*****
-Six Months Later-
"The studio looks amazing girlie! I can't believe you really did it! Congrats!" Trish exclaimed, as Summer gave her the grand tour of the studio.
Summer smiled as she watched Trish and her excitement. When she had the idea for the studio, this was the reaction she wanted when people came here. Now that she was finished and it was ready for its grand opening, everything just seemed to be falling into place. She hadn't kept in touch with anyone in Cameron while she was away, because there were so many things better left unsaid. The one person she shared her vision with was Gil. He had actually flown in to see her the week before and he was proud of her. She remembered with happiness what his reaction had been.
~~~~~
"So you really did it, didn't you girl?"
"I did, and I have to thank you for this. The time spent at your home, the ideas and the thinking I got done there, well it brought me to this moment. In another week this place will be open and we can get to make some really good music. I don't think anything has ever made this much sense to me before."
"It seems like you are at peace now girl. I'm glad that the time with me could help you with some of that. My boys miss you though. Matt seems pretty beat up over the way he left things with you, and Jeff, although he doesn't say too much, he hasn't been the same since you left either."
"I regret the way things ended with the both of them, but I couldn't seem to make them understand me anymore. This wasn't about me running away this time. This was about being here, in this moment and making my dreams a reality."
"Any plans to go back to wrestling?"
"Yeah actually, I'm flying out in two weeks to begin my training again. I hope to get back into it as soon as possible. It would be nice to work with Jeff again."
"There's a plan!"
"So do you like what I've done with the place?"
"You know I do princess. You have truly lived a dream, and I am glad that in some way I could be a part of it. I consider you almost like family now girl. You have made me proud."
~~~~~~
"So you really like it Tish?"
"Oh I totally love it. Not to mention for the last six months we've gotten to hang out so much, it was just wicked cool having you here. I just think its going to suck to see you go back home."
"I'm still on Raw sweetie; did you really think I would leave you hanging?"
"No, but you should know. When you left, they put me and Jeff into your old story line with him. We're together now. A lot of stuff has changed now."
"Is he happy?"
"With the story or in general?"
"Both I guess."
"He's alright with the story, I mean we do our thing and then go our separate ways. It's been that way the entire time. He doesn't want to go out, he just wants to fly home and hide in his studio. At least that's what Shane and Matt have told me. I think you coming home might help fix that though."
"I don't think so Trish. I mean when I left none of us were talking. Times have changed for all of us, more so for me then anyone. I made the decision to leave, they didn't stand behind me. I think it's just better this way."
"You can't really mean that can you? You were really in love with Matt a year ago, and six months ago you were so messed up over Jeff you ran to his father. I know things change, but can you really say it's for the better this way? With everything being unresolved?"
"Well when I get home, I can clear everything up, once and for all right? You'll see Trish, things have changed. I'm sure they don't even think about me anymore."
"If you say so." Trish said with a roll of her eyes.
*********
She stepped into her house and looked around. It was weird seeing how much everything still looked the same as when she left. Walking into the kitchen, she saw the picture of her and Jeff sitting on her table where she had left it. Picking it up and studying it, she realized that as much as she had loved being in Toronto and fulfilling her dream, she did leave things unresolved back here. Jeff had told her the last time they had talked, that when she figured out what she wanted from him, he would always be around. Was that still the case? Could they really be friends again?
Summer made herself some herbal tea and sat down on the couch in the living room. So much had happened in this house over the time she'd moved in. There were so many things better left forgotten, but coming back here had rehashed them all. Matt had broken her heart in this house, and Jeff had confessed his feelings to her in this very room. All these life changing events and she had nothing to show for them. Maybe it was time to face all of this head on and make some changes.
Walking over to her stereo, she decided to listen to whatever was sitting in there waiting to be played. As soon as she turned on the stereo, she knew it wasn't her CD that was playing.
"When I'm with you I shake inside"
"My heart's all tangled up. My tongue is tied it's crazy"
"Can't walk, can't talk, can't eat, can't sleep"
"Oh, I'm in love, oh I'm in deep"
Summer smiled as she listened to the song. This was one of the songs she had heard on the radio one day driving through Toronto, and had immediately thought of Jeff. She decided to check the rest of the CD and see what else was on it. Flipping through the CD she realized it was all eighties songs that they had grown up on. Looking around for a case, she found a letter lying on top of her stereo.
@---(---Summer---)---@
Trish and Dad told me you were coming home today, so I used your spare key to put this letter here for you. I hope you use your CD player when you get home, there's a surprise in there for you. It was just something I put together a couple of months ago, to make me forget about you. I hear from Dad everyday that you're doing well, and I am really glad for that. It's been a long time since you've gotten to have that. I guess all I wanted to say was, thank you for being who you were too me, and I hope you find what you need. That's all I ever wanted for you. I'll see you on Raw.
@---(--Jeff---)---@
Summer wiped the tears that were forming out of her eyes. When she had told Trish that everyone had moved on, she hadn't really thought they had. This letter from Jeff proved it. He had given up, and maybe it was time she did the same.
******
*****
-Raw-
"Are we going out tonight after the show? I figured it being your first show back and all after your trip, you'd want to come out with us." Trish asked as she threw her bags down in the locker room.
"We'll see. I have to go talk to Jim, so he can tell me about all the changes around here, and then I'll decide what I want to do."
"That's fair. So how does it feel being back home again?"
"I can't describe it to you Trish. Honestly, I think I miss the Hardy house. Nothing bad happened to me while I was there, and when I'm home, I just remember all the fighting and the tears."
"I suggest that you make some new memories then. That's the only way I know to make things right." Trish suggested with a shrug.
"I know, that's my next plan now that I'm back. Look, I'm going to go meet with Jim and then I'll be back. Keep doing your stretches, I shouldn't be long."
Summer waved to Trish and made her way quietly down the hall. She thought it was a little strange that she hadn't seen Jeff around as of yet. Even when her and Jeff weren't speaking much, he was always there, just wandering around. Pausing a moment before Jim's office door, she took a deep breath and put Jeff Hardy out of her mind. It was better left in the back of her mind, then where it wanted to be right now. She had to get this meeting over with.
******
She let herself in Jim's office quietly, as he put the phone down into the receiver. She knew he wouldn't mind her dropping in without knocking, seeing as how they had become closer while she was away from the business. Being interrupted wouldn't be that big of a deal to him, besides, he was expecting her.
"Summer dear, how was the vacation time? Did you accomplish what you set out to do?"
"Much needed actually Jim. Thank you so much for going to bat for me. I did accomplish everything I set out to do, and it's now open for business. I'm now working on the second half of it, but that is going to take a few years yet. So what's new that you needed to tell me about?"
"Summer sit down and take a load off. What I have to tell you, I really don't think you are going to like, and I want to try and curb the fighting before it starts, if you know what I mean." Jim said seriously while pointing to the chair in front of his desk.
"Okay Jim, what gives?"
"It's about Jeff."
"Oh my god, did something happen to him? Is he all right? Why didn't anyone tell me this when I arrived here tonight? Damnit Jim...."
"No Summer, it has nothing to do with an injury or anything remotely close to that. Jeff is fine, as far as I know."
"Well why wouldn't you know, you've seen him tonight haven't you?"
"Well as a matter of fact........I haven't seem him since this morning."
"What does that mean?"
"Summer, it means we let him go today. This morning actually, if you want the specifics. I want to let you know that it was mutual, and there was no hard feelings or anything like that. There was no fight, it was just something that needed to be done, and it is the best thing for everyone."
'What the hell do you mean its the best thing for everyone? Did someone forget that when I left, we were in the middle of something great for business? Or is that just ranked up there with your inconveniences? Damnit Jim, how can this be the best thing for him?"
"He wants to focus on his music now. You know him and Shannon started a band, you were here when that happened. It's just that his heart left wrestling around the same time that you did. You're back, but we just couldn't handle hanging in there with him anymore. He asked for more and more time off, and when he did show up he was late. What were we supposed to do? Call you to make it all better?"
