Post by Xavier Cross on Jun 14, 2013 13:07:54 GMT
We see Xavier Cross standing in front of a full mirror, a pair of dress pants the only thing covering him. He slides on a button up white shirt, looking in the mirror, it’s just a touch tighter than the first time he word it. Sliding a vest overtop, followed by a quick motion of tying a tie, he slowly slides a suit jacket on. He’s wearing a tuxedo…
{You are a brick tied to me that’s dragging me down
Strike a match and I’ll burn you to the ground
We are the jack-o-lanterns in July
Setting fire to the sky
Here, here comes this rising tide so come on}
The next shot is Xavier climbing up to the attic, where the windows are covered, and a projector is playing a movie across the blank wooden wall. We see clearly it’s a younger Xavier Cross, and his late wife, Cari Cross. Xavier stands there for a moment, a simple smile rushing across his face. A tear falls down his cheek.
{Cross walks and crossed hearts and hope-to-dies
Silver clouds with grey lining
So we can take the world back from the heart-attacked
One maniac at a time we will take it back
You know time crawls on when you’re waiting for the song to start
So dance alone to the beat of your heart}
Cross finds a seat, his eyes never leaving the movie. Cari Cross is dancing, laughing, smiling, as she holds on closely to her husband, returning the same joy. A joy Cross hadn’t felt in years, not with Natalie, not with Zelda…His hands are shaking, he returns to his feet stepping towards the movie.
{Hey, young blood, doesn’t it feel like our time is running out
I’m going to change you like a remix
Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing all-vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I’m going to change you like a remix
Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix}
The movie is solely focused on Cari, raising her hand to touch Xavier’s. Cross puts his hand over the picture, wanting to feel the touch of her skin, just one last time. He falls to his knees, sobbing. It had been almost four years since she left.
Today was their anniversary.
I might not know a lot. I know about being a father, I know about fighting, and I know how to work on classic cars. I can shoot a three pointer and make it every single damn time. Ask Brad Kane, he’ll tell you I can lift weights all day. But if there is one thing I know about, it’s losing.
I’ve lost matches, I’ve lost shots, I’ve lost my keys.
I’ve lost my wife.
Many people see losing as such a terrible thing, in fact, it’s devastating.
I touched on it this week, the ideal of the Phoenix, rising from the ashes.
I’ve never completely grasped the concept that Cari has been removed from this world, maybe it’s doubt, maybe its sick that I think one day she’ll walk through the doors, and back into my arms.
She’s dead.
But I’m not. I have children, a charity, and a career. I have a chance to show the world my heart.
The same heart that belonged to the one woman who pushed me, who wanted me to become the man I am, standing before you.
Not a winner, not a loser. Just myself.
So at this battle royale, for the heir to the throne. For a chance to compete in a tournament for the imperial title. It’s an honor. A grand gesture of sorts. But I don’t think I’m ready for it.
But I’ll give it my damn hardest shot.
Because giving up, not trying, it’s worse than losing.
Sometimes, you gotta lose, it’s just life. But there are things out there you’d rather not lose. This, this is just a match.
{You are a brick tied to me that’s dragging me down
Strike a match and I’ll burn you to the ground
We are the jack-o-lanterns in July
Setting fire to the sky
Here, here comes this rising tide so come on}
The next shot is Xavier climbing up to the attic, where the windows are covered, and a projector is playing a movie across the blank wooden wall. We see clearly it’s a younger Xavier Cross, and his late wife, Cari Cross. Xavier stands there for a moment, a simple smile rushing across his face. A tear falls down his cheek.
{Cross walks and crossed hearts and hope-to-dies
Silver clouds with grey lining
So we can take the world back from the heart-attacked
One maniac at a time we will take it back
You know time crawls on when you’re waiting for the song to start
So dance alone to the beat of your heart}
Cross finds a seat, his eyes never leaving the movie. Cari Cross is dancing, laughing, smiling, as she holds on closely to her husband, returning the same joy. A joy Cross hadn’t felt in years, not with Natalie, not with Zelda…His hands are shaking, he returns to his feet stepping towards the movie.
{Hey, young blood, doesn’t it feel like our time is running out
I’m going to change you like a remix
Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing all-vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I’m going to change you like a remix
Then I’ll raise you like a phoenix}
The movie is solely focused on Cari, raising her hand to touch Xavier’s. Cross puts his hand over the picture, wanting to feel the touch of her skin, just one last time. He falls to his knees, sobbing. It had been almost four years since she left.
Today was their anniversary.
*****
I might not know a lot. I know about being a father, I know about fighting, and I know how to work on classic cars. I can shoot a three pointer and make it every single damn time. Ask Brad Kane, he’ll tell you I can lift weights all day. But if there is one thing I know about, it’s losing.
I’ve lost matches, I’ve lost shots, I’ve lost my keys.
I’ve lost my wife.
Many people see losing as such a terrible thing, in fact, it’s devastating.
I touched on it this week, the ideal of the Phoenix, rising from the ashes.
I’ve never completely grasped the concept that Cari has been removed from this world, maybe it’s doubt, maybe its sick that I think one day she’ll walk through the doors, and back into my arms.
She’s dead.
But I’m not. I have children, a charity, and a career. I have a chance to show the world my heart.
The same heart that belonged to the one woman who pushed me, who wanted me to become the man I am, standing before you.
Not a winner, not a loser. Just myself.
So at this battle royale, for the heir to the throne. For a chance to compete in a tournament for the imperial title. It’s an honor. A grand gesture of sorts. But I don’t think I’m ready for it.
But I’ll give it my damn hardest shot.
Because giving up, not trying, it’s worse than losing.
Sometimes, you gotta lose, it’s just life. But there are things out there you’d rather not lose. This, this is just a match.
Well howdy there pardner.