Post by badteacher on Jul 4, 2014 22:45:23 GMT -5
My “We love you, Mommy!”
It is a warm summer evening, as Nikki sets upon the white sand beach. She was wearing her favorite two piece bathing suit, black with white trim around the top piece, and a black skirt style wrap that laid at her knees. The wind is blowing slightly, but it is still enough to keep the 90 degree day from causing her to melt into the beach herself. Every time the wind blows, it causes her long blondish brown hair to fly right into her face. She takes a hair tie from the beach bag she packed lying beside the blanket she is sitting on to tie her hair back. Nikki watches Drake playing with Hunter in the sand just at the edge of the water as the waves crash sending water over their feet again and again. Each time the waves roll back into the ocean, little footprints are left in the sand. Feeling such joy in her heart as she watches Drake and Hunter smiling and playing. Life is wonderful right now, if not perfect. She knows how much things have changed for the better since she and Josh married.
She finds herself thinking back to when it was just she and Drake, and things were not so easy for them. Nikki was a struggling single mother who worked a dead end job and was attending college. She was trying her best to give Drake a good life. Even though she was doing her best, guilt for so many things still weighed on her heart like a ton of lead. She felt guilt for Drake’s father walking out on them and depriving him of a father, if only she could have held on to him. But, his wondering eye and desire to party was stronger than the love she tried to show Drake’s father. Nikki , would sit and cry as she had to spend so much time away from Drake and she was missing out on stuff in his life. She felt if she was not around more, this could somehow make Drake bitter at the world or even her. But, his smile was a reminder that he still loved her, even if she could not always be there the way she wanted to be. Drake was embracing his circumstances and was becoming the bright, caring, and loving young man she had hoped he would become. She thought to herself, Drake’s alcoholic and abusive sperm donor leaving, actually was the best thing he could do for him. Josh has become a wonderful role model to him and can teach Drake how to become a real man and father one day. She smiles to herself, and thinks about all that Josh had also taught her . Like how he had taught her it was okay to love again. Josh had also taught her what she knew about her new career. A career that was going to allow her to give both of her sons everything she ever wanted and more. She could give them more of her time, and an education beyond the walls of a classroom. Nikki getting a contract with the WFWF, was going to allow her to bring Drake and Hunter to the places they see in their classroom books.
Thinking ahead to her match with Shapiro, she knew that he was raised by a single mom. She wonders if he realizes everything that his mom gave him and that it was worth more than anything money could buy? Did he let his circumstances make him angry or did he embrace the love his mother showed to him and become a happy young man? Nikki will soon learn what Shapiro took from his upbringing and hopefully it was good or Nikki might have to show him a little tough love.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” Drake calls out.
Nikki’s thoughts are broken as she hears Drake and Hunter calling out to Josh, who was walking across the sand to meet them by the water. Drake was carrying his little brother, who was stretching out his little arms and trying his best to say daddy. As the boys reach Josh, he bends down and scoops them both up in his arms, kissing them each on the head and smiling like he just won the lottery.
”Daddy, where have you been all day?” Drake asks Josh.
“I’ve been at a media commitment today, buddy.” Josh says to Drake. “But, I’ve missed you boys so much! How was your day?”
“Dad you have got to see the waves today, they are awesome.” Drake says. “Can we go boogie boarding, can we, can we, please?”
“Hold on just a minute, let me at least say hello to mom and then we can.” Josh tells Drake as he motions towards his board, signaling for him to go get it. Drake hands Hunter to Josh, and scampers off to the beach towel to retrieve his boogie board. Josh stands there for a minute, kissing Hunter’s face and throwing him up in the air. Hunter screams out with laughter as daddy plays with him. Finally, Josh makes his way to the blanket where Nikki is setting, just watching in such wonder at Josh’s love for the boys.
“Hi sweetie, how was the press conference?” Nikki asks Josh.
“It was long day, but I’m glad to be here with you all now.” Josh answers. “Drake wants to do some boogie boarding, and then I’ll tell you all about it. Do you care to take Hunter, while I play in the water with Drake?”
Nikki, nods her head yes as she reaches up for Hunter. Josh reaches over and sits Hunter next to Nikki as he grabs Nikki and pulls her to her feet.
“You didn’t think I would forget your kiss did you?” Josh says to Nikki. She giggles as she leans in for the kiss she had waited patiently for all day. As Josh grabs his board to join Drake, he asks Nikki. “How do you feel about a little practice at the gym tonight before your big match tomorrow?”
“That would be wonderful, I could really use the practice and it might be just what I need to help settle my nerves!” Nikki replies as she takes a seat behind Hunter, pulling their infant son back toward her chest. “But who are we going to get to watch the boys tonight?”
