Second Chances

Chapter 2

Alex> Hey David. You around?

David> Yep. How are you doing tonight?

Alex> Doing well. And you?

David> Also doing good

Alex> Hey, just wanted to let you know that I’m scheduled to visit Columbus next week. I’m driving over on Monday so I should get into town late afternoon. I’ll be there until Friday or Saturday. You want to meet up for dinner one night next week?

David> Sure! Sounds good. Anywhere you’d like to go?

Alex> You’d know better than me ?

David> Good point. You familiar with Short North?

Alex> Yup. Been to Columbus enough to know that’s on High Street between Downtown and the OSU

David> Wow you even know it’s THE OSU

Alex> And it’s not just Rutgers, it’s Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Alex> But I digress

David> LOL! There’s a bunch of good restaurants in the Short North. How about the Guild House? It’s at the south end of Short North, just above the convention center. I’ve been wanting to try that place for a while now

Alex> Sure! Like I said, you’ve got a better working knowledge of the local restaurant scene than me. I’m just dangerous enough to know what Short North is

David> Haha. Well, I can text you the address and send directions later this week

Alex> No need, I have GPS. Just name a date and time

David> I always forget about GPS. I’ll text you a date and time, thenAlex> I love paper maps, but God I don’t know how I managed to get around without GPS. Anyway, sounds good! Maybe not Monday just in case I’m running behind and get to town later than I think I will

David> 10-4

Alex> Oh, hey David…just wondering. That is your real name, right?

David> Yeah — why do you ask???

Alex> Oh, just a couple friends warned me that people online are not always who they seem. Just wanted to check

David> Oh ok

Alex> Well, I’ll let you go — It’s getting late and it’s an hour later there than here. Have a good night

David> Sounds good. Good night to you too

-----

“Hey, guys!”

Jesse and Rhys looked up. Rhys was lying on a weight bench, just about to begin lifting a heavily weighted barbell. Jesse was standing behind the bench, acting as a spotter. Rhys sat up when he heard Alex’s voice. A third person, standing several feet away with a dumbbell in one hand, turned to see who’d arrived. “Hey, Alex!” responded Jesse. “How’re you doing tonight?”

“Great!” replied Alex. “Made it through Monday, always a good thing!”

“Oh, Alex,” said Rhys, “I’d like you to meet Lane. He’s the third member of our YMCA workout trio.”

Alex and Lane bumped fists as a way of greeting. “Pleased to meet you.”

Jesse leaned over and stage-whispered into Alex’s ear. “Lane’s a breeder.” Alex cocked his head and gave Jesse a quizzical look. Rhys laughingly added, “He means that Lane’s straight.”

Lane chuckled. “Yeah, someone’s got to keep you guys in check. So, is our workout trio about to become a quartet?”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” said Alex. “I mean, you guys are with all the muscle hunks in the free weights end of the weight room. I’m content to stay over at the other end of the weight room with the weight machines rather than look like an idiot, struggling to lift more than the bar. Besides, I spend more time on the bikes or treadmill in the cardio room, anyway. Losing weight is a higher priority for me than building muscle mass.” He then added, “But I’m sure you couldn’t tell that just by looking at me.”

After stuffing his earbuds in his ears, Alex headed across the room to the rotary torso machine, one of the few machines in the weight room he felt comfortable using. As he knelt on the padded seat, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirrors that covered one of the walls. “Ugh, not pretty,” he muttered. “How the hell did I let that happen?”

Fifteen minutes later, Alex finished a final rep on the rotary torso machine, then walked to a set of cubby-holes along the room’s east wall. Picking up his wallet, phone, and keys, he waved a goodbye to the trio, then wandered down the hall to the cardio room. A few minutes later, Alex found himself beginning an hour workout on a recumbent, stationary bike.

A short while later, Alex looked up to see Jesse sitting down on an adjacent stationary bike. “Hey, Jesse. I didn’t know you hit the cardio, too. I thought you guys were all just into lifting.”

“To be honest, I’m not really into lifting weights. Lane and Rhys are the bodybuilder types. In case you hadn’t noticed, they’re the muscle studs, not me. I started working out a few years ago with someone who was really into weightlifting. I ended up meeting Lane and Rhys here at the Y, and just kind of latched on to them. Hanging out with them in the weight room is as much a social thing for me as is the exercise.” Jesse quickly added, smiling, “I may start to hit the cardio room more frequently now if I’ve got a workout buddy here.”

After several minutes of pedaling in silence, Alex said, “You heard all about me yesterday. Tell me about yourself.” He then added, "Kind of mean of me to ask an open-ended question while you’re exercising.”

