Post by The Anarchist on Apr 11, 2020 21:18:50 GMT -5
-----
March 15
-----
"I don't know. I guess I've adjusted." She changes the subject. "Your gimmick is still ridiculous, though!"
He laughs. "Is it?"
She nods.
"The thing about it is that it's something my mother and I can bond over. We've always been close and this has brought us closer. I'm all she's got and...well, to be perfectly honest, I'm having fun again. I didn't know what would happen after my injury. After Seromine."
He continues.
"What I say and do has a psychological effect. It makes people feel confused, feel repulsed, giving me an advantage before the bell even rings."
"I get that and can see that, but---If your opponents are repulsed, what do you think we are?"
"You can always change the channel."
She shakes her head. "I'm going to go to bed. You can do whatever you want." There was a hint of resentment bubbling to the surface. No eye contact was made as she left the room.
But there was a sigh.
Jason steps outside to make an important phone call. It's a pleasant fifty-six degrees. He has to gather his composure before dialing the contact. As the line trills, he puts his bags and title into his car.
"Hi Mommy! Did you see me win my match tonight?"
The conversation would continue for a couple of minutes, ending with...
"I'm on my way. Toodaloo, I love you!"
"Toodaloo, I love you too!"
Each one makes a kissing noise after that. He ends the call and soon everything appears distant in the rear view mirror.
The final visual of his house passed as he turned away from Ridgemont St. There was an eagerness to reach his destination, but there was also guilt gnawing at him. Overwhelming guilt that made him pull off into an empty parking lot that faced Harbor Blvd. Downtown Anaheim was quiet, save for passing transit buses full of people that had departed Disneyland at closing time.
He gazed at the palm trees that lined up and down the street. He thought about the trips made over the years to the Doctor when Destiny was pregnant with each of the children. Neither were prepared to accept Kristen turning eighteen last year. One moment she was born on a cool night in September 2001 and the next? A milestone age in 2019.
Willard sighed even harder. Today was Destiny's birthday. A woman that he had loved more than life itself since they were in their teens. Twenty-five years had passed since that fateful day. Nearly twenty of those were woven into the fabric of marriage. Every couple had their moments --- but it had been a long time for them --- and his selfish response was backed by impulse at the worst time.
When Destiny went out on maternity, it was her suggestion to have Lucy fill in. It would be easy to teach her how to play into his religious gimmick --- they pulled it off while being devout atheists! It would give them a chance to reconnect, as they weren't always as close as it seemed on the shows. What changed plans was Mass Destruction last year and the injuries suffered at the hands of Grimm and the business end of a shovel.
Destiny was to return no later than September, but with the change in gimmick having success, she found herself remaining at home with Melanie. "Melanie!" Jason shouted to himself with a chuckle after. The infant was now in her ninth month and that meant she was becoming a little talking, crawling, explorer. Time was still new to her, but it was a fifth tour of parenting for Jason and Destiny. An infant, two teens and twins inching closer to it.
Family always came first. Work was to remain back in South Carolina. For over two decades now, he made a living as a pro wrestling "bad guy." Time was adding to his number as well. July would be his forty-second birthday. That's old in wrestling years. There was also the matter of Kristen working to become a second-gen that crept into his thoughts.
But nothing was more dominant than what just happened. She had a valid concern and he should've talked to her about it so they could reach a positive conclusion. Maybe because it was her birthday, he didn't want to. There was no excuse to be made. In his mind, he messed up.
With everything considered, he knows what has to be done.
-----
As expected, Lucy was waiting outside for the lights from her son's car to start shining on the property. Darkness would be pushed aside as he pulled up to the house. She could hardly wait for him to approach for a hug. She could hardly wait to take care of him after having defended his newly won Underground title.
When he got there, her wait was about to take a turn south.
"Come inside, darling. You need to lay down and let Mommy fix you up."
Willard led her to a seat on the porch steps instead. She immediately knew. His eyes had spilled their secrets onto his face. His body language presented a different tone than in prior visits.
"This isn't going to be good news, is it?"
He shakes his head. "I guess it depends on how you take it. I have enjoyed you getting the chance to be a part of the show for the last year. It's brought us closer and allowed me to---play a gimmick that I never in a million years expected to do."
Lucy turns her head away. A part of her didn't want to hear this any further, but the efforts to turn his direction around wasn't working.
