Post by Caleb Houston on Apr 25, 2014 20:23:44 GMT -5
It was an abnormally warm April day off the coast of Massachusetts. I sat there on my boat wearing a ragged pair of boots, black mesh shorts, and a stained white t-shirt. The black sunglasses hid my eyes from the sun. The water was fairly calm, but there was a slight rocking to the boat. I had three rods in the water of the end of the boat just waiting… and waiting. It has felt like I’ve been waiting forever to catch something. I had let go most of my crew before this trip, mainly because I couldn’t afford to pay them anymore. I had sunk the last bit of my money into this boat when I decided to leave the squared circle. The only person left was Paul. He was an older man. Early 60s to be exact. He didn’t do this for money anymore. He did it for enjoyment. His head was buried in a book as he sat behind the wheel of the boat.
‘I don’t think we’re going to get anything today Paul..’
I called out to him. He closed his book, and made his way out of the cabin to where I was at. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans, and a grey shirt. His longer salt and pepper hair was covered by a red and blue Budweiser cap. He looked down at his watch, and then out to the water. The man’s face was grizzled, and it looked like he had been through war. He had been doing this job for 40 plus years. He’s seen it all.
‘Yeah kid.. it’s not looking to promising. Maybe we could try up the coast a bit, but from the radio chatter it doesn’t look like anyone has been having a good time these past few weeks.’
He responded. We were a few days out of season for the tuna, but I thought for sure we’d be able to get some halibut or something to make a little bit of cash. Unfortunately I was wrong. I should’ve stayed back at the docks and got the boat read for next weekend. But cash is king.
‘Let’s give it a little bit yet..’
I said. If I was going anywhere it was back to the docks. Each second this boat was on the water it cost me money. Money I didn’t exactly have. Inside my pocket I felt my phone begin vibrating. I reached in and pulled it out. When I read the name on it I laughed slightly and shook my head. I tossed the phone onto the table in front of me without answering.
‘What’s the point of even having that thing if you never answer it?’
He asked me. You know I didn’t really have a reason to have the cell phone. I guess I’ve had one for so long that I didn’t feel right without having one on me. I honestly think I made about 1 or 2 phone calls a week off the thing, and they were mainly to Paul. I shrugged my shoulders and let out a deep sigh as I placed my hands behind my head. My arms were heavily tattooed. From hands to shoulders. Plenty more were hiding under the t-shirt, too.
‘Let’s reel ‘em up. Got some things I need to get so we’re ready for next week.’
I pushed myself up from the chair and made my way over to one of the rods. Paul right by my side. We began reeling in the line. The breeze was slowly starting to pick up a bit as we pulled packed the rods up, and laid them against the cabin. I liked Paul. I liked him a lot. He was a hard worker, like me. And he wasn’t much of a talker, again a lot like me. Since I had left wrestling I’ve pretty much cut myself off from the world. I had contact with my crew members, but that was about it. And the only time those guys talked to me was to get paid. Once we had everything situated I made my way back into the cab, and fired up the engine. I turned the boat around, and we began our ride back to the docks.
‘So, I’ve known you for a few years now Caleb. And I’ve always wondered why you walked away from wrestling in your prime?’
‘I was done with it. Nothing positive in my life ever came from it.’
‘But the money .. the traveling.’
‘Not worth it. Waste of time. I regret ever being involved’
By the way I answered this question Paul could tell I wasn’t really interested in talking about it. Hell, I think this was the first time I talked about it since I actually walked away from it. All my gear was gone. I had sold the gym. I had tried to erase all memories from my mind. That’s partly the reason why I hid behind the pills, and alcohol. After what seemed like an eternity we finally pulled into the docks. As I began to creep closer Paul headed out and began to tie us down. When he gave me the signal we were all situated I shit off the engine, and made my way out of the cabin.
‘Hey kid.. there’s someone here to see you.’
