Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2020 6:18:07 GMT -5
THEN & NOW
Part 1 - Broken Home
Llanfair, Wales, Five Years Ago.
The small island of Anglesey, off the northwest coast of Wales, was a beautiful rural place. Its most notable village was that of Llanfair PG, famous for having the longest train station sign in the world, as well as being the birthplace of Britain’s first Women’s Institute. It also happened to be the birthhome of one Megan Leavenworth, and her sisters Jestine & Meredith, known to fans of professional wrestling as Ignis, Lightning & Undine respectively. In this small gated island community, the sisters held a terrible secret.
Gladys Leavenworth was shunned by the locals. A long-time meth addict, whose addictions had had a horrendous effect on her physical appearance and condition, she had given birth to four children from three different fathers, none of which were known to anyone but her, if even that. The children had grown up fending for themselves in a broken home, and three of them had moved out as soon as they were legally able, leaving this hell hole behind. Only one, the youngest, had stayed there for any length of time, trying to aid and look after the broken old woman, before she too had finally gone off to the States where her sisters lived a couple of years ago. No-one ever talked about the place now, save for maybe a cursory glance as they passed, perhaps mutters in the pub. If it weren’t for strange men approaching the door at night, they would likely wonder if the Leavenworth matriarch was still alive. A couple of the local kids would talk about wrestling, about how the three daughters made their living that way in the USA, and that would bring more tuts and shaking of the head. Three girls, growing up in a broken home, now earning their way by fighting like thugs. What a disgrace. What a shame.
The reception the three sisters got upon entering the village reflected this. The locals avoided eye contact, in the local pub they were treated poorly, almost with fear it seemed.
Lightning: You ever feel you’re not welcome somewhere? This was a stupid idea of yours, Meg. Why the hell do you think we’d want to come back here to this shithole.
Undine: I agree. We got out of dodge; it’s amazing we even made it out of here alive considering. Why have you brought us here, anyway?
Ignis sighed, shaking her head.
Ignis: Look. You two left home years ago. We’re going home. We’re going to see mum. Come on, it’ll mean a lot to her.
Undine: Get fucked. I’d rather put her headfirst through a plain glass window than talk to the drug-addled cuntbag. You’re not getting me near that God forsaken hole.
Ignis: Come on Merry, she’s your mother. She’s our mother.
Undine: I have no mother. Was she a mother when we were growing up, huh? Who played with you two as little kids, huh? Who cooked your food? Who got you dressed for school? I DID. I’m the closest thing to a mother the pair of you have ever had, and I have been since I was ten years old. You ever wonder why I’m bitter, Megan? You ever wonder why I’m so angry at the world? You try raising a home and two small children before you even hit fucking puberty. There is NO WAY IN HELL that I’m setting foot in that home. Not a chance.
Lightning: ...I’ll go.
Undine: Oh fuck you.
Lightning: I don’t like the bitch either, but this is important to Meg. And you know what? It probably would mean a lot to... her, too.
Ignis: Come on, Merry. Mum’s probably improved since then. I mean, I send her money every month so she can live comfortably.
Undine stamped her foot, looking incredulous with rage.
Undine: YOU SEND THAT METH-HEAD BITCH MONEY?! ARE YOU FUCKING BATSHIT?
Ignis: She needs to eat...
Undine: She needs to get fucked off her brains, more like! You’re a fucking enabler, Megan! You hear me? AN ENABLER!!!
Ignis sighed, looking sad.
Ignis: You... you don’t know that.
Lightning put a reassuring arm around her sister’s shoulder.
Lightning: Come on kitten, let’s go. You sure you not coming, Merry?
Undine: Positive. I’ll be in the pub when you’re done. Kinda hoping one of these local fucktards is fixing for a fight. If I can’t brain the drugged up bitch, any other motherfucker in this God-forsaken hole will do.
With that, Undine stormed off towards the pub. Lightning gave Ignis a squeeze.
Lightning: Come on. Let’s go home.
-----
Lightning: Wow... what a mess. Guess she didn’t spend your money on a gardener.
The two sisters had arrived at the house, and the garden was a mass of overgrown grass and weeds. Ignis sighed. She’d always looked after the garden when she’d been there.
Ignis: Doesn’t look good, does it? Come on... let’s go.
They walked up the path, brushing past the explosion of wild flora as they did so. Ignis gulped a little, before reaching into her purse and taking out a key, which she still kept. She unlocked the door, and stepped inside the house.
Ignis: Mum? Mum, are you home?
