When I got to the locker room AJ and Finn complimented my debut. They were both very generous about my work and had said they both followed my career once I joined the Bullet Club. We got to work conversing about what the plan going forward for this story was set to be. We exchanged contact information, made a group chat and said our goodbyes for the night.
"Oh and Seb?', AJ called out to me. "Hunter did inform us that you won't be on the road for live events for the first few weeks. Try to stay sharp and make sure you're keeping up with your workouts.", he added. "No problem. Y'all be careful on the road", I said as I waved goodnight to them. So until next Monday I went home. Now home is a very confusing title for where I live. You see, as I had mentioned before, I came from a small town in West Texas. THAT was home. I used to say all the time that I'd never move because my family was there. Once my wrestling career began to get off the ground, the people closest to me encouraged me to leave. I remember the exact conversation I had with my father. "You have a good thing starting son. I understand you don't wanna leave the people you care about but this has been your dream for as long as you could remember. It's the path I unintentionally started you on. Look I know we won't see each other as much but I'm always here when you need me. Just don't forget your old man when you get famous", my dad said as he urged me to follow my destiny. "Dad you know I'd never forget you. I'm gonna call you at least twice a day. And I better still get a goodnight text from you every night or I'm getting on a plane and coming right back here.", I warn my father. "Son, have I ever not texted you goodnight if you weren't here at the house, he asks me. My father and I were very close. That's no takeaway from my relationship with my mother or anyone else in my life. My dad was just my hero. He may not have been main eventing wrestlemania, or had been some kind of superhero, but my dad meant everything to me. It's one of those father-son relationships that couldn't be explained by words. It was just special and unbreakable. I was my father's only son. No matter what it was I did, he always supported me. It made it hard to move out of the house once I graduated high school. From the day I moved out, I had dinner with my dad and stepmother at least once a week. Sometimes twice, or three or four times if I really missed him. It was strange that I wouldn't be able to do that on a regular anymore. I was leaving to Ohio. I had always wanted to live there because I had heard of how beautiful it was. How it rain was a normal thing instead of an anomaly as it was in the dry, desert like area I loved it. I HATE the heat. Summer in that town used to be an absolute hell. Triple digits were the norm. Summer started in march and lasted until the end of September. I felt so out of place. I wanted to live in a place that had windy days. Rain and cold weather were expected and loudly grey skies weren't a needle in a haystack. My opportunity to move to Ohio came at the time I had began my training with Mox. A Cincinnati native himself, he knew the place well. Told me I would love it there. After training and crashing with Moxley I eventually got my own place in Columbus. Only about a 2 hour drive from Mox and his family. As I started to head to the gate to board my plane to Ohio, I got a call from my stepmother. "Hey Michele, what's up?", I began. "Elijah, where are you right now?", she asked with urgency in her voice. "I'm at the airport. I'm about to get on a place back to Ohio. Why?", I ask. "Do NOT get on that plane. Get a ticket and come HOME now.", she demand. "Michele, you're scaring me. What's going on?" She's quiet for a second but I can feel the "how do I break this to the kid without freaking him out" vibe she's giving off. "Listen closely and remain calm. Your father has been in an accident", she reveals. My eyes widen as the world slows down. My phone falls from my hand and hits the floor while I remain frozen as the news that was just broken to me. He's going to be okay. He has to be. My dad is going to live forever. A childish, selfish, unrealistic phrase I had told myself since I was a child. My dad is 53 