“I have already taken care of that. Your dad said he would be happy to have the boys tonight.” Josh replied as Nikki smiles.
“Josh you are the greatest, now go play with Drake! I think he is getting a little anxious.” Josh turns to see Drake waving for his dad to come and join him, looking as though his little arm was going to fall off if he waved any harder.
As Josh and Drake play in the waves, Nikki grabs a bucket and shovel to help Hunter build a sand castle. After an hour or so, Josh and Drake return to the blanket, raving about how great the waves were today. Nikki listens intently as she wraps Drake in a beach towel, and begins to pack up their beach gear. As they begin their walk back to the car, Nikki cannot help but think about tomorrow. Her nerves begin to swell as tomorrow she starts a career that ensures Drake and Hunter will have a life and education beyond anything she could have given them before.
****
Josh and Nikki head towards the gym after dropping Drake and Hunter off with Nikki's dad. She feels that some good old fashioned practice might help ease her nerves and anxiety. Upon entering the gym Nikki cannot help but hold her nose as the stench of sweat and hidden gym socks that seem to have been there for months overwhelm her. Josh points to the ring in the back.
“Let's use that ring. It has the best ropes and has more bounce for you to practice your high flying assaults that you want to use on Shapiro tomorrow."
Nikki felt a soft little slap run across her bum. She smiled and turned around to Josh, who was a welcome distraction from the scent of all that pent up sweat that reeked all over the gym.
"Honey, are you sure we're in the right place?"
"Oh I know, I am but I don't think you are."
That wasn't Josh. Quickly, Nikki turned around and gasped, "It's you!"
"It is me!" The girl said. "Wait, do you know who I am.”
Nikki turns to look at her. "You're from the WFWF?"
"And?"
"You're name is Penny!"
"Oh, looks like you do know me!" Penny said, chugging her can of Hawaiian Punch. Nikki blushes as she smiles at Penny and says "Hi, I'm Nikki, I've seen you before in the shows and you are amazing in the ring."
Josh looks over and sees Penny downing her Hawaiian Punch before going to work on rolling a joint. He looks at Penny shaking his head as he regains his focus before continuing. Bringing Nikki’s attention back to their practice as well, Josh starts with the speech he always gives Nikki before they practice, knowing it’s only because he cares.
"Ok, so one of the most important things in a match is setting the tone early. Because there's nothing worse than going out there and trying for your big moves right off the bat and tiring yourself out in five minutes." Josh explains as he walks to the center of the ring and takes a back bump. "This ring mat gives a little bit more than our ring at home, so just remember to protect yourself when you're going down and you'll be fine."
Nikki walks to the center of the ring and takes a back bump. Penny smiles as she licks the joint paper before rolling it to secure the weed in place.
"Setting the tone. One of the best ways to do that is by using a side headlock. And that's what we're going to work on. A side headlock tell you everything that you need to know about your opponent.”
"Hogwash!" Penny says, tucking the joint into her sports bra. "I got in there with nothing but big, devastating moves- I can make that work and hun, listen to me, you can do it too!" Penny walks over to the ring and slips inside. "Unless the match actually means something, there's no reason to take your time and study your opponent. Just put them away as fast as you can and walk out the winner. Easy peasy!".
"I did that too once upon a time, and that'll work on scrubs, Shannon." Josh exclaims as he puts his hands on his hips. "But what about the first time she gets in there with an experienced vet who isn't gonna go down with her best moves. Explain that. You should know better than anyone that girls get overlooked in this business when they go against guys, and they have to use their brains a little more to succeed."
Nikki watches as Josh and Penny banter back and forth on what she should do in this match. She is in a big tournament, a chance for a belt, a National Title belt, and she trusts her husband's experience. Somewhere deep down she cannot help but wonder, if she could make quick matches work for her the way she had seen them work for Penny. Listening carefully to advice given in the past has helped her throughout life. And sometimes she can take parts of multiple people’s advice and make something that works well for her. Thinking over what Josh and Penny are saying, she begins to think about the benefit of a short match. Most importantly with a quicker match there is less of a chance for her to get banged up, so she won't have that next day pain as she plays with the boys, or in her upcoming matches. Not to mention with a quicker match you are less likely to be covered in sweat, which is just fine with her as she is a little germ phobic anyways. Plus, there will be more opponents before she can reach the National Title belt, and it is imperative that she keep herself in the best physical condition possible. So there are benefits from a short match, but well planned matches are a must as well. “Ugh, I just need to practice” Nikki thinks to herself.
