Birth of the Uber-Woman: A young woman sets out to fulfill her father's failed dream

By T.R. McCormack

About the Book
Valerie Rand has always succeeded at everything she does; she excels in school and is easily the best player on any high school sports team she joins. When Valerie learns of her father’s dream to become a professional wrestler before his disability made it impossible, she decides to make professional wrestling her dream as well. After much hard work and practice, Valerie enrolls in college with the hopes of joining the men’s wrestling team, but for the first time in her life, Valerie will face incredible hurdles, from a prejudiced coach to irritating teammates, threatening to stop her from achieving her goal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Jun 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888125557

Book preview

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead; events; or locales is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2023 by T.R. McCormack

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, downloaded, distributed, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without permission in writing from the publisher.

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eISBN: 979-8-88812-555-7

Prologue

On a day in May 2017, in a college gymnasium somewhere in Miami, Florida, a most unexpected contest of amateur wrestling is about to take place. From one end of the gym, a young Caucasian woman with dark blonde hair and a well-built physique walked to the center of the wrestling mat. From the other, a young Caucasian man with light blonde hair and an equally well-built physique swaggered up to the woman; the man stopped and pointed straight at the woman while mouthing a few words before finishing his approach. Now in position, both the man and woman assumed their respective stances and stared each other down as the referee stood nearby. Between the two of them, the man had a slight advantage in height and a clear advantage in muscle compared to the woman. But the woman stood firm and when the whistle blew, the match was on.

The woman opened with a double underhook while the man countered with a double overhook and both contestants fought for control. After an exchange of banter, the man pried the woman’s arms apart and ran through her with a blast double. He moved in for the pin, but she used the bridge and roll technique to escape; they began grappling each other in over-under holds, pushing and pulling one another about the arena until the woman broke off and took him down with an arm spin. She went for the pin and managed to get one of the man’s shoulders to touch the mat before he scrambled to his feet and caught her in a body lock. The woman grimaced as the man compressed her chest into his as she tried futilely to break the hold, and when it looked like she was in for a takedown, the referee blew the whistle to end the first period.

For the second period, the woman chose to start in a defensive position while the man took the offensive position. The whistle blew and she pulled off a switch reversal while he countered with the same; they continued reversing on each other over and over until they went out of bounds and the referee stopped the match to return them to the center before resuming it again. As the seconds count down, both contestants maintained a cautious distance as they tried drawing each other in for a takedown until they eventually locked hands and eyes with one another. What are you waiting for, you idiot! a spectator bellowed from the crowd which distracted the woman. Knock her down, ya big girl!

The man, riled up by the spectator’s words, decked the woman with a brutal punch…

Chapter One

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At a poolside patio in suburban Florida on the fifteenth of June in 2015, a girl on the cusp of womanhood celebrates her eighteenth birthday with her friends. She is currently blowing out the candles on her cake, but one candle in the middle keeps relighting itself.

Come on, Aline said to the birthday girl, just one more! The birthday girl takes a long breath and blows hard.

Ooh, Lisa squealed as the trick candle lights again, so close!

Give it another blow, Chiquita cheers as the birthday girl tries again.

"How’s she supposed to blow that candle out, Gwen," Irma whispers.

Shh! Where’s your sense of humor, Irma, Gwen whispers while the birthday girl stares at the candle. C’mon, try again!

The birthday girl blows the trick candle out once more, then grasps the wick in her thumb and index finger; her face contorts a bit as the wick sizzles until snuffed.

Well, that was over quickly, Kat said as the birthday girl released the wick.

"You’re supposed to blow the candle out, Valerie," Aline tells the birthday girl as she dips her thumb and index finger in a glass of water.

I did, Valerie said as she wiped her fingers with a napkin, and kept it from lighting up again.

Hey, the candles are out, okay, Rick said as he turned to look at Gwen. Can we have some cake, now?

What are you looking at me for, Gwen asked.

You’re the host, aren’t you? Wade said.

…Fine, Gwen answered before cutting Valerie’s cake for everyone.