"Actually you could have. My career means the world to me, and so does my friendships with the people I work with. If there was something going on and you knew I was a factor in it, you could have picked up the phone. You didn't have to let him go this way. What will his fans think?"
"We've sent out a statement, and if you could, because you have the laptop in your locker, we would like you to add it to your website too. Just because everyone knows how close the two of you are."
"Whatever Jim, I am just in complete shock. Was this the only change to the roster?"
"Yes, and I wanted to be the one to tell you this, because it might be a hell of a lot worse coming from someone else. I know how truly close you and Jeff were. I'm sorry that it happened Summer."
"Whatever Jim, I'm a big girl, I still have my job. I want to know what direction this means for Trish and me? Our characters were wrapped really closely with Jeff."
"Trish will be thrown back into the Women's Championship Contention again. She does seem to excel there a lot more now. You on the other hand, well with you just getting back and still needing to train over again, we don't have a real spot to put you in at the moment. So you would just be a floater, unless you have any ideas."
'Well here's my idea Jim. You're going to have to listen really carefully, because I am about to blow your freaking mind here." Summer said before standing up and closing the door tightly.
************
-Cell Phone Conversation with Matt-
"Have you talked to him at all since he was let go Matt?"
"No, he won't answer his phone, it's like he wants to shut himself away from us all."
"Well I'm almost home, so he won't be able to shut me out for long."
"Are you really going to go and try to see him? Aren't you afraid of what you might find?"
"Matt, he's your brother, not a killer. I've been gone a long time but I don't think that is something that's changed much. I'm hoping that no matter what happened to us relationship wise, that the friendship will appeal to him, and he'll want to talk. I mean it works for some people. I'm talking to you aren't I?"
"Yeah you are, but you couldn't wait like a normal person and call me from home, you had to call from your cell. I could never hear you on this thing when we dated, and it hasn't changed much now either."
Summer laughed and accidentally dropped the phone into her lap. Picking it up while keeping her eyes focused on the road, she saw her house in the windshield. She was almost home, and that meant she was that much closer to figuring out what really happened to Jeff while she was away.
"I can see my house now, so I'm going to do what I told Jim I would do, and then I'm going over to see him. Wish me luck man!"
"Good luck Summer, and by the way, it's good to have you home." Matt said before hanging up the phone and turning to face Amy.
"Well Ames, I think it's all about to work out for everyone. You should be happy."
"I already am Matt, I got you."
************
*******
"WWE.com regrets to inform its fans that WWE has severed its relationship with Jeff Hardy effective today. We wish Jeff the best of luck."
Summer couldn't bring herself to type that onto the screen and post it on her web page. There were some things that she could do without feeling the least bit bad, but this was not one of them. Above everything else, Jeff was owed a better line then this one. So against her better judgement she started typing away at her laptop. She was going to give Jeff the best damn send off she possibly could.
*******
-Summer's Words from Her Heart-
~~~~~
Random Insanity from Summer
Entry#45
April 22, 2003
Now most of my fans out there must be wondering where I went to hide out for six months, and well I'm back to tell you all about it. If you read spoilers and rumors, which I'm hoping you don't, then you know I was in Toronto working on a side project that has nothing to do with the WWE or my ties with them.
Overall it was a wonderful experience, and I would do it all over again the same way. The only thing that I regret is that when I left, everything went downhill with my friends, and with my relationship with them. No need to fear, because I will explain everything in due time.
Toronto was cold most of the time I was there, and I am used to cold weather, but not this cold. I was frozen more times then I could count. But there were some hot guys there that burned it up. LOL. If you are ever in Toronto, Go check out my studio, and hey if you make music, you better be there, I will be looking forward to seeing you all.
Now the one thing that I was supposed to comment on here was my thoughts on my best friend Jeff Hardy, leaving the WWE. I was actually supposed to post this response, but for those of you that know me, or know of me, you know I could never do it that half-assed. So WWE be damned, I'm going to give Jeff the biggest and best send-off I know how too. Summer Styles!
"WWE.com regrets to inform its fans that WWE has severed its relationship with Jeff Hardy effective today. We wish Jeff the best of luck."