"Uh Um," Nikki interjects. " I think making the moves smooth and flowing will be the best way for me to win this match. After all, this kid is new and not a lot is known about him, aside from the fact he was raised by a single mom and seems to have let life circumstances make him bitter. Penny, would you like to get in here and work with me on this side headlock? Maybe, after this you can show me The Liberty Cap? I would really like to learn it.”
Josh glares at Nikki as if she is completely ignoring what it is he is telling her.
She leans over, wraps her arms around his neck pulling him down towards her and whispers in his ear, " I listen to you babe, you know what you are doing. But, I really do need friends in this business, and she is definitely one I want on my side. Maybe we should invite her to dinner with us after practice, what do you think?" Nikki bites Josh's ear, gives him a kiss on the cheek, and smiles at him with that smile she gives him when she wants to do more than she can to him in public.
Josh knows that Nikki is a social butterfly and making friends is important to her. He smiles as he smacks her on the bum. “That’s my ass, Penny!” Josh smarts off.
"I'll back off." , Penny grins. "But only for now." Penny slips into the ring. "Now, I'll show you some stuff but I can't show you the Liberty Cap. Finding your finishing move is something you gotta do on your own. Like yeah, I'm just stomping on the back of some dude's neck, but there's a little extra pizzazz I throw in there that makes it my own." Penny opens her hand and waves Nikki over. "Despite what the Mister'll tell ya', being a woman puts you in the best advantage. Most guys, not all, but most of them... They go completely limp when they step inside the ring with a girl. They go soft and they don't put as much force as they usually do. It's all that social privilege f*cking with their minds in the best way and the best way to exploit that is by straight up showing them that you can hurt them a million times harder than they can ever hurt you."
Nikki nods her head in agreement with what Penny said. “It is true Penny, men do lose all strength when a woman steps into the ring with them. Just ask Josh!” Nikki giggles. “Then again, maybe it is just because I’m his wife!”
Josh interjects as he moves back towards the ring and leans up against the apron resting his arms on the bottom ropes. “I’m not going to dispute what Penny is saying, because she does have a point. The psychological advantage is vital. Most wrestlers are already defeated by the time they get in the ring, because they let their opponent psych them out. Getting into the ring with a woman can be challenging to most men. But, women still face a lot of obstacles in wrestling to prove they are just as worthy to be here as their male counterpart. I just want Nikki to be seen as a legitimate contender for the National Title in a world that was previously dominated by men. “
“Ok, Ok, let’s wrestle.” Nikki is excited for tomorrow’s match, and she really wants the extra practice. But, she knows if this back and forth goes on much longer Josh and Penny might end up in the ring with each other. “I understand there is a lot of mental games that goes on in the realm of the wrestling. But, focusing on those issues will only add to the nervous feelings I already have. Wrestling is fun to me, so let’s turn on some music, and hit the ropes!” She smiles as she runs over to Penny, “Come on let’s hit some ropes Penny!” Nikki turns back to see Josh still standing on the ring side. “Josh darling, is there any music we can turn on in here? Let’s liven this place up!”
"Which is going to happen when they see just how much ass she's going to kick!" Penny says, stepping forward as she gets herself closer to Nikki as she turns to Josh. "So my iPod's already connected to the speakers. Hit shuffle, I hope you guys appreciate some Missy E!"
And with the music pounding, Penny grabs Nikki with a tie-up and forces her into the corner.
"Aww, thank you Penny! I hope I don't let you all d.d.down." Her voice kind of stumbles as Penny corners her. Nikki smiling she pushes Penny's elbow down and spins out, before cracking Penny with a bicycle kick! Climbing the turnbuckle, Nikki stands tall facing forward smiling at Penny, she jumps into a corkscrew shooting star press and Penny moves as Nikki splats in the middle of the ring, laughing as she holds her stomach. "I would normally land on my opponent here. How is that for a move to use later on?"
"I'm not hurt enough." Penny mumbles as she snaps back to her feet and hits Nikki right in the gut with a spinning back kick. "Stop smiling! You're supposed to be hurting me!" Quickly, Penny grabs Nikki's hair and pushes her down to the canvas, following up with a hard leg drop.
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere!" Josh chimes in as Nikki takes Penny's offense like a champ and fights back with a couple of hard kicks. "I'm gonna get everyone some water, don't grope her too much while I'm gone Penny!"
"Dude!" Penny mouths off, leaning over the ropes to look at Josh. "What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I'm going to take advanta-" And right before Penny can finish her sentence, Nikki jumps on the ropes and takes air with a springboard sunset flip, trapping Penny in the lock."Hurry!" Nikki says to Josh. "Make the count!"
