Post by Caroline Machado on Sept 20, 2022 14:02:28 GMT
~September 18, 2022 - 11:55 PM~
Staying at the venerable Plaza Hotel in New York City, Caroline Machado looked a bit disheveled as she slowly walked back into her room. Sporting a nose guard on her face, the Brazilian took a few moments to catch her breath before sitting down at the desk. It had been a steady whirlwind of emotions since she took the mandatory ride in the ambulance from Citi Field after the four-way match at Legacy, but as she gently placed the Women's World Championship belt on the oakwood, two emotions stood about.
Great joy and gratitude.
There was the joy in ending Shelly Diamond's year-long stranglehold on the division. On the other hand, there was the gratitude for those who've guided the Brazilian, for one James Gilmore and Fiona McFly. There was a hint of disappointment on Caroline's face, knowing that they weren't able to make the trip in-person, but perhaps...it gave the Brazilian comfort in knowing that they would be there in spirit. As if on cue, Caroline's iPhone blew up -- her notification alarms buzzing as her social media feeds, from Facebook and Twitter to Truth Social, filled up with congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers alike.
Then, there were the voicemails.
James Gilmore (voice): Yo Crazy Bear, it's JJ! Sorry I couldn't make the trip to see ya, but ya know I've been watchin'. I'm proud of you, gal! And so is Mama Bear!! See ya when ya get back to DFW!
Caroline's smile grew bigger as she heard Fiona's voice, the next one to play.
Fiona McFly (voice): I'm proud of you, Caroline. From the moment I saw you walk through those Academy doors for the first time, I truly believed that you were something special. I...I never truly thanked you for reading that notebook letter to me, the one Jack wrote before he died, but even that is gonna pale in comparison to what you've done tonight. There is only one way to go from here -- and that's to the stars. Love you in bunches!
Caroline continued to smile before hearing a knock at the door. She stood up and answered it, revealing Ram -- who was accompanied by an older African-American woman wearing a blue formal dress.
Caroline Machado: Hi!!! What's up?!
RAM: Proud of you, Caroline!
Ram took a moment to think before giving Caroline a feeble hug.
RAM: I know...I need to work on the whole hugging thing. Anyways, this is Ms. Monica, my probation officer.
Caroline shook Monica's hand.
Monica: Congratulations, hun! Ram was talkin' about you and we figured we'd say hello...
Caroline Machado: What brings you out here?
Monica: I'm originally from New York City, my family's got a big church in the Bronx. Ram's gonna be spendin' a few days with me, helpin' out the community.
Ram looked a bit embarrassed at first, but Caroline was quick to cheer him up.
Caroline Machado: D'awww...that's good! He's a great worker...
RAM: I try.
Caroline Machado: There is no try!!!
Ram chuckled.
RAM: And I thought you were a Trekkie -- that's a Yoda saying!
Ram and Caroline laughed before the former left the hotel with Monica. The Brazilian nodded lovingly as she looked at Zelda Simpson's Instagram feed. She has taken a live clip of partygoes at Club 47 celebrating the World title. It was truly a wild scene as Zelda got on camera to deliver a brief message.
Zelda Simpson: I know I got on your nerves a lot and all that, but this...this one's for you!
Caroline giggled as she watched the revelers, packed shoulder to shoulder, singing along to a classic Neil Diamond song -- the aptly titled "Sweet Caroline."
"Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I
Look at the night and it don't seem so lonely
We filled it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you
One, touching one
Reaching out, touching me, touching you..."
D'aww, thank you...Caroline whispered, watching the video continue to play. She bobbed her head as several more sing-along tunes began blasting from the bar's jukebox, including Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon."
"Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a, Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you..."
Caroline started crying -- it was simply too much for her to see. She didn't see that a group of drunks had started throwing punches in the background, leading to chairs being thrown and tables smashed in two! Zelda quickly got back on camera and commented before cutting off the feed!
Zelda Simpson: SHIT! Gotta scram! This ain't good...
As the tears were shed, the Brazilian took a peek at her to-do schedule for the next day. It was going to be her final full day in New York before flying back to Texas and the victory parade that, without question, certainly awaited. Yet she had one more stop to take before then, to a place that she had never visited before.
