Post by Shane Hunt on Mar 23, 2013 15:44:39 GMT -6
1st November 2012 - The Hunt household, San Diego, California
My brothers car pulls up in my driveway, with my brother and I inside. I open the door, climb out of the car, and make my way over to the front door of my house. I'm unsteady on my feet because I'd had quite a lot to drink before my brother came to pick me up. As my brother walks up to me, I take a deep breath to compose myself. Taking hold of the door handle, I open the door and step inside the house with my brother.
As I stand inside the entrance hall, I can't hear any crying from my son. It seems odd that he isn't crying, as John made it sound like he'd been hurt quite badly. My mind tells me he must have hit his head so hard, that it knocked him unconscious. With that in mind, I hastily make my way through to the living room.
On entering the room, I see more than just my wife and son sitting down. On the other sofa are my sister Jennifer and her boyfriend Paul James. My eyebrows drop to a scowl at the sight of him. We hadn't spoken since I split up our tag team in NCW a year and a half ago, and I had no intention of speaking to him now.
I look back to my son, who's peacefully sitting on the sofa, with not even a scratch on his head. I'm just about to ask what the Hell is going on, when my old friend Johnny Wild walks out of the kitchen holding a glass of water.
" So, he's not here then. Probably still in the... Oh. " The "Oh" is uttered as Johnny catches sight of me standing just inside the room, John by my side.
As Johnny and my brother John walk over to the sofas and the others stand up, I realise this gathering is probably for me.
" What's going on? " I ask, not directing the question to anyone in particular.
My wife, Marie, decides she'll be the one to explain.
" Shane, don't be upset when I say this, but we're all worried about you. "
" What are you all worried about me for? I'm fine. " I say, although I know why they're worried about me. I just don't want to be the one to say it.
Paul pipes up now, to my displeasure.
" It's your drinking problem, mate. Since you injured your knee again, you've slipped back into the old habit. " Paul explains, sounding genuinely concerned.
Jennifer adds, " Nobody likes seeing you in such a state, and we don't want to see you get to a point where you can't turn back. " A tear escapes from the corner of her eye as she speaks, rolling down her cheek and falling to the floor.
For all the concern my friends and family are showing, I still don't want to admit that there's anything wrong.
" Seriously, there's nothing wrong! The sooner everyone realises this, the better. " The volume of my voice rises as I say this, and I shout the last few words, after-which I turn and storm out of the room.
Marie looks at John, and demands that he " Go after him then.... "
John does as he's told, and follows me as I stomp toward the front door. As I reach my hand out and grasp the door handle, John says " Shane, wait a minute. " But he's too late. I've already opened the door and gone through it. John lets out a sigh as he watches the door shut, and rushes over to it so I don't get too far away for him to catch me.
Opening the door, he sees I've not gotten far. In fact, I've stopped at the doorstep, where I sit with my head in my hands. Without looking up at him, I ask " Bro, how've I got here again? "
John steps around me, and sits on the doorstep by my side. He puts an arm around me, as responds to my question with " Times have been tough for you, so I understand how you've managed to fall back into old habits. "
Before he is able to say another word, I look up, tears in my eyes, and exclaim " I don't want to be this way anymore, but I can't stop. "
" Let us help you then. Shane, let us in. Stop acting like there's nothing wrong, when there obviously is. "
I nod my head, knowing full well that I can only get through these tough times with the help of my family and friends.
" OK John, I'll try. I just want to be out of the slump, and back to my best. "
John looks at me inquisitively, and queries with " Back to your best at what? "
I would have thought it would be obvious what I meant, but I explain to my brother none the less.
" At wrestling of course. My knee is feeling great, and I'd love to get back into the wrestling business again. "
" You know you've got my backing, and I'm happy to help you train. I've not been in a ring for a couple of years either, and could do with the exercise. " Comments John, patting his stomach as he does so to emphasise the fact he's put on a few too many pounds.
For the first time in a long while, I smile at something other than the next pint being pulled. John's enthusiasm and willingness to help me out makes me happy. Before I'm able to put this feeling into words, the door opens once again and standing in the doorway are both Johnny Wild and Paul James.
" Hey man, you OK? " Asks Johnny.
I respond with " I think it will be. "
Johnny pats me on the shoulder.
" Listen mate. I know we've not spoke for a very long time, but I want you to know I'm here for you if you need me. " Announces Paul, which surprises me after all I'd said to him in the past.
I look up at Paul, and say " Thanks, I appreciate that. I think you and I need to talk anyway. We need to clear the air. "
Johnny is quick to add " Don't forget about me! I'll help you however I can as well. "
" With people willing to help me, I know I can get through the tough times and get back to my best. Let's get back in the house and talk things through. It's been so long since I talked to anyone about anything, and I need to let it all out. "
John and I stand up, and the four of us walk back into the house to tell Marie and Jennifer what's just been discussed.
