The light of the morning sun shone into Room 302 through the tiny slits in the window blinds.
Jey moved and immediately felt pain. There was a stabbing sensation that radiated up the left side of his neck. He opened his eyes, the fog of exhaustion on his face clearing, he blinked. He was still sitting in the plastic visitor’s chair. His legs were cramped, and his ribs protested as he took a shallow breath.
"You are such a stupid person, you know that?"
Jey rubbed his face towards the hospital bed. Linda had awakened. She was sitting up and dressed in simple white hospital gown, looking much sharper than the night before. She had her bags packed and at the foot of the bed.
"Morning to you too, Mom," Jey whispered in a raspy voice.
Linda didn’t smile. She raised her finger and gestured away from him, towards the little corner of the room. "Look at her."
Jey looked with a heavy head. Bambietta was curled up on a very small synthetic leather seat. She had covered herself with her thick leather jacket like a blanket and her knees were tightly pressed to her chest. She was sleeping, breathing quietly and deeply but looked very uncomfortable.
Jey defended himself quietly, "I told her to go home. I was only going to stay for an hour longer to help you pack your things, when did I sleep?" he said.
"You think that stubborn girl was going to leave you here all alone?" Linda scolded, but equally softened her eyes as she gazed at the sleeping woman. "She refused to call a cab without you. Jey, she was sitting there watching you sleep until she got so tired, she passed out."
Jey felt that maybe he was indeed stupid for not realising she would do that. Slowly he rose to his feet, lengthening his stiff spine. He went over to her seat and carefully smoothed a strand of dark hair from Bambietta’s face. She adjusted, and her eyes opened.
"What time is it?" she mumbled, sitting up and rubbing the back of her neck.
"Time to get out of here," Jey said softly. "Mom’s getting discharged."
One hour later the discharge papers were signed and giving to them. A young female nurse brought out an aluminum wheelchair. Linda hated it. She looked at the chair as though it were an enemy in the ring but her legs were still too weak to make the long trip to the parking lot and down the corridors.
"Mrs. Ray, it’s just protocol," Bambietta said taking the handles of the wheelchair. "Do not resist it today. Please, mum."
Linda complained silently, but let Jey assist her to get off the bed and into the seat.
They made their way down the sterile hallways and up the expansive elevator to the lobby, then through the sliding glass doors into the fresh air of Osaka’s morning. The city was already alive and buzzing with the distant sound of traffic and civilians commuting to various locations.
Jey hailled for a taxi. A standard boxy Japanese cab in which the seats were clad in white lace. He carefully assisted his mother to get off the wheelchair and into the back seat, the driver put her two small bags into the trunk alongside her folded wheelchair.
The harsh truth of their situation descended upon them as they left the medical centre.
The front office of Japan Wrestling... specifically Mr Shin, had generously covered Linda’s hefty hospital bills. He had ensured she was treated with the best care. However, medical debt was not the only factor that needed a solution. The cost of living was extremely high in Japan. They were not enjoying the lifestyle of top-notch wrestlers.
Not yet.
They arrived at an old apartment complex on the outskirts of the city where the narrow streets were lined with even older buildings. Peeling paint and rusted metal stairs leading up to the second floor of the building. It was a small room, but it was their room.
They had to work hard for each and every yen. While Jey’s body was risked in the squared circle every now and again, absorbing dangerous bumps for the fans. Bambietta was also working as hard as she could behind the scenes. She had to do the backstage work for JW, get wardrobe and attires done, arrange things too for extra pay. They were a solid front, exchanging their sweat for rent and groceries.
Jey gave the driver money, carefully counting out each note, and assisted Linda to exit the car. The ascent of the steps was slow. Linda was escorted by Bambietta who held her arm and led her up step by step, and Jey carried the bags and brought up the wheelchair.
At last, when they came up to their door, Bambietta inserted her key into the lock and opened the door.
A rush of wild energy surged at them.
"Woof! Woof!"
A floppy eared, medium sized, wild brown terrier mix darted into the small entrance hall. His tail shook so much his lower body was shaking as well. He jumped up, putting his front paws on Bambietta’s ripped jeans.
"Hey, buddy!"
The dog raised its head and looked up at Bambietta, who squatted down to pet him behind the ears. "Did you miss us? Have you been a good boy?"
Linda chuckled, leaning against the wall for support. "He’s definitely more energetic than the three of us."
Jey smiled, and set the bags down just inside the door. "Down Billy, let Mom get in."
The dog yawned happily and trotted over to Jey and sniffed his boots, before circling around Linda’s legs.
