“Bobby, someone’s here to see you,” Gus says.
I look at the doorway and I am shocked. I smile and stand.
My visitor says, “I hope I’m not bothering you. I hear you’re a big fan, so I wanted to stop in and introduce myself.”
I blink a few times to make sure I’m not dreaming. Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky, is really standing in my dressing room. “I am. I watch your movies…” I begin to say.
“Over and over again? I know. Leah also told me you listen to my theme song on repeat when you work out.”
“Leah is responsible for you being here?” I walk over and extend my hand.
“She called me and asked me to come. She even gave me two tickets for the fight.” I remember when her phone rang and it played “Eye of the Tiger.” Was she was talking to Sylvester Stallone? “She can be quite persistent.”
I shake his hand and say, “Yes, she can. I am a big fan, and it means so much that you’re here.”
“I was coming anyway but if I wasn’t, I don’t think I could have told her no.” I notice he is wearing a red and white shirt to show his support. “This is a huge fight, and many boxers are here to watch it.”
I figured that, but I never asked who was coming. I am in shock he is in my dressing room. I am grinning ear to ear. Dad, Gus, and Tim are also smiling. I wonder if they knew Leah had arranged this.
“Thank you for your support, I appreciate it.”
“Bobby, I’ve been following you for a long time, even before the incident with your daughter that made world news.”
We talk about Madison and the fight. I offer food to him and his security team, but they all decline. “We need to go, but I hope to see you after the fight. If not, I’ll be at your grand opening for the fitness and training center you’re opening.”
“Leah arranged that, too?”
He laughs, “She’s very hard to say no to.”
“Don’t I know it. Thank you again. Would you mind if I get a picture of us before you leave? People won’t believe this if I don’t have proof. You know the saying: Pictures or it didn’t happen.”
He graciously poses beside me for several pictures and wishes me luck, before he leaves.
“That was incredible.” I smile.
“How did Leah do that?” Tim asks.
“Who knows? She amazes me on a daily basis,” I say.
Sugar Ray Tiger comes in and also chats with me. I had no idea he would be here, but I’m not surprised to see him. He is also wearing a red shirt. When he leaves I can hear the noise coming from the arena. It is beginning to fill up. I down another bottle of water and look over my pictures of Rocky and me. He’s Sylvester Stallone, but to me, he’s Rocky.
I call Leah and thank her. “Sweets, I had a visitor this evening.”
“Oh, did Sugar Ray stop by?”
“He did, but that’s not the visitor I’m talking about.”
“Were you surprised?”
“Thank you. I have no idea how you managed that, but thank you.”
“It wasn’t easy. Sugar Ray was a huge help and Rocky was very sweet when I invited him,” she says.
“Did you happen to give him a ringtone?”
“I did. I actually gave him your ringtone, so you both have the same one.” She giggles and it makes me smile.
“I love you, Sweets. Thank you.”
“I love you, too.”
I disconnect the call and dress in my boxing shorts, then Dad and Tim wrap my hands as Gus instructs me on the fight’s do’s and don’ts. I listen intently. When they are done, I re-insert the earbuds and focus on the music.
The next time they nudge me, I know it’s time. I stand and they assist me with my robe. I don’t look outside in the arena, I don’t need to. I know the fight is sold out, and the arena is packed. I wonder how many people are dressed in red and white, but I don’t look.
I take deep breaths and wait near the door. I remove my earbuds and place them and my iPod in the pocket of the robe.
The door opens, and I follow Gus out. Gus leads, and Dad and Tim are on each side of me. I don’t look around. I stay focused on the back of Gus’ head. I can see people stand, and they begin chanting my name. I hear more chants than boos. I’m grateful. I can’t make out what people are saying because of all of the noise.