Nice of them eh? And Yes silly people that was Canadian!
This is for Jeff, if you read it, I hope it means something man.
Story-Time
I remember the first time I met Jeff Hardy. I had just signed my contract with Raw, and they had some ideas they wanted to put me into. I could remember thinking, WOW! I'm actually here and this is really happening. So I came to my very first Raw and there he was. At the time, Matt was there too, until the split, but I just remember Jeff because he stood out on his own. I think we became instant best friends because of that.
When the idea of us being put together as a team came around from the writers and Jim Ross, well it seemed like the right thing for both of us. What you guys didn't know, was that I had just recently broke up with someone I really loved when I found him with another woman. Jeff was there for me through that, and the injury that followed. Remember the concussion I received from doing my move off the rope? He was in the hospital with me that entire time too. So being together on air, well it seemed like the right thing for both of us.
Why am I telling you all of this you ask? Because I think in order for you to understand the method behind the madness, you have to step inside my head. I think Jeff would feel the same if he wanted to say anything. I messed up with Mr. Hardy though. I ran when I shouldn't have and we lost touch. Now six months later, I sit here, having to write the hardest thing I've ever done. He's gone guys, and as someone, who considers herself his best friend, I do know he loves you, just as he loves me. What I'm sure he doesn't realize is just how much after all these months I still love him.
Remember Jeff for what he was, not for how he left. It was beyond his control. He did love each and every single one of you, and I know you were the same with him. Keep your eyes peeled because I think Jeff Hardy and me have a few surprises left for you yet.
Until next time,
Summer Ryan
~~~~~~
Summer closed her laptop and sighed. Writing something like that was so hard and nerve wracking. Not to mention baring her soul to a bunch of people she didn't know was for sure going to make the WWE bosses pretty pissed off. She remembered her conversation with Jim and smiled. The fans as well as the higher ups were really going to be in for a rude awakening when they found out what she'd done. She knew it was the right move. Now all she had to do was make sure everyone close to her thought so.
Putting her computer away she got up and ran across the street. It was now time to see what Jeff had to say for himself. She just had to make sure he opened the door to her first. Knocking loudly, she waited with baited breath for him to come to the door, and when she saw the shadow, she knew she was as good as in.
"Come in Summer..."
"Jeff listen I know it's been awhile but I wanted to say a couple of things to you. That is, if you'll listen too me." Summer asked raising her eyebrows to see his reaction.
"I want to say something first alright princess?"
"Yeah of course it's alright."
"I was let go today, we won't be together anymore Summer."
"I know..."
"Who told you?"
"Jim when I went to see him about getting caught up on some stuff."
'So that's the reason you're here? To find out what really happened and offer me sympathy?" Jeff said, hearing the angry undertone in his voice and regretting it. The last thing he wanted to do was get mad at Summer.
'No actually, I'm here for a completely different reason. I had to update my site first; otherwise I would have been here sooner. But I'm here now. What happened Jeff?"
"I got burned out after you left Summer. Wrestling wasn't the same for me if you weren't in it. The time we spent together was amazing and if you weren't there to make it better, it got worse. I lost all track of what I was doing and I let myself get controlled by my emotions. I stopped showing up for shows. I begged for time off, and eventually I asked to be let go. I couldn't take it anymore. I tried to stay there, so when you made your return, things could get better, but honestly, you've been gone so long, and people change, I knew they would never get better. So I did what I had too."
"I got the CD Jeff..."
"You did? Why didn't you say anything?" he said with his eyes glued to the floor, afraid to look her in the eyes, and scared of what he might see there.
"I got swept up with being home again, and then I flew out of town for Raw, so I didn't get much of a chance to see you. I was scared to see you actually. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for the CD, and I wanted to let you know that since I updated my site, and you always like to read the commentaries, I thought you might want to check them out. I'll leave you be now. You know where I live if you want anything."
"Summer wait!"
'Yeah Jeff?"
"I missed you, I needed my best friend...."
"I missed you too, I'll see you later babe."
***********