years old. He's not old by any means but I worried about him every single day. I grab my phone off the floor and rush to get a new ticket. "Are you there? Elijah!", my stepmother called out to me over the phone. "Is he okay? Is he alive? WHERE is he?", I interrogate her. "I'm at the emergency room. He's here. He took his motorcycle out for a ride and there was an accident. He almost died if he hadn't gained the little bit of control he got of his motorcycle. He has broken bones and a concussion. Just get home. Your FIRST home.", she explains. "I just got my ticket. My flight leaves in 20 minutes.", I say putting my wallet back in my bag. "I'll let you know when I land. "I called your aunt. You're gonna stay there tonight and you can come here first thing in the morning.", she says. "Call her and tell her I won't need to stay. I'm driving over there as soon as I leave the airport.", I reply. "No you need rest. You need sleep" she tries getting me to listen. I am my mother's son. Being hardheaded is one of the things I inherited. "No time. I'll see you in the morning." I hang up before she can try to talk me out of it. It was 11:30 at night by the time I boarded my flight. I was in Florida. The flight was about 3 hours to Fort Worth. After renting a car, stopping at a gas station for energy and caffeine and sustenance, my drive began. It was about a 4 hour drive. I was in such a state of panic I was speeding at first but I head my dad's voice in my head telling me to slow down. "You won't get there any faster if you get into an accident. No reason for us both to be in the hospital." I could hear him saying. I decelerate to the speed limit. After 3 hours I arrive in my hometown. It's 7 in the morning. I immediately get to the hospital and storm in. "Which room is Igino Cervantez staying in?", I ask the lady at the front desk. "And who might you be sir?", she asked me with a disgusted look on her face. "I'm his son", i answer. "Well 'son' only 3 visitors are allowed in his room at once and the spots are filled. You're going to have to wait", she yaps at me. "You listen to me, I've been awake for 27 hours, I got off a flight from Florida to Fort Worth and drove all morning to get here, I'll be damned if I have to 'wait' now tell me where my father is before I go check every room until I find him!" I slam my fist on the desk. "Seb!" , a familiar voice calls out to me. I turn and find my cousin Jorden standing next to the vending machine. My best friend, who happens to be her husband, Cristian, is standing by her. I go over to them. "You're a mess. See what happens when I'm not there to look after you?", she jokes. "What are you guys doing here?" I ask. "When you left you asked me to look after your dad while you're gone. I'm keeping my promise. That and he IS my uncle you know. He's on the third floor. Room 4B. Go ahead. We'll catch up later.", she informs me. I thank her and head for the elevator. I get there and go in without even knocking. In the room is my stepmother, and my two sisters, Mariah and Bree. "Seb?", Mariah exclaims. "Kid I told you're as hardheaded as ever." Michele gripes to me. "Little brother. Glad you could make it", Bree says. "How is he?", I ask. "He's gonna be fine. He's just resting for now. He's tired.", Mariah catches me up to speed. "You know the first damn thing he said when he got to this room?", my stepmom asks. I look at my father asleep bruised and battered. My eyes begin to water. A slight smile stretches across my face. "He asked when he could go back to work", i answer with a chuckle. My dad was a hard working man. He never liked missing work. Anytime he got hurt or ended up in the hospital he always asked when he could get back to his day to day job. "We tried telling him he needs to retire already but he says he'll be bored if he does", Bree comments. "I gotta get to work but I'll come by on my lunch break and check in and come back after I get off", Mariah says as she gets up to leave. She stops by me and hugs me. "It's good to see you back in town. Wish it was under different circumstances", she utters before she leaves. I take her seat next to his bedside and get brought up to speed on everything I missed. My main concern is my father's recovery.