I can hear the introduction from the announcer as I make my way into the ring. I raise my arm and make a complete circle searching the crowd for Leah. I am pleasantly surprised to see all of the red and white colors in the crowd. When I see Leah, I stop. Our eyes lock and she looks beautiful. All of our family members and friends are wearing red shirts, except for Leah. She is wearing the red and white silk robe that matches mine. She turns around so I can see the word “CHAMP” written in bold letters on the back. I smile my dimpled smile at her when she turns back around. Even if I lose tonight, she would continue to wear that robe. When it comes to Leah, I can do no wrong. I scan the people she is with and standing beside her are Rocky and Sugar Ray. They are towering over her and smiling. Rocky points to me and Ray points to Rocky. I point back to both of them.
I complete my circle, and now I can see everyone more clearly. The arena is packed, as I knew it would be. I sit down as Gus starts talking to me. I watch him and listen. Dad and Tim apply Vaseline over my entire face. I feel pumped and ready to do this. I think of Jamie, Madison, Gracie, and even Caden.
Next, they announce Kennedy. I pull away from Dad and Tim and watch as Abel Kennedy makes his way down the arena. I hear just as many chants for him as I did for me. The crowd is evenly divided. He walks without a limp. He gets into the ring and mimics my actions. He also turns completely around with his hand raised. His trainer and coach are standing with him. He waves and I look in that direction. I don’t see a woman in his reserved ringside seating area. They are all men.
“Stay focused,” Gus demands. The noise and the lights are very distracting, but I listen. “Hit hard and hit fast. Don’t stall. Hit him again and again and again.”
“I intend to.”
“Don’t give him time to get his breath. You keep at it, Bobby.”
I nod. “I will. This fight is for Gracie and Madison.”
“Make them proud. C’mon, it’s time to dance.”
I stand up and do the routine of meeting your opponent. We do the boxer handshake and it’s time to begin. I don’t look around. I replay “Eye of the Tiger” in my head and focus on Kennedy. Dad inserts my mouthpiece and I wait for the bell.
Kennedy and I enter the ring at the same time. He stalls and I go right in for the kill. I hit and I hit him again before he can get the first punch in. I can no longer hear the chanting or the boos. I can no longer see the crowd in the arena or the bright lights. I can only see Kennedy. He hits me and I don’t stumble. I crouch walk right for him. I hit him again and again and again. The bell rings and it’s time for a rest.
Gus, Dad, and Tim feed my ego and I let them. I know I won that round. I’m not bleeding and I’m not in any pain. I drink and they reapply the Vaseline. Kennedy and I now have a doctor in each of our corners to monitor and treat our injuries. I have none that needs treated.
The bell rings and it’s time. I stand on steady legs. I crack my neck side to side and go right in for the kill, again. Kennedy is ready for me this time. He hits me and it stings. I shake it off and I’m glad he didn’t hit me again. He stalls. That was his first mistake. I go at him and the round is over before I know it.
I go to my corner of the ring and do not make eye contact with anyone other than my team. Tim inserts the earbuds into my ear and the doctor treats my injuries. I can taste blood, and I can feel warmth on my right cheek.
The bell rings and it’s round three. I feel great and waste no time throwing punches. Kennedy tries to block them to no avail. The referee breaks us up, and I go right back and continue my assault. Kennedy should be feeling it by now. I watch as he stumbles and bleeds. The bell rings and it’s break time.
> At the end of round eight, I’m tired and pretty beat up. I still don’t look into the crowd. Leah will look worried. I don’t want to see the fear on her face. I’m not sure I can win this. I’m feeling tired and my punches are becoming less effective. It’s too early in the game for me to be feeling this way. I wonder if Kennedy is also feeling it. I risk a glance at Kennedy and he is a bloody mess. I pat myself on my back. Maybe I’m doing better than I think. But I doubt it.
At the end of round ten, I am exhausted. I can barely hold my head up. Tim removes my earbuds and when I open my eyes to look at him I see Madison standing close to the ring.
“Daddy, hit him. Hit him hard. Please, hit him,” she begs.
I will. She called me Daddy. My daughter finally called me Daddy. I give her a small smile and a nod. It’s the best I can do. Drake is holding her and Leah is standing beside them. They all look worried. I thought Madison was in the room with Gracie. Drake must have gone up to get her. I remove my mouthpiece and say, “I will, Madison. Daddy will hit him. This is for you, baby.”