He said to me. Who the hell would be looking for me? And how did they know where I was. I grabbed my black sweatshirt off the table, and pulled it over my head as I hopped off the boat and onto the dock. Standing directly in front of me was a man in a very expensive suit. I gave him a look over before we locked eyes. It was none other than Blade Lopez. The same man who I met outside of a wrestling event as a child. The man who got me into the business, and taught me everything I knew.
‘Well if it isn’t Caleb Houston… You look…. Like shit.’
He said to me. He was always a flashy kind of guy. He had a lot of money, and spent even more. I shook my head, and tried to walk past him. He reached out with his right hand and placed it on my chest. Not letting me pass by.
‘You’re not getting away from me that easy kid..’
‘How the hell did you find me? And what could you possibly want?’
I asked him. I wasn’t really interested in talking to him. I thought he would get the hint from all the ignored calls, and unanswered text messages.
‘I’m Blade Lopez.. I know everything. I have an opportunity for you. You don’t need to keep wasting your time on this boat. Looks like you’re doing real well here.’
He was very sarcastic with the way he spoke.
‘I don’t want your opportunity.’
‘Caleb, I’m ready to give you the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to resurrect your wrestling career..’
I winced a bit when he mentioned the word wrestling. I had done everything in my power to remove that completely from my life. I was not, and couldn’t see myself ever being, interested in wrestling again. I just shook my head.
‘You know what Blade… take your opportunity of a lifetime and give it to someone else. I’m done with that part of my life. I’m all set here with my boat.’
I responded. I pulled my hood up over my head as I walked away from Blade. I was hoping this would help me ignore him a little easier, but I knew he was going to keep going. He didn’t like the word no.
‘Alright, Caleb, well you know my number. When you’re ready to stop acting like a bitch give me a call.. you won’t regret it.’
With my right hand I reached up to give him a wave. It was my way of saying yeah you got it. Paul came trotting up to my side. He was shocked by what he had just seen. He had seen the ups and downs, mostly downs, of my life over the past few years. He couldn’t believe I was giving up a shot to resurrect my career, and rebuild my life. But he, unlike a lot of people, didn’t realize what I had gone through in EWA, and PWO. How I wasn’t willing to put myself through that all over again.
‘Paul, just let it go. Be here next Friday ready to work. We’re going out, and not coming back until we have a full boat.’
I gave him a look as I said this. We both stopped next to my truck. I could tell he wanted to say something, but he knew me better than to press buttons when I wasn’t interested. He nodded his head to me, and continued on his way. I stood next to my truck for a second looking back to the docks. Blade was no longer standing here. I opened the door to my truck and got in the driver’s seat.
‘Mother fucker..’
I screamed as I punched the dashboard a few times. I was furious. I was doing great being away from this. I was finally starting to forget. Then Blade had to show up, and ruin all of my progress. I bought this boat because on the water I was as far away as possible from the world. No one there could bother me. And I had thought moving up here no one could find me.. I was wrong.
‘Who told him?’
I asked myself confused. No one knew I was here. I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving Philadelphia. I had just picked up in the middle of the night one night and came up here. I guess I should’ve gone farther. Nova Scotia or something. I fired up the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot. I wanted to get as far away from here as possible. As far away from Blade as I possibly could. I reached my right hand over to the passenger side seat, and picked up a pill bottle. I opened the cap with one hand and pulled two pills out of the bottle. I tossed them in my mouth, and titled my head back as I gulped deeply and swallowed them. They were my release… very soon I would be in my happy place. I continued driving for a few minutes before pulling up in front of the atm. I grabbed my wallet out of the center console, and headed out of the truck.
I pulled out my debt card, and entered it into the ATM machine. I typed in my secret password, and selected a few more buttons before a ‘transaction declined.’ Message popped up on the screen. It spit out my receipt, and I looked down at it. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.
‘What the fu-… negative $450.’
I had forgotten I stopped at the store for a few parts for the boat this morning. I put them all on the card never knowing how much money I actually had. More proof that we had been having a rough time with the fishing lately. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I still needed gas, and bait for the trip next weekend. I couldn’t cancel because I had absolutely no other options for money right now. With a very painful grimace I reached my right hand into my pocket.