So, Oscar asked after a bite from his piece, what’s everybody doing this summer?

Well, ya know, Zack said rolling his neck, stuff.

At the Y, Fred droned.

Jeez, Fred, Stan said, "don’t you ever not pump iron?"

No.

I’m seeing some Lucha libre this year, Chiquita said.

I’m hitting the beach to get my tan… and maybe a hunk or two, Gwen said while running a finger through her hair.

We can’t just goof around all summer, Kat stated as she finished cutting up her cake slice, we should all know what we’re doing after graduation.

Hey, not all of us are graduating next year, Lisa retorted.

What about you, Rand, Sarah asked Valerie as she chewed her piece. What are your summer plans?

Valerie thought for a moment before answering, Uhh…just a family reunion later this month.

And then… Aline inquired.

I…don’t know, Valerie answered while staring dully at her plate.

Seriously, Gwen said widening her eyes, what about dating anyone?

Uh, I’m…not really concerned about that, Valerie said before wiping her mouth with the napkin.

What about a summer job, Kat asked.

I have my chores at home, Valerie answered as she finished chewing her slice before standing up from the table. I’m going for a swim, girls. She took off the tank top and shorts she wore over her midnight blue one-piece swimsuit and placed them on her chair before heading to the pool; once at the pool’s edge she slipped her sandals off before diving in.

You know, Aline thought aloud, there are times where I just can’t figure that girl out.

How so, asked Wade.

Man, Wade, you really don’t know, Zack said whipping his head at his friend. A gal with Val’s bod can get any guy she wants; there’s no other girl in high school with a figure like hers.

"Excuse me," Sarah said narrowing her eyes at Zack.

Uh, and Sarah, of course.

"You saying we’re not attractive, Zack?" Gwen asked as she glared.

Er…well…that’s…I mean…

Not compared to the hourglass figures Valerie and Sarah have, no, Kat answered.

Oh, come on, Kat, Lisa said pursing her lips.

What? It’s true; Gwen has an inverted triangle figure, Lisa has a spoon figure, Irma a…circular figure and Aline, Chiquita and myself have ruler figures.

"At least we have curves, Kat, Gwen retorted. Unlike you!"

…Yes, Gwen. Anyway, compared to the rest of us and other girls in school, Valerie has the most desirable curves that make her attractive all-round.

Not to mention her beautiful long hair, Irma said.

Well, what’s the point of a girl like Val being as hot as she is if she don’t hook up with anybody, Zack asked while shrugging, I’ve lost count of how many guys she’s blown off.

I don’t recall if she ever asked out a guy, either, Rick added.

Beauty isn’t everything, you know, Fred said. Valerie is a well-rounded athlete, too; her gymnastic skills are competent and she has the stamina of a marathon runner.

Her academic ability is above average, as well, Kat added. She’s the only member of the cheerleader squad with a consistently high GPA. Sarah turned her nose up and huffed at Kat’s observation.

Hey, you’re the captain of the squad, Gwen complimented, right, Sarah?

Only because Val turned that spot down first, said Oscar and Sarah glared daggers at him.

Thank you… Sarah spat at Oscar before storming off to the pool.

…What, Oscar asked looking about.

Smooth, Oscar, Zack sighed, real smooth…

Sarah stripped down to her orange, yellow and green bikini and watched Valerie swim a slow backstroke in the pool from the edge. Hey, Rand, she hollered as Valerie swam nearby.

Yes, Valerie answered looking up at Sarah.

Let’s race. Sarah walked briskly to the pool’s deep end and Valerie simply shrugged before swimming the front crawl behind her; once she vaulted out of the pool, Valerie and Sarah readied themselves to start. Three…

Two…

One! both girls shouted and they dove in simultaneously, matching each other’s pace all the way to the shallow end and most of the distance back; ultimately, Valerie finishes just one second ahead of Sarah.

Ten to four, Valerie said looking over at Sarah, I don’t know if you’ll be able to close that gap.

