Author’s note: This fiction sprang
from my desire to write a respectful story, albeit fiction, and is my answer to
the many so-called news web sites that I feel mishandled the “rumor” about
Disclaimer: I don’t own any wrestlers or their families. I only own the ficticious characters in this story. This is based on the song by Bonnie Raitt, Cry on My Shoulder.
Distribution: Please ask first if you wish to use it. I am happy to share with all who ask. Thank you.
Cry on My Shoulder
The artist sat on the edge of the stool on the stage singing her heart out for no one but the sound department. Night after night the same crowd gathered with mostly the same old faces, the same lonely patrons who never seemed to acknowledge her or appreciate her songs.
"Why do I put out like this when no one cares?"
"They care, they just don’t show it."
"Right!" The jar with no cash in it reflected just how much they didn’t care. Janelle lifted it and tipped it upside down and gave the manager a look.
"Well you have a contract with me so you sing and they buy drinks. Simple as that."
Janelle just closed her eyes and nodded. He was right. She signed an agreement for six months to get her break but after only a few months of singing and not receiving so much as a thank you from most of the clientele she felt it had been a waste of her time.
"
"I hate it when he calls me that. He’s so skuzzy that he makes me feel dirty!"
Taking her usual position perched on the edge of the stool, she began with something new. Janelle usually started out with a standard that everyone knew but she was not in the mood tonight. Tonight she was going to sing what she wanted to and if the crowd hated her, maybe the manager would throw her out and tear up her contract. She could hope.
She leaned over to the band and whispered something to them and they looked at her and then at each other and just shrugged.
When her music started the manager looked up and stared at her. Janelle didn’t look his way but she knew he wasn’t happy. She was supposed to sing a song that either got the crowd into a happy mood so they drank more or into a depressed mood so they drank more.
~I know it's hard sometimes
And things seem larger than they are
But if you need to tell someone
That's what I'm here for
Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you rise above
Cry on my shoulder, my love~
As Janelle started the next verse she noticed that a dark stranger had walked in the front door. He was new there but he seemed to look and act like he fit right in. He looked around the room like he was checking to see if he knew anyone there. Then he sat at a table near the stage by himself and waited for someone to take his order.
Melinda approached him to take his order and when he looked up at her, she saw beautiful brown eyes that seemed to hold a world of pain in them and it tore at her heart. Instead of the usual intro, she stumbled over her words. "Hello, my name is Melinda and I’m your-I would like to . . . to serve you this evening."
"Thank you Melinda. I guess I would like the house burger, a salad with Caesar dressing and a-a . . ." he seemed to hesitate like he was fighting with himself over his selection of beverages. He shook his head like he was disgusted with himself over something.
"We have on tap-"
"I’ll have a Bud." He said this almost in a guilty tone and his voice trailed off so that Melinda had to ask what he said again.
"I’m sorry. The sound must be up too high. I didn’t catch what you-"
"A Bud. I’ll have a Bud. In a glass." He said it without looking at her, like he was annoyed that he had to repeat it.
"Thank you."
"You’re welcome Melinda." His tone was kinder but he wouldn’t meet her eyes.
"And how did you want your burger?"
"Rare."
"I’ll be back in a minute with the Bud and your salad."
He just nodded and watched her walk away.
"I don’t know him but my heart aches for him," she told herself as she walked away from his table. He sounded like he needed a drink but he felt it was wrong to have it.
The stranger looked down for a few seconds and then up at Janelle. Something in his eyes told her he was dealing with more than the typical day to day depression she had seen on many faces in this joint.
~Out in the world outside
It can be harsh and cold
But if you need someone
I will be here to hold you~
When his order arrived, he reached for the glass of beer as Melinda was setting it down in front of him and his fingers locked onto hers. He looked at her a long time and finally released her hand and set the glass down. It was sort of an odd thing to do but he didn’t seem to feel awkward about it; he only stared at the beer and let his food get cold. He had come for dinner but for some reason he didn’t eat.
When he looked back up at her, she could tell that he wanted or needed to talk to someone.
Something inside her made her want to reach out to this stranger and hold him. To let him pour out his heart to her and let her take away all of his pain.
~Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love~
Now Melinda’s curiosity was piqued. "Why is this man here?"
She noted his dark good looks and his size. "Perhaps he’s a body builder or an athlete. What could have brought him here with a broken heart?"
While Melinda waited on other patrons, she watched him out of the corner of her eye and she began to feel sympathetic toward him and wished her shift were over so she could engage him. Her time was her own when she was through so she could only hope he would stay around until she was off work for the night.
~I know it's hard sometimes
And things seem larger than they are
But if you need to let it go
Then you can call on me
Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love~
After about an hour Janelle’s set was over and Melinda feared the stranger would leave when the music ended. In fact, most of the crowd had faded from view, with only the one lone man sitting, not eating or drinking, watching her and seemingly waiting for her.
As Janelle was leaving the stage the manager met her at the bottom of the steps.
"What was that all about?"
"What do you mean?"
Janelle tried to walk passed him and he grabbed her arm and yanked her back in front of him.
"Ouch! Let go of me. You’re hurting me." This was not a new scenario between her and her boss but it was new to the stranger and he didn’t like what he saw.
Just as the manager was about to bully Janelle, Melinda came to her friend’s side and asked him not to do this.
"What’s it to you? If you don’t want what she’s gonna get you better take off. I’ll deal with her."
"But-"
It was all she said. The manager backhanded Melinda and she went sprawling against the stage and she went limp for a few minutes.
Janelle bent down to check on her as the manager grabbed her again and pulled her back up with the promise of the same for her if she didn’t come back stage quietly.
"What is your problem?"
"I asked you what that was all about? You know exactly what I mean Jan. You were terrible tonight and I lost a lot of money because of you!"
"If you lost money it was because your beer was weak."
Now he slapped her mouth and pushed her up against the stage in a threatening manner.
He didn’t feel the presence of the man behind him but he felt his hands on his shoulder and neck as his head came back and then suddenly forward and collided with the edge of the stage with an amazing force.
Janelle’s eyes were wide and she jumped back as the stranger knelt down to see if he could revive Melinda who appeared to just be coming around. She hadn’t passed out but she was dazed for a moment.
As Melinda began to regain her focus she saw the manager out cold on the floor in front of the stage and she flinched when she realized he had practically fallen right beside her.
"Melli, I’m sorry. It should have been me, not you." Janelle came back to her side when she realized the stranger was only trying to help them. "You may regret having done that," she said to him.
"I won’t, but he will. I would guess a concussion is about all he’ll suffer but he deserves more than that. Are you two alright?"
"I’m ok but I’m worried about Melli."
"Melinda?" He asked quietly.
She looked up at the stranger with a pathetic expression and hurt in her eyes that tore at his heart and his first inclination was to gather her up in his arms and hold her tight. What he did instead was ask Janelle to get a clean wet cloth to clean up the blood on Melinda’s cheek.
Janelle hadn’t noticed that she was cut before and it alarmed her now to see the blood. She hurried off to the back of the bar to find a wet cloth and was back in a half a minute handing it to the stranger.
"Hold on now Melinda. I know it hurts but I’ll be gentle."
Melinda allowed him to dab at the cut and closed her eyes to the pain each time he touched the cut on her cheek. Then Janelle handed him a bandaid to cover the cut. He gently put it in place and touched her cheek with his fingers.
She shivered in his arms and closed her eyes. She seemed so small and helpless that he couldn’t help feeling protective of her and when she tried to stand up, he held onto her a moment.
"I-I’m ok."
"I’m sorry. Let me help you up."
Melinda saw again the pain in his soft brown eyes and felt a flutter in her stomach.
"It’s alright. I’m grateful for your help."
As she stood up, she wavered slightly and he caught her and pulled her against his torso to help her steady herself.
"He’s so strong . . . I can’t catch my breath," she thought to herself. "His eyes are so sweet and he’s so sad. I wish I knew why."
~Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you rise above
Cry on my shoulder, my love
My love...~
The stranger threw the money for his order on the table. "Do you ladies need a ride home? I’ll give you a lift."