‘One match.. it won’t kill me. Should get me back on my feet.’
I said to myself as I scrolled through my contacts until I found Blades name. I stared at it for a few seconds before closing my eyes as I pressed the green call button before placing it up to my hear. The whole time the phone was ringing I wanted to hang up, but something wouldn’t let me.
‘Hey Blade… about that opportunity you had. Is it still available?’
‘I don’t think we’re going to get anything today Paul..’
I called out to him. He closed his book, and made his way out of the cabin to where I was at. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans, and a grey shirt. His longer salt and pepper hair was covered by a red and blue Budweiser cap. He looked down at his watch, and then out to the water. The man’s face was grizzled, and it looked like he had been through war. He had been doing this job for 40 plus years. He’s seen it all.
‘Yeah kid.. it’s not looking to promising. Maybe we could try up the coast a bit, but from the radio chatter it doesn’t look like anyone has been having a good time these past few weeks.’
He responded. We were a few days out of season for the tuna, but I thought for sure we’d be able to get some halibut or something to make a little bit of cash. Unfortunately I was wrong. I should’ve stayed back at the docks and got the boat read for next weekend. But cash is king.
‘Let’s give it a little bit yet..’
I said. If I was going anywhere it was back to the docks. Each second this boat was on the water it cost me money. Money I didn’t exactly have. Inside my pocket I felt my phone begin vibrating. I reached in and pulled it out. When I read the name on it I laughed slightly and shook my head. I tossed the phone onto the table in front of me without answering.
‘What’s the point of even having that thing if you never answer it?’
He asked me. You know I didn’t really have a reason to have the cell phone. I guess I’ve had one for so long that I didn’t feel right without having one on me. I honestly think I made about 1 or 2 phone calls a week off the thing, and they were mainly to Paul. I shrugged my shoulders and let out a deep sigh as I placed my hands behind my head. My arms were heavily tattooed. From hands to shoulders. Plenty more were hiding under the t-shirt, too.
‘Let’s reel ‘em up. Got some things I need to get so we’re ready for next week.’
I pushed myself up from the chair and made my way over to one of the rods. Paul right by my side. We began reeling in the line. The breeze was slowly starting to pick up a bit as we pulled packed the rods up, and laid them against the cabin. I liked Paul. I liked him a lot. He was a hard worker, like me. And he wasn’t much of a talker, again a lot like me. Since I had left wrestling I’ve pretty much cut myself off from the world. I had contact with my crew members, but that was about it. And the only time those guys talked to me was to get paid. Once we had everything situated I made my way back into the cab, and fired up the engine. I turned the boat around, and we began our ride back to the docks.
‘So, I’ve known you for a few years now Caleb. And I’ve always wondered why you walked away from wrestling in your prime?’
‘I was done with it. Nothing positive in my life ever came from it.’
‘But the money .. the traveling.’
‘Not worth it. Waste of time. I regret ever being involved’
By the way I answered this question Paul could tell I wasn’t really interested in talking about it. Hell, I think this was the first time I talked about it since I actually walked away from it. All my gear was gone. I had sold the gym. I had tried to erase all memories from my mind. That’s partly the reason why I hid behind the pills, and alcohol. After what seemed like an eternity we finally pulled into the docks. As I began to creep closer Paul headed out and began to tie us down. When he gave me the signal we were all situated I shit off the engine, and made my way out of the cabin.
‘Hey kid.. there’s someone here to see you.’
He said to me. Who the hell would be looking for me? And how did they know where I was. I grabbed my black sweatshirt off the table, and pulled it over my head as I hopped off the boat and onto the dock. Standing directly in front of me was a man in a very expensive suit. I gave him a look over before we locked eyes. It was none other than Blade Lopez. The same man who I met outside of a wrestling event as a child. The man who got me into the business, and taught me everything I knew.
‘Well if it isn’t Caleb Houston… You look…. Like shit.’
He said to me. He was always a flashy kind of guy. He had a lot of money, and spent even more. I shook my head, and tried to walk past him. He reached out with his right hand and placed it on my chest. Not letting me pass by.