Jesse chuckled. “No worries. I think I can give you a brief synopsis. I’m riding at a pretty leisurely pace.” After a brief pause, he continued, “Well, let’s see. I’m an only child. I grew up in Pratt, Kansas, which is a little over an hour’s drive west of Wichita. My parents still live there. I ended up in Des Moines because I went to Drake. I got my first job here straight out of college. A couple of years ago, I moved back to Kansas for a while, but I ended up returning to my old job here. I’ve been back, gosh, it’s been over two years now.”

“And what do you do for work?” queried Alex.

“I’m a data analyst at Chase, Locke & Co. downtown.”

A few minutes later, Alex asked, “So, do you have a significant other?”

“Nope. I’m not into the dating scene.”

Alex nodded in understanding, then commented, “I know you guys said that Robbie and, uh, his boyfriend…

“Andrew,” Jesse offered.

“Yes, Andrew, thank you. That they are the only couple in the group, but I thought it might be that you and Rhys have a thing going, too.”

“No,” Jesse replied. “Not at all. He’s a great guy, and we do hang out together often, as well, but I’m not interested in him that way. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

The men again became quiet as they concentrated on their workouts. Alex pondered Jesse’s words. Alex wasn’t sure why, but he thought Jesse’s response didn’t seem quite right. ‘He almost seemed dismissive of my comment. Maybe he kind of identifies as asexual? Somehow, that doesn’t seem right, though, either. Is he trying to hide something?’ thought Alex. He then reasoned, ‘Jeez, he’s working out! You even made a point of saying something about long-winded conversations. That’s all!’ Yet somehow, Alex still didn’t think that he’d gotten the whole story.

Alex completed his workout a few minutes later. He rose from the bike and retrieved a spray bottle of disinfectant and a couple paper towels. As he sprayed down his bike, Jesse commented, “Usually, at least once a week Rhys and I will either go to dinner after our workout is complete, or we have dinner at one of our apartments. Lane comes sometimes, too, though he’s married and has a couple little kids, so he usually heads home when he’s done with his workout. I don’t think we’re planning to go out tonight, but you’re more than welcome to join us when we do.”

Alex shook his head. “I’m always a sweaty mess when I get done here, and it takes me a while to cool off. I generally cool down on the drive home, and then I shower there. I wouldn’t want to go out before showering, but thanks for the offer.”

Jesse replied, “Just shower here. It’s what we do.”

“Uh, I don’t think so. It’s a gang shower.”

“So?” Jesse asked. A hint of a smile crossed his face. “I’m sure you’ve seen naked men before.”

“Yes,” conceded Alex, “but my seeing naked people isn’t the problem. I don’t want anyone to see me naked. I mean, look at me. You can’t possibly want to see this body in all its glory.”

Jesse completed his workout. He stood, saying to Alex as he did so, “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. You’re here. You’re working out. Clearly, you are trying to make a change. Nobody’s going to laugh at you. Is that what you’re worried about?”

“Jeez, Jesse,” said Alex. “I don’t even want me to see me naked. I can’t imagine showing my rolls of fat to anyone. No, I’m not worried about people laughing at me — maybe I should be, huh? No, I’m just embarrassed about my body and ashamed of it.

“Alex, it’s not a big deal. I think you’re making it into one. Tell me, how much weight have you lost? If that’s not too personal a question, that is.”

“I don’t mind telling you. I’ve lost a little over 30 pounds,” said Alex. “I’d like to drop another 25 or 30.”

“There you go. You shouldn’t be ashamed of your body. In fact, just the opposite. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Their conversation ceased when Rhys and Lane walked into the cardio room. “Ah, good, it looks like you guys are finishing up, too,” said Rhys. “We’re going to hit the showers. See you guys downstairs.”

“See you down there in a bit,” responded Jesse. He took the spray bottle from Alex, then grabbed a couple of paper towels. As he sprayed down his bike, Jesse looked up to Alex. “Seriously, think about what I said. There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”

“Okay. I’ll think about it.”

That night, Alex lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Lying awake in bed was an all too frequent occurrence for Alex. It wasn’t unusual for him to have trouble shutting off his mind long enough to fall asleep. Alex kept mulling over the events of the previous two days. First, there was the welcome into the men’s group. He was quite obviously the oldest one there, which he found bothersome, though not completely unexpected. However, the welcome extended to him by the group certainly seemed genuine, and his age didn’t seem to bother anyone, at least not outwardly. He thoroughly enjoyed brunch, and the craft brewery afterwards. Though he’d only spent a significant amount of time with a few members of the group, they all seemed like decent guys. “Even Robbie,” thought Alex. “Perhaps not the brightest bulb in the box, but damn, he sure is a cutie.”

