie days reading “FEAR THE FOX”, a shirt far too large as the small federation lacked child sizes, and blue jeans with no shoes or socks. His voice was loud and radiant with childish joviality.
Joey Black: “DADDY?! I wanna talk to Daddy!”
Sarah couldn’t help but laugh as her husband did on the line. She reached down and tussled her son’s hair affectionately, offering him the phone.
Sarah Black: “Now be careful, Mommy’s phone is fragile.”
The little boy nodded energetically, taking it from her hands.
Joey Black: “Don’t worry, Mommy, I will. Hi, Daddy!”
Howard Black: “Hey, my little man! How you been, buddy?”
Joey Black: “Good, Daddy! Mommy’s been letting me stay up late on Sundays to watch you, and you’re so cool in the ring. I saw last week when you were facing that bad guy with the greasy hair and you were like BAM POW POW BANG!”
As he narrated the fight between Howard and Joey Flash last week, little Joey Black flailed his arms in the air, miming trading shots with an imaginary adversary. Howard couldn’t help by laugh in response.
Howard Black: “Well I’m glad you’re my biggest fan, bud. You gonna watch Daddy tonight?”
Joey Black’s face lit up like a pinball machine on Christmas. He looked up at his mother who beamed in return, and he nodded frantically as he spoke.
Joey Black: “Yeah, Mommy got the Pay Per View and she ordered a pizza and we’re gonna stay up late and watch you go POW POW again! Are you gonna win, Daddy? Are you?!”
Howard laughed again on the other line, his voice full of affection for the young son.
Howard Black: “Heck yeah, I’m gonna win. Just you watch, little dude.”
Joey Black: “And are you gonna punch them in the face? And kick them in the balls?”
Howard Black: “I mean… I don’t plan on doing any of that kicking. And don’t you do that to anyone, either. But yeah, I’m gonna probably punch someone in the face.”
The little boy grinned, his eyes widening and his free hand shaking excitedly.
Joey Black: “You’re the best, Daddy. You’re gonna be champion and I’m gonna tell everyone at school how you’re the best ever.”
Howard laughed, an act he’d done a lot during this conversation. His voice couldn’t have sounded any more full of love for the kid.
Howard Black: “Thanks, little man. You wanna put your beautiful Mommy back on the line?”
Joey Black: “Kay! Mom, it’s for you!”
He held the phone out for his mother, who reached down and plucked it from his hand, her face full of relief. Her son hadn’t been this excited since his father had left, and while the price of the PPV was hard for her to financially justify, the happiness of her son reminded her that some things were worth the money.
Sarah Black: “Feeling better?”
Howard Black: “Much. I’m sorry again, Sarah. I won’t cut you out; I promise.”
Sarah Black: “I believe you. You know he thinks the world of you, Howie.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, I know. I’m gonna try to stop by this next week.”
Sarah Black: “I think we’d all like that. Excited for your match tonight?”
Howard Black: “Yeah. I mean, same as week one, kinda. Looking forward to a redo on that.”
Sarah Black: “So I saw. Are you worried at all?”
Howard Black: “A little bit. Zione got his ass kicked by Scarecrow last week, so I think he may be softened up. And Eve and Florian got their own head games going on.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed with concern, looking down at her legs, turning over the fate of Eve Vega last week.
Sarah Black: “Yeah, I saw that. I actually turned off the TV when that woman- Eve, I think?- got attacked. Just a touch too violent for Joey. That woman’s a psycho.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, no shit. And she doesn’t like me too much, either.”
Sarah Black: “Considering that woman’s definition of ‘liking’, I’d say that’s a good thing.”
Howard snickered. Sarah smiled, quietly pleased that she’d gotten a reaction out of her husband with the joke.
Howard Black: “Yeah, no kidding. Did you see the backstage after the match with Grime and I?”
Sarah paused for a moment, her concern deepening, and her eyes locking to the floor. She hardly noticed her son get up and run out of the room.
Her voice was tense and measured.
Sarah Black: “I did. What’s on your mind?”
Howard Black: “I… I don’t know. I don’t really trust him… but I can’t help but feel like he’s got a point. Maybe it’s worth considering.”
Sarah’s concern turned to a determined look of disapproval, her mouth creasing downwards into a firm frown.
Sarah Black: “Look, honey, I love you. And I know that it’s been hard getting in. But that man is trouble. He’s going to go down and try to drag as many people with him. I don’t like him, I don’t trust him, and I don’t think anything good will come with associating with him. I’d stay away from him. I promise people will start noticing you soon; you don’t have to do it this way. You or that poor guy, Florian.”
Howard was silent on the other line. After what seemed like forever, he let out a long, deep, exasperated sigh.
Howard Black: “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. It’s not worth it.”
Sarah’s features softened from his answer, her voice taking a tone of pleading.
Sarah Black: “Keep your head up, hun. Winning this match and being a contender will get you noticed. In the right way. You’re so close, baby.”
Howard Black: “Yeah, you’re right.”
There was another long pause.
Howard Black: “Well, I should head out to the arena. Thank you for calling, Sarah. I love you. I’m sorry.”
Sarah Black: “I love you too. One moment.”
Sarah lowered the phone and held it in the direction of Joey Black.
Sarah Black: “Say good bye to Daddy, Joey.”
Joey Black looked up from the toy wrestlers he had, one of Dune and another of Kaz Mazy he’d been slamming into each other in the little plastic WCF Action Ring Playset he had on the wooden floor of the dining room.
Joey Black: “Bye, Daddy! Go beat them up!”
With that, the little boy returned to smashing the action figures together in imaginary combat, making action sounds with his mouth as he did so. Sarah returned the phone to those full pink lips of hers.
Sarah Black: “Good luck, baby. We’ll be watching.”
And with that, she hung up the phone.