I wave to the crowd to let them know not to give up on me. I still have some strength. Dad re-inserts my mouthpiece and the bell rings. I stand on steadier legs than I have had the last few rounds. Kennedy’s movements are slow. Lucky for me I have a wife and daughter rooting for me. I walk up to Kennedy and hit him — he stumbles. I hear Madison’s small voice telling me to hit him again. I do. I hit him again and again. I don’t think Kennedy even has time to swing at me. He stumbles and falls. I watch in slow motion as his head bounces off of the matt. Please don’t get up. I pray. The referee begins to count. I can hear the numbers as he says them, but I can’t hear anything else. I watch and I can’t believe it. Am I still standing? Is there a chance I may win by a K.O.? I think so.
When the referee says ten and Kennedy is still lying there, I just stand there. Dad, Tim, and Gus come over to me and start jumping up and down. I won. I won. I just won the championship fight! I hear Madison and I see her running down the aisle to me. I go to the edge of the ring and pick her up. I place her high on one shoulder and the referee stands next to me and raises my arm. I smile with my mouthpiece still inserted in my mouth. Sweat is dripping into my eyes, causing them to burn, but I don’t care. I won. I search the crowd for Leah, and when I see, I smile. Leah is crying. When she sees me, our friends hold up a very large sign written in bold red letters. “My daddy’s a Champion.” The announcer holds the microphone to my mouth and I say, “Leah, Jamie, Madison, and Gracie, this is for you. I love you.”
I lower Madison from my shoulder and she hugs me. She says, “I love you, too, Daddy.”
Epilogue
While Leah and Robert are off playing Mommy and Daddy, I’ll explain what happens to each of the characters.
When Robert returned to his room after the fight, Jo had a box of her famous cinnamon buns waiting for him. He was grateful and ate them all.
Robert retired as he promised Leah he would. The grand opening was a huge success and many famous boxers attended — even Abel Kennedy was there. Kennedy was a good sport over losing the fight and admitted that Robert deserved the win. He and Robert became friends and now talk often. Rocky showed up as he promised he would and brought a signed poster he had made of Robert and him before Robert’s big fight. Robert framed it and displays it dead center of his shop. He hopes it will motivate others to be the best they can be. Sugar Ray was also there and gave a motivational speech to all of the kids in attendance.
Robert still runs every day and sets up the tables and chairs on the sidewalk for Leah before he opens his fitness and training center.
Gracie is walking and as soon as she got teeth, Leah stopped breastfeeding. Gracie is now drinking only from a sippy cup.
Leah and Madison decided to keep their hair cut short. Madison likes looking like Leah. The black cloud of depression no longer lingers, although Leah still feels sadness over Jamie’s death. Leah rallies together with Robert’s boxing friends and they are all currently planning a benefit to raise money for breast cancer. Robert wanted to call it “Save the Tits,” but agreed “Boxing for Breasts” might be a better name.
Madison calls Robert and Leah Mommy and Daddy. She still calls Chelsea and Drake Mommy and Daddy, too. Caden and Madison consider Robert and Leah’s home their second home. They are there often and come and go as often as they want.
Robert and Leah talked of having another child, but soon realized that Madison, Caden, and Gracie were enough. They still visit Jamie regularly with pink roses and wild flowers. Drake also leaves red roses whenever he visits.
Sue’s cancer is now in remission. She and Tim plan to renew their wedding vows next year on their 35th wedding anniversary.
Margie and Walter have also decided to renew their wedding vows. They sold their home and bought a house in the same subdivision that Leah and Robert live in. They wanted to be closer to their grandchildren.
Valerie’s cancer is still in remission and she still works for Dillards Department Store. She is also giving motivational speeches to cancer patients and their families. She and Rick are happy and have recently adopted a rescue dog named Sophie.