"Mom, you knew that this was all temporary. I can't keep bringing the gimmick back with me. We succeeded in doing what needed to be done in order to get it over. It may have been weird and uncomfortable ---"
He pauses.
"This isn't working. Mom, I love you and I always will. But the time has come for the gimmick to end. For me to end my career on my terms and pass things over. I love the business and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I've been fortunate to still have my health, well mostly, and sanity after all these years. Me and Destiny started this journey together. We should end it together. The kids are growing up. I want to be able to go home and be with them under my own power. You know your granddaughter has---"
Lucy finally turns to face him. Her emotions appear to be mixed. "I knew that this day would eventually happen. I tried to tell myself that it wouldn't. I just simply willed myself every day to believe that! But it really has!"
She pauses for a long look at the visible stars in the sky. "Only you know what's best to do. I won't miss the travel." She finally allows a laugh to escape. "I won't pretend to understand what goes on in your work, because I didn't spend much time trying to learn about it."
"It would take some time to explain and unless you have the passion, you probably would get bored. My next defense will be the last match I have with this gimmick. Would you please be there for it?"
"I'm sorry, angel. I can't. But I'll watch you on the TV."
He nods. "Yeah, I guess that would be for the best. But if you change your mind in the next week..."
The topic didn't go any further than that. What had to be done was done. Lucy understood in her own way. It may have felt like she was losing her only child to the world again, but she would be fine. He had his own life and family. The business wasn't for her, but she enjoyed the time she had in it.
The moment he got back home, he found his wife and held her tighter than ever. He offered an endless supply of apologies and explained what he had done and what the plans are for the future of 2020. It may have been the best birthday gift Destiny Jade Willard, née McNamara, ever received in forty years.
-----
March 27
-----
Razor claws at his eyes as he staggers around the ring. Willard starts hyperactivity clapping as he slides back in. Razor must sense him being around because he hits a spear! Razor is still blinded but his other senses come to his aid. Willard coughs as he painfully favors his torso. Razor is able to partially open an eye. He looks back and picks his spot.
Razor's Edge!
Willard ducks-and-covers as a collective OHHH comes from the crowd to go with Razor's pained reaction. The Masked Referee has jammed a pair of knitting needles through his arm!
Jerry Andrews: What in the hell?!
Willard looks up and puts on his best look of shock. Willard promptly drills him with Little Boy Blue without a second thought. "Mommy says animals who are suffering, have to be put down, doggie. It's the humane thing to do!"
Now the cover.
1.
2.
3.
The bell is called for. Willard doesn't just have his arm raised, he also receives a hug from the official.
Sasha Greene: Here is your winner and STILL PCW Underground Champion: Jason Willard!
Off comes the mask and to the shock of nobody, it's Lucy Willard! The doting and protective Mother gives Razor a VERY stern glare as she rips the needles out of his arm. "You really should be more careful next time. These things are sharp and dangerous. You wouldn't want somebody else getting hurt, now would you?"
Jerry Andrews: How did she manage to get a referee's license?
Ace Anderson: It's as easy as turning the power off in the arena.
Jerry Andrews: Well, she just helped her little boy retain his title. Let's just hope Razor Blade doesn't have nerve damage.
Ace Anderson: You know what the best part is? What she did is all legal.
Willard swings his title around before being led out. He gets her photo and puts it in the wagon with the Underground title. She leads him by the hand while he pulls the wagon with his other.
A quick retreat was made to his locker room. He competed in the main event, so unless PCW had plans for another match to happen post-broadcast, the show was over and the faithful would be spilling out of the arena, leaving behind their trash for the arena staff to clean up.
Facing the mirror, Lucy sits down and begins to wipe her makeup off. Then removal of the blue contacts and finally her wig.
His mother hadn't changed her mind --- in fact, since that night, Jason had talked to her once. He drove over to the house a couple of days prior to leaving for Trauma, but she was gone. Not gone as in "I'm not home right now, but will be later." Gone as in "I've packed my stuff and moved away." He didn't give it a second thought and hoped that she was happy elsewhere.
Sitting in the chair was Destiny. Jason kisses her on the cheek before she takes possession of his hands. "Thank you for doing this. We can move on from it now."
She smiles.
"Music to my ears. But I'll be especially glad when you're no longer in the damn division."
