by Gunn, Autumn
Number 10: Sometimes, when I’m not sure what to do I just look up to heaven and ask my mom. She always tells me to do what is right and to help other people. Then I feel better and my decision is easy.”
The whole room got quiet. I could see some of the woman almost immediately begin to tear up. Although it obviously wasn’t a problem for her, I didn’t know how deep Jasmine was going to go with these answers. Her first answer was already a zinger.
“Number 9: Sometimes there are people who can’t fight for themselves and they need somebody to help them. My daddy does that and doesn’t ask for anything in return. I taught me to do things only out of kindness and from the heart and not because you expect something in return.”
I always knew Jasmine as an energetic kid. I didn’t know she wrote and spoke so well. The whole room was focused on her. Waiting to hear what she had next.
“Number 8: My dad always says when the going gets tough, get tougher. Never let ‘em see you sweat. Prior practice prevents poor performance. What he means is to always be prepared, and then be prepared some more. When he was helping me learn soccer he made me run a lot. One day I asked him why I have to run so much. Why can’t I just practice soccer? He said, champions are made in the fourth quarter.”
A few of the men sat up in their chairs and nodded approvingly.
“Number 7: I never got to know my mom, but she bought some insurance in case any thing bad ever happened when she was away. That way I would have the chance to pursue my dreams. I would rather have my mom, but I am thankful she was always thinking about me and her gift is still with me today. Every day.”
At this point there were only a few dry eyes left in the room. The welcome gift bags hadn’t come equipped with tissues.
“Number 6: One time around Christmas I told my dad we had to give two canned goods to help people without food. He told me to pick from the pantry. I brought back canned peas and canned beets. They had been in the pantry for a long time. I never wanted to eat them. He asked if that’s what I wanted to give. I told him yes. Then he told me to go pick out some things for dinner. I went and got my favorite kind of canned peaches and spicy canned fish for sandwiches. He asked me if that’s what I wanted for dinner. I said yes. Then he opened the peas and beets and put them on two plates. He handed one to me and kept one for himself. He didn’t even heat them up. I told him he had mixed up the food. He said he wasn’t mixed up. I was. Christmas was the time to give, not do discard. There was no value in giving something I didn’t want. Probably the person who would have received the peas and beets would be happier, but they’d be a lot happier with peaches and fish, which has protein. My dad said if you give a gift, always make sure it’s a truly a gift. Something thoughtful and something the other person would actually want and enjoy. He’s right.
Number 5: My dad and I always put out water and some food for the stray animals in the neighborhood. My dad is in the Navy so he doesn’t have a lot of extra money. One day I fell off my bike and hurt my leg really bad. I was lying in the street and one of the dogs I had seen by our house drinking the water came to me and sat next to me. I got up and walked my bike home. He walked with me the whole way until I reached the front door. I told my dad and he said a friend in need is a friend indeed. Now we try to put out more water and also get some animal food donations from the neighborhood. The animals are also calmer now and they make the neighborhood feel more friendly and safe.
Number 4: My dad and I were planting onions in our back yard last spring. Most were the same size, but there was one that was really small. I asked my dad if I should throw it away. He said no. They all get a chance. It really showed me that you should give everybody a chance no matter how they start out in life, what they look like, or what their circumstances are. Sometimes we all just need that one chance to do the things we dreamed of.
Number 3: On Fridays, when we have ice cream, my dad always lets me pick the flavor.”
The crowd laughed in between sobs. Husbands and wives turned to each other and nodded in approval. Something so simple, but so powerful, as deferring the choice of ice cream.
“Number 2: Two is stronger than one. Whenever my dad talks about our family he reminds me that the two of us together are stronger than either of us by ourselves. It’s a simple lesson, but my favorite.
Number 1: Even when I do something wrong, my dad reminds me that we can fix it and no matter what he still loves me and will always love me. Even when I make mistakes.
Thank you.”
The whole room was silent with the exception of the sniffles you could hear from a number of the parents. Then one woman stood up and started clapping. Then another. And another. Soon the whole room was giving Jasmine a standing ovation. I really couldn’t believe it. Her father had taught her the SEAL values we learn during training so I knew she wouldn’t lie or cheat, but if I hadn’t known her personally I would have had a hard time believing a 12 year old wrote that list. Incredible.
I gave her a pat on the head and a one armed hug as she sat back down next to me.