[A Few Hours Later]
A little bit after Mariah left, Bree took her leave as well. Saying she'd come check up on him later and to let her know when he wakes up. My stepmom was in and out. I never left his side. I scroll through my phone struggling to stay awake as my eyes attempt to fall shut and drift into the sleep space. As I begin to fully accept my defeat in the war against drowsiness, I get a surprise. "Son", my dad whispers to me. My eyes open and I see him awake and looking at me. "Oh my God. Dad, you're up", I exclaim. "Have you not been to bed yet?" He says to me. Outside the door Michele, Jorden, and Cristian are in the hallway. "Finally he can get some rest.", Michele exhales a sigh of relief. "If there's anyone who can get him to get some food in his system and get some sleep, it's Uncle Gino", Jorden adds. I nod my head no at my dads question. "Look you know I'm always happy to see you and I'm glad you came to check up on your old man, but you need to eat an actual meal and get some rest. You look like you're about to crash. I'll be here. Just go.", he tells me. "But Dad," I start before getting cut off. "Go.", he orders me. I give him a hug. Tell him I love him and that I'd be back later today. I enter the hallway and see the three of them standing there. "He's awake", I announce. My stepmother goes in. "Come on. Let's go", Jorden directs as she turns walking to the elevator. Once we depart from the hospital, we begin to catch up. We text every day and I hear from Cristian almost every day when we play games together. They take me to get food and bring me back to their place. "Spare room is just how you left it. Go to bed.", Jorden commands. "Thanks guys. It's good to see you guys.", I smile before taking my bags and going to get some much needed rest.
[12 Hours Later]
I'm awoken by a text from Gionna.
New Work Bestie
"Hey Seb! I heard about your dad. How's he doing? I hope he's alright. I understand you might be busy. Just shoot me a text when you're free. No worries🙏🏻💛"
"Thanks Gi. He's gonna pull through. He's a strong man. Thanks for asking. I'll keep you posted."
"That's great to hear! Glad he's okay! I'm here if you need me. Later work bestie!✌🏻✨"
I also smell food. I sit up and stretch before grabbing. A shirt from my bag and walking out of the room to see my friends. "Good you're awake. Food just got here.", Cristian said. They had doordashed Wendy's. "We got you your usual. Double Baconator with Baconator fries.", Jorden follows. "Damn I haven't had Wendy's in ages", I shared. "I know you don't eat it that much anymore and you have a more 'healthier' diet but I know how hungry you get in times of crisis. Just consider this a cheat day.", she encouraged. "Geez. Knowing my family this is gonna end up being a cheat VISIT", I joke. The food is handed out and we watch tv in the living room while eating as we used to back when I still lived here. My phone continues to go off as I'm having a back and forth conversation with Gionna. "Somebody's popular over there", Cristian makes a joke alluding to the multiple times my phone has gone off. "Who you texting?", Jorden asks. "My friend, Gionna. She wanted to see how my dad was doing.", I reply. "Ooooooo Sebby Boy has a girlfriend", Jorden teases. The playful joking causes me to chuckle. "No, no. She's my friend from work. I only 'officially' met her once. That was just yesterday. I haven't even known her a full day yet.', I point out. A full recharge was in order after the trip I made so I clean up with a shower and attend to my personal hygiene duties. We go back and visit my dad who's already in a lot better shape than before. "You looked good out there last night son. From what you told me about that other place, I'm glad you were able to get signed by WWE. You know I guess you can say I made you into the superstar you are", he laughs. "I owe it all to you pops. It's so surreal being apart of the same company as so many wrestlers I grew up watching like Edge, Rey Mysterio, Randy and Sheamus. And other ones I've followed and studies as I began to build my own career like Seth Rollins and Johnny Gargano. Who would've thought all those times you let me stay up late on a school night to watch Raw that one day I'd be on the show?", I reminisce. "I could've told you that one. Once you were able to talk you were head strong about making it know. 