There was an eerie silence in the air, everything seemed to be like a small hurricane had gone through the house, oddly enough leaving all the walls standing, it was dark as ever, only light seemed to be the flickering of a television screen, throwing a radiating glow on the living room, it was just static, and suddenly something moved on the couch. That pile of mess did come to life and what looked at the two sisters was disturbing.
Gladys Leavenworth might have once been pretty, she might have had some distinct features to her because it was obvious that all three of her daughters had got their beauty somewhere but looking the way she did now, you couldn’t tell that they were related, not in a million years.
She sat up a bit, squinting her eyes under that wool hat that was deep in her head, her voice was far from beautiful, if it had a tone it was more of a zombie than anything living.
Gladys: Who? Who goes there?
Ignis sighed, walking a little towards her, which seemed to make Gladys defensive.
Ignis: Mum, it’s me. Megan. I’ve come to see you.
She sat in silence for a moment, looking at the women.
Gladys: Megan’s not here, she will come though, she would never leave me for long, she’ll be right here..sit down, fancy a fag?
She starts rummaging all the things on the table in front of her, getting a crumpled up pack of cigarettes offering up to the women smiling a bit her dark teeth peeking out between the withered lips.
Ignis: No... no thank you, mum. I... I am Megan. I’m home, mum.
While this was going on, Lightning stood back. She hadn’t been sure what to expect; she hadn’t been here for around eight years, but she felt uneasy and perhaps a little staggered at the state her mother was in.
Lightning: And I am too, mum.
Megan: I brought Jess with me.
It took her a moment but finally when the names seemed to register with her she yanked the pack back, put one between her lips and lit it up, sitting there slumped down in a dirty sleeveless shirt, arms more like skin and bone pockmarked and barely attached to what vaguely resembled shoulders, she wore a pair of track pants, that looked it those had been washed about the same time as her hair and shirt, which obviously was not anytime lately.
Gladys: Jess huh? You came here to tell me off? Came here to throw your money around is that it? Well I don’t need your pity, I get me checks, me and Meg will be fine without your mercy, you can bugger off, back to the states, I am doing just fine, peachy even..you never cared for anything but yourself anyway you and Meredith, always thought you were better than me..
She trailed off a bit, looking at the state of the room.
Gladys: I meant to do some cleaning here ladies, but my daughter Meg usually does that, she will be here though, she will be here any moment and then we’ll get to it. I’ll just finish this cig while we wait? Maybe I’ll go put the kettle on, a cup of tea never hurt anyone, right?
She tried to get up, staggered and fell back down on the couch.
Gladys: Bugger! ..maybe I’ll get ya a cup later.
Ignis shook her head.
Ignis: Jess, go fix up a brew for mum, please.
Lightning nodded, and headed to the kitchen. Ignis sat down next to her mother.
Ignis: Come on mum, you don’t need to wear a hat indoors. I want to see your pretty face.
Gladys didn’t respond, and Ignis took the hat, pulling it off her head. watching as the greasy hair stuck to her scalp in the flickering right of Television she saw scabs and other assorted marks all over her forehead, obviously in her mother’s mind she would hide the marks of drug abuse with a hat thinking no one would be the wiser, with a shudder Ignis put the hat back petting her mum with a sad look in her eyes.
Ignis: We’ll leave it on for now. It really suits you. Goes well with your....... shirt.
Rocking a bit Gladys pressed her head against her daughter’s shoulder, talking in a dreamy tone.
Gladys: You’ll like Meg, she is a sweetheart, best daughter I could have ever had, always staying by me..not like the other two. Meg will come home soon, we’ll watch some soaps, maybe a wee bit of that wrestling she likes too, I never understood what’s so special about that, but she loves it so I just enjoy the time with her..it is kinda silly though, grown people acting like they are in some sort of a fantasy land, can you imagine that? No grasp of the real world and just how harsh it can be..?
Ignis nodded slowly.
Ignis: It is a little... brash, I suppose.
Suddenly, a loud and terrified scream came from the kitchen, causing Megan to jump up.
Which made Gladys snap at her reaction.
Gladys: Someone’s in me kitchen! Where’s me knife! Some fucking chav is in me house, bet they are after Meg!
Lightning came running through, slamming the door behind her.
Lightning: RAT!!! THERE’S A FUCKING RAT IN THERE!!!
Glazed pair of eyes looked at Lightning.
Gladys: Who are you? Why are you yelling in my house?! I paid you people off Harry said I was good, I told him Meg would settle it when she comes back, ask him! Ask Harry he knows I’m good for it..
