I'm getting ready for Thanksgiving. Undertaker is on his way to Florida from Texas. He still had things to do. He will meet my family this weekend. My parents are the only ones who know about him. They don't know what he looks like, but I'm nervous because they know his age. I'm at my parents' house. I heard a knock on the door. Dad answered it. Mom is cooking.
UNDERTAKER: "I must be at the wrong house."
I ran to him.
ME: "Come in!"
I grab his hand and lead him to my childhood room. I close the door. We sit on the bed.
UNDERTAKER: "Who was that at the door?"
ME: "That's my dad."
UNDERTAKER: "Really? He doesn't look anything like you."
ME: "My mom is white. I have the same eye color. My dad is from Africa. I was born albino. I was always bullied because people thought I was crazy for calling him my biological father. It made me stop identifying as black on any documents I needed to sign."
I looked down, waiting for Undertaker to also think I'm crazy. He grabbed my chin and raised my head. He kissed me.
UNDERTAKER: "I would never think that about you. I think it makes you unique. Another thing to love about you."
ME: "I love you, too!"
UNDERTAKER: "That's the 1st time you ever said that to me."
ME: "I've felt it since we had our first kiss."
UNDERTAKER: "The day we gave each other our phone numbers."
ME: "Yeah."
We smiled. It was time for dinner. Undertaker offered to set the table. We sat down to eat.
MOM: "So, Mark, you work with my daughter?"
UNDERTAKER: "Yes."
MOM: "You must be very special, if she's allowing you to meet us."
I just looked at my plate.
UNDERTAKER: "She's really special, to me."
MOM: "I hope you're taking good care of her. I was really nervous when she told us she wanted to wrestle."
UNDERTAKER: "She's amazing at it! Best performer, male or female!"
DAD: "Really?"
UNDERTAKER: "Yeah!"
He looked at me and smiled. He grabbed my empty hand and kissed the back of it. My dad just kept staring at Undertaker. I was nervous about what my dad was thinking. We talked more about wrestling. I was excited about meeting Ric Flair and watching Undertaker's match with Hulk Hogan. The feud over the motorcycle was great. I went back to my room, to get ready for bed. I left the shower and saw him on my bed.
UNDERTAKER: "I talked to your dad!"
ME: "What happened?"
I cuddled up with Undertaker.
UNDERTAKER: "I told your dad how I truly felt about you."
ME: "What did he say?"
UNDERTAKER: "He just wants you to happy. He sees how you are with me and he's willing to accept it."
ME: "That's a really huge thing, Mark! He's very protective."
My dad changed after those bullies put me in the hospital. He also saw me change. He knows this is the first time in my life that I'm genuinely happy. I kissed Undertaker's cheek, then went to bed.