'I'm gonna be a wrestler and I'm gonna face John Cena in the main event of Wrestlemania for the WWE Championship!' You never let it be a secret on what you planned to do with your life.", he recalls. I talk a bit more to my dad and inform him how the night went and how much kindness the roster showed me untik I step outside to answer a call from Triple H. "Hello?", I answer. "Sebastian, how's everything going? Is your father okay?", The Game asks me showing generosity and concern. "Yes sir. He's cracking jokes like nothing happened. Some broken bones and a concussion but he'll live and be back to his old self in no time.", I inform him. "That's good to hear. Tell him I wish him a speedy recovery. Listen, as you know I don't want you on live shows just yet so take all the time you need at home. Do you think you'll be able to make it to Cleveland next Monday for Raw?", he questions. "Shouldn't be a problem sir. I'll be able to make it.", I reply. "Good. Finn and AJ will keep you posted on the direction for next week. Just get in touch with them and we can email you a script of the plans. And if there's anything else I can do for you or your family and you dad just let me know.", He offers. "Actually, I know this is unprofessional and silly but can I get an autograph from you to give him? He's always been a big fan of you and DX", I remark. The Cerebral Assassin lets out a chuckle before responding, "Not a problem. Hell, I'll even get Shawn to sign it and get it sent. See you next week." He hangs up and I'm left with a smile on my face. This is my life. Triple H is my boss and I work for WWE as a wrestler. "So you're leaving again?", a voice comes from behind me. A 180 degree turn reveals it to be my sister. "Yeah Mariah I got a show next Monday in Cleveland but he's keeping me off live events until dads back on his feet", I say with a smile. "Dad is in the hospital and you're just gonna give him a measly week until you're back on a plane out of here?", she gripes with anger in her eyes. This response creates confusion to my face. "Yeah but after the show I'm gonna be on the first plane back." , I tell her. "Yeah whatever. Big surprise that Mr. Big Shot hasn't been home in 6 months but once Dad is in an accident he thinks coming home for a week is enough to make up for lost time. Who's here for Dad when you're gone? I am. But the moment 'The Prodigal Son' gets off a plane and comes home, Dad's focus is all on you. Even when you're not here, he won't shut up about you. It's not even my brother who comes home anymore. It's 'The Eternal King Sebastian Drake.' And it's only when he decides to grace us with his presence.", she complains. "That's not fair. I didn't want to leave but Dad told me to pursue my dream. I get that this life keeps me on the road but I try to make time when I can to come home. You only talk to Dad when it's convenient for you. You would know, I was home for Dad's birthday. Where were you? With some guy. But that's okay. Point your blame and lent up aggression at me. That's fine. At least I still talk to Dad everyday.", I retort before I turn reenter the room. "I told Mom you're hear. She's upset you haven't gone by yet.", She comments before turning and walking away. Those two sentences fuel anger in my body. My relationship with my mother is complicated. She's a very..... dynamic personality. She's always been jealous of my relationship with my father. She tends to be very harsh and rude but I know it comes from love. It's a relationship that took time to figure out. It all has to be about her. That sounds rude but i don't mean it as mean as it comes off. What my sister did has fanned the flames of what's sure to be an argument. I talk to my Dad a bit more before telling him I need to go visit my mother. He understands. "It's not like I'm going anywhere anytime soon", he chuckles.
The visit with my mom went better than expected. She just asked how work is and if I've been eating. "You look skinny. Are you starving yourself or something?", she remarks before making other passive aggressive comments about new tattoos or something else she doesn't approve of. She'll never outright say she doesn't like something I've done or wear or have but she'll make it known. She never really followed my career that much. In her opinion, I never should've left anyways. To her, I was setting myself up for failure chasing a child's fantasy. Even though I've made it, she still isn't all that interested. She holds anger towards my father for pushing me to follow my dreams and desires. If it were up to her, I'd be working at the school and living down the block from her. When I told her about my new schedule with WWE would have me on the road more, that blew up in my face. One thing I've learned from my dad and from experience, arguing with my mother is like trying to argue with a brick wall. After multiple times of her telling me to quit and asking if it's too late to go back to the other company, I finally got her to settle down. I visited with my little brothers, who are 17 and 13 years old, and caught up with my step dad. The next week was simple. Visited my grandparents and a few relatives, hung out with some friends and obviously most time was spent at the hospital with my dad. Before I knew it, it was time to get on another plane and back to work. My dad's parting words were the usual. "We'll be watching" and "Make sure you're careful out there". Assuming them I'd be back in a couple days, I was on my way to Cleveland.