“Well, who’s next?” Tara had also clearly been emotionally moved by Jasmine’s speech. She looked back down at her list and announced the next name.
The rest of the day consisted of lunch, a kickball game of parents versus the kids, and some classroom presentations. It was fun to see all the families interacting and everyone having such a good time, but even so I knew this life wasn’t the one for me. I had been too deep fighting battles for too long. Too jaded. Too cynical.
At the end of the day we thanked Tara and made our way to the parking lot. I had backed into a spot that provided a clear and fast exit. My training was instinctual at this point. Just as we were arriving at the Jeep I heard the chirp of an electronic keychain open the doors of the car a few down from ours. I looked up and saw what appeared to be a familiar face from the side. It was just a profile view, but I was sure.
“Carissa. Hey.”
“Cole? Uh. Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Parents day. This is Jasmine.”
“Hi Jasmine. Nice to meet you. I’m Miss Compton.”
“Hi Miss Compton. Pleasure to meet you.”
Carissa shot me a sideways glance. A stare that could cut glass.
“You left the reception without saying good-bye. I didn’t get a chance to get your number.”
Carissa paused. Still staring at me. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not? I thought you had a good time.”
“I thought I had a good time too. Now I’m not so sure.”
“What?”
“Sorry. I have to get going. Nice to meet you, Jasmine.”
Carissa jumped into her car and pulled away. I was left wondering what had just happened. She had been so warm and enjoyable just two days before, and now she was an ice queen.
“Is everything OK, Uncle Cole?”
“Always. Now how about we get an ice cream?”
“OK. Do you want to pick the flavor?”
I smiled. “We’ll go to the ice cream cone place. That way we can both pick.”
Chapter 3
My phone vibrated an incoming SMS.
Incoming in 10.
I looked at the number. Jax.
Time for some fun. Roger. Permission to board. Send.
My phone vibrated almost instantly. Permission for own ship? How quickly you forget.
Exactly 10 minutes later the gate opened and Jax walked in. I was standing in the threshold of the front door in my bare feet.
“Welcome home, brother.”
“Good to be back. How’s Jasmine?”
“Out like a light.”
“Great.”
“How was the mission?”
“In. Mission Accomplished. Out.”
“As they all should be. Congrats.”
“Thanks. Beers in the fridge?”
“With your name on ‘em.”
“Perfect.”
We sat in t
he living room. I knew Jax couldn’t tell me everything, but enough to figure out he was cleaning up the coast off Somali again. Those pirates were getting better and better. The cargo ships were trying new methods and routes, but those waters are like the wild, wild West. Anything goes, and when the pirates do take control of a ship they know the carriers don’t want an international incident. Better to hand over the cash and avoid the embarrassment. Unfortunately for the pirates the Navy, and in extreme cases the SEAL teams, were cleaning up those waters. It would take time though and there would always be some young gung-ho East African willing to risk it all for the chance at a fortune.
“Enough about work. How was Jasmine’s Parent’s Day?”
“It was great. She really brought the house down.”
“What do you mean?”
“They had to give a presentation about 10 things that are special about their parents. Her answers were very well thought out. Really touching. Parents were captivated. The emotional answers had them crying. The funny little anecdotal answers had them laughing. Everyone was waiting with baited breath to hear what she had to say next.”
“She really can write. That one. And she likes to present.”
“That’s an understatement. I’m no expert, but I think there’s a real talent there. I think she could even lead SEALs into battle with one of her speeches.”
Jax smirked.
“Thanks, but let’s keep her out of harm’s way for now. I’m already absorbing enough trouble for the two of us.”
“Good point.”
“Anything else happen while I was away?”
“Yeah. Who was that girl from the wedding?”
“Which one? The one you locked onto all afternoon?”
“Yeah. That one. What’s her story?”
“Name’s Carissa. I don’t know too much about her. She’s Emily’s friend from somewhere I guess. I met her once before at a happy hour.”
“She works at the school.”
“Yeah, that sounds familiar. I kind of remember her talking about kids during that happy hour.”
“As in from her school or that she has some?”
“Well, hoping from the way you two were attached at the hip on Saturday, I would say from her school. Why?”
“We were having such a good time at the reception and then she disappeared. Today when I bumped into her she seemed really cold and distant. It was weird.”
“Did you call her out on it?”
“No. I couldn’t. Not in front of Jasmine.”
