I'll start my story with the news that Lina, my sister and Gemma, her long-time girlfriend and my former wrestling opponent, have recently split. It was all very amicable. Ultimately and sadly, it was me and Sam getting married that caused them to examine their own relationship; and after much soul-searching, they agreed that theirs was not a forever love and they went their separate ways.
This all happened a few months' ago, since when Lina has been having a tough time of things, living like she was 21 again. Socializing, drinking and just anything to get her out of her new 'singles' apartment. So, when she dropped by unannounced, to see me and Sam at home last week, it was unexpected but not a big surprise. What was a surprise on the other hand, was the reason for her visit...
"Becky, I have a huge favor to ask of you." Lina announced.
"Sure. Anything!" I replied.
Really just wanting to do anything I could for my sis. Especially as I feel guilty that it was my happy relationship, which made her question her own.
Lina tells us about a group of friends from her gym, that she's been socializing with recently. And how she's become close with another woman, Abbie, who has recently had a relationship break-up, having split from her boyfriend. Though stressing that it's purely platonic, as Abbie is totally straight.
She goes on to tell us about a specific conversation she'd had where Abbie had asked how she and Gemma had met. And how Abbie was fascinated when she told her about their first wrestling encounters. She had then gone on to 'over share', telling her new friend about how Sam and I had got together in a similar way. And that all of this was started by my work for a wrestling producer, making videos of wrestling matches with other women.
"Let me stop you here." I interrupt. Thinking I'm seeing where this is headed. "Is this all leading to Abbie wanting to get into wrestling and you wanting me to wrestle with her?"
"No, smarty pants. She doesn't want to wrestle you." Lina responds.
"OK, sorry. So where is this going then." I ask.
"Well! She asked your name; and when I told her the name you wrestled under, she was shocked and said 'No way. You're kidding me, right?'. As it turns out, that by pure coincidence, her nephew stayed with her recently. And after he'd been using her computer, she found a link to a wrestling site in her browser history, and even a couple of videos that had been downloaded. These films, feature wrestling with the beautiful Belle Black!." Lina explains.
"Wow. What are the chances?" I exclaim, in genuine amazement.
"I know right!?!" Sis replies.
"So, what are you asking then?" I press further.
"OK... Well, Abbie then asked me if you ever wrestle men. And I told her that you had once wrestled Sam's brother, as an 18th birthday present. Don't worry, I left out some of the more 'delicate' goings on. But she then asked me if you would consider wrestling with her nephew Conor, as he turned 18 around the time she split with her boyfriend, and as she was so distracted at the time, she hadn't bought him a gift." Lina proposed. Like it was a completely normal thing to ask of someone.
"No!" I said firmly. "Firstly, I'm not a library book, that can just be loaned out. Second, I knew Ollie when I wrestled him, but I don't know anything about this Conor!!"
"That's OK. I told Abbie I'd ask, but that it was a real long-shot. I just wanted to do this for her, as she's been a real rock for me, since I've been on my own." Lina responds.
Wow, great bit of emotional blackmail.
"I think you should do it Becky." Sam implored. "Lina was great when we were organizing the wedding. And it's been a long time since you wrestled for me. So don't look at it as not only a gift for Conor, but as a gift for me and Lina too."
"Fuck. You two are going to be the end of me." I answer, yieldingly. "OK. Tell me what you know about Conor and what you're thinking."
Lina tells me everything she knows about Conor... He's a small guy, I'm told only around 5'6" and slim. He's very shy and doesn't have much experience with women, but he's apparently cute and very sweet, taking care of his Auntie Abbie whilst she went through her break-up. And according to his internet history, and with more information than any Aunt needs to have, he is really into pantyhose fetish, really into wrestling and REALLLLY into me! What can I say, I'm sold!!
"I'll do it on 3 conditions." I assert.
"Name them." Lina responds excitedly.
"First, wrestling only. No sex. That includes, no 'accidental' touching or groping. None. Second, I want you and Sam there. No private 1 on 1. Finally, we both wear pantyhose. I may not be into boys, but as we are both into nylons, we may as well enjoy that part." I explain.
"I'll let Abbie know, but I think he'll go for that." Lina reassures me.
* * *
Initially Lina's response was correct. Conor had bashfully but excitedly accepted the match. But then a couple of days before we were due to meet, I got a call from Lina.
"Hi sis. I'm calling to let you know that Conor has had second thoughts about wrestling you. Abbie has told me that she thinks he is scared of being beaten up by a woman in front of an audience. As he thinks we will laugh at him." Lina explains.
"That's a shame. Sam was looking forward to watching me wrestle again." I reply.
"I do have another favor to ask though." Lina expands.
"Fuck. What now?" I laugh.
"Abbie thinks that Conor would be more comfortable with the match, if he had a partner." Lina explains.
"So, he wants a tag team match? Would this be another guy on his team? And who are you thinking about to partner me? Or are you asking me to find a partner at 2 days' notice?" I fire question on question.
"No. Abbie was hoping you would do a handicap match, against her and Conor. That way he can wrestle you as much as he wants, but he has a way out." Lina proposes.
"You really do push your luck." I answer, exasperated.
"I've just sent you a picture of Abbie." Lina says in response.
I stop, look at the message that has just popped into my phone. Wow.
"OK. I'm in." I laugh. As does Lina.