Brooke Jamison made the USA Today and New York Times best sellers list with her trilogy about Dante. She remained an Indie Author although many major publishing companies pursued her. She decided to buy Brice a Ford 250 truck that he wanted and Braden and Briley got the horses she swore they would never have. She feels like a rock star although the kids still expect her to cook dinner and make their beds and although her kids and husband refuse to even look at her books.
Dove was hired back at the newspaper and is the top reporter. Gus devotes his time at Robert’s gym training the kids and the adults.
Bethany and Kyle just announced they are pregnant. Bethany still works at the shop with Leah and Leah made her promise she would never leave.
Angel and Mason are expecting their third child in March, a boy. Angel wants to name him Malex after Mason: Mason Alex. Mason said that would happen over his dead body. There’s currently a bet going on who will win. Mason, I love you, but my money is on Angel.
Emma and Alec thought about having another baby until she found something shiny in baby Jackson’s poop. She was so scared she rushed the baby and the dirty diaper to the hospital while Alec was at work. When she learned the sparkles in the poop was glitter, she made Alec get a vasectomy. She said she wouldn’t survive raising another child. Raelynn no longer plays with glitter. She and James now play with Playdough.
Sara and Donovan married and adopted a son from Japan. They still run marathons and raise money for causes close to their hearts. They are currently planning to adopt a daughter from Ecuador in the fall.
Brea and Vincent are happy with their only child: Arturo. Vincent works hard building houses and Brea works hard at the insurance company she co-owns with Sara.
Molly and Adam never had children. Since Molly failed Raelynn, she said she was afraid of failing another child. She works full-time as a photographer and she and Adam live a lifestyle that God would be proud of. They get Raelynn and James often and are exemplary role models.
Josephine still works at the shop and Carl still picks Jo up on occasion to go to yard sales or to auctions. Josephine now lets Robert eat her cinnamon buns in moderation.
Books by Brenda Kennedy
This is the third and final book in the Fighting to Survive Trilogy.
I am currently working on a Christmas novella titled “A Country Christmas” for an anthology with other best-selling authors, coming out on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 2015. “A Country Christmas” picks up after Abel loses the Champion fight to Robert and goes home to his family farm in Rose Farm, Ohio. The anthology is called Christmas Miracles. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be available only through December 31st. 2015.
My story “A Country Christmas” will be the prequel to my new series featuring Abel Kennedy.
I s
upport Indie Authors. If you read this book, please take the time to go to the purchasing site and give it a review. Independent authors count on your reviews to get the word out about our books. Thank you for taking the time to read my books and taking the extra time to review them. I appreciate it very much.
Disclaimer: People and places in this book have been used fictitiously and without malice.
Coming Soon: The Rose Farm Trilogy
Book One: Forever Country…coming 2016
Book Two: Country Life…coming 2016
Book Three: Country Love…coming 2016
Other books written by this author include:
The Starting Over Trilogy
Book One: A New Beginning
Book Two: Saving Angel
Book Three: Destined to Love
The Freedom Trilogy
Book One: Shattered Dreams
Book Two: Broken Lives
Book Three: Mending Hearts
One Last Fight is Round Three of The Fighting to Survive Trilogy.
Round One: A Life Worth Fighting
Round Two: Against the Odds
Round Three: One Last Fight
Acknowledgments
My husband, Rex: Thank you for supporting me and for coming with me on this ride. Thank you for understanding that although I am in my pajamas, I am indeed working. You are my partner for life and I love you.
My children: Carey, John, Derek, Nikki, Chastidy, Rex, Brittany, Amanda, and Katie: Thank you for reminding me what is important every single day. I love you.
My grandchildren: Desmond, Samantha, Autumn, Evan, Derek, Dayquan, Darius, Draden, Alyssa, Hailey, Lucca, Tanner, Giovanni, Cain, Lelila, Kylie, DeVonte’, Adrienne, Amaya, Dominic, Damien, Caden, and Gemma: Thank you for reminding me that I am somebody; I am your grandma and nothing else matters. I love you all.
My sisters and brothers: George, Martha, Rosa, Carla, and Frank: Thank you for your support. I love you.
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