"Oh sh*t!" Josh shouts out as he catches the athletic maneuver and slides into the ring, checking Penny's shoulders before counting. "1....2...." He counts before Penny shoots the shoulder up! "Ok, stay on her!" Josh finds himself screaming as he pushes up to his feet and circles the ring. Nikki rolls back to her feet as if she had done it a thousand times, beaming with confidence and staring Penny down. Waiting and watching for her next move just as a lioness would do when stalking her prey. "I've got you now Penny!" Nikki shouts and the lets out a wicked little laugh and her half smile. She lunges toward Penny for a clothesline. But Penny ducks the clothesline, grabs Nikki by the head and with a little spin, Penny drops her with a DDT. "No you don't!" Penny hooks the legs for a cover. "1... 2..." Nikki kicks out and rolls out of the ring. Penny follows after her and leans over the ropes, grabbing her by the head, but Nikki fires back with a hard elbow across Penny's jaw. Penny stumbles back, but comes back with a head butt that knocks Nikki off the apron. Josh rushes over to catch her, but Nikki makes it back to her feet. Penny quickly hits the ropes and takes air with a suicide dive, but Nikki pushes herself and Josh away, leaving Penny to crash hard into the wooden floors outside. Penny's on all fours, trying to stand back up but Nikki comes over with a mean axe-kick across the back of Penny's head, knocking her out for the time being. Nikki slides Penny back into the ring and Nikki hops back up on the ring apron. Penny is trying to get her feet and Nikki climbs in the ring and sprints toward the ropes, handspringing her body into the ropes and spinning into an enziguri that levels Penny as she falls limply to the mat. "Oh my God, are you ok?" Nikki asks Penny as her expression turns to horror. She crawls over on the mat to check on Penny, who hasn't moved. Nikki is certain that she severely injured Penny.
"She's baiting you!" Josh screams out, but not before Penny reveals she is indeed playing possum and wraps Nikki up in a small package. Josh gets down to make the count. "1....2...." he says before Nikki kicks out.
Both girls scramble to their feet and Penny catches her with a forearm to the jaw, only for Nikki to return fire with a forearm of her own. The girls go back and forth with forearm shots to the side of the head. There's a lot more fight in Nikki than Penny expected. Quickly, Penny sends Nikki into the ropes and charges after her, driving her knee into Nikki's as she bounces off the ropes. Nikki drops down to the canvas and breaths heavily, trying to make it to the center of the ring. With the opening right in front of her, Penny marches forward and takes to the air; raising her left boot as she prepares for the Liberty Cap, but Nikki slips away and trips Penny down with a drop toe hold, following up with the Scorpion Cross lock, stretching Penny in half and forcing the Velocity Grrrl to tap out.
Josh stands up, clapping his hands as Nikki lets go of the hold. Penny holds her back as she gets to her feet, staring right at Nikki, nodding her head in acknowledgement of the rookie’s skill. She smiles at Nikki who returns the smile before jumping in her arms, and hugging her fully with her legs wrapped around Nikki’s waist.
“Good work, ladies.” Josh says as he opens the ropes for the girls. Penny releases the hug and walks over to the ropes, but not before giving Nikki a playful smack on her bum. As she exits the ring, Nikki is right behind her, but Josh stops her for a moment. “You’re ready.” He whispers softly in her ear, which brings a smile to Nikki’s face.
“I’m ready.”
As they leave the gym, heading towards the car, Nikki turns to look at her husband she grabs his arm and lays her head on his shoulder. She can’t help but feel that this practice was exactly what she needed to face her opponent Shapiro tomorrow. Thinking to herself, Nikki now understands what Josh really meant when he said that a wrestler can psych themselves out before ever getting into the ring. It will be a difficult battle, but she is ready. Simply knowing that Josh was proud of her, gave her that extra boost of confidence she needed.
****
Shapiro, there is one thing you should know. You WILL NOT be in control of this situation. There are many things in life you will not be able to control, however, learning how to accept the fact things won’t go your way will get you a lot further than the sour grapes you currently squeeze.
Shapiro, I consider the fact that you would even, for a remote second, blame the choices you have made with your life to be a street thug, going around getting in fights, on the fact that your mother worked hard to give you a good life and nice things like your sneakers a slap in the face to all single mothers across the world. If you could only open your eyes to realize how much your mom wishes she could have been then there to teach you how to constructively deal with bad situations.
Do you honestly think, because you have been in a few street fights you are ready for the big time? Well let me give you a free life lesson, it takes more heart from a mother to walk away from her child to go into her job every day, than for a thug to use his fists in order to maintain control of his surroundings. Sheer heart, strength, dedication and hard work has got me to where I am today. And you sit there on the sidelines placing blame and whining about what you did not have in your life. Well, today you better man up, because I am about to become a Bad Teacher.
It is a warm summer evening, as Nikki sets upon the white sand beach. She was wearing her favorite two piece bathing suit, black with white trim around the top piece, and a black skirt style wrap that laid at her knees. The wind is blowing slightly, but it is still enough to keep the 90 degree day from causing her to melt into the beach herself. Every time the wind blows, it causes her long blondish brown hair to fly right into her face. She takes a hair tie from the beach bag she packed lying beside the blanket she is sitting on to tie her hair back. Nikki watches Drake playing with Hunter in the sand just at the edge of the water as the waves crash sending water over their feet again and again. Each time the waves roll back into the ocean, little footprints are left in the sand. Feeling such joy in her heart as she watches Drake and Hunter smiling and playing. Life is wonderful right now, if not perfect. She knows how much things have changed for the better since she and Josh married.
She finds herself thinking back to when it was just she and Drake, and things were not so easy for them. Nikki was a struggling single mother who worked a dead end job and was attending college. She was trying her best to give Drake a good life. Even though she was doing her best, guilt for so many things still weighed on her heart like a ton of lead. She felt guilt for Drake’s father walking out on them and depriving him of a father, if only she could have held on to him. But, his wondering eye and desire to party was stronger than the love she tried to show Drake’s father. Nikki , would sit and cry as she had to spend so much time away from Drake and she was missing out on stuff in his life. She felt if she was not around more, this could somehow make Drake bitter at the world or even her. But, his smile was a reminder that he still loved her, even if she could not always be there the way she wanted to be. Drake was embracing his circumstances and was becoming the bright, caring, and loving young man she had hoped he would become. She thought to herself, Drake’s alcoholic and abusive sperm donor leaving, actually was the best thing he could do for him. Josh has become a wonderful role model to him and can teach Drake how to become a real man and father one day. She smiles to herself, and thinks about all that Josh had also taught her . Like how he had taught her it was okay to love again. Josh had also taught her what she knew about her new career. A career that was going to allow her to give both of her sons everything she ever wanted and more. She could give them more of her time, and an education beyond the walls of a classroom. Nikki getting a contract with the WFWF, was going to allow her to bring Drake and Hunter to the places they see in their classroom books.
Thinking ahead to her match with Shapiro, she knew that he was raised by a single mom. She wonders if he realizes everything that his mom gave him and that it was worth more than anything money could buy? Did he let his circumstances make him angry or did he embrace the love his mother showed to him and become a happy young man? Nikki will soon learn what Shapiro took from his upbringing and hopefully it was good or Nikki might have to show him a little tough love.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” Drake calls out.
Nikki’s thoughts are broken as she hears Drake and Hunter calling out to Josh, who was walking across the sand to meet them by the water. Drake was carrying his little brother, who was stretching out his little arms and trying his best to say daddy. As the boys reach Josh, he bends down and scoops them both up in his arms, kissing them each on the head and smiling like he just won the lottery.
”Daddy, where have you been all day?” Drake asks Josh.
“I’ve been at a media commitment today, buddy.” Josh says to Drake. “But, I’ve missed you boys so much! How was your day?”
“Dad you have got to see the waves today, they are awesome.” Drake says. “Can we go boogie boarding, can we, can we, please?”
“Hold on just a minute, let me at least say hello to mom and then we can.” Josh tells Drake as he motions towards his board, signaling for him to go get it. Drake hands Hunter to Josh, and scampers off to the beach towel to retrieve his boogie board. Josh stands there for a minute, kissing Hunter’s face and throwing him up in the air. Hunter screams out with laughter as daddy plays with him. Finally, Josh makes his way to the blanket where Nikki is setting, just watching in such wonder at Josh’s love for the boys.
“Hi sweetie, how was the press conference?” Nikki asks Josh.
“It was long day, but I’m glad to be here with you all now.” Josh answers. “Drake wants to do some boogie boarding, and then I’ll tell you all about it. Do you care to take Hunter, while I play in the water with Drake?”
Nikki, nods her head yes as she reaches up for Hunter. Josh reaches over and sits Hunter next to Nikki as he grabs Nikki and pulls her to her feet.
“You didn’t think I would forget your kiss did you?” Josh says to Nikki. She giggles as she leans in for the kiss she had waited patiently for all day. As Josh grabs his board to join Drake, he asks Nikki. “How do you feel about a little practice at the gym tonight before your big match tomorrow?”
“That would be wonderful, I could really use the practice and it might be just what I need to help settle my nerves!” Nikki replies as she takes a seat behind Hunter, pulling their infant son back toward her chest. “But who are we going to get to watch the boys tonight?”
