Chapter Two

The second chapter in my book, Nothing Is Ever By Accident

Chapter 2

 

“Come on Tait, one more rep!” Chase shouted at Ryan, who was on the bench-press.

Chase and Ryan have been NYPD officers for two years and every week they started off at the gym. Both men motivated each other during their gym sessions because in the NYPD strength and speed were essential qualities. They have been through some serious situations together and through it all have remained close friends. Chase is 32, with ten years of police experience. Ryan being a young 24 had two years police experience. He looked up to Chase as his mentor. Without him, he would be nowhere.

For Ryan, the gym was a haven, a place where stress and anger from the numerous calls and dangerous scenarios from the past week were relieved. Being an officer was far from being an easy task. Many times Ryan brushed closely with death, but every time he would be ready for the next guy. It was his sworn duty to serve and protect so, every day that is exactly what he set out to do, no matter what the cost.

Ryan did one more quick rep and set the bar back down. Grabbing his small hand towel, he wiped the perspiration glistening on his forehead. His cropped, dark brown hair was drenched in sweat.

“I’m heading to the shower. I gotta meet Shelly for lunch soon.” Shelly was Chase’s wife and usually they met for an early lunch on Mondays. Chase and Shelly were the picture-perfect married couple that you would read about in books. They had been married now for five years and had a beautiful little girl named Maria. She had the cutest smile, and curly blonde hair. Her sparkling blue eyes got her a lot of attention. Chase spoiled his daughter quite often.

“Sounds good man,” Ryan replied. “I’m gonna hit the treadmill for a cool down before I head out.”

Chase nodded his response to Ryan and headed back toward the showers.

Ryan took his spot on a treadmill next to an older gentleman who looked as though he were about to pass out. “Take it easy sir,” Ryan cautioned him.

The older man turned and glared over at him and then went right back to what he was doing. Apparently, people don’t like when others show concern, Ryan considered to himself.

He pressed start on his treadmill and adjusted the incline so he was running on a flatter surface. He gradually got into a slow jog and watched some ESPN on the tv in front of him.

This time of year preseason football was underway and the analysts were breaking down the teams performances so far and giving tips on fantasy football for those who were into it. Ryan had tried it once, but had done terribly so instead he stayed away from it to save himself any more embarrassment. He’d rather just enjoy watching the games with his fellow officers instead of analyzing the teams and their players.

Ryan was an avid New York Giants fan. He had grown up in New York so being a Giants fan came with the territory. Ryan and his NYPD officers would get together normally once a month during football season to watch a game together. It was a good time for them to bond and for Ryan it had really helped him get to know everyone, especially when he first started out as a rookie.

Ryan glanced down at his wristwatch; five more minutes than it was time to hit the shower. The ESPN analysts were rating the Dallas Cowboys at a ‘C’ grade level, when he viewed the tv screen. That made Ryan happy. The Dallas ‘cowgirls,’ as he would call them, were bitter rivals of the Giants, so a bad rating for them was a good thing for the Giants and their fans.

BANG!

Ryan suddenly turned and saw the older man lying on the floor, at the end of his treadmill. The blonde girl on the other side of him let out a startled shriek and small crowd of gym members began to gather. The gym manager quickly emerged from his office. “What’s going on?” he shouted.

Ryan explained what had happened and knelt down beside the older man. He felt for a pulse; it was there but very faint. “Someone please dial 911 quickly!”

A young girl, looking to be in her late twenties grabbed her cell from her pocket and immediately dialed and began talking anxiously to an operator.

Ryan stayed with the man until an ambulance showed up, assisting them as they needed. Ryan turned to the gym manager, “Call his wife or whoever he has listed on file as an emergency contact and tell them to come straight to the hospital.”

“Yes, I’ll get right on that!” The manager ran into his office and began filing through paperwork in search of the emergency contact number.

Ryan followed the ambulance to the hospital to be with the gentleman; whose named he learned was John, until someone showed up for him. The doctor came into the room and said that John had suffered a mild heart attack and was to be monitored for the next few days.

“Thanks doc,” Ryan took a seat in the chair adjacent from John’s bed and watched him as he laid there resting.

Ryan had a compassionate heart for people. Being an officer, he had always cared for the victims in an accident or crime. He wanted to be there for them and let them know that everything was going to be okay. He hadn’t been in a situation quite like this one, but no matter what he was there for people, even when he was off duty.

An older woman stepped into the doorway dressed in a pale green sweater and well-worn jeans. Ryan stood up and went to greet her, “Hi, I’m Officer Tait. You must be John’s wife.”

She slowly nodded her head, “Yes, my name is Marilyn. Thank you so much for taking care of my John.” She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle pat. “He is quite stubborn,” she looked over at her husband, “I told him many times to take it easier at the gym… and now this happened.” Tears welled up in the corners of her hazel eyes.

“Well the doctor was just in and said your husband is doing real well despite the circumstances. They just need to monitor him for a few days.”

Marilyn smiled up at him, “Thank you again for watching over him officer.”

Ryan gave her wrinkled hand a squeeze, “No problem, that’s what I’m here for.”

“I’d like you to come for supper sometime as a gift of our appreciation. I promise I’m a good cook,” Marilyn chuckled.

