It's necessary for me to catch a plane, that's a flying bird to you Louisiana types. First class naturally, Erin likes her champagne and nibbles. Did i mention i am a Brit? I did...well no harm in reinforcing it...right? My redneck cousin seems to think i'm posh, well so i am but to be fair, if i was living in a cardboard box under a railway bridge i'd still seem posh to Bella. The plane lands at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and after a short delay while i reclaim my luggage i hire an uber to take me to Bella's place.
Stepping out of said Uber i slip off my Sabbia Baby Cashmere long coat. It's much hotter here than i'm used to. Barely 65F when i departed Manchester International, it has to be close to 100F here. I pick my way to Bella's door, eyes darting left and right for signs of snakes. We have snakes at home but they are the two legged variety though i must admit, they do tend to slither around, especially in town when the night draws in and the amber liquid loosens up morals.
I rap on the door to Bella's shack, nah, i must be fair, it's not really a shack, more a hovel. I really though she would have done better for herself than this, no wonder she calls me posh. I swat away a rather large spider with the back of my gloved hand and rap again, i am NOT used to being kept waiting...for anything.
Then the door creaks open, (think Addams family type creak...spooky huh) and there stand Bella. For a moment i stand there, my eyes travelling over her body from her toes to the hair on her head. She's the opposite of her *house* she has clearly spent her money on a reasonably qualified plastic surgeon. "Cousin" i purrr as i toss my coat at her, then i drop my mono carry on case on her feet and push past her into the house.
"I assume you at least have some refreshments available before we get into the action?" i hiss, i'm on my holidays and i have no intention of spending it in this God forsaken hell hole, California being much more my idea of a holiday, might even drop in on my friend Mish who lives in......classified information.
Not waiting for Bella i march into her lounge which is empty of furniture. "Hmmmm i see you are all business, but a drink would be appreciated prior to me giving you a beating" I push past her again, i'm sure she can speak but do i really care what she has to say? Finding a bedroom stacked with furniture i drag a chair out and into the lounge. "Well....i'm waiting...drinkie poos"
To be honest folks I almost grabbed her and threw her out of my apartment off the balcony.,.. The only thing that stopped me was dealing with the NOPD (New Orleans Police Department) for the British folks think of Bobbies but with guns and bad attitudes so the idea of a Britain woman in the middle of the biggest tourist spots would piss them off not to mention the idea of landing on a tourist. So after a deep breath I paused and looked at her and waited her to get settled in her chair and came out of the kitchen with a glass of sweet tea and a bottle of water with a glass as she is British and it be rude to assume she likes to she drinks from a bottle Even if it is Fuji water my personal favorite.
"Water or tea your choice"
She smiled politely, and took the bottle of water, and proceeded to unscrew the cap and swipe around the edge of the bottle and took a drink as I sat down on my couch and smiled back with my tea and took a seat and the tray to the side and looked at my cousin for a moment. First this was the bitch who I've heard so much about? Her? Really? I mean people treat her like a "Goddess" or a "Boogiewoman"
I mean I read a few accounts of fights she had and they did not match the women I thought of. Still covers could be wrong right?
" So can I ask you a question? "
" Of course cousin "
"You are Erin Lee.,.,The Erin Lee right? The one who fought Mishrocks?"
This when things became a little odd her face flushed with color, but her eyes twinkled with something could of been pride or thoughts about plans the next time she hooked up with Mishrocks whatever it was not my business.
"You heard about that?"
"Yes we have internet here to spite what people think we are not toothless swamp rats who hunt gators or snakes like on tv...."
" I know that love I just shocked people talk about that Michelle will be so surprised when I tell her about that. "
"Oh okay you are going to see her?"
"Of course she is a dear friend she invited me to stay with her I'm looking forward to California sun. Can you blame me? This is a quick stop then it is off to California to see Michelle....."
'Oh no I guess not I'd love to meet her she was a hell of a scrapper from what I read."
"She is but she is also a dear friend"
Now it is my turn to get color from the thoughts that were flashing through my head thinking about what those crazy
hitches would do once they got together again then again it was a fun show alas that is not what this is about so to avoid another long a side about two women fighting and all which is what I am need to get back to right? Thought so. We made polite chat I have to admit I was a bit nervous about how I'd measure up to other fighters cuz had,but it seems a little late to back out. She came here to fight and she was going to get the best my Yankee ass could give her. She sat there smirking like she could read my thoughts as I sat there trying to remain cool and calm sipping my tea...
"You are okay?"
That was the million dollar question I thought about as I swirled my tea knowing every moment I waited I was letting the legend and hype get in my head and what was worse she fucking knew it. So after I drank the last swallow of tea and exhaled a deep breath I looked at her dead in her eyes and smirked back.
"Fine was just thinkin' about what I was gonna do tomorrow took the day off from the bar I work at to play tour guide for you. Now I have a whole day off with nuttin to do."
"Sorry love didn't think you would want me around for a proper visit. Besides I doubt playing tour guide to me will be much fun for either of us to feel up to it if you fight as well as you talk.
Then she smiled I'm not sure if it in a way that was to calm my nerves or not, but it worked. I felt a little better, but this is how I am. I get nervous as a long tailed cat in a room of rockers,but that never lasts I can be a cocky bitch,and I know it. So with that is where I went in my head it helps. I smirked at her and sat up. Then with my best impression of her accent I say. " Well dearest cousin if you are ready I can clear the rubbish and we can handle why you came here... " Then I bounced to .my feet tray in hand my glass on it and waiting for hers. Was I taking a risk? Maybe but you gotta play the game if you want to win,and this was the start, and the best part was we both knew what we were playing.....
Over to you dearest cousin...