"You were the referee! You could've cost me out there!"
"Heh, yeah but then you'd be remembered as the guy who lost to RAZOR BLADE! Come on now, babe. I may want you to lose, but I don't want you to be embarrassed."
"It would've made David a party animal. Razor is his boo, you know. Or bae or whatever people call each other now. Besides, Razor Blade is a former Underground champion."
Destiny casts her gaze at the eyesore that is the title belt. "And soon you will be too."
She kisses his hands. "Ok mister. Go take a shower so we can get out of here."
"Going to join me?" He responds with suggestiveness. She pretends to think about it, giving him that look of temptation. "Sure! I can help turn the cold water on if you need some help."
A laugh is shared before he leaves her side.
He takes the Underground title with him, possibly foiling any plan she may have been thinking about.
-----
Present Day
----
Shane is spun around and pushed into a wicked chair shot to the head by a youthful assailant. She closely resembles Destiny, but isn't without some of her Jason's features.
Willard: I keep hearing people talk about the future over and over and decided it was time to introduce someone who is exactly that. Say hello to my daughter, Kristen!
Kristen grins at the camera before laying Shane's head on the dented steel chair. She then joins her parents in a family hug. The proud looks on their faces show they are elated with what she did.
"OH! Did you hear the sound of that!" Jason was beside himself as he rewinds the moment his daughter introduced herself. With how he keeps going on about the spot, you'd think he was watching highlights on Sportscenter.
The business details of Kristen Willard's appearance weren't publicly known and despite the dirt sheets trying to get the inside scoop, wouldn't be publicly known without consent from all the parties involved in making it happen.
The only tidbits either parent was willing to divulge is that she started training when she was fifteen and started wrestling at independent shows around Orange County when she was sixteen. Everything else would have to wait for some other time.
"That's my little girl!"
Jason pauses the video right at the moment of impact. "I wish I could get that framed. It's just so...so...beautiful!"
"God, Dad, it's not like you've never delivered a chair shot before!"
Kristen is skyping with him as this goes on. Her own excitement has waned some twenty times ago. Each time was met with, "This is the last time, I promise" from him. Even Destiny had had her share of seeing that one shot over and over, so much so, she found something else to do.
"Can we please move on? PLEASE?!"
Jason relents. "I'm sorry. I guess I got carried away. It's just that, well---"
Destiny takes the remote from him with the right amount of impeccable timing. It draws a round of cheerful applause from Kristen.
"We all love you, Dad. But that one moment is insignificant! You're excited for me and what I'm training to do and I appreciate that. I really do. But sequels are never as good as the first. Well, sometimes. But this is definitely one of those."
Jason looks to his wife for support, for back-up, for a partner! She's busy putting Melanie in her high chair. Then she points out her relatives.
"Look, there's Daddy and Sissy! Can you say hi to them?"
Melanie is all wide eyes and smiles as she receives attention from her parents and sibling. But her focus is on grabbing tiny bits of food for her mouth.
"What's your next match going to be?"
"Ugh. I'm in a battle royal. The winner of it will face off against Holden Ross. I've heard he wants his title back, so I'm very conflicted because he's my friend."
"Ohh, I see. Wait. You have friends?" She sticks her tongue out after.
"Funny! Yeah, so I don't know, we'll see how it goes. Stormm isn't going to be in it, so I don't really care about the outcome. So long as I can dump Rick Majors on his head, I'll be a happy camper."
Kristen laughs.
"God. I miss you guys. It's hard being this far away from home."
"You'll always have a home here whenever you're ready to come back. Just say the word and I'll come get you myself."
"Thanks, Dad. But I have to finish what I set out to do here first."
"I know I---"
He momentarily looks in the direction of the talkative infant. "I know I've said it before, but we're proud of everything you're doing." He looks back at her. "And don't worry about Dodge. He's a trooper. If he wasn't up for taking that spot, he wouldn't have agreed to it. Trust me, he was well protected."
Kristen had prior concern that she hit Shane Dodge too hard, but that was likely more from overthinking it.
"I know."
"Ok. Did you want to talk to your mother?"
"Of course she does, babe!"
Laughter.
"Sure. And Dad?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I love you."
He smiles.
"I love you, too."
While Destiny talks with Kristen, Jason tends to Melanie's needs and gets fed by her in the process.