“I have already taken care of that. Your dad said he would be happy to have the boys tonight.” Josh replied as Nikki smiles.
“Josh you are the greatest, now go play with Drake! I think he is getting a little anxious.” Josh turns to see Drake waving for his dad to come and join him, looking as though his little arm was going to fall off if he waved any harder.
As Josh and Drake play in the waves, Nikki grabs a bucket and shovel to help Hunter build a sand castle. After an hour or so, Josh and Drake return to the blanket, raving about how great the waves were today. Nikki listens intently as she wraps Drake in a beach towel, and begins to pack up their beach gear. As they begin their walk back to the car, Nikki cannot help but think about tomorrow. Her nerves begin to swell as tomorrow she starts a career that ensures Drake and Hunter will have a life and education beyond anything she could have given them before.
****
Josh and Nikki head towards the gym after dropping Drake and Hunter off with Nikki's dad. She feels that some good old fashioned practice might help ease her nerves and anxiety. Upon entering the gym Nikki cannot help but hold her nose as the stench of sweat and hidden gym socks that seem to have been there for months overwhelm her. Josh points to the ring in the back.
“Let's use that ring. It has the best ropes and has more bounce for you to practice your high flying assaults that you want to use on Shapiro tomorrow."
Nikki felt a soft little slap run across her bum. She smiled and turned around to Josh, who was a welcome distraction from the scent of all that pent up sweat that reeked all over the gym.
"Honey, are you sure we're in the right place?"
"Oh I know, I am but I don't think you are."
That wasn't Josh. Quickly, Nikki turned around and gasped, "It's you!"
"It is me!" The girl said. "Wait, do you know who I am.”
Nikki turns to look at her. "You're from the WFWF?"
"And?"
"You're name is Penny!"
"Oh, looks like you do know me!" Penny said, chugging her can of Hawaiian Punch. Nikki blushes as she smiles at Penny and says "Hi, I'm Nikki, I've seen you before in the shows and you are amazing in the ring."
Josh looks over and sees Penny downing her Hawaiian Punch before going to work on rolling a joint. He looks at Penny shaking his head as he regains his focus before continuing. Bringing Nikki’s attention back to their practice as well, Josh starts with the speech he always gives Nikki before they practice, knowing it’s only because he cares.
"Ok, so one of the most important things in a match is setting the tone early. Because there's nothing worse than going out there and trying for your big moves right off the bat and tiring yourself out in five minutes." Josh explains as he walks to the center of the ring and takes a back bump. "This ring mat gives a little bit more than our ring at home, so just remember to protect yourself when you're going down and you'll be fine."
Nikki walks to the center of the ring and takes a back bump. Penny smiles as she licks the joint paper before rolling it to secure the weed in place.
"Setting the tone. One of the best ways to do that is by using a side headlock. And that's what we're going to work on. A side headlock tell you everything that you need to know about your opponent.”
"Hogwash!" Penny says, tucking the joint into her sports bra. "I got in there with nothing but big, devastating moves- I can make that work and hun, listen to me, you can do it too!" Penny walks over to the ring and slips inside. "Unless the match actually means something, there's no reason to take your time and study your opponent. Just put them away as fast as you can and walk out the winner. Easy peasy!".
"I did that too once upon a time, and that'll work on scrubs, Shannon." Josh exclaims as he puts his hands on his hips. "But what about the first time she gets in there with an experienced vet who isn't gonna go down with her best moves. Explain that. You should know better than anyone that girls get overlooked in this business when they go against guys, and they have to use their brains a little more to succeed."
Nikki watches as Josh and Penny banter back and forth on what she should do in this match. She is in a big tournament, a chance for a belt, a National Title belt, and she trusts her husband's experience. Somewhere deep down she cannot help but wonder, if she could make quick matches work for her the way she had seen them work for Penny. Listening carefully to advice given in the past has helped her throughout life. And sometimes she can take parts of multiple people’s advice and make something that works well for her. Thinking over what Josh and Penny are saying, she begins to think about the benefit of a short match. Most importantly with a quicker match there is less of a chance for her to get banged up, so she won't have that next day pain as she plays with the boys, or in her upcoming matches. Not to mention with a quicker match you are less likely to be covered in sweat, which is just fine with her as she is a little germ phobic anyways. Plus, there will be more opponents before she can reach the National Title belt, and it is imperative that she keep herself in the best physical condition possible. So there are benefits from a short match, but well planned matches are a must as well. “Ugh, I just need to practice” Nikki thinks to herself.