Lightning: I... I’ll check with him. Sorry about that.
She hissed at Ignis.
Lightning: RAT!!!
Ignis gave her sister a little hug. It was obvious the Firebird was close to tears. Suddenly there was a knock on the front door.
Ignis: I’ll get it mum.
Gladys: What is it with all these people running around me home today?
Lightning muttered under her breath.
Lightning: If that’s a fucking dealer, I swear to God...
Ignis made her way to the door, nervously opening it. And standing there was her older sister.
Undine: Alright. We’ll do this your way. Where is the drugged up old bitch?
Ignis gave Undine a hug, whispering “thank you” to her. She led Undine into the living room.
Ignis: Look, mum. Meredith’s come to see you.
Her face went from confused to twisted sort of hatred by mere mention of Meredith’s name.
Gladys: Well how have the mighty fallen, I knew you would come crawling back, guess those yanks treated you as good as I did expect, they probably gave you what you deserve anyway, now you can put all that silly talk of wrestling behind and accept that you are nothing special like you always thought.
Undine growled at her mother.
Undine: Fuck you. You drug fucking cunt. Nothing special? I RAISED THIS FUCKING HOUSEHOLD!!! Meg! Jess! Robert! THEY BECAME SOMETHING BECAUSE OF ME, DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!
Ignis: Merry, stop...
Undine: Fuck you too, Meg! I came here to say my piece, something I’ve held in for fourteen fucking years! Look at yourself, mum! LOOK AT YOURSELF!!! YOU’RE A FUCKED UP PIECE OF SHIT!!!
She had sat there cold as ice, getting another cig from her pack, lighting it up and glaring at Meredith her eyes were on fire something neither of the two who came before Undine had not seen during the entire time they had been there, it was like the fragile woman got another surge of hate and vinegar when her eldest daughter showed up and her voice was pure venom.
Gladys: How DARE you talk to me like that you stupid cunt?! I AM YOUR MOTHER! I gave up my youth, my whole life because of my kids, I stayed here with all of you and gave you the best years of my life. All I ever wanted from the four of you was love..love and little respect. You are supposed to respect your mum Meredith, not throw your fucking nose up at her like she was nothing..I brought you into this world and had I so decided, you would never had a chance to stand there and lecture me like you know something! What do you know about having to raise a child on your own, you talk about being some sort of a hero, but I was the one who got betrayed, first by the men who used me only to get sex and then..then by the very children that came out of my body! YOU did that, you turned them against me..their own mum!
Undine stormed right up to her mother, towering over her.
Undine: You’re no mother of mine. You weren’t a mother to any of these kids! You’re a junkie, a failure as both a mother and a human being.
Ignis: Merry... no... please don’t...
Undine: I hate you. I wish you’d died in childbirth, you fucking waste of air.
And with that, the Aquablonde smacked her mother round the face.
Her head got knocked about a bit but Gladys stayed still, she looked at Undine, without a word she spat her right in the face.
Gladys: I should have killed you when I had the chance.
Ignis & Lightning quickly dragged Undine away from their mother.
Ignis: Meredith Aeronwy Leavenworth... LEAVE THIS HOUSE NOW!!!
Undine wiped the spit off her face and growled at Gladys.
Undine: The next time I see you will be in Hell, old woman.
And with that, the Aquablonde left, slamming the front door behind her as Ignis sat down to cuddle her mother.
Feeling Meg’s arms around her Gladys seemed to quiver in her hold.
Gladys: What is all this racket? Where’s me daughter? Where is Meg? Is she coming home already, it will get dark soon, Meg hates being alone in the dark...
Ignis: I’m right here, mum. I’m right here...
Tears began to form in Megan’s eyes as she held her mother.
She should never have left.....
Part 2 - Reunited
Reno, Nevada, Present Day.
Five years.
It had been five years since the three sisters had all been in the same place at the same time. To say that things had turned out horrendously the last time was too damn true. But here Megan Leavenworth was, sitting in a cafe in Reno, where her sisters were set to come and congratulate her on her new job, working for Uprising Wrestling. A lot had changed in five years.
Undine had gotten married, and her and her spouse lived out of a suitcase, travelling the road from motel to motel wrestling anywhere with a promoter that would give them a paycheck. A life of hell for some, especially at Undine’s age of 40, the Aquablonde revelled in it. It was proper old school wrestling, the kind she grew in love with when she was young, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lightning had retired from wrestling four years ago, had apparently studied, and was now Dr. Jestine Leavenworth, Doctor of Spiritual Psychological Therapy. As far as Ignis could tell, she was a crazed quack. She’d also shacked up with wrestling legend Harry “The Hammer” Stone, which would be adorable if he wan’t like... twice her age.