“Thanks for the offer ma’am. I’d be happy to.” Ryan jotted down his cell number and handed it to her. “I better get going. You folks take care and I’m sure I will be seeing you soon.” He gave her hand another quick squeeze and headed into the hallway. Marilyn waved at him and then headed over to be next to her husband who was resting peacefully in his bed. The whirring sounds of the machines and the beeping from his heart monitor where the only sounds in the room, along with his steady breathing. Marilyn was thankful that he was still here with her. She wouldn’t know what to do without her beloved John.

*****

            Ryan pulled into his driveway and parked his black Honda Accord, (only those with a high rank used squad cars). Ryan hadn’t achieved that quite yet, but Chase had. So, when the two of them went out on calls Chase did the driving. Ryan didn’t mind, he enjoyed sitting shotgun and manning the radio handset.

            He walked down to his mailbox, which had a New York Giants sticker on either side of it. Yes, he was a little obsessed but he was proud to be a fan. A few bills were all that was in it. He walked into his two bedroom home and set them on his granite, kitchen countertop. Ryan had a spacious home, a little large for just himself, but he hoped to one day be sharing it with someone special.

            After the excitement he had that afternoon, he was ready to kick back and enjoy his day off. Right as he was about to sit down on his leather recliner he heard his answering machine beeping. Only one person called his home phone and left messages… his mother.

            Ryan slowly rolled his eyes and went to check the message.

            “Hey sweetie, it’s your mother calling.” No duh, he thought to himself. “I know Mondays are your day off so I took the liberty to set you up on a date with Janelle, one of my coworker’s daughters. I said that you would meet her around 7 o’clock at Calvin’s, there on West Elm Ave. Hope you don’t mind! I think you’ll like her. She is the scholarly type. I will talk to you soon to see how the date went. Bye.” The machine clicked indicating that the message was over.

            “Not again,” Ryan said aloud. He knew his mom meant well but these blind date setups were getting a little ridiculous. His mom did this quite often for him and everytime the girl she chose was just not right for him. He had asked her to stop but his mom was stubborn and persistent.

            So now, apparently he was going to Calvin’s for dinner tonight to once again turn down another girl that his mom had set him up with. Hopefully this would be the last time she surprised him with another date, but knowing her as well as he did he knew this wouldn’t be the last. He was hoping this time though that the girl would have some type of personality. The last girl he had been set up with was very dull, to say the least.

            Ryan stepped into the shower to start getting ready to meet his date, Janelle. The hot water rushed over his body and his muscles began to relax. Maybe this time my mom got it right, he pondered to himself.

Author's Note

Thank you for taking the time to read the second chapter! I hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you think :) Thank you in advance for ratings and reviews!

Reviews

[Kelly M.]

I love Ryan ALREADY. :3 He and Jamie would be absolutely perfect for each other. :D

Just a few pointers/tips.

Some parts in the beginning seemed to be a little TOO focused on one thing. For example, I think you could take out the whole paragraph about the fantasy football and how Ryan had signed up. I think it would flow a lot smoother. :) Though, if you'd rather that information known, just a simple touch up would do the trick. :)

Other than that, I just thought it a little awkward he was forced into a blind date... especially when he had asked his mother not to. Perhaps if they were meeting somewhere less formal, and where there nerves would be less jumpy...

So, just a little editing/reading will work, taking out any "blurry bits." It takes me days until I post a single chapter, because I want to make sure it's just right. :p So, just keep an eye out for anything that may stop the natural flow and beauty of the story. We want this book to measure up to everything it should be!

Otherwise, this was a great chapter! I'm totally interested in this new character you've introduced. :) Keep up the great work!

[Cancelled]

Girl.. I have 2 words for you:

INCREDIBLY AMAZING!

[Wren]

Quite nicely written, except I found that you explained it too much in a way. You focused on little details that gave background to the story, but didn't enchance to the flow of the story. Sorry, thats just the way I saw it. Maybe try to describe it more if you can, like Allen's writing. Say it without giving to much away. Anyway other than that, a great story:)

[Arielle Ann]

oh well I thought...did Jamie's story end right there in the first chapter coz here we are introduced to two completely new characters...but yes hoping that Ryan is just perfect for Jamie :)

[Jamie Raintree]

It's very clear how well you know your characters, which is a great thing. Especially in a story that is so character driven. I enjoyed getting to know Ryan. He seems like a great guy so far.

My suggestion would be to do a little more showing rather than telling. I felt like there were times where you were trying to fill us in in regard to Ryan's character where it might have been better to show us by putting him into a scene to show us those characteristics. Sort of the way you had him take care of the older man to show how much he cared for other people. In fact, you don't even have to tell us that he goes over and above for other people because you've already done a great job of showing us that.

Great job with the foreshadowing of the older man's collapse. I like the way you put the old man's struggles in there but didn't draw too much attention to them so it felt natural when he went down. I wonder where the dinner with the older couple will lead.

[Coyote Poetry]

He is a very good police officer. Does more then he support to. I like the description and the incident at the health club. The characters feel like real people and the storyline is outstanding. Thank you for the excellent chapter.
Coyote

[Katie]

i enjoyed this, anxious to read more. as others said, has a good concept to it that im sure will allow you to develop tons of more ideas to where the story will lead:) loved it

[Maddie:]]

Very nice, so far I think this story has a nice concept to it! Can't wait for more:]

[Dylan S.]

I have a feeling that my life will be similar to Ryan's later in my life...minus the New York Giants fan and the police officer occupation. I did like reading this, though. Nice to have a character I'll possibly be similar to in the future.

[Team_Jaward_Gale]

its great I wonder what will happen in the third