I took my leave for one reason, and one reason only.

                            ...I don’t know...

Come to think of it, it was a mistake. I had nothing to

hold me back. My future was in front of me and I let it

walk on by. My life wasn’t glamorous, it wasn’t spectacular

it was a wrestler’s life. On a good day it was mediocre but

I loved it. My job was a thrill, and it was an escape from the real

world. I mean it was either this or waiting tables, I didn’t

have a degree and if it wasn’t for Regence hell if I know where I

would have been at this point. It’s sad to think I could be

any worse off then I am right now.

                        ...I don’t know...

what pushed me to make my decision, or what caused me to

go through with it. All I know is the day I left is the day I vanished

from society. I didn’t hide in the forest or mountains but I went

on a drive. I drove through state after state. I wasn’t looking for

anything or anyone, I was just driving. I thought after heading to

Mexico or Canada to try to put my skills to the test in their wrestling

atmosphere but I never made it that far.

My car left me stranded on the interstate and I was forced to

walk. Head to the ground, thumb in the air, with feet in motion

I made my march. Rain drops began to drop down from the heavens

but thankfully enough I was picked up by a sweet southern woman.

??-=-Get in sweetheart. It’s not safe to wander around here.

I kindly accepted her gesture and entered her

vehicle. The cheery red Chevy Suburban had a smell

only the owner could love. I’m not talking about a rotten

moldy type of smell, I’m talking about a cucumber melon

Victoria’s secret body spray used to stink up the car type of smell.

She was nice, her name is Tracy. Tracy was a middle-aged African

American woman with a very heavy southern accent. And boy did she

like to talk. I can’t blame her, I am a totally stranger and she did

just save me from walking through a hell of a rain storm. We went through

hey how are ya’s and the oh that’s so interesting’s.

Tracy-=- Michael, tell me something hunny. What were you doing walking down the interstate?

Michael-=- Oh that’s simple, car trouble. Left me stranded about a mile from where you picked me up.

Tracy-=- Don’t you need to wait for the tow truck to come getcha?

Michael-=- No need, I didn’t call for one.

Tracy-=- Got someone picking it up for ya though right?

Michael-=- Nope...

Tracy-=- I reckon you don’t plan on leaving it there? Around here folks take whatever they find.

Michael-=- I’ll consider it a donation, I won’t need a car where I’m going.

Tracy-=- Speaking of which, where am I taking you sweetie?

Michael-=- Wherever you’re going Tracy...wherever you’re going.

Tracy-=- Bless your heart child, you have me worried.

Tracy thought the worse, she was almost certain I was

a drug addict or a psycho for sure. It took some convincing

but I managed to get her to relax and explained to her my situation.

Michael-=- I’m just trying to establish who I am or better yet who I want to be.

Tracy-=- When we get to Birmingham I’ll introduce you to Jesus. He’ll help you with your situation.

Michael-=- Thanks but I’m not really a fan...no disrespect.

Tracy-=- Hmm, I’m going to church tonight and whoever else is in this car is going too. Catch my drift?

Michael-=- Tracy’s way or the highway...looks like Tracy wins.

Tracy-=- I knew you’d see it my way sweetie.   

I decided on Tracy’s way and my next stop was church.

The Church of The Covenant to be exact. I was underdressed,

out of place, and overwhelmed with what I saw. This wasn’t you’re

run of the mill stand, sit, kneel, and shake hands at certain points 40

minute mass I once attended long ago. First off it lasted about twice as long.

I stood most of the time and I had everyone around me singing and clapping

their hands to the beat of the church band. Talk about experiencing something

brand new for the very first time, it was almost scary. Tracy ran a youth group

and after church they would all gather in a class room type atmosphere. I assumed

they were there for Sunday school and not to randomly question me but one thing

I learned from my time spent in the south no one really trusts outsiders.

Tracy-=- Everyone this is Michael Jones.

I smiled at them and waved. A bit frustrated that Tracy couldn’t just let me sit in my corner in peace.

Tracy-=- I brought him here today because when I met Michael, he was in need of my help. Jesus brought Michael into my life so I could shed some light on his darkness, to answer his unanswered questions and to bring him here to meet Jesus.

The Tracy I knew and met was a cucumber melon spraying,

cherry red chevy driving, church goer. Where the hell did

all of this come from. When I was in the SUV I don’t remember

asking any questions or needing to be saved from my own suicide

or anything out of this world. After Tracy made his little rant I saw the hands

go in the arm and Tracy was quick to let the teens speak and I knew

they had questions for me.

Tracy waved me over and I did just that. I walked over to here and sit at the edge of a table at the front of the class. I faked smiled for so long I was worried it was going to stay that way.

Charlie-=- Hello Sir, I’m Charlie and I’m just very anxious to know if you got saved tonight?

I had the a look of complete confusion on my face as I tried to play it off by nodding and looking around the room then following that up with a question of my own.

Michael-=- Well Charlie..what do you mean exactly when you say saved?

Charlie-=- Did you find Jesus? You know...did you become one with the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit.

Michael-=- (No....) Smart guy I was just testing you. Of course I was saved Charlie, I love life. (What the hell)

Thomas-=- Hey I’m Thomas. I get the impression you weren’t always a true believe and I would really like to know how life is when you don’t accept God as your lord and savior?

A tiny break of sweat made its way down the side of my face.

Michael-=- (How am I gonna answer this?) Thomas I can’t necessarily give you an answer for that. I feel like I’ve always had a relationship with God just maybe not as strong as yours but it doesn’t make a difference in my life. (Bad answer.)

Thomas-=- What? That’s the type of answer someone who is going to hell would give..

I left that room like a bat outta hell I’ll tell you that much.

I wouldn’t have left sports entertainment

If I knew the outside world was filled with the same

assholes that will cut your throat if you don’t pronounce your

damn t’s and s’s properly. The kid was out of line in my book

and I’m used to knocking heads when that happens. Long story

short I waited in Tracy’s ride like a poodle and when she came back

I had a feeling she was going throw me out and have me walk but

atleast I was wrong about that.

Michael-=- I’m sorry about that but I didn’t like being talked to like that.

Tracy-=- I understand sugar, the past is the past no point in focusing on it now. I’m a firm believing in God and I will continue to help you until we get to the train station. I’ll have to part my ways with you there.

Michael-=- That’s fine...but...did I do something to offend you?

Tracy-=- Not at all sweet heart. Something’s in life you need to do on your own, folks here don’t appreciate your outlook on life and if you want to find out who you are then I don’t think it’s a good place for you here. I saw how you reacted to Thomas and believe it or not you’ll get worse responses then that.

  Maybe I’m mistaken but maybe I’m not cut out

for life outside of the ring, outside of the constant interviews

and training sessions. I step out from all of that and I can’t

even interact with simple people. But maybe that’s what I need

maybe that’s how I’ll get things to be the way I want them to be.

I grew tired of everyone kissing my ass, asking for autographs and

Pictures everywhere I went. It gets annoying when you walk in to

take a piss and the next thing you know you have a crowd waiting

outside the stall. Things like that pile up and they make you want

to quit and they make you want to get out of the spotlight.

Tracy-=- Well here we are Michael.

Michael-=- Again...thank you.

Tracy-=- I just hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

I’m hoping I will but for now I head on to my next stop

wherever that might be. There’s no telling what’s going to

happen tomorrow or where I’ll be in a month from now.

                     ...I just don’t know...