March 15
-----
"I don't know. I guess I've adjusted." She changes the subject. "Your gimmick is still ridiculous, though!"
He laughs. "Is it?"
She nods.
"The thing about it is that it's something my mother and I can bond over. We've always been close and this has brought us closer. I'm all she's got and...well, to be perfectly honest, I'm having fun again. I didn't know what would happen after my injury. After Seromine."
He continues.
"What I say and do has a psychological effect. It makes people feel confused, feel repulsed, giving me an advantage before the bell even rings."
"I get that and can see that, but---If your opponents are repulsed, what do you think we are?"
"You can always change the channel."
She shakes her head. "I'm going to go to bed. You can do whatever you want." There was a hint of resentment bubbling to the surface. No eye contact was made as she left the room.
But there was a sigh.
Jason steps outside to make an important phone call. It's a pleasant fifty-six degrees. He has to gather his composure before dialing the contact. As the line trills, he puts his bags and title into his car.
"Hi Mommy! Did you see me win my match tonight?"
The conversation would continue for a couple of minutes, ending with...
"I'm on my way. Toodaloo, I love you!"
"Toodaloo, I love you too!"
Each one makes a kissing noise after that. He ends the call and soon everything appears distant in the rear view mirror.
The final visual of his house passed as he turned away from Ridgemont St. There was an eagerness to reach his destination, but there was also guilt gnawing at him. Overwhelming guilt that made him pull off into an empty parking lot that faced Harbor Blvd. Downtown Anaheim was quiet, save for passing transit buses full of people that had departed Disneyland at closing time.
He gazed at the palm trees that lined up and down the street. He thought about the trips made over the years to the Doctor when Destiny was pregnant with each of the children. Neither were prepared to accept Kristen turning eighteen last year. One moment she was born on a cool night in September 2001 and the next? A milestone age in 2019.
Willard sighed even harder. Today was Destiny's birthday. A woman that he had loved more than life itself since they were in their teens. Twenty-five years had passed since that fateful day. Nearly twenty of those were woven into the fabric of marriage. Every couple had their moments --- but it had been a long time for them --- and his selfish response was backed by impulse at the worst time.
When Destiny went out on maternity, it was her suggestion to have Lucy fill in. It would be easy to teach her how to play into his religious gimmick --- they pulled it off while being devout atheists! It would give them a chance to reconnect, as they weren't always as close as it seemed on the shows. What changed plans was Mass Destruction last year and the injuries suffered at the hands of Grimm and the business end of a shovel.
Destiny was to return no later than September, but with the change in gimmick having success, she found herself remaining at home with Melanie. "Melanie!" Jason shouted to himself with a chuckle after. The infant was now in her ninth month and that meant she was becoming a little talking, crawling, explorer. Time was still new to her, but it was a fifth tour of parenting for Jason and Destiny. An infant, two teens and twins inching closer to it.
Family always came first. Work was to remain back in South Carolina. For over two decades now, he made a living as a pro wrestling "bad guy." Time was adding to his number as well. July would be his forty-second birthday. That's old in wrestling years. There was also the matter of Kristen working to become a second-gen that crept into his thoughts.
But nothing was more dominant than what just happened. She had a valid concern and he should've talked to her about it so they could reach a positive conclusion. Maybe because it was her birthday, he didn't want to. There was no excuse to be made. In his mind, he messed up.
With everything considered, he knows what has to be done.
-----
As expected, Lucy was waiting outside for the lights from her son's car to start shining on the property. Darkness would be pushed aside as he pulled up to the house. She could hardly wait for him to approach for a hug. She could hardly wait to take care of him after having defended his newly won Underground title.
When he got there, her wait was about to take a turn south.
"Come inside, darling. You need to lay down and let Mommy fix you up."
Willard led her to a seat on the porch steps instead. She immediately knew. His eyes had spilled their secrets onto his face. His body language presented a different tone than in prior visits.
"This isn't going to be good news, is it?"
He shakes his head. "I guess it depends on how you take it. I have enjoyed you getting the chance to be a part of the show for the last year. It's brought us closer and allowed me to---play a gimmick that I never in a million years expected to do."
Lucy turns her head away. A part of her didn't want to hear this any further, but the efforts to turn his direction around wasn't working.