As for Megan herself... four years ago, her & Jestine had been running a tag team in America, when one day, the Firebird up and quit. Since that day back home, Megan had been overrun with worry and guilt over her mother. And so, four years ago, she returned home to Wales. She cared for her mother, trying to help her through her addictions, and make her life as good as it could possibly be. Save for a brief tour of Japan with her friends, that had been Megan’s life for four years, her career effectively on hold, the nest egg she’d saved up from her years as a hall of fame level wrestler poured into making her mother’s life as bearable as possible. But money runs out, and to make more, she had come back to the States. But keeping her mum’s level of care up while she was overseas cost a crap load of money; and Ignis didn’t really know how everything would work out, or what kind of life she could forge in America with so little money left for her own expenses. But dammit, she had to try.
She looked up from her thoughts, as the eldest sibling of clan Leavenworth came in. She came across to where Meg was sitting, a nod of acknowledgement as close to a warm greeting as she would receive. “So... you finally came back, huh? About time. Was starting to think you were a lost cause.”
Ignis shrugged. “I follow my heart. You and I may not see eye to eye on these things, but I do what’s important to me.”
“You’re selfless, I’ll give you that. Too much so in my opinion.”
“Someone had to care for mom dammit... she’d be dead now if I hadn’t did what I did.”
Undine sneered. “And that would have been better for everybody. Especially you.
“You don’t mean that...” Ignis sighed, knowing deep down in her heart of hearts that she meant it damn well. “She’s our mother...”
“She’s a despicable piece of shit.” Undine said, very matter of fact. “She’s ruined your fucking career, Meg, you know that. Five years ago, you were hot shit. Running roughshot over the global wrestling scene. Now you’re only ever talked about in those dumb Cultaholic lists about what happened to that wrestler.”
“Catchy tune that....” Ignis poked at her napkin.”What would you have had me do, then? Have our mother die in a drug fuellled mindfuck?”
“Er... hell yeah. Better end than the bitch deserves.”
“DAMMIT, MERRY. That’s not who I am!”
A voice came from by the door. “Are you two fighting already?” There walked in Dr. Jestine Leavenworth. “You know love is a much stronger emotion than anger.” She came across, and started pulling at the air with her hands.
“Dafuq you doing?” Undine asked.
“So much negative energy here. I’m cleansing your auras.”
“Sit the hell down, my aura’s fine as it is.” Undine grumbled. As Lightning seated herself, Undine mouthed the words “hippie quack motherfucker” at Ignis, who giggled.
“Congrats on the new job, Meggie. I can’t wait to see you in the ring again. I’ve been following all your new friends and colleagues on social media. Seem like a right bunch, especially that Kalinda person you’re facing in the tournament. You tell Mr. Jackson if he wants to hire a Psychological & Spiritual Doctor to oversee the mental health of that bunch of crazies, to give me a call. My card.”
She handed her card to Ignis who looked at it, somewhat baffled. “Make your Life EnLightning. Fucking really, Jess?”
“DOCTOR JESS. I didn’t study my rear end off for years for my doctorness to not be acknowledged.”
“Jesus Fuck. You’ve somehow become a bigger loony than you used to be. Which is actually kinda impressive.” Undine sniggered.
Jestine ignored her older sister, turning her attention to Meg. “I’m happy you’re back, Meggie. You feeling okay? Four years with little ring time is pretty rough. You doing okay? In shape? Mentally prepared?”
“Er... yeah, I guess. Training seems a lot more brutal than it used to, but I’m happy in myself. Might take a couple of matches to get back into the swing of things, winning this inaugural tournament is probably a long shot, but I’ll feel my way back in, don’t worry.”
“You need to be ready. Here, let me help.” Jestine got up, standing behind Meg, closing her eyes and clutching at her shoulders. “I’ll get your chakras in check.”
“Jesus Fuck...” Undine smiled. “This is a load of bullshit.”
“ENOUGH, no negative energies please Merry. You’re causing an imbalance with the spirit world.”
“The what now?”
“I am using their energies to power Meggie’s chakras and cleanse her aura.”
Megan looked a little embarrassed. “Jess, everyone’s staring at us...” Jess was in some kind of spiritual trance though. Ignis mouthed the word “HELP” at Undine, who just giggled.
A lot had changed in five years, Meg thought to herself. One thing was for sure though.