“Good idea. What’s your next move? Or is there a next move?”
“Good question. I need to track her down.”
“She’s probably Facebook friends with someone you know.”
“Facebook? Really? Come on, man. I’m not going to ask a girl out on the Internet. I’m going to find her and speak to her in person. Like a man.”
“Well put. And you’re right. Just goes to show what I know these days after being out of the singles world for so long. Technology shouldn’t be used as a crutch.”
“Amen, brotha.”
“So, you’re going to show up at her school?”
“That might be my only option.”
“Or you can wait for Emily and Ethan to get back from their honeymoon and ask them for an introduction or the best way to approach her.”
“Also an idea. I’ll give it some thought.”
“And I’m going to give some thought to putting my head to the pillow. A lot of thought actually.”
“Good idea. Catch you in the morning.”
Chapter 4
For the first time I can ever remember I was over thinking an easy decision. I was interested in Carissa. I should just go where I know she is and speak to her. Call me old-fashioned, but that’s the way to do it. No games. Just two adults face-to-face.
Jax agreed to give me a ride to the school when he went to pick up Jasmine. I could track down Carissa and then call Jax later for a ride home.
We pulled up to the school and I jumped out of the Jeep.
“Good luck, Petty Officer.” Jax smiled.
“Who needs luck when you have SEAL training.” I fired back. We slapped hands and off I went.
The final bell would ring in less than 10 minutes. I decided to wait on the side of the school in the bleachers at the recess basketball court. No point in bringing attention to myself or questions for Jasmine as to why I was hanging around the school.
About 10 minutes after the bell the buses had loaded and taken off. The parents who had formed a single file line in the parking lot had finished picking up their kids and were also gone. I was impressed. I always thought of schools as chaos. This one was a well-run machine.
I walked inside the school to the reception area. The receptionist was packing up. It looked like she would have been gone if I had waited 30 more seconds.
“Sir, can I help you?”
“Yes. I’m looking for Miss Compton.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. This was the best way to get ahold of her. If you can page her she’ll know who I am.”
The receptionist gave me the once over. I could see she wasn’t really sure if she should proceed or not.
“It’s not my usual M.O. to just drop in, but if you’ll please forgive me it will just be this one time.”
She gave me a long stare. She put down her bag and picked up her phone’s receiver.
“Mister…?”
“Cole Callahan.”
“Mr. Callahan, if you’ll please just wait in the chair outside the lobby.”
“Of course.” I walked outside the glass that separated the reception area from the lobby and took a seat. I could imagine her making the call. The ball was in Carissa’s court now.
It seemed like I sat in that lobby for at least three minutes. Three minutes is a long time when you’re a strange guy in a school waiting on someone to call someone else who that first someone isn’t even really sure they should be calling.
“Mr. Callahan.”
“Yes.”
“Miss Compton will be here shortly. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, or water maybe?”
“No, thank you.”
“OK. I’m sorry, but I must be going. There are some magazines in the rack next to your seat if you care to read while you wait.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Wish you a nice evening.”
“You too.”
And then I waited. And waited.
Then I heard footsteps coming down the hall. It sounded like high heels. They came closer, but I couldn’t yet see who it was as the glare was reflecting off the glass right into my face.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up at my work. A school.”
“It was the only option I had.”
“And what makes you think I’m interested in talking to you.”
“That’s what I came here to figure out.”
“You mean to tell me you don’t know why?”
“That’s exactly what I came here tell you.”
She stared at me in the eyes. I think she was trying to determine if I was sincere or full of baloney. “Sometimes I don’t know if men are clueless, not very smart, or just underestimate women.”
“Come again?”
“You really don’t know what I’m talking about?”
“No. That’s why I came here. We were having such a fun time on Saturday and now you act like you hate my guts.”
“And you don’t know why?”
“Again. No.”
“Let me enlighten you, Mr. Callahan. If that even is your real name. Women don’t take too kindly to men lying. The worst part is you didn’t even need to lie.”
“Lie? What are you talking about?”
“Do we really need to carry on this charade?”
“I didn’t know we were.”
“At least one of us is. A liar that is.”
“I have no idea what you’
re talking about and we’re getting nowhere. Could you please just tell me what is bothering you? I really want to know. I came all the way here to know.”
She continued staring me in the eye. Surely she could see I was sincere and had no idea what she was talking about.