"Uh Um," Nikki interjects. " I think making the moves smooth and flowing will be the best way for me to win this match. After all, this kid is new and not a lot is known about him, aside from the fact he was raised by a single mom and seems to have let life circumstances make him bitter. Penny, would you like to get in here and work with me on this side headlock? Maybe, after this you can show me The Liberty Cap? I would really like to learn it.”
Josh glares at Nikki as if she is completely ignoring what it is he is telling her.
She leans over, wraps her arms around his neck pulling him down towards her and whispers in his ear, " I listen to you babe, you know what you are doing. But, I really do need friends in this business, and she is definitely one I want on my side. Maybe we should invite her to dinner with us after practice, what do you think?" Nikki bites Josh's ear, gives him a kiss on the cheek, and smiles at him with that smile she gives him when she wants to do more than she can to him in public.
Josh knows that Nikki is a social butterfly and making friends is important to her. He smiles as he smacks her on the bum. “That’s my ass, Penny!” Josh smarts off.
"I'll back off." , Penny grins. "But only for now." Penny slips into the ring. "Now, I'll show you some stuff but I can't show you the Liberty Cap. Finding your finishing move is something you gotta do on your own. Like yeah, I'm just stomping on the back of some dude's neck, but there's a little extra pizzazz I throw in there that makes it my own." Penny opens her hand and waves Nikki over. "Despite what the Mister'll tell ya', being a woman puts you in the best advantage. Most guys, not all, but most of them... They go completely limp when they step inside the ring with a girl. They go soft and they don't put as much force as they usually do. It's all that social privilege f*cking with their minds in the best way and the best way to exploit that is by straight up showing them that you can hurt them a million times harder than they can ever hurt you."
Nikki nods her head in agreement with what Penny said. “It is true Penny, men do lose all strength when a woman steps into the ring with them. Just ask Josh!” Nikki giggles. “Then again, maybe it is just because I’m his wife!”
Josh interjects as he moves back towards the ring and leans up against the apron resting his arms on the bottom ropes. “I’m not going to dispute what Penny is saying, because she does have a point. The psychological advantage is vital. Most wrestlers are already defeated by the time they get in the ring, because they let their opponent psych them out. Getting into the ring with a woman can be challenging to most men. But, women still face a lot of obstacles in wrestling to prove they are just as worthy to be here as their male counterpart. I just want Nikki to be seen as a legitimate contender for the National Title in a world that was previously dominated by men. “
“Ok, Ok, let’s wrestle.” Nikki is excited for tomorrow’s match, and she really wants the extra practice. But, she knows if this back and forth goes on much longer Josh and Penny might end up in the ring with each other. “I understand there is a lot of mental games that goes on in the realm of the wrestling. But, focusing on those issues will only add to the nervous feelings I already have. Wrestling is fun to me, so let’s turn on some music, and hit the ropes!” She smiles as she runs over to Penny, “Come on let’s hit some ropes Penny!” Nikki turns back to see Josh still standing on the ring side. “Josh darling, is there any music we can turn on in here? Let’s liven this place up!”
"Which is going to happen when they see just how much ass she's going to kick!" Penny says, stepping forward as she gets herself closer to Nikki as she turns to Josh. "So my iPod's already connected to the speakers. Hit shuffle, I hope you guys appreciate some Missy E!"
And with the music pounding, Penny grabs Nikki with a tie-up and forces her into the corner.
"Aww, thank you Penny! I hope I don't let you all d.d.down." Her voice kind of stumbles as Penny corners her. Nikki smiling she pushes Penny's elbow down and spins out, before cracking Penny with a bicycle kick! Climbing the turnbuckle, Nikki stands tall facing forward smiling at Penny, she jumps into a corkscrew shooting star press and Penny moves as Nikki splats in the middle of the ring, laughing as she holds her stomach. "I would normally land on my opponent here. How is that for a move to use later on?"
"I'm not hurt enough." Penny mumbles as she snaps back to her feet and hits Nikki right in the gut with a spinning back kick. "Stop smiling! You're supposed to be hurting me!" Quickly, Penny grabs Nikki's hair and pushes her down to the canvas, following up with a hard leg drop.
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere!" Josh chimes in as Nikki takes Penny's offense like a champ and fights back with a couple of hard kicks. "I'm gonna get everyone some water, don't grope her too much while I'm gone Penny!"
"Dude!" Penny mouths off, leaning over the ropes to look at Josh. "What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I'm going to take advanta-" And right before Penny can finish her sentence, Nikki jumps on the ropes and takes air with a springboard sunset flip, trapping Penny in the lock."Hurry!" Nikki says to Josh. "Make the count!"