Her sisters were as batshit crazy as ever.
Part 1 - Broken Home
Llanfair, Wales, Five Years Ago.
The small island of Anglesey, off the northwest coast of Wales, was a beautiful rural place. Its most notable village was that of Llanfair PG, famous for having the longest train station sign in the world, as well as being the birthplace of Britain’s first Women’s Institute. It also happened to be the birthhome of one Megan Leavenworth, and her sisters Jestine & Meredith, known to fans of professional wrestling as Ignis, Lightning & Undine respectively. In this small gated island community, the sisters held a terrible secret.
Gladys Leavenworth was shunned by the locals. A long-time meth addict, whose addictions had had a horrendous effect on her physical appearance and condition, she had given birth to four children from three different fathers, none of which were known to anyone but her, if even that. The children had grown up fending for themselves in a broken home, and three of them had moved out as soon as they were legally able, leaving this hell hole behind. Only one, the youngest, had stayed there for any length of time, trying to aid and look after the broken old woman, before she too had finally gone off to the States where her sisters lived a couple of years ago. No-one ever talked about the place now, save for maybe a cursory glance as they passed, perhaps mutters in the pub. If it weren’t for strange men approaching the door at night, they would likely wonder if the Leavenworth matriarch was still alive. A couple of the local kids would talk about wrestling, about how the three daughters made their living that way in the USA, and that would bring more tuts and shaking of the head. Three girls, growing up in a broken home, now earning their way by fighting like thugs. What a disgrace. What a shame.
The reception the three sisters got upon entering the village reflected this. The locals avoided eye contact, in the local pub they were treated poorly, almost with fear it seemed.
Lightning: You ever feel you’re not welcome somewhere? This was a stupid idea of yours, Meg. Why the hell do you think we’d want to come back here to this shithole.
Undine: I agree. We got out of dodge; it’s amazing we even made it out of here alive considering. Why have you brought us here, anyway?
Ignis sighed, shaking her head.
Ignis: Look. You two left home years ago. We’re going home. We’re going to see mum. Come on, it’ll mean a lot to her.
Undine: Get fucked. I’d rather put her headfirst through a plain glass window than talk to the drug-addled cuntbag. You’re not getting me near that God forsaken hole.
Ignis: Come on Merry, she’s your mother. She’s our mother.
Undine: I have no mother. Was she a mother when we were growing up, huh? Who played with you two as little kids, huh? Who cooked your food? Who got you dressed for school? I DID. I’m the closest thing to a mother the pair of you have ever had, and I have been since I was ten years old. You ever wonder why I’m bitter, Megan? You ever wonder why I’m so angry at the world? You try raising a home and two small children before you even hit fucking puberty. There is NO WAY IN HELL that I’m setting foot in that home. Not a chance.
Lightning: ...I’ll go.
Undine: Oh fuck you.
Lightning: I don’t like the bitch either, but this is important to Meg. And you know what? It probably would mean a lot to... her, too.
Ignis: Come on, Merry. Mum’s probably improved since then. I mean, I send her money every month so she can live comfortably.
Undine stamped her foot, looking incredulous with rage.
Undine: YOU SEND THAT METH-HEAD BITCH MONEY?! ARE YOU FUCKING BATSHIT?
Ignis: She needs to eat...
Undine: She needs to get fucked off her brains, more like! You’re a fucking enabler, Megan! You hear me? AN ENABLER!!!
Ignis sighed, looking sad.
Ignis: You... you don’t know that.
Lightning put a reassuring arm around her sister’s shoulder.
Lightning: Come on kitten, let’s go. You sure you not coming, Merry?
Undine: Positive. I’ll be in the pub when you’re done. Kinda hoping one of these local fucktards is fixing for a fight. If I can’t brain the drugged up bitch, any other motherfucker in this God-forsaken hole will do.
With that, Undine stormed off towards the pub. Lightning gave Ignis a squeeze.
Lightning: Come on. Let’s go home.
-----
Lightning: Wow... what a mess. Guess she didn’t spend your money on a gardener.
The two sisters had arrived at the house, and the garden was a mass of overgrown grass and weeds. Ignis sighed. She’d always looked after the garden when she’d been there.
Ignis: Doesn’t look good, does it? Come on... let’s go.
They walked up the path, brushing past the explosion of wild flora as they did so. Ignis gulped a little, before reaching into her purse and taking out a key, which she still kept. She unlocked the door, and stepped inside the house.
Ignis: Mum? Mum, are you home?