"My ride is picking me up but we’re not going right home. Melinda might need a ride though." Janelle said this feeling she could let her friend go with this stranger. He wasn’t really a stranger to her but she didn’t let on to him or Melinda that she knew who he was.
Melinda blinked and stared at Janelle. She had never left her alone with any man before. The two had looked out for each other and this shocked her so that she couldn’t hide it. Janelle just smiled and nodded for her to go with him. She knew this stranger was not going to hurt Melinda and she knew of the pain he lived through. The fact that he hadn’t drunk the beer told her she could trust him with her little friend.
"I’ll get your coat and purse. You stay out here. I’ll be back in a minute Melli."
While she was getting Melinda’s things, she slipped a note in her coat pocket and then brought it to her.
"When you get a minute alone, check the note I put in your coat pocket," she whispered to Melinda and smiled at her.
Melinda felt it must be alright for her to leave with this stranger so she finally nodded and hugged her friend goodbye.
"My car is a block away. Can you walk that far?"
"Sure, I’m alright now." Melinda felt a little timid but she trusted Janelle’s judgement and she let the stranger take her arm and walked to his car with him.
When they reached his car he opened the front door for her and helped her get in and closed the door.
"Where do you live?"
"It’s about 4 ½ miles from here." She gave him directions and he said he knew the part of town she lived in. He didn’t say it but he knew it was not a decent area for a lady to live in and he wasn’t even sure he wanted to drive through it or leave his car on the street while he walked her to her door.
When they arrived at her apartment, he walked her to her door and as she was about to unlock it, he put his hand on the knob and stopped her.
"Melinda, I know this is none of my business and I’m sure you don’t make a decent wage at that hole you work in, but this is a bad neighborhood and I’m worried about you. Will you let me take you somewhere else that’s safer?"
His kindness and concern for her touched her. "I know it’s not a very good area but I’ll be alright here. I’ve lived here for a few months now and nothing has happened so far."
As she said this, they saw a car speed past her building and someone threw a rock at the stranger’s car. The sound of the rock hitting metal made her jump and she saw anger flash up in the stranger’s eyes.
"I’m sorry. This is my fault." She was ashamed and tears were coming to her eyes.
"How is that your fault?"
"Tha-that was my . . . boss’s kid." She hung her head and felt so awful. This kind man had helped her and Janelle and now his property was being vandalized for it.
The stranger didn’t say anything at first. He just stared at Melinda and finally when she looked up at him, she saw that his expression had softened and that he wasn’t angry.
"Since he knows where you live, you’re not staying here alone tonight and since he might come back, I’m not staying here to let him do more damage to my car so I’m taking you somewhere that you’ll be safe. Do you have any friends you can stay with?"
Melinda looked down and shook her head. "I’ve only been in town a few months and I work odd hours so I haven’t made friends with anyone but Janelle and she wasn’t going to be home till much later."
"Ok then, you’re coming to my house."
She was about to protest that she couldn’t put him out that way.
"Not another word. You’ll be safe with me and no one will hurt you like this again."
"Then please let me get a few things in an overnight bag and I’ll be ready to leave."
"That’s fine. I’ll stay out here in case that kid comes back."
Melinda unlocked her door and went in. She took only about 5 minutes but while she was in her apartment, she remembered the note Janelle had slipped into her pocket and pulled it out to read it.
"Honey you will be fine with him. I know he’s a decent man who has had his share of troubles but tonight he’s only interested in helping you so go with him and trust your instincts. I love you and you’ll be fine with him. Jan."
"I wonder if she knows him? She didn’t put his name in the note. What does she mean he’s had his share of troubles? How does she know? The same way I knew when I served him and saw that pain in his eyes?" All these questions and no answers.
She put the note back in her pocket and finished packing her things. She reappeared on her stoop and locked the door and walked back to the car with him and took off for his house.
"I’m sorry to add to your troubles this way."
"What do you know of my troubles?" There was a halfway suspicious tone to his question.
"I-I don’t know, I just sensed that you came to the club tonight with pain that you were trying to unload but somehow I don’t think you did."
He didn’t say anything for a minute and then he slowly turned his head and looked at her to see sincere caring for him in her eyes.