My brothers car pulls up in my driveway, with my brother and I inside. I open the door, climb out of the car, and make my way over to the front door of my house. I'm unsteady on my feet because I'd had quite a lot to drink before my brother came to pick me up. As my brother walks up to me, I take a deep breath to compose myself. Taking hold of the door handle, I open the door and step inside the house with my brother.
As I stand inside the entrance hall, I can't hear any crying from my son. It seems odd that he isn't crying, as John made it sound like he'd been hurt quite badly. My mind tells me he must have hit his head so hard, that it knocked him unconscious. With that in mind, I hastily make my way through to the living room.
On entering the room, I see more than just my wife and son sitting down. On the other sofa are my sister Jennifer and her boyfriend Paul James. My eyebrows drop to a scowl at the sight of him. We hadn't spoken since I split up our tag team in NCW a year and a half ago, and I had no intention of speaking to him now.
I look back to my son, who's peacefully sitting on the sofa, with not even a scratch on his head. I'm just about to ask what the Hell is going on, when my old friend Johnny Wild walks out of the kitchen holding a glass of water.
" So, he's not here then. Probably still in the... Oh. " The "Oh" is uttered as Johnny catches sight of me standing just inside the room, John by my side.
As Johnny and my brother John walk over to the sofas and the others stand up, I realise this gathering is probably for me.
" What's going on? " I ask, not directing the question to anyone in particular.
My wife, Marie, decides she'll be the one to explain.
" Shane, don't be upset when I say this, but we're all worried about you. "
" What are you all worried about me for? I'm fine. " I say, although I know why they're worried about me. I just don't want to be the one to say it.
Paul pipes up now, to my displeasure.
" It's your drinking problem, mate. Since you injured your knee again, you've slipped back into the old habit. " Paul explains, sounding genuinely concerned.
Jennifer adds, " Nobody likes seeing you in such a state, and we don't want to see you get to a point where you can't turn back. " A tear escapes from the corner of her eye as she speaks, rolling down her cheek and falling to the floor.
For all the concern my friends and family are showing, I still don't want to admit that there's anything wrong.
" Seriously, there's nothing wrong! The sooner everyone realises this, the better. " The volume of my voice rises as I say this, and I shout the last few words, after-which I turn and storm out of the room.
Marie looks at John, and demands that he " Go after him then.... "
John does as he's told, and follows me as I stomp toward the front door. As I reach my hand out and grasp the door handle, John says " Shane, wait a minute. " But he's too late. I've already opened the door and gone through it. John lets out a sigh as he watches the door shut, and rushes over to it so I don't get too far away for him to catch me.
Opening the door, he sees I've not gotten far. In fact, I've stopped at the doorstep, where I sit with my head in my hands. Without looking up at him, I ask " Bro, how've I got here again? "
John steps around me, and sits on the doorstep by my side. He puts an arm around me, as responds to my question with " Times have been tough for you, so I understand how you've managed to fall back into old habits. "
Before he is able to say another word, I look up, tears in my eyes, and exclaim " I don't want to be this way anymore, but I can't stop. "
" Let us help you then. Shane, let us in. Stop acting like there's nothing wrong, when there obviously is. "
I nod my head, knowing full well that I can only get through these tough times with the help of my family and friends.
" OK John, I'll try. I just want to be out of the slump, and back to my best. "
John looks at me inquisitively, and queries with " Back to your best at what? "
I would have thought it would be obvious what I meant, but I explain to my brother none the less.
" At wrestling of course. My knee is feeling great, and I'd love to get back into the wrestling business again. "
" You know you've got my backing, and I'm happy to help you train. I've not been in a ring for a couple of years either, and could do with the exercise. " Comments John, patting his stomach as he does so to emphasise the fact he's put on a few too many pounds.
For the first time in a long while, I smile at something other than the next pint being pulled. John's enthusiasm and willingness to help me out makes me happy. Before I'm able to put this feeling into words, the door opens once again and standing in the doorway are both Johnny Wild and Paul James.
" Hey man, you OK? " Asks Johnny.
I respond with " I think it will be. "
Johnny pats me on the shoulder.
" Listen mate. I know we've not spoke for a very long time, but I want you to know I'm here for you if you need me. " Announces Paul, which surprises me after all I'd said to him in the past.
I look up at Paul, and say " Thanks, I appreciate that. I think you and I need to talk anyway. We need to clear the air. "
Johnny is quick to add " Don't forget about me! I'll help you however I can as well. "
" With people willing to help me, I know I can get through the tough times and get back to my best. Let's get back in the house and talk things through. It's been so long since I talked to anyone about anything, and I need to let it all out. "
John and I stand up, and the four of us walk back into the house to tell Marie and Jennifer what's just been discussed.