There was an eerie silence in the air, everything seemed to be like a small hurricane had gone through the house, oddly enough leaving all the walls standing, it was dark as ever, only light seemed to be the flickering of a television screen, throwing a radiating glow on the living room, it was just static, and suddenly something moved on the couch. That pile of mess did come to life and what looked at the two sisters was disturbing.
Gladys Leavenworth might have once been pretty, she might have had some distinct features to her because it was obvious that all three of her daughters had got their beauty somewhere but looking the way she did now, you couldn’t tell that they were related, not in a million years.
She sat up a bit, squinting her eyes under that wool hat that was deep in her head, her voice was far from beautiful, if it had a tone it was more of a zombie than anything living.
Gladys: Who? Who goes there?
Ignis sighed, walking a little towards her, which seemed to make Gladys defensive.
Ignis: Mum, it’s me. Megan. I’ve come to see you.
She sat in silence for a moment, looking at the women.
Gladys: Megan’s not here, she will come though, she would never leave me for long, she’ll be right here..sit down, fancy a fag?
She starts rummaging all the things on the table in front of her, getting a crumpled up pack of cigarettes offering up to the women smiling a bit her dark teeth peeking out between the withered lips.
Ignis: No... no thank you, mum. I... I am Megan. I’m home, mum.
While this was going on, Lightning stood back. She hadn’t been sure what to expect; she hadn’t been here for around eight years, but she felt uneasy and perhaps a little staggered at the state her mother was in.
Lightning: And I am too, mum.
Megan: I brought Jess with me.
It took her a moment but finally when the names seemed to register with her she yanked the pack back, put one between her lips and lit it up, sitting there slumped down in a dirty sleeveless shirt, arms more like skin and bone pockmarked and barely attached to what vaguely resembled shoulders, she wore a pair of track pants, that looked it those had been washed about the same time as her hair and shirt, which obviously was not anytime lately.
Gladys: Jess huh? You came here to tell me off? Came here to throw your money around is that it? Well I don’t need your pity, I get me checks, me and Meg will be fine without your mercy, you can bugger off, back to the states, I am doing just fine, peachy even..you never cared for anything but yourself anyway you and Meredith, always thought you were better than me..
She trailed off a bit, looking at the state of the room.
Gladys: I meant to do some cleaning here ladies, but my daughter Meg usually does that, she will be here though, she will be here any moment and then we’ll get to it. I’ll just finish this cig while we wait? Maybe I’ll go put the kettle on, a cup of tea never hurt anyone, right?
She tried to get up, staggered and fell back down on the couch.
Gladys: Bugger! ..maybe I’ll get ya a cup later.
Ignis shook her head.
Ignis: Jess, go fix up a brew for mum, please.
Lightning nodded, and headed to the kitchen. Ignis sat down next to her mother.
Ignis: Come on mum, you don’t need to wear a hat indoors. I want to see your pretty face.
Gladys didn’t respond, and Ignis took the hat, pulling it off her head. watching as the greasy hair stuck to her scalp in the flickering right of Television she saw scabs and other assorted marks all over her forehead, obviously in her mother’s mind she would hide the marks of drug abuse with a hat thinking no one would be the wiser, with a shudder Ignis put the hat back petting her mum with a sad look in her eyes.
Ignis: We’ll leave it on for now. It really suits you. Goes well with your....... shirt.
Rocking a bit Gladys pressed her head against her daughter’s shoulder, talking in a dreamy tone.
Gladys: You’ll like Meg, she is a sweetheart, best daughter I could have ever had, always staying by me..not like the other two. Meg will come home soon, we’ll watch some soaps, maybe a wee bit of that wrestling she likes too, I never understood what’s so special about that, but she loves it so I just enjoy the time with her..it is kinda silly though, grown people acting like they are in some sort of a fantasy land, can you imagine that? No grasp of the real world and just how harsh it can be..?
Ignis nodded slowly.
Ignis: It is a little... brash, I suppose.
Suddenly, a loud and terrified scream came from the kitchen, causing Megan to jump up.
Which made Gladys snap at her reaction.
Gladys: Someone’s in me kitchen! Where’s me knife! Some fucking chav is in me house, bet they are after Meg!
Lightning came running through, slamming the door behind her.
Lightning: RAT!!! THERE’S A FUCKING RAT IN THERE!!!
Glazed pair of eyes looked at Lightning.
Gladys: Who are you? Why are you yelling in my house?! I paid you people off Harry said I was good, I told him Meg would settle it when she comes back, ask him! Ask Harry he knows I’m good for it..
Lightning: I... I’ll check with him. Sorry about that.
