Elena Rodriguez vs Johnny Love

I sat on my throne as I called it. One of the nicer things I owned and loved. The chair is made of iron. It is very sturdy. Iron shaped like vines with tiny small leaves looking to grow off of it were in all the right places. I literally could lift it and toss it at someone if I really wanted to and not have to worry about it breaking. A mirror sits in front of me on a nightstand. I did my makeup making sure to cover a nasty ass zit there.



Things have been stressful. In and around my house. Tension is high. Regardless, nothing will stop me from making sure my face looks flawless. I penciled around my lips and then stuck lipstick on top. A bright red color that I always thought made me look fierce. My eyebrows are penciled in, in an attempt at making them look darker and angrier than I would be without my facepaint.



Today for an outfit I have decided to wear tan colored overalls with a bright green crop top underneath. Stainless white sneakers are on my feet, because you know I scrubbed each shoe I owned with a toothbrush to wipe away smudges and what not. And as I stared at myself in my mirror and puckered my lips out just so I thought, yeah, you're a boss. A boss bitch ready to take on whatever the world has to bring at you. The tattoos that ran up and down my arms looked epic. Bold. I am def ready.



I stepped out of my room and closed the door silently not wanting to disturb any of the other family asleep in the house. Right as I slowly set a foot in front of me on my tiptoes I hear my dad's voice. Firm. Loud. He made me feel like I was in trouble. I grew up being told to respect my elders even if you disagree. That's just what you do. Especially to family. They knew better. They were wiser. They had seen more and could give good advice.



"Elena," he said. My dad's voice boomed through the hallway from the kitchen. Damn. He somehow always knew when I exited my room. His name is Everado. He is dark complected. Much darker than my own skin. His cheeks are chunky. His gut stuck out like a big ball was there under his shirt trying desperately to be free. I would never tell him this though. He's mi padre. Mi papa. And he always looked out for my best interests, no matter what anyone said.



"Mande," I said, asking him what.



"Ven aqui. There is something I need to speak to you about?"



As I walked towards the kitchen the smell of tamales filled my nose. My mama Crystal is already fast away with getting ready for the holidays. The tamales would be frozen until Thanksgiving. A fresh batch of steamed tamales would be made the morning of Christmas just like every year with the help of all my tios, tias, and primos and primas. All the while my little cousins, the grandkids would run around like crazy possed demons with abuelita chasing them with a fly swatter. Fresh mexican rice and chicken mole to put on top of the food would simmer on low for hours in a big pot as a topping for all the dishes Christmas morning. It is what everyone in the family looked forward to.



Mi familia. I love them. They mean more to me than anyone or anything else in the world. Even when they sometimes brought trouble. But as a family we always stood side by side and did what needed to be done to keep us content and safe. And someone who wasn't blood who earned my respect, well they weren't just homies. They became a part of mi familia.



I sat down on a kitchen chair next to mi papa. "Mande papa," I said to him keeping eye contact.



His eyes stayed as focused on my eyes as mine did his. "Mija… what is this your madre tells me you are up to? Wrestling? Really? The street fights aren't good enough?"



He pushed big glasses up his nose than, and stared at me. The tattoos on his arms looked faded, but I knew each one told a story about the things he had done for our family. He let out a deep breath and then pulled a green chile from a pocket on his shirt and took a big bite and began chewing loudly. "Well?" he asked.



"Well Papa I just thought I could try to bring in some extra cash. You know since business is slow. And it is all legal. Thought it would be fun to take the streets to Carnage."



"Aye mija. You really don't think your focus is needed here more at home," he asked just as Javy, a cousin of mine walked into the kitchen and lifted the lid off the pot of steaming tamales to get a taste. He ended up disappointed as my mama walked with a quickness from the sink to his reaching hand and swatted it. "Aye chingatho! This is for Thanksgiving not for now! Sientate. I can make you a burrito."



"Aye tia my fingers!" He said, pulling his hand back. He looked at his tio Everado then and said to him with a smirk as he took a seat next to him opposite me, "We all know what Elena is thankful for," he made smooching sounds at me and I rolled my eyes. "His name is Rafael…" before he could say more mi papa smacked him hard on the back of the head. "Let my hija talk."



My cousin began rubbing the back of his head as mi padres eyes went back to mine. I answered him. "This will be good for me. I get a new outlet to let out my anger. And hey. Maybe I find new business for the family. I got this papa. Trust me." I sat a hand on top of one of his and squeezed. "Familia. My blood. Always first. I promise."



He made a little face at me and then his facial expression began to melt into a kind face. I am the favorite daughter. My sisters can suck it trying to be holier than thou or moving far away to get themselves out of the intricate way my family lived here in Baltimore. "Aye. Mi princesa! It is not fair you can melt my soul like this. Give papa a kiss then you can go."



I did as he said and stood up. I walked to him and kissed him on top of his head that is sprinkled with pepper. "I am gonna make all of Baltimore tremble at the sound of our name."