Three months after their arrival in Japan, Bambietta had spotted the stray terrier near a train station. She had taken him in, fed him and called him Billy because she felt he looked like a "Billy". It had been only a few weeks later that Jey was casually referring to his estranged older brother with the same name.
Bambietta had refused to change the name of the dog. She said the dog was much better company, a lot more loyal, and was a grumbler a lot less than Jey’s actual brother.
"Alright, Billy, move it," Jey said, shoving the dog with his shin. He led his mother to the old fabric sofa in the little living room and helped her to sit down. He took a blanket off the back of the cushion and wrapped it around her legs.
"Let’s make some tea," Bambietta said, making her way for the small tea room that was in the corner of the main room. "And then, you need to get moving, Jey. You have exactly two hours before you need to be at the JW corporate building."
Jey checked the digital clock on the microwave. She was right.
Today was the official contract signing. The trial was up. He had just made his debut in spectacular fashion as Ray Jr but it was not official yet. The contract would be a stable one. It was a guaranteed pay and a steady paycheck that meant they had something to better their living situation.
"I’m going, I’m going," Jey said, walking down the short hallway to the cramped bathroom.
He was removing his clothing, and he winced at his reflection in the mirror above the sink. The red handprints on his chest had faded, but a huge purple bruise had developed on his collarbone from Yamza’s attacks. He twisted the handle on the shower and allowed the hot water to drip down his aching muscles.
It was so hot but he couldn’t stay to enjoy it. He promptly washed the perspiration and dirt of the arena off his body.
He went out and dried himself and went in the little room he shared with Bambietta. His finest suit was neatly spread out on the bed. It was not a custom tailored masterpiece like the executives wore, but it was still clean, sharp and fit his athletic frame well. A dark navy two-piece with a white shirt and solid burgundy tie.
He dressed methodically. Buttoning the shirt. Raising the trousers. He was in front of the full-length mirror placed on the door of the closet, struggling a little to tie the tie around his neck. Even his shoulders were still very stiff from the armbar.
Bambietta walked into the room. She was now in clean jeans and a plain black t-shirt. She noticed the expression of frustration on his face, swatted his hands away and took over.
"You’ll choke yourself," she said, her fingers flying with ease as she created a perfect knot. She tugged it tight to his collar, ruffling the lapels of the suit.
She took a step back, evaluating her work. "You look very handsome, very professional."
Jey confided, rolling big shoulders, "I feel like I’m wearing a straightjacket."
"So? suck it up," she grinned, patting his chest firmly. "Go in there, shake Mr. Shin’s hand, smile for the cameras and sign on the dotted line. Secure the bag, Ray Jr."
"Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?" he asked.
Bambietta shook her head. "It’s a front office press event, I’m backstage crew, wouldn’t look right, plus I need to stay here and make sure your mother actually rests, instead of trying to clean the kitchen or something. Billy and I will hold down the fort."
Jey nodded. He leaned in, putting a soft kiss to her lips. "I won’t be long."
He strolled back to the living room. "Mom, I’m going out, get some rest."
Linda smiled at him from the sofa, holding a steaming mug of tea in her hands, "Go get them."
Billy the dog was lying by her feet, sleeping.
Jey pocketed his cellphone and wallet from the counter and left the apartment.
It was a rush to the central business district by train. Jey was standing with the overhead handle, gazing at the towering skyscrapers of Osaka zooming by the windows. His mind was racing. He was considering what role he’ll have to play, the toll on his body, and the burden of his own new legacy that he now had on his shoulders. Today he was taking a plunge into the deep end.
He got off the train at the subway station and walked another three blocks to the Japan Wrestling corporate headquarters.
It was a huge and impressive glass building that mirrored the urban landscape. It was here that the business of violence(wrestling) was sold, promoted, and packaged for the masses.
Jey walked up to the revolving glass doors. He took a deep breath, readjusted his cuffs, and entered the large lobby.
He was immediately identified by a public relations handler wearing a headset. "Mr. Ray! Come on this way, they’re waiting for you in the main press room."
The handler led him down a clean corridor adorned with framed pictures of wrestling legends. They came to a pair of thick mahogany double doors.
The handler put his hand to the brass handle and asked, "Ready?"
Jey gave a single, firm nod.
The doors opened up.
The room burst into a frenzy. He was struck by a wave of dozens of camera flashes in rapid succession. The large room was filled with light from the bright white bursts, reflecting off the polished wooden table on which the contract was resting. Mics were set up and a sea of journalists locked their lenses straight at the new star.