Shattered Hearts

Chapter Sixteen

Time passed more quickly now that Eva was home as the little girl was on the go all the time. Bret and Rain shared out their time with her so that Bret could work out and Rain could swim and work the odd hour here and there. Occasionally they did things all together, like heading out to the play park or the woods for a walk. She was happy and seemingly oblivious to the distance between her parents. Bret had undergone another assessment with the doctor and was told he could drive again. It was still recommended he took some time away from the ring, a minimum of six months but otherwise he had a clean bill of health. Though both he and Rain were relieved there was still an awkwardness to their relationship which neither could quite overcome. At first Bret tried to get her to talk to him but he had given up when each time he was met with silence or she made an excuse to head to a different room to avoid the conversation. She had made a promise that she would stay but he had never found her more distant.

At the end of the month he had a phone call from Vince.

"Hey Bret, it sure is good to hear your voice again," Vince said and Bret could hear the sincerity in his tone.

"You too Vince," he said. "But I'm not sure you'll like what I have to say. You put my life in danger in that ring with a rookie who didn't know what the hell he was doing and now I'm off the road for at least six months."

Vince cleared his throat.

"You have been well compensated for it, Bret. Accidents can happen in the ring even with a veteran..."

"How many men have I injured since I started working with you?"

"Well none...."

"And before that? How many did I injure before that?"

"Ok, I apologise Bret. Bill is back in developmental and he's working hard. He feels nothing but guilt for what he's done to you..."

"Yeah? Well I don't want to talk about that piece of shit." Bret sounded sullen and Vince sighed. He knew Bret could bear a grudge like no man alive and decided to leave that particular topic.

"What I'm calling for is to let you know we'll be in town next month. I wondered if you and Rain would like to come along to the show with Eva? Come see everyone?"

"You want me to make an appearance because you're in Calgary?" Bret said flatly and Vince paused a beat.

"It wouldn't do any harm if you did," he agreed. "But no. Genuinely your co-workers would love to see you all; you've been missed."

Bret considered this. It would be hard not being in the ring and he wasn't sure he wanted to risk being out front, but seeing everyone would be good and it might help Rain out too. He knew Eva would be excited to be out back with their wrestling family.

"Alright. We'll come along,  but just to see everyone. I ain't getting in that ring until I can wrestle again and I ain't doing any backstage segments or interviews either. If I see a camera in my face, we walk away. Ok?"

"That's fine Bret," said Vince, who in truth was a little disappointed to not have the Hitman at a Calgary event,  but primarily he needed the talent roster off his back and if they saw that Bret was doing ok maybe they'd all settle down a bit. "I'll email across all the details to you and we'll see you next month."

"Ok."

"And Bret, I really am sorry for what happened. You know you're like a son to me and we're missing you, buddy."

As Vince ended the call Bret sighed. It was going to be hard being at an event which he wasn't participating in but he felt he'd made the right call. Getting to his feet, he went to find Rain, to tell her they would be attending the Calgary event and to explain the circumstances.