"Well, Melinda," he chose his words carefully, "you’re right. I did come tonight hoping to unload my troubles but it turns out that the thing I was turning to was the beginning of my troubles so I left it alone."
~I know it's hard sometimes
And things seem larger than they are
But if you need to tell someone
That's what I'm here for~
"I didn’t mean to intrude; you’ve been so kind to me that I only meant that I don’t want to cause you more grief. Now your car is probably scratched and dented and you have an unexpected house guest for the night."
Melinda hung her head slightly, feeling pressure in her chest from trying to keep her emotions in check. She felt as if she was really imposing and it was something she disliked doing to anyone. She always tried to stand on her own and make her own way in the world but this evening she was letting someone else take care of her needs and it felt uncomfortable.
"If I didn’t want to do this, Melinda, I wouldn’t."
There was a gentleness in his voice that told her he meant it so she quit apologizing and rode the rest of the way quietly, listening to the CD he had put in the stereo. It was playing Harvest. It was a favorite of his and as they pulled into his driveway, he stopped the car but left the key in the ignition to let that song play out.
It might have been an awkward moment for Melinda if she had not heard the sadness in the song and seen the tear glistening on the man’s lower lashes. Without saying a word, he turned toward her and reached out for her. His eyes were shut tight as he pulled her into his embrace, letting his head drop to her shoulder and his cheek rested near hers. He had about a day’s growth on his face but it didn’t burn when it brushed the side of her neck
For just a moment it came to her that this was a strange situation to find herself in. She was in the arms of a stranger who had helped her and yet she didn’t even know his name. Remembering the note Janelle had placed in her pocket, she suddenly knew she should go with her instincts and slowly her body melted into his, allowing him to pull her even closer. They both seemed to feel comfort from this embrace and as he slowly pulled back a little to see her face, he lightly touched her cheek where the bandaid was and she closed her eyes, not because she felt physical pain but because she felt his pain and it hurt too much.
Melinda opened her eyes again and looked into his fluid brown eyes and was overtaken by the need that came from her tender heart. It told her to comfort him in any way that she could.
~Out in the world outside
It can be harsh and cold
But if you need someone
I will be here to hold you
Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love~
He seemed to realize she cared enough to put her own pain aside and that she wanted to ease his. This tenderhearted woman who was running her fingers through his hair and lovingly stroking his face was unselfishly offering him whatever he needed tonight. He had only meant to give her a warm, safe place to stay for the night but now he felt she was the one who was offering a warm, safe place to leave his heart.
"Is there anything you want from me?"
Melinda was quiet for a moment and then she knew.
"I guess I would like to know your name."
"I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I hadn’t told you."
"I’m not really sure it makes a difference but I feel a connection to you somehow and I would like to know."
"My name is Scott."
"Scott, I like your name."
"I like your name too, Melinda."
~I know it's hard sometimes
And things seem larger than they are
But if you need to let it go
Then you can call on me
Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love~
Scott pulled her close again though he didn’t hold her tight. He put his right arm behind her shoulder and his left hand was under her chin, tipping her face up to his. She put her hands on his chest and leaned into him as he lowered his face to hers and took the kiss she offered.
It was just a gentle kiss but the sweet way that she moved in his arms, tenderly holding him as if she was sheltering him with her fingers on the back of his neck, keeping him safe from the terrible pain the world had dealt him, he began to release some of it.
Their kiss lingered a while at a gentle threshold till it gradually became more passionate and he tightened his hold on her, making her wince. He had forgotten she had hit the stage earlier when the manager backhanded her. He broke the kiss and lightened his hold on her.
"Melinda! I’m so sorry. I forgot you were hurt."
She saw sorrow in Scott’s eyes and knew he wouldn’t hurt her on purpose.
"It’s alright Scott. I forgot too."
"I shouldn’t have held you so tight."
Scott shifted in his seat and looked out of his window until she placed her left hand behind his neck again and with the fingers of her right hand she turned his face to hers.
"Scott," she whispered, "I won’t break and I need you to hold me."
"Not here."
He took the key out of the ignition, opened his car door and got out. She slid over and got out of his door and went inside with him.