‘You’re not getting away from me that easy kid..’
‘How the hell did you find me? And what could you possibly want?’
I asked him. I wasn’t really interested in talking to him. I thought he would get the hint from all the ignored calls, and unanswered text messages.
‘I’m Blade Lopez.. I know everything. I have an opportunity for you. You don’t need to keep wasting your time on this boat. Looks like you’re doing real well here.’
He was very sarcastic with the way he spoke.
‘I don’t want your opportunity.’
‘Caleb, I’m ready to give you the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to resurrect your wrestling career..’
I winced a bit when he mentioned the word wrestling. I had done everything in my power to remove that completely from my life. I was not, and couldn’t see myself ever being, interested in wrestling again. I just shook my head.
‘You know what Blade… take your opportunity of a lifetime and give it to someone else. I’m done with that part of my life. I’m all set here with my boat.’
I responded. I pulled my hood up over my head as I walked away from Blade. I was hoping this would help me ignore him a little easier, but I knew he was going to keep going. He didn’t like the word no.
‘Alright, Caleb, well you know my number. When you’re ready to stop acting like a bitch give me a call.. you won’t regret it.’
With my right hand I reached up to give him a wave. It was my way of saying yeah you got it. Paul came trotting up to my side. He was shocked by what he had just seen. He had seen the ups and downs, mostly downs, of my life over the past few years. He couldn’t believe I was giving up a shot to resurrect my career, and rebuild my life. But he, unlike a lot of people, didn’t realize what I had gone through in EWA, and PWO. How I wasn’t willing to put myself through that all over again.
‘Paul, just let it go. Be here next Friday ready to work. We’re going out, and not coming back until we have a full boat.’
I gave him a look as I said this. We both stopped next to my truck. I could tell he wanted to say something, but he knew me better than to press buttons when I wasn’t interested. He nodded his head to me, and continued on his way. I stood next to my truck for a second looking back to the docks. Blade was no longer standing here. I opened the door to my truck and got in the driver’s seat.
‘Mother fucker..’
I screamed as I punched the dashboard a few times. I was furious. I was doing great being away from this. I was finally starting to forget. Then Blade had to show up, and ruin all of my progress. I bought this boat because on the water I was as far away as possible from the world. No one there could bother me. And I had thought moving up here no one could find me.. I was wrong.
‘Who told him?’
I asked myself confused. No one knew I was here. I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving Philadelphia. I had just picked up in the middle of the night one night and came up here. I guess I should’ve gone farther. Nova Scotia or something. I fired up the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot. I wanted to get as far away from here as possible. As far away from Blade as I possibly could. I reached my right hand over to the passenger side seat, and picked up a pill bottle. I opened the cap with one hand and pulled two pills out of the bottle. I tossed them in my mouth, and titled my head back as I gulped deeply and swallowed them. They were my release… very soon I would be in my happy place. I continued driving for a few minutes before pulling up in front of the atm. I grabbed my wallet out of the center console, and headed out of the truck.
I pulled out my debt card, and entered it into the ATM machine. I typed in my secret password, and selected a few more buttons before a ‘transaction declined.’ Message popped up on the screen. It spit out my receipt, and I looked down at it. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.
‘What the fu-… negative $450.’
I had forgotten I stopped at the store for a few parts for the boat this morning. I put them all on the card never knowing how much money I actually had. More proof that we had been having a rough time with the fishing lately. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I still needed gas, and bait for the trip next weekend. I couldn’t cancel because I had absolutely no other options for money right now. With a very painful grimace I reached my right hand into my pocket.
‘One match.. it won’t kill me. Should get me back on my feet.’
I said to myself as I scrolled through my contacts until I found Blades name. I stared at it for a few seconds before closing my eyes as I pressed the green call button before placing it up to my hear. The whole time the phone was ringing I wanted to hang up, but something wouldn’t let me.
‘Hey Blade… about that opportunity you had. Is it still available?’
-End Scene-