She hissed at Ignis.
Lightning: RAT!!!
Ignis gave her sister a little hug. It was obvious the Firebird was close to tears. Suddenly there was a knock on the front door.
Ignis: I’ll get it mum.
Gladys: What is it with all these people running around me home today?
Lightning muttered under her breath.
Lightning: If that’s a fucking dealer, I swear to God...
Ignis made her way to the door, nervously opening it. And standing there was her older sister.
Undine: Alright. We’ll do this your way. Where is the drugged up old bitch?
Ignis gave Undine a hug, whispering “thank you” to her. She led Undine into the living room.
Ignis: Look, mum. Meredith’s come to see you.
Her face went from confused to twisted sort of hatred by mere mention of Meredith’s name.
Gladys: Well how have the mighty fallen, I knew you would come crawling back, guess those yanks treated you as good as I did expect, they probably gave you what you deserve anyway, now you can put all that silly talk of wrestling behind and accept that you are nothing special like you always thought.
Undine growled at her mother.
Undine: Fuck you. You drug fucking cunt. Nothing special? I RAISED THIS FUCKING HOUSEHOLD!!! Meg! Jess! Robert! THEY BECAME SOMETHING BECAUSE OF ME, DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!
Ignis: Merry, stop...
Undine: Fuck you too, Meg! I came here to say my piece, something I’ve held in for fourteen fucking years! Look at yourself, mum! LOOK AT YOURSELF!!! YOU’RE A FUCKED UP PIECE OF SHIT!!!
She had sat there cold as ice, getting another cig from her pack, lighting it up and glaring at Meredith her eyes were on fire something neither of the two who came before Undine had not seen during the entire time they had been there, it was like the fragile woman got another surge of hate and vinegar when her eldest daughter showed up and her voice was pure venom.
Gladys: How DARE you talk to me like that you stupid cunt?! I AM YOUR MOTHER! I gave up my youth, my whole life because of my kids, I stayed here with all of you and gave you the best years of my life. All I ever wanted from the four of you was love..love and little respect. You are supposed to respect your mum Meredith, not throw your fucking nose up at her like she was nothing..I brought you into this world and had I so decided, you would never had a chance to stand there and lecture me like you know something! What do you know about having to raise a child on your own, you talk about being some sort of a hero, but I was the one who got betrayed, first by the men who used me only to get sex and then..then by the very children that came out of my body! YOU did that, you turned them against me..their own mum!
Undine stormed right up to her mother, towering over her.
Undine: You’re no mother of mine. You weren’t a mother to any of these kids! You’re a junkie, a failure as both a mother and a human being.
Ignis: Merry... no... please don’t...
Undine: I hate you. I wish you’d died in childbirth, you fucking waste of air.
And with that, the Aquablonde smacked her mother round the face.
Her head got knocked about a bit but Gladys stayed still, she looked at Undine, without a word she spat her right in the face.
Gladys: I should have killed you when I had the chance.
Ignis & Lightning quickly dragged Undine away from their mother.
Ignis: Meredith Aeronwy Leavenworth... LEAVE THIS HOUSE NOW!!!
Undine wiped the spit off her face and growled at Gladys.
Undine: The next time I see you will be in Hell, old woman.
And with that, the Aquablonde left, slamming the front door behind her as Ignis sat down to cuddle her mother.
Feeling Meg’s arms around her Gladys seemed to quiver in her hold.
Gladys: What is all this racket? Where’s me daughter? Where is Meg? Is she coming home already, it will get dark soon, Meg hates being alone in the dark...
Ignis: I’m right here, mum. I’m right here...
Tears began to form in Megan’s eyes as she held her mother.
She should never have left.....
Part 2 - Reunited
Reno, Nevada, Present Day.
Five years.
It had been five years since the three sisters had all been in the same place at the same time. To say that things had turned out horrendously the last time was too damn true. But here Megan Leavenworth was, sitting in a cafe in Reno, where her sisters were set to come and congratulate her on her new job, working for Uprising Wrestling. A lot had changed in five years.
Undine had gotten married, and her and her spouse lived out of a suitcase, travelling the road from motel to motel wrestling anywhere with a promoter that would give them a paycheck. A life of hell for some, especially at Undine’s age of 40, the Aquablonde revelled in it. It was proper old school wrestling, the kind she grew in love with when she was young, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lightning had retired from wrestling four years ago, had apparently studied, and was now Dr. Jestine Leavenworth, Doctor of Spiritual Psychological Therapy. As far as Ignis could tell, she was a crazed quack. She’d also shacked up with wrestling legend Harry “The Hammer” Stone, which would be adorable if he wan’t like... twice her age.