Scott looked down at her and wondered if it was right for him to make love to her after she had been hurt. He walked down the hallway and asked her to come with him. They stopped in front of a door, which he opened and said she could sleep in there.
She turned on the light and she noticed it was a young girl’s room but there were no toys or other items a girl would have.
"Your daughter’s room?"
"Yeah, it was."
"It was?" She could barely get the words out and when she did, she was sorry she had asked.
Scott turned away from her and his forehead went forward slowly into the doorframe. Melinda stepped to the side and saw his eyes were shut and tears were streaming down his face.
~Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love~
Melinda put her arms around his waist and pulled him close to her. "Scott, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked but please tell me what happened."
He shook his head no but the gentle pleading he heard in her voice told him that she truly cared about his pain and now may be the best time to unburden his tired, weary heart.
Scott took her hand and walked down to his room. He didn’t turn on the light but sat on the edge of the bed and beckoned her to do the same.
Melinda sat down next to him and put her hand on his as he told her of how he lost the two most precious possessions in his life.
When he was through and after wiping away tears he had refused to shed ever since he had lost custody of his children, she finally understood where his pain came from.
"I’m determined to get them back but I have to prove myself to the courts first. I lost them because I couldn’t stay off the hard stuff. I did for almost a year but I gave in and I blew it. Tonight I almost blew it again but . . . but Melinda, something in your face told me I shouldn’t. When you handed me the glass, and we were looking at each other, I saw something that said I shouldn’t. If I had drunk the beer, I would be in jail all over again and this time for a lot longer. I can’t do that anymore!"
Melinda heard not just anxiety in his voice but also terror. Terror over losing complete control and over the possibility of never having his children again. Now she knew what she needed to do. He had rescued her earlier that night and now she had to try and rescue him from something worse. She heard what some might call self-pity but she recognized it as self-deprecation and knew that he had found the strength to leave the beer alone and turn to her instead.
"Scott, please."
~Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you rise above
Cry on my shoulder, my love
My love...~
They passed the night sharing comfort and love that sprang from a mutual need they both had and by the dawn of the next day, they each had a new resolve in their hearts. Scott was going to fight the fine fight to get his children back and Melinda was going to help him. They had made love but in the morning they both realized that what they needed to be was friends first, and lovers second.
Scott insisted that Melinda move in with him and helped her move her belongings out of that rat hole she stayed in. She quit her job and though she felt bad to leave Janelle behind, Janelle assured her this was what she had hoped would happen.
"You and Scott need each other now and that’s what counts. I can handle that jerk who calls himself my boss. I have a little time left on my agreement with him but then I’m out of here so don’t you worry about me."
"Jan, I got the impression that you knew who Scott was when you sent me home with him."
"Yes, Melli, I knew. I doubt he remembered me but you know that I work
days in the
Janelle smiled at Melinda and the two women hugged each other.
"I just left a note on the boss’s desk telling him to keep my last paycheck, what little there is of it and he would not be seeing me or hearing from me again. I hope this doesn’t create problems for you Jan. He’s spiteful. He even sent his brat around to my place and damaged Scott’s car. That’s when Scott told me to come home with him. He didn’t want me to stay there alone."
"What a jerk! I’m so glad you two have found each other. Honey, if you ever need anything, you know you can call me. I love you and I’ll be there in a heartbeat."
They hugged each other again and then Scott walked in to see if Melinda was ready.
"Hi Jan, how are you doing today?"
"I’m fine Scott. Thank you so much for looking after Melli for me."
She winked at them both, turned around and went back stage to prepare for her set that evening.
Scott leaned down and gave Melinda a kiss on the cheek. "You ready to leave this dive?"
She looked up at him and smiled and nodded.
"Good. Let’s go home."
"Scott?"
"Yeah?"
"I think we’re going to get through all of this. It won’t always be easy, but we’ll get through it."
"You sure?"
"Jan says so."
Melinda smiled and kissed him and he saw a lifetime of love and caring in her eyes. This was the start down a new road for Scott and with her help, he would meet each challenge and he would get back what he had lost.
"You know something? I believe you."
He smiled and put his arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the club for the last time.
~Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you rise above
Cry on my shoulder, my love
My love...~ 