Page 63 of Falcon

“You know I don’t want meds, Nora. Joe keeps suggesting acupuncture, but the thought of that is insane to me.”

“As a medical professional, I’m supposed to fully put one-hundred-percent faith in Western medicine, and I do, obviously, but I also think looking into Eastern medicine couldn’t hurt. Try acupuncture. What do you have to lose?”

I weigh her words carefully. Maybe acupuncture would work. I know she’d rather I not fight again at all. My sister loves me and always wants nothing but the best for me. I know that, but I can’t make her understand that this is bigger than migraines and possible health concerns down the line. This is my career. The only thing I’ve ever known.

This is me.

Who am I if Falcon is no more?

I’ll tell you who.

I’m an orphan who barely finished high school, didn’t attend a single second of college, and knows jack shit about anything except fighting.

That’s exactly what I can lose if nothing works to fix this.

Myself.

“I told you I’ll make some calls, and I will…after the last three fights.”

“Christ Almighty, Marco! Why are you so stubborn? What do I have to do to make you understand that these fights could severely harm you? They aren’t worth it anymore. Nothing is worth your safety.”

“Nora… Braxton is my final fight.”

There is a wave of silence that passes between us.

“I see.”

“And after everything that happened, I just need to do this.”

“You’re risking your safety and life to beat up an asshole who will get his one day? Karma is a real thing, Marco. Braxton is a piece of shit asshole and he can’t avoid it forever. We only know about the things he’s done and said to us. Lord knows what else he’s done in his life.”

“You know I can’t walk away from that fight.”

“You went to jail over fighting him outside of the cage. Why do you need to prove anything to him or anyone else?”

“Because of the things he said to you. The things he’s said to me. He doesn’t get to pop off at the mouth and get away with it. I can’t and won’t get arrested over him again, but I will embarrass him in the Octagon. That’s the last thing I’m saying about it.”

“Marco…”

I cut her off, “Do you think I will lose? Do you honestly think I’m in danger fighting him?”

“You’re in danger fighting anyone, but because of the history, because of who this asshole is, he will fight harder. He will fight dirty. I just…I can’t lose you.” She looks down at her hands folded in her lap.

I lean over and take her hand in mine.

“Nor, look at me.”

She does and I can see the tears in her eyes. “Sorry, I don’t mean to cry.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m too stubborn for that. I’ll outlive everyone just to say I did.” I squeeze her hand and hope she laughs. She doesn’t. “I want to finish my slated schedule, and then we can discuss retirement, okay?”

“Promise me you’ll retire.”

Can I do that? Can I promise her something I’m not even sure of? What if something changes? What if another fight pops up, or I am not able to walk away? What if the unknown and the fear of the unknown become too much and I’m too scared to actually step away.

“I can’t do that, little sister, because I can’t predict the future, and anything can happen. What I can say is, we will discuss it.”

She yanks her hand out of mine and stands up. “That’s not good enough. I live every day with wondering if my fiancé will come home, and now I have to do the same with my brother? I don’t accept that. I can’t.”

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