As for Megan herself... four years ago, her & Jestine had been running a tag team in America, when one day, the Firebird up and quit. Since that day back home, Megan had been overrun with worry and guilt over her mother. And so, four years ago, she returned home to Wales. She cared for her mother, trying to help her through her addictions, and make her life as good as it could possibly be. Save for a brief tour of Japan with her friends, that had been Megan’s life for four years, her career effectively on hold, the nest egg she’d saved up from her years as a hall of fame level wrestler poured into making her mother’s life as bearable as possible. But money runs out, and to make more, she had come back to the States. But keeping her mum’s level of care up while she was overseas cost a crap load of money; and Ignis didn’t really know how everything would work out, or what kind of life she could forge in America with so little money left for her own expenses. But dammit, she had to try.
She looked up from her thoughts, as the eldest sibling of clan Leavenworth came in. She came across to where Meg was sitting, a nod of acknowledgement as close to a warm greeting as she would receive. “So... you finally came back, huh? About time. Was starting to think you were a lost cause.”
Ignis shrugged. “I follow my heart. You and I may not see eye to eye on these things, but I do what’s important to me.”
“You’re selfless, I’ll give you that. Too much so in my opinion.”
“Someone had to care for mom dammit... she’d be dead now if I hadn’t did what I did.”
Undine sneered. “And that would have been better for everybody. Especially you.
“You don’t mean that...” Ignis sighed, knowing deep down in her heart of hearts that she meant it damn well. “She’s our mother...”
“She’s a despicable piece of shit.” Undine said, very matter of fact. “She’s ruined your fucking career, Meg, you know that. Five years ago, you were hot shit. Running roughshot over the global wrestling scene. Now you’re only ever talked about in those dumb Cultaholic lists about what happened to that wrestler.”
“Catchy tune that....” Ignis poked at her napkin.”What would you have had me do, then? Have our mother die in a drug fuellled mindfuck?”
“Er... hell yeah. Better end than the bitch deserves.”
“DAMMIT, MERRY. That’s not who I am!”
A voice came from by the door. “Are you two fighting already?” There walked in Dr. Jestine Leavenworth. “You know love is a much stronger emotion than anger.” She came across, and started pulling at the air with her hands.
“Dafuq you doing?” Undine asked.
“So much negative energy here. I’m cleansing your auras.”
“Sit the hell down, my aura’s fine as it is.” Undine grumbled. As Lightning seated herself, Undine mouthed the words “hippie quack motherfucker” at Ignis, who giggled.
“Congrats on the new job, Meggie. I can’t wait to see you in the ring again. I’ve been following all your new friends and colleagues on social media. Seem like a right bunch, especially that Kalinda person you’re facing in the tournament. You tell Mr. Jackson if he wants to hire a Psychological & Spiritual Doctor to oversee the mental health of that bunch of crazies, to give me a call. My card.”
She handed her card to Ignis who looked at it, somewhat baffled. “Make your Life EnLightning. Fucking really, Jess?”
“DOCTOR JESS. I didn’t study my rear end off for years for my doctorness to not be acknowledged.”
“Jesus Fuck. You’ve somehow become a bigger loony than you used to be. Which is actually kinda impressive.” Undine sniggered.
Jestine ignored her older sister, turning her attention to Meg. “I’m happy you’re back, Meggie. You feeling okay? Four years with little ring time is pretty rough. You doing okay? In shape? Mentally prepared?”
“Er... yeah, I guess. Training seems a lot more brutal than it used to, but I’m happy in myself. Might take a couple of matches to get back into the swing of things, winning this inaugural tournament is probably a long shot, but I’ll feel my way back in, don’t worry.”
“You need to be ready. Here, let me help.” Jestine got up, standing behind Meg, closing her eyes and clutching at her shoulders. “I’ll get your chakras in check.”
“Jesus Fuck...” Undine smiled. “This is a load of bullshit.”
“ENOUGH, no negative energies please Merry. You’re causing an imbalance with the spirit world.”
“The what now?”
“I am using their energies to power Meggie’s chakras and cleanse her aura.”
Megan looked a little embarrassed. “Jess, everyone’s staring at us...” Jess was in some kind of spiritual trance though. Ignis mouthed the word “HELP” at Undine, who just giggled.
A lot had changed in five years, Meg thought to herself. One thing was for sure though.
Her sisters were as batshit crazy as ever.