"Mom, you knew that this was all temporary. I can't keep bringing the gimmick back with me. We succeeded in doing what needed to be done in order to get it over. It may have been weird and uncomfortable ---"
He pauses.
"This isn't working. Mom, I love you and I always will. But the time has come for the gimmick to end. For me to end my career on my terms and pass things over. I love the business and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I've been fortunate to still have my health, well mostly, and sanity after all these years. Me and Destiny started this journey together. We should end it together. The kids are growing up. I want to be able to go home and be with them under my own power. You know your granddaughter has---"
Lucy finally turns to face him. Her emotions appear to be mixed. "I knew that this day would eventually happen. I tried to tell myself that it wouldn't. I just simply willed myself every day to believe that! But it really has!"
She pauses for a long look at the visible stars in the sky. "Only you know what's best to do. I won't miss the travel." She finally allows a laugh to escape. "I won't pretend to understand what goes on in your work, because I didn't spend much time trying to learn about it."
"It would take some time to explain and unless you have the passion, you probably would get bored. My next defense will be the last match I have with this gimmick. Would you please be there for it?"
"I'm sorry, angel. I can't. But I'll watch you on the TV."
He nods. "Yeah, I guess that would be for the best. But if you change your mind in the next week..."
The topic didn't go any further than that. What had to be done was done. Lucy understood in her own way. It may have felt like she was losing her only child to the world again, but she would be fine. He had his own life and family. The business wasn't for her, but she enjoyed the time she had in it.
The moment he got back home, he found his wife and held her tighter than ever. He offered an endless supply of apologies and explained what he had done and what the plans are for the future of 2020. It may have been the best birthday gift Destiny Jade Willard, née McNamara, ever received in forty years.
-----
March 27
-----
Razor claws at his eyes as he staggers around the ring. Willard starts hyperactivity clapping as he slides back in. Razor must sense him being around because he hits a spear! Razor is still blinded but his other senses come to his aid. Willard coughs as he painfully favors his torso. Razor is able to partially open an eye. He looks back and picks his spot.
Razor's Edge!
Willard ducks-and-covers as a collective OHHH comes from the crowd to go with Razor's pained reaction. The Masked Referee has jammed a pair of knitting needles through his arm!
Jerry Andrews: What in the hell?!
Willard looks up and puts on his best look of shock. Willard promptly drills him with Little Boy Blue without a second thought. "Mommy says animals who are suffering, have to be put down, doggie. It's the humane thing to do!"
Now the cover.
1.
2.
3.
The bell is called for. Willard doesn't just have his arm raised, he also receives a hug from the official.
Sasha Greene: Here is your winner and STILL PCW Underground Champion: Jason Willard!
Off comes the mask and to the shock of nobody, it's Lucy Willard! The doting and protective Mother gives Razor a VERY stern glare as she rips the needles out of his arm. "You really should be more careful next time. These things are sharp and dangerous. You wouldn't want somebody else getting hurt, now would you?"
Jerry Andrews: How did she manage to get a referee's license?
Ace Anderson: It's as easy as turning the power off in the arena.
Jerry Andrews: Well, she just helped her little boy retain his title. Let's just hope Razor Blade doesn't have nerve damage.
Ace Anderson: You know what the best part is? What she did is all legal.
Willard swings his title around before being led out. He gets her photo and puts it in the wagon with the Underground title. She leads him by the hand while he pulls the wagon with his other.
A quick retreat was made to his locker room. He competed in the main event, so unless PCW had plans for another match to happen post-broadcast, the show was over and the faithful would be spilling out of the arena, leaving behind their trash for the arena staff to clean up.
Facing the mirror, Lucy sits down and begins to wipe her makeup off. Then removal of the blue contacts and finally her wig.
His mother hadn't changed her mind --- in fact, since that night, Jason had talked to her once. He drove over to the house a couple of days prior to leaving for Trauma, but she was gone. Not gone as in "I'm not home right now, but will be later." Gone as in "I've packed my stuff and moved away." He didn't give it a second thought and hoped that she was happy elsewhere.
Sitting in the chair was Destiny. Jason kisses her on the cheek before she takes possession of his hands. "Thank you for doing this. We can move on from it now."
She smiles.
"Music to my ears. But I'll be especially glad when you're no longer in the damn division."