A solemn place that would bring her life full circle.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Staying at the venerable Plaza Hotel in New York City, Caroline Machado looked a bit disheveled as she slowly walked back into her room. Sporting a nose guard on her face, the Brazilian took a few moments to catch her breath before sitting down at the desk. It had been a steady whirlwind of emotions since she took the mandatory ride in the ambulance from Citi Field after the four-way match at Legacy, but as she gently placed the Women's World Championship belt on the oakwood, two emotions stood about.
Great joy and gratitude.
There was the joy in ending Shelly Diamond's year-long stranglehold on the division. On the other hand, there was the gratitude for those who've guided the Brazilian, for one James Gilmore and Fiona McFly. There was a hint of disappointment on Caroline's face, knowing that they weren't able to make the trip in-person, but perhaps...it gave the Brazilian comfort in knowing that they would be there in spirit. As if on cue, Caroline's iPhone blew up -- her notification alarms buzzing as her social media feeds, from Facebook and Twitter to Truth Social, filled up with congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers alike.
Then, there were the voicemails.
James Gilmore (voice): Yo Crazy Bear, it's JJ! Sorry I couldn't make the trip to see ya, but ya know I've been watchin'. I'm proud of you, gal! And so is Mama Bear!! See ya when ya get back to DFW!
Caroline's smile grew bigger as she heard Fiona's voice, the next one to play.
Fiona McFly (voice): I'm proud of you, Caroline. From the moment I saw you walk through those Academy doors for the first time, I truly believed that you were something special. I...I never truly thanked you for reading that notebook letter to me, the one Jack wrote before he died, but even that is gonna pale in comparison to what you've done tonight. There is only one way to go from here -- and that's to the stars. Love you in bunches!
Caroline continued to smile before hearing a knock at the door. She stood up and answered it, revealing Ram -- who was accompanied by an older African-American woman wearing a blue formal dress.
Caroline Machado: Hi!!! What's up?!
RAM: Proud of you, Caroline!
Ram took a moment to think before giving Caroline a feeble hug.
RAM: I know...I need to work on the whole hugging thing. Anyways, this is Ms. Monica, my probation officer.
Caroline shook Monica's hand.
Monica: Congratulations, hun! Ram was talkin' about you and we figured we'd say hello...
Caroline Machado: What brings you out here?
Monica: I'm originally from New York City, my family's got a big church in the Bronx. Ram's gonna be spendin' a few days with me, helpin' out the community.
Ram looked a bit embarrassed at first, but Caroline was quick to cheer him up.
Caroline Machado: D'awww...that's good! He's a great worker...
RAM: I try.
Caroline Machado: There is no try!!!
Ram chuckled.
RAM: And I thought you were a Trekkie -- that's a Yoda saying!
Ram and Caroline laughed before the former left the hotel with Monica. The Brazilian nodded lovingly as she looked at Zelda Simpson's Instagram feed. She has taken a live clip of partygoes at Club 47 celebrating the World title. It was truly a wild scene as Zelda got on camera to deliver a brief message.
Zelda Simpson: I know I got on your nerves a lot and all that, but this...this one's for you!
Caroline giggled as she watched the revelers, packed shoulder to shoulder, singing along to a classic Neil Diamond song -- the aptly titled "Sweet Caroline."
"Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I
Look at the night and it don't seem so lonely
We filled it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you
One, touching one
Reaching out, touching me, touching you..."
D'aww, thank you...Caroline whispered, watching the video continue to play. She bobbed her head as several more sing-along tunes began blasting from the bar's jukebox, including Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon."
"Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a, Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you..."
Caroline started crying -- it was simply too much for her to see. She didn't see that a group of drunks had started throwing punches in the background, leading to chairs being thrown and tables smashed in two! Zelda quickly got back on camera and commented before cutting off the feed!
Zelda Simpson: SHIT! Gotta scram! This ain't good...
As the tears were shed, the Brazilian took a peek at her to-do schedule for the next day. It was going to be her final full day in New York before flying back to Texas and the victory parade that, without question, certainly awaited. Yet she had one more stop to take before then, to a place that she had never visited before.
A solemn place that would bring her life full circle.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum.