Chapter One
Friday November 12th, 2080. Late Night:
Rodriguez Master Bedroom
“Grandpa, can you tell us a story?” A small, blonde haired boy asked. He was the tallest of the four great grand children. An elderly man was sitting next to a roaring fire, with a thick journal in his lap and a pen in his left hand. He had been reading notes to himself, thinking about his past. The blonde haired boy tugged on the old man’s slacks, drawing his attention once more. The man stared into the boy’s blue eyes, and it made his heart feel so warm. The boy looked so close to his great grandmother except the fact that he was a boy. “Grandpa, can you tell us the story?” He asked in a squeaky voice. The old man patted the boy on his head. A raspy chuckle escaped him following this action.
“Of course I can Charlie. Just wait for Grandma to get in here with your sister and cousins alright?” Charlie nodded and turned back towards the fire. The old man, crossed his legs, continuing to read notes. He was wearing a thick pair of black glasses, a red knitted sweater, white shirt underneath and brown slacks. On his feet were a pair of leather moccasins. Charlie was just wearing a white shirt with blue jogging pants. The old man had a long face, with a long nose, big ears, chiseled cleft chin and snow white hair. When the man closed his journal he walked around the living room, with cane in hand.
He was very fond of this house, since it belonged to his grandfather. The room was designed to be eccentric. There was a big white fireplace, with a thick mantle full of pictures. The walls were covered with dark red wallpaper, and black borders. There were four windows, with two in the back and one on each side. All along the walls in between the two back windows were an assortment of gold and silver belts. Some belonged to his father and grandfather and a couple that belonged to him. The man walked over to the photos on the mantle, and traced his finger over one with a young couple in it. It was a picture of himself back when he was in his prime.
He was only nineteen in this picture and as he recalled, already involved with the Dominate Wrestling League, or DWL as it was usually abbreviated. He looked so young in this photograph. His hair was shaggy, almost shoulder length and jet black. At the time he was not wearing glasses. He was so disappointed in how he used to dress back then. But he was taken aback from the beautiful girl who stood next to him. His heart began beating faster than usual, and he had to clutch his chest a bit to ignore the small surges of pain that hit him. It took a few minutes for the old man to rid himself of it and then he looked back up at the picture. The girl had pure blonde hair, just past her shoulders. Her eyes were the brightest blue he had ever seen. It was her smile that really blew him away. How perfect her teeth were. In this photo, she had a somewhat big belly. “I remember those days, I really do.”
A soft voice met his right ear. He turned the hearing aid in his right ear up so he could hear her voice better. It was as if an angel came straight from Heaven and talked to him. When he turned he saw the older woman in all of her splendor. Her hair was still past her shoulders but it was no longer blonde, rather it was gray and white. She had shallow cheekbones, wrinkly skin all over her hands and face, a perfectly proportioned nose, and a small forehead. When she smiled, her teeth were as white and perfect as they were sixty years ago. That night her attire wasn’t as provocative as it used to be, however she never ceased to amaze him. She had a pure white dress on, with roses printed all over. Her feet were in moccasins as well but they were white, not leather colored.
“My God Kolleen, you’re just…” The man sighed, clutching his chest again. Kolleen grinned again, carrying a silver tray full of hot chocolate and cookies. Around her ankles were three great grandchildren. A little girl stood to her left, with long jet black hair, and looked just like her great grandpa, but with smaller ears and thinner lips. The other couple of boys were identical twins, both with blonde hair, green eyes and resembled their father more so than Randy. They had wide nostrils, chubby cheeks and were both 4 years old. The girl was 9 and Charlie was 11. “You two look just like your father,” the man said. Kolleen nodded, and lead the children over to the big couch, directly to the old man’s left. “What are your names again?” the man asked. Kolleen spoke up, after tapping the man’s shoulder. “What? I have horrible memory.” He replied.
His lovely wife handed the hot chocolate over to the three kids on the couch and then to Charlie on the carpet. Then sat down on the man’s right in her own chair and sighed before she continued. “The young twins’ names are Randal and Roy. The little girl is Lori.” She said. “OH, that’s right! And what is my name again?” He replied, looking down at his great grand children. The little girl giggled at him, reminding him of how Kolleen used to laugh. “You’re silly Grandpa.” She said. “Your name is Randy, Grandpa.” Charlie added. Randy watched as he wiped the hot chocolate from his upper lip. “Indeed, it is. Very inquisitive of you Charlie, now who would like to hear a story?” All the kids began bouncing around in their seats, all smiling and laughing at him. This warmed his heart as he felt Kolleen’s hand slide down his arm. Goose bumps formed over his skin from her touch. He opened up his hand and watched her frail one meet his palm.
With a quick glance at her, Randy turned his attention back to the kids. The fire was still roaring so he knew they had a long time to kill. “Now, what story shall I tell?” Randy asked. “Can you tell us the story? Not just any regular one; we want to hear about your wrestling.” Randal said. “Is that fine with the rest of you?” Randy replied, waiting for the other kids to answer. All together, Lori, Randal and Roy nodded in return. “Go ahead Ran-Ran.” Kolleen whispered in his ear. He smirked and opened up the journal. “I’m not gonna read from this all the time, just every now and then if I forget a detail or two. Here we go, starting with the first date. September 21st, 2010.” Charlie interrupted him with a tiny cough. “What is it Charlie?” Randy asked him.
“Grandpa, isn’t it like 2080 right now?” he asked. His curious face just made Randy feel even more light hearted. “You’ve always been the curious one haven’t ya?” Charlie nodded, sipping more of his hot chocolate. Randy sighed and patted the top of Kolleen’s hand and she kissed him on the cheek before he continued. “Yes it is 2080 right now Charlie. Meaning I am 89 years old. Your great grandmother is 88. Yeah get your laughs out now, we’re old; very old in fact. Now let’s continue.” Randy turned back to the journal and read the first few lines. “Ah, let’s get it started then. As I was saying, the date was September 21st, 2010. I had already graduated from high school…” And then Randy was off, leaving all of his great grandchildren in silence as he always did years before.
