Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 21:37:26 GMT
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'Be it ever so humble...there's no place like home.'
That's the only thing I can think of saying as I stand there looking at the place where I've laughed and cried, bled and ached, won and lost.
'Be it ever so humble...there's no place like home.'
Because for better or for worse, that's what this is, this ratty, run-down hole in the wall round the back of a chicken shack.
Home.
In fact, coming back here feels sort of like going back to your parents' house after you've been living on your own for a while. The house hasn't changed, the neighborhood hasn't changed, the people haven't changed...
...but you have.
You've changed.
And you know that no matter how hard you try, things are never going to be the same again.
That's kind of how it feels to come back here. Sure, this was where Walter Stravinsky went from fat dork living in his mom's basement to fan-favorite superhero...but a lot has happened since the last time I was here. The last time I was here, I was still the weakest link in a group of underdogs, a goofball trying to find his feet and not mess things up for his friends too much.
But now?
Now I'm an accomplished wrestler.
A former Champion.
Now I've gotten to hold title belts that I helped my team win.
And even though the Owl Man standing in front of the Pollo Hall right now might look the same, act the same, even talk the same...
...he's not the same.
And even though the Hall itself looks the same, and everything around it looks the same...
… I know that no matter how hard I try, things are never going to be the same again.
Because I've changed.
And so has the man standing beside me.
'Brings back memories, don't it?'
Jason looks up at me, squinting against the sun, and gives me that lopsided grin of his. I nod.
'It sure does. But it won't be the same, Jay. You know that, right?'
It is his turn to nod.
'Yeah. I know.'
''Cause me an' you are not the same people we were back then.'
'Yeah. I know.'
'We've done stuff now. Won stuff. We've been Champions.'
'Yeah. I know.'
I laugh.
'Dude! Did you get stuck on repeat or somethin'? Say somethin' different!'
It is Jason's turn to laugh, a single, high-pitched guffaw.
'What do you want me to say, bud? You're absolutely right! We're not the same people we were back then, and it's not gonna be the same, no matter what. And trust me, those two guys aren't gonna wrestle the same as they used to, either. I've seen videos of AJ now. Geez Louise, did that dude improve! And Chrenshaw? Forget about it! That dude's a machine!'
'I know. I was there with you, peanut-head!'
Jason chortles again, slapping me on the shoulder.
'Sorry, dude...desert heat is going to my head. I'm from freaking Indiana, man. This is way too hot for me.'
'...says the guy who's lived in Houston for like two years...'
Jason grins again.
'All right, you got me. I had a blond moment. Brown-haired people can have those too, you know...'
'Uh-huh...'
'It's true! Google it!'
'Uh-huh...'
'Man, get stuffed, Walter!'
He pretends to stomp away in a huff, and we both share a good laugh about it all.
And that's when it hits me.
Not so long ago, Jason was above me in the totem pole. He was the leader of the Heroes. I was just the lancer. The sidekick.
But now?
Now, as we stand here cracking jokes, waiting to walk back into our old home and face the reality of things?
Now, we are equals.
And that makes a huge freakin' difference.
'All right, buddy...Here we go. You ready?'
Jason is all laughed out, and back by my side, staring up at me stare up at the lions' head above the entrance to Pollo Hall.
I nod.
'Ready.'
We look at one another, exchange a nod and push the heavy metal door open.
A cloud of dust and the squeaking of rusty hinges greet us as we step forward into the dusty main hall, abandoned concession stands just about visible in the gloom, the stairway down to the bleachers looming directly ahead.
And then – only then – it finally becomes real.
We're here.
We're back.
We're home.
Final Word Count: 739
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Complementary Listening Suggestion: Cinderella - Back Home Again
Final Word Count: 739
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Complementary Listening Suggestion: Cinderella - Back Home Again