My mama sat a chorizo burrito in front of Javy who began stuffing his face. He said with a full mouth, "I hope you're right. Better not make this family look like a joke."



I rolled my eyes and gave my mama a big hug before walking towards the front door. I soon found myself sucking on a lollipop watching a basketball game at the 'courts'. Eventually I tossed my lollipop aside and joined in on the fun. I joined in when the players started playing dirty with one another. Playing dirty is my expertise, I thought as I tossed the ball right at someone's face. The ball bounced back into my hands as a guy dropped to his knees squeezing his bleeding nose and I made a three pointer. She shoots, she scores.

When is Brutality Acceptable?

I sat atop the brick fence that surrounded the 'courts'. "Hey yeah how are you?" I rolled my eyes. Javy filmed me with his phone. He is no professional. The camera shook every once in a while giving the feel of a b rated movie.



"So I come to Carnage wanting to bash in someone's head or perhaps everyone's head… and I get stuck with someone named Johnny Love? What a freakin joke. Johnny Love ain't equipped to deal with someone like me… I am willing to eat him alive. It makes no sense. I am literally someone who would be thrilled to hear screams of terror."



I looked at the camera seriously. "I want to hear you scream Johnny Love. I want to hear you scream not in the name of love, but in the name of being so scared you might just shit your pants. You see, I am not like most of this roster who is going to congratulate you on the wins you have had. I am the one who is going to point out every single thing you have done wrong."



"I am the one who is going to point out every flaw and mistake no matter how big or small any of you make. I am here to shatter you and tell your deepest darkest secrets to everyone all so that I can watch everything around you burn to a crisp. And I want everyone to witness themselves standing in that hot fire trying to fix the damage I have caused."



I reached into my overalls while shaking my head for my pack and my lighter. Finally I sparked a smoke. "You're a fuckin wannabe. A person who talks so much crap, but has nothing to back that shit up with. You. Well I am here to tell you, you're a pinche joke. You know what I appreciate about you though? I appreciate that long curly hair. Better to grip, when I snatch you and bash your head into the ring floor over and over again."



"Don't believe me? Test me. Let's see how far you get before I crush your teeth into a fine powder. I ain't scared of nothin. You are in fact a wannabe rock star trying to pose as a wrestler! Ahahahaha! I repeat, what a fuckin joke. You can't take it? Bu- bu- then get the fuck outta here. I'll even hold the door open for you."



I inhaled my cigarette deeply with my eyes closed. I slowly exhaled. When the toxins were gone I said, "Bet u live rent free in your mama's basement. I pay rent. Hard cash anyplace I have lived. I don't get a free ride. I been hustling for a long time. I am trying so hard to understand exactly what you stand for and alls I can come up with is, 'look at me! I'm a rockstar tryin to prove somethin… well guess what?"



"You are shit outta luck boy. I came here to cause pain. I came here to make you believe in Jesus Christ, as I saw threw every single one your bones and leave the scraps for the homeless cats we have all seen roaming around Baltimore"



"I want you gone. I want you unable to fight because I have broken you. Not just physically, but in your little tiny head. Go cry to mami and papi. If you somehow pull a win on me, I ain't gonna be cryin to my parents. I shall get in my low rider and hit them hydraulics and bounce. I will make the ground tremble, so everyone can hear I ain't done with nobody."



"But this shit ain't gonna happen. You know why? Cuz I came here to beat on every single one of you not to prove I am better or stronger. I simply want to cause you all pain and suffering with my undying thirst for brutality. It's entertaining to me, and I am sure Carnage will be just as entertained with your busted faces and busted spirits when I am done with every single one of you."



I hopped down from my seat on the brick fence and javy began to fire me up a sick ass beat using his teeth, lips, and whisps of air. I began my little rap I had prepared for this moment. I began to spit fire from between my bright red lips.

They've made me cold and numb.

I ain't a bitch to take your shit.

But we can sure as hell get blitzed.

Those who matter know who I am.

I'm the chick down the block

Screaming come get clocked.

I take what I want

All nonchalant

I'm invincible unstoppable

you can't beat me

I'm the one rollin into the hood

Come out and play you only wish you could

Wielding my nails like tiny sharp knives 

Coming for your throat, you ain't got 9 lives.

If you don't know who I am yet

Soon you will know exactly who I am, bet

Just hope and pray, get on your knees

That you figure out who that might be."

With that, I lifted a hand up and flipped the bird at everyone watching. I give zero fucks about who wants to talk shit back. Say it, say it all, say it proudly bitches. Javys laughter can be heard before he stopped recording. He walked up to me as he stuck his phone in his pocket. He then offered me a fist bump saying, "Damn prima. You spittin fire. Now come on. We got some business to attend to."

I nodded my head after fist bumping, and we took off on foot to make a deal that definitely wasn't shady…