Hostile Takeover (1)

Neil Newman is a man who doesn’t desire a lot. Growing up in Boston, Massachussttes in a middle class home; being the beneficiary of a rich lifestyle was the furthest thing on his mind. He didn’t believe much would change when he married Summer Collins. He was taken aback by the stark contrast between the middle class lifestyle he was accustomed to and the lifestyle Summer lived that resembled the lifestyle of the rich and famous episode; he has tried his best over the years to keep things simple, to not become too sucked into trappings his parents preached about having too much money.

There was no chance in hell he was going to turn down the state of the art gym Summer had built on the grounds of the Collins Estate.

The gym resembled a mixed martial arts training facility on the inside, all the trappings;  Summer did work out, she has to keep her fabulous body in shape somehow, Neil is the one who used the gym to its fullest potential. Whenever his wife was on the road with GCW, he would invite sparring partners over daily to keep himself in tip top shape inside the octagon. Today wasn’t about showing men who weren’t close to his life that he still has the capacity to out wrestle anyone on the planet, standing in front of a heavy back with black trunks with white trim, Neil Newman wailed away with right jabs. He made sure to wear gloves to protect his hands.

He was consumed by his warm up he didn’t notice that he wife walked into the room from the entrance behind him. She wasn’t dressed to work out. Looking as fabulous as ever wearing a red dress. She is carrying a Louis Vutton purse. Neil doesn’t have a clue that his wife is walking up slowly behind him. She doesn’t say a word. He picks up the pace, mixing him left jabs with the relentless rights he is throwing. Done for the time being, Neil turns around, a pleasant smile forms on his face seeing his beautiful wife standing in front of him. 

“I can see my investment is being well spent.” Summer remarks with a wry grin.

“This definitely beats carrying logs up a god forsaken hill, Kyle [Butler] can kill himself if he wants, I love it here. Thanks babe, good thing you didn’t listen to me. This state of the art facility is a godsend.” Neil kisses his wife on the cheek.

“Who says money can’t buy happiness?” Summer laughs. “It definitely can buy fabulous.”

“Having money makes happiness more attainable. My parents weren’t smiling every morning having to look forward to working 40-50 hours a week barely able to keep the household going. I don’t need to worry about that anymore.” Neil says.

“Having wealth most certainly helps.  I can’t help but feel Michael and I were born and raised in a bubble.  Protected from the harsh realities of what everyone else has to endure.  I have done my best to try and make sure, at the very least, I understand those harsh realities.”  She sighs. “I fear Michael never did grasp that reality.”      

“And that’s part of the reason I love you, Summer, you’re not one of those rich people who have there blinders on to what the less fortunate are going through.” Neil smiles. “In any event, I am doubly excited to step back in the ring. Being inducted in the GCW Hall of Fame reignited the fire again. It’s odd going into a Hall of Fame at a young age, I always felt the Hall of Fame is the end. It didn’t have to be for me. There are other companies out there. I’m glad you’re taking this journey with me. I’ll ask again, are you sure you want to do this? Are sure the travel won’t get in the way of what you and Jessica want to accomplish?”

“Neil, I need this.” Summer answers definitively. “It wasn’t that long ago that I returned to the ring after taking a few months off.  Prior to my break I was a monster.  I truly was a tyrant.  Lucky I have a second chance to make things right.  I don’t want to be remembered as that monster.  I want to be remembered as one of the best wrestlers to step into the ring.  Jessica and I are only a part of that; this is another important part of that goal.”

Neil nods, “I’m sorry I didn’t do more to help you. I should have protected you from Loretta, Myra--”

Summer shakes her head. “It’s not your fault, Neil.  Loretta and Myra got to me for other reasons.  Mentally, emotionally...they just got to me.  I was basically ignored growing up in favor of Michael.  He was always the more aggressive one, he wanted the wealth and the fame and the power.  Me, not so much.  So when someone does put their focus on me, you can see how it would be easy for them to get to me, manipulate me.  But my time off helped.  I got serious counseling and I feel better than ever.  I’m ready to move on from my past, from people like them, and focus on creating a better future for me, for us.”

Neil runs his hand through Summer’s hair. “You are a stronger woman now, there is a silver lining in that. I wish you didn’t need to go through those experiences, like you said, that’s in the past, we’re going to move forward.” Neil pauses. “ I underestimated how much I needed to wrestle. This sport is all I knew, high school, college, the pros, guess I was more burned out then I realized. Me and Kyle accomplished everything as a team. I didn’t feel there was a next until GCW Resurrection, walking off the stage after me and Kyle’s speech was a real eye opener; I couldn’t let my career end like that.” Neil shakes his head. “It does sadden me a lot of the business doesn’t the old school ways, that’s ok, they don’t need to. I can represent what I feel wrestling should be. Gandhi says something along the lines of be the change you want to see in the world. We can give the world a dash of old school and fabulous.”   

Collins nods her head. “Precisely, and anyone who wants to stop us?  In their dreams.  Nothing stops us this time.  Unlike years past, I’m focused and determined.  WE are focused and determined.  We can take this tag team division in EMERGE and remake it in an old school yet absolutely fabulous image.”

“Amen to that.”

Neil pulls Summer in for a kiss. Just as his lips were about to meet hers, the phone inside of Summer’s purse rings. He wants to ignore the ringing, it was clear to both of them that whoever is on the other line didn’t care of the couple sharing an intimate moment. Summer reaches into her purse, takes out the phone.

“Sorry, I’ll get rid of them.” She looks at the caller ID, which reads ‘Michael’.  Summer roll sher eyes as she puts the phone up to her ear. “Your timing is horrible.  What is it?”

Summer waits impatiently and listens carefully.  Her eyes widen at whatever he just told her. “Oh...well yeah, I’ll be there as soon I can.  Right away.  “Bye…”

Summer puts the phone back into her purse.  Her attitude has noticeably changed.  She looks downtrodden and sad.  Her head is bowed. Neil immediately picks up on Summer’s shift in mood.

“What did Michael say?” Neil says concerned.

“Mom and dad are gone.  Dead.”

Neil’s eyes widen. His first instinct is to pull Summer in. He wraps his arms around her, hugging her as comfortingly as he can, he says. “I’m so sorry, anything you need I’m here, promise.”

“Thanks…” her voice is quiet as it trails off “...it’s tough but not unexpected.  You know as well as I do that they’ve been in bad shape for awhile now.  The Collins wealth had been able to purchase the best medical care to keep them going but Michael and I knew it was only a matter of time.  I just didn’t expect it so soon.”

Neil hugs her tighter, “I knew this was inevitable. Summer, it’s ok, you don’t need to rationalize this away, it’s ok to be vulnerable. Let go, it’s ok to let go. I’ll be your strength...”

“Thanks, Neil.  I appreciate it.” She wipes some tears from her eyes. “We’ll need to go their estate soon.  Speak with Michael about plans for burial; I know they wanted a funeral mass.  The attorney will be there for the reading of the will.  Mom and dad kept that a secret from both of us.  Neither of us know what’s in it.”

“Lets take care of that.” Neil lets Summer go. He wipes another tear from her eyes. “I’ll hop in the shower first, then we can head over to the estate. It’s easy to say now, we’re going to make it through this.”

Summer smiles warmly. “Yeah, I know we will.  Together.”