"You were the referee! You could've cost me out there!"
"Heh, yeah but then you'd be remembered as the guy who lost to RAZOR BLADE! Come on now, babe. I may want you to lose, but I don't want you to be embarrassed."
"It would've made David a party animal. Razor is his boo, you know. Or bae or whatever people call each other now. Besides, Razor Blade is a former Underground champion."
Destiny casts her gaze at the eyesore that is the title belt. "And soon you will be too."
She kisses his hands. "Ok mister. Go take a shower so we can get out of here."
"Going to join me?" He responds with suggestiveness. She pretends to think about it, giving him that look of temptation. "Sure! I can help turn the cold water on if you need some help."
A laugh is shared before he leaves her side.
He takes the Underground title with him, possibly foiling any plan she may have been thinking about.
-----
Present Day
----
Shane is spun around and pushed into a wicked chair shot to the head by a youthful assailant. She closely resembles Destiny, but isn't without some of her Jason's features.
Willard: I keep hearing people talk about the future over and over and decided it was time to introduce someone who is exactly that. Say hello to my daughter, Kristen!
Kristen grins at the camera before laying Shane's head on the dented steel chair. She then joins her parents in a family hug. The proud looks on their faces show they are elated with what she did.
"OH! Did you hear the sound of that!" Jason was beside himself as he rewinds the moment his daughter introduced herself. With how he keeps going on about the spot, you'd think he was watching highlights on Sportscenter.
The business details of Kristen Willard's appearance weren't publicly known and despite the dirt sheets trying to get the inside scoop, wouldn't be publicly known without consent from all the parties involved in making it happen.
The only tidbits either parent was willing to divulge is that she started training when she was fifteen and started wrestling at independent shows around Orange County when she was sixteen. Everything else would have to wait for some other time.
"That's my little girl!"
Jason pauses the video right at the moment of impact. "I wish I could get that framed. It's just so...so...beautiful!"
"God, Dad, it's not like you've never delivered a chair shot before!"
Kristen is skyping with him as this goes on. Her own excitement has waned some twenty times ago. Each time was met with, "This is the last time, I promise" from him. Even Destiny had had her share of seeing that one shot over and over, so much so, she found something else to do.
"Can we please move on? PLEASE?!"
Jason relents. "I'm sorry. I guess I got carried away. It's just that, well---"
Destiny takes the remote from him with the right amount of impeccable timing. It draws a round of cheerful applause from Kristen.
"We all love you, Dad. But that one moment is insignificant! You're excited for me and what I'm training to do and I appreciate that. I really do. But sequels are never as good as the first. Well, sometimes. But this is definitely one of those."
Jason looks to his wife for support, for back-up, for a partner! She's busy putting Melanie in her high chair. Then she points out her relatives.
"Look, there's Daddy and Sissy! Can you say hi to them?"
Melanie is all wide eyes and smiles as she receives attention from her parents and sibling. But her focus is on grabbing tiny bits of food for her mouth.
"What's your next match going to be?"
"Ugh. I'm in a battle royal. The winner of it will face off against Holden Ross. I've heard he wants his title back, so I'm very conflicted because he's my friend."
"Ohh, I see. Wait. You have friends?" She sticks her tongue out after.
"Funny! Yeah, so I don't know, we'll see how it goes. Stormm isn't going to be in it, so I don't really care about the outcome. So long as I can dump Rick Majors on his head, I'll be a happy camper."
Kristen laughs.
"God. I miss you guys. It's hard being this far away from home."
"You'll always have a home here whenever you're ready to come back. Just say the word and I'll come get you myself."
"Thanks, Dad. But I have to finish what I set out to do here first."
"I know I---"
He momentarily looks in the direction of the talkative infant. "I know I've said it before, but we're proud of everything you're doing." He looks back at her. "And don't worry about Dodge. He's a trooper. If he wasn't up for taking that spot, he wouldn't have agreed to it. Trust me, he was well protected."
Kristen had prior concern that she hit Shane Dodge too hard, but that was likely more from overthinking it.
"I know."
"Ok. Did you want to talk to your mother?"
"Of course she does, babe!"
Laughter.
"Sure. And Dad?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I love you."
He smiles.
"I love you, too."
While Destiny talks with Kristen, Jason tends to Melanie's needs and gets fed by her in the process.