Matt Ward
It’ll be fine by dusk light I’m telling you, baby
These things eat at your bones and drive your young mind crazy
But when you place your head between my collar and jaw
I don’t know much but there’s no weight at all
Las Vegas, NV
November 3rd, 2022
Lunch
“Matty.”
Despite its brevity, it was a full and definitive thought. Equal parts disappointment and understanding. Lindsay Troy folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. A small sigh got lost somewhere in the hum of the crowd at Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill.
“Sorry, Lindz.” Matt Ward speared the last bite of fish from his plate of Hong Kong Salmon as he apologized. “I think PRIME’s in a great spot. Don’t need me anymore. Probably never did.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“Ehhh.. either way, I’ve had my fill of splitting time between Vegas and Columbus. Time difference beats my old body to shit, and I’m not seein’ my family enough.”
“I get it.” Somewhat suddenly, Troy leaned forward, as if it would help her words get to their destination sooner. “Don’t suppose I could convince you to maybe stay on in a reduced ‘consultant’ role or some made-up thing like that?”
“Well,” Matt moved his head left and right, the thought bouncing through his brain. “Better run that one by the wife.”
*****
To you I’m just a man, to me you’re all I am
Where the hell am I supposed to go?
I poisoned myself again
Something in the orange tells me you’re never coming home
Columbus, OH
November 6th, 2022
Home
“Anyways, Lindz asked me to stay on as a consultant. Wouldn’t need to be in Vegas nearly as often. Would you be ok with that?”
Mary Ward stared at her husband, then cocked her left eyebrow in a look he knew all too well. “Baby, all I said last week was that you should maybe give some thought to giving up the VP role. You kinda jumped in and went overboard from there. I didn’t even get another word in with you going on about being home more and being there to support me.”
“It’s true.”
“It was Stage II Breast Cancer, Matthew. They caught it early. They treated it. I’m in remission. This isn’t what played out with your dad. Is that what this is about?”
“Dad died a decade ago.”
“Doesn’t mean you ever dealt with it.”
Matt wasn’t sure how to respond, so he glanced to see what was playing on the TV in the background. Dino Ranch. Hailey’s doing. “Is there ever anything other than Disney+ on the TV? I pay $3500 for the best Samsung on the market and the 5-year old controls it?”
“Always.”
“Maybe I should take some cash from that piggy bank and…”
“You’re deflecting.” She rolled her eyes. “Poorly.”
“I just figured you wanted me to be home with you and the kids more. I’ve been spending four nights a week at LAS the past year. Isn’t that why you asked me to quit PRIME?”
“I didn’t ask you to quit PRIME.”
“You said I should give up the VP role.”
“Yeah.” Mary leaned toward her husband, closing the distance between her words and his ears. “I think you should get back into the ring.”
*****
If you leave today, I’ll just stare at the way
The orange touches all things around
The grass, trees and dew, how I just hate you
Please turn those headlights around
-Zach Bryan, “Something in the Orange”
Las Vegas, NV
November 18th, 2022
Backstage of the MGM Grand Arena
Metal clanged, guys shouted as they darted through concrete corridors. It was just a few hours before showtime, the 19th episode of ReVival, and although no fans had yet entered the arena so famous for hosting combat sports, a buzzing whirlwind filled the space around him.
As Matt Ward headed toward the figure in the shadows of the Argyle Position, he inhaled that buzz, like smelling salts, and found a burst of unbridled energy that carried his stride at a pace he hadn’t hit in years.
“Hey, boss.”
“Stop.” Lindsay Troy turned and glanced over her shoulder. “I hate that coming from anyone but Dam.”
“I know.” Matt came to a stop as Lindsay turned her head back towards the ringside area, as final preparations were made. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you about that consulting role you had mentioned.”
“Oh?”
“Think I’m gonna have to pass.”
Lindsay sighed and allowed her head to hang for a brief moment. “Kinda figured that was coming. Still, I’m gonna miss having you around.”
“Well, actually…” Matt scratched at his salt & pepper beard, as if he was trying to shake out the next set of words. “… I was wondering if we could work maybe something out with a return to the ring?”
Lindsay Troy smiled and made a simple, short statement that answered his question in-full.
“Matty.”