"Oh sh*t!" Josh shouts out as he catches the athletic maneuver and slides into the ring, checking Penny's shoulders before counting. "1....2...." He counts before Penny shoots the shoulder up! "Ok, stay on her!" Josh finds himself screaming as he pushes up to his feet and circles the ring. Nikki rolls back to her feet as if she had done it a thousand times, beaming with confidence and staring Penny down. Waiting and watching for her next move just as a lioness would do when stalking her prey. "I've got you now Penny!" Nikki shouts and the lets out a wicked little laugh and her half smile. She lunges toward Penny for a clothesline. But Penny ducks the clothesline, grabs Nikki by the head and with a little spin, Penny drops her with a DDT. "No you don't!" Penny hooks the legs for a cover. "1... 2..." Nikki kicks out and rolls out of the ring. Penny follows after her and leans over the ropes, grabbing her by the head, but Nikki fires back with a hard elbow across Penny's jaw. Penny stumbles back, but comes back with a head butt that knocks Nikki off the apron. Josh rushes over to catch her, but Nikki makes it back to her feet. Penny quickly hits the ropes and takes air with a suicide dive, but Nikki pushes herself and Josh away, leaving Penny to crash hard into the wooden floors outside. Penny's on all fours, trying to stand back up but Nikki comes over with a mean axe-kick across the back of Penny's head, knocking her out for the time being. Nikki slides Penny back into the ring and Nikki hops back up on the ring apron. Penny is trying to get her feet and Nikki climbs in the ring and sprints toward the ropes, handspringing her body into the ropes and spinning into an enziguri that levels Penny as she falls limply to the mat. "Oh my God, are you ok?" Nikki asks Penny as her expression turns to horror. She crawls over on the mat to check on Penny, who hasn't moved. Nikki is certain that she severely injured Penny.
"She's baiting you!" Josh screams out, but not before Penny reveals she is indeed playing possum and wraps Nikki up in a small package. Josh gets down to make the count. "1....2...." he says before Nikki kicks out.
Both girls scramble to their feet and Penny catches her with a forearm to the jaw, only for Nikki to return fire with a forearm of her own. The girls go back and forth with forearm shots to the side of the head. There's a lot more fight in Nikki than Penny expected. Quickly, Penny sends Nikki into the ropes and charges after her, driving her knee into Nikki's as she bounces off the ropes. Nikki drops down to the canvas and breaths heavily, trying to make it to the center of the ring. With the opening right in front of her, Penny marches forward and takes to the air; raising her left boot as she prepares for the Liberty Cap, but Nikki slips away and trips Penny down with a drop toe hold, following up with the Scorpion Cross lock, stretching Penny in half and forcing the Velocity Grrrl to tap out.
Josh stands up, clapping his hands as Nikki lets go of the hold. Penny holds her back as she gets to her feet, staring right at Nikki, nodding her head in acknowledgement of the rookie’s skill. She smiles at Nikki who returns the smile before jumping in her arms, and hugging her fully with her legs wrapped around Nikki’s waist.
“Good work, ladies.” Josh says as he opens the ropes for the girls. Penny releases the hug and walks over to the ropes, but not before giving Nikki a playful smack on her bum. As she exits the ring, Nikki is right behind her, but Josh stops her for a moment. “You’re ready.” He whispers softly in her ear, which brings a smile to Nikki’s face.
“I’m ready.”
As they leave the gym, heading towards the car, Nikki turns to look at her husband she grabs his arm and lays her head on his shoulder. She can’t help but feel that this practice was exactly what she needed to face her opponent Shapiro tomorrow. Thinking to herself, Nikki now understands what Josh really meant when he said that a wrestler can psych themselves out before ever getting into the ring. It will be a difficult battle, but she is ready. Simply knowing that Josh was proud of her, gave her that extra boost of confidence she needed.
****
Shapiro, there is one thing you should know. You WILL NOT be in control of this situation. There are many things in life you will not be able to control, however, learning how to accept the fact things won’t go your way will get you a lot further than the sour grapes you currently squeeze.
Shapiro, I consider the fact that you would even, for a remote second, blame the choices you have made with your life to be a street thug, going around getting in fights, on the fact that your mother worked hard to give you a good life and nice things like your sneakers a slap in the face to all single mothers across the world. If you could only open your eyes to realize how much your mom wishes she could have been then there to teach you how to constructively deal with bad situations.
Do you honestly think, because you have been in a few street fights you are ready for the big time? Well let me give you a free life lesson, it takes more heart from a mother to walk away from her child to go into her job every day, than for a thug to use his fists in order to maintain control of his surroundings. Sheer heart, strength, dedication and hard work has got me to where I am today. And you sit there on the sidelines placing blame and whining about what you did not have in your life. Well, today you better man up, because I am about to become a Bad Teacher.