I…will, Sarah answered back heaving between breaths, and I’ll…crush you yet…Rand.

Time will tell, I guess, Valerie droned while reaching up to the pool’s rim.

"You guess, Sarah snapped. Ugh, you did it again!"

"Did what again," Valerie asked frowning as she vaulted up to sit on the rim.

What you always do when we compete, Rand; you didn’t take me seriously! I bust my butt to win while you always coast to victory!

Sarah—

Don’t deny it, Rand! I can tell you aren’t tired at all; I… Sarah grunted as she vaulted up next to Valerie, I’m still winded here while you look perfectly relaxed to me. Come to think of it, I’ve hardly seen you break a sweat anytime you’ve competed for our school even back when we were freshman.

What are you getting at, Sarah, Valerie asked crossing her arms.

I think that you’d leave me and all other opponents in the dust if you were serious about competing. So, why don’t you, Rand?

I, uh… Valerie’s heartbeat sped up a bit as her hands fidgeted on her arms, I…just don’t…see the point.

You…you say it’s pointless to compete at your best, Sarah said slack-jawed. Why!

I…can’t tell you that, Valerie answered turning her head away. …Sorry.

Sarah stood up and groaned while throwing her arms up over her head, then dropped them while sighing heavily. Well, our ten to four score is moot now, Rand. When you’re ready to compete for real, you let me know!  

There are more important things than competing, Sarah Jackson, Valerie said furrowing her brow at Sarah as she walked away.

Like what, Rand, Sarah asked while stopping to stare back at Valerie.

Deciding what our future after graduation is, for one, Valerie answered.

Ha, I already know that, Rand, Sarah chortled while tossing her wet hair back. I’ll be on the world’s stage. What about you?

I…don’t know yet, Valerie said bowing her head.

Hmph, you’re in for a mediocre future with that kind of attitude, Sarah sneered. What a waste of talent.

With those parting words Sarah walked away and collected her clothes before heading inside Gwen’s house as Valerie drops back in the pool and casually treads to the center. As everyone else is still talking among themselves, she had nothing to do but think deeply about all everyone said about her as she floats on her back. I suppose everyone has a point; they’ve all more or less picked a goal to aim for in their lives. And I do have more opportunities to choose from with my…exceptional talents and skills. Valerie straightened herself upright and inhaled deeply before diving underwater to swim along the bottom of the pool. But, how am I supposed to know which opportunity to take? I don’t really care what job I get once I finish school. I…could be a superstar athlete if I wanted to…no, no I don’t want to! Bubbles blew out of her flaring nostrils as she twisted her body around to stare up at the sky through the water’s surface. What am I going to do with my life? How do I figure that out!

Chapter Two

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Valerie!

Uh! W-What, Valerie stuttered while turning to look at Hilda, her mother, who was pointing to the counter in front of them; looking down at it, Valerie eyed the pitcher of soda pop…which she noticed was spilling out over the top and onto the counter because she hadn’t put the bottle down. Oh! Damn it, she cursed as she grabbed a table rag. S-Sorry, Mom! Valerie quickly wiped down the counter of the mess she made, but the puddle just ran down to the floor while she cursed some more.

Stop that, young lady, Hilda ordered after getting the pitcher out of Valerie’s way, "Now, squeeze that rag over the sink and wipe that up slowly. Valerie did as she was told and got the mess under control. Once she finished, she wrung the rag out as Hilda asked, Now, Valerie, is there something on your mind?"

It’s nothing, Mom, Valerie mumbled.

Valerie… Hilda pressed in a low-pitched tone and Valerie sighed.

I…don’t know…what I want to do.

…About what?

Well…about the future, I guess?

The future, Hilda repeated with raised eyebrows. Valerie, you don’t need to be concerned about that yet, not until your graduation.

But if I don’t know now, will I know by then? Or will I still be clueless?

Why are you worked up about this now, Valerie, Hilda asked cocking an eyebrow, "Did someone from school brag about their future plans?"

…Yes.

…Who?

My… Valerie shut her eyes and sighed heavily,