Alex then reflected on the evening’s conversation at the YMCA. ‘Yeah, I am proud that I’ve managed to take off 30 pounds. But that doesn’t mean I want people to see all my fat! It grosses me out! I wouldn’t want to subject others to the horror that is my body.’ He shuddered. ‘Maybe when I’ve lost 60 pounds. Maybe then I’ll be comfortable enough to be seen au naturelle…oh, who am I kidding? I lost 36 pounds but I’ve added nine or ten of those pounds back on. I’ve plateaued at best, and I don’t think I’ll be breaking through any time soon. God, I hate being fat. And old.’

-----

On Thursday, Alex was sitting in his office, working on two proposals he wanted to finish by the end of the day. Suddenly, his mobile phone began to vibrate, sending the phone on a slow dance across the desk. Recognizing the area code but not the number, he picked up his phone. “Hello, this is Alex.”

“Hey Alex, this is Rhys. I hope you don’t mind me calling you at work. Anyway, are you planning on hitting the Y tonight?” When Alex answered in the affirmative, Rhys asked, “Well, Jesse was going to come over after our workout tonight. Lane needs to head home right after the Y, his wife has some home repair project for him or something, so he won’t be there. I thought we could pick up Chinese, or maybe order a pizza. And Alex, I know you’re not thrilled with the idea of using a communal shower. Believe it or not, I, too, have a shower in my apartment. You can feel free to shower when you get here.”

“You probably think I’m weird because I don’t want people to see me in all my grossness.”

Rhys shook his head. “No, I don’t think you’re weird. I agree with Jesse, though. You don’t have anything to be ashamed of or worried about. But I do understand, and I don’t want to pressure you into doing something you’re not comfortable with.”

“I really don’t want to trouble you, though, either. I could maybe swing home and shower.”

“Well, where do you live?” asked Rhys.

Alex replied, “In Ankeny.”

“We both live in the opposite direction. Jesse lives in West Des Moines, and I live out in Clive. So just bring a change of clothes. You can shower at my place.”

Alex replied, “But I really don’t want to be any trouble. Maybe I should just pass.”

“I figured you were going to say something like that,” said Rhys, a smile evident in his voice. “And I have my response ready. If it was any trouble, I wouldn’t have offered.”

A timid smile crept across Alex’s face. “Well, then, at least let me pick up dinner.”

Rhys giggled. “Okay, that I can live with. I’ll text you my address. We can decide what we want at the YMCA tonight, or after we get to my place.”

-----

Alex turned the taps off. He grabbed the towel, wiped off his face, and began to dry his hair. He turned off the song playing on his iPhone, but continued to hum the chorus. He dropped the used towel into the hamper in the corner. After dressing, he turned off the music. He stepped out of the bathroom, switching off the light as he did so.

“Hey, Rhys, I’m finished. I put the towel in the hamper and put the bathmat over the edge of the tub. And I used your deodorant. I hope that’s okay?”

“You betcha,” Rhys replied. “What were you singing?”

“Oh, was I that loud? Sorry to disturb you.”

“No reason to be sorry. I swear the walls here are paper thin. It didn’t sound half bad, you know.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t mind too much. It’s a song from the late 80s or early 90s by Kathy Mattea. I love the lyrics to her songs. The lyrics of that one kind of touch me. It’s about recognizing the importance of friendships, and how we often can’t be bothered to put in the time to maintain those relationships and later end up regretting our inaction. It hits particularly home for me. It’s one thing I’m guilty of and regret. It’s something that I’ve vowed to no longer do.” He smiled as he continued, “In other words, there ain’t no way you’re gonna get rid of me.”

Just then, the apartment door opened. Jesse entered, carrying two pizza boxes.

“Jesse,” said Alex, a note of exasperation in his voice. “I thought we agreed that I’d buy dinner.”

“Nah,” replied Jesse. “You brought the beer. I figured I’d just go out and pick up pizza while you were showering. Maybe you can get it next time.”

“I hope you beer snobs don’t mind Miller Lite. After all, it claims on the label to be a ‘very fine Pilsner.’ An extremely ballsy claim, considering it’s not even a Pilsner.”

Rhys and Jessie laughed. Rhys replied, “To be honest, I can’t think of anything I like better with pizza than a good old-fashioned American lager.”

“And thanks for not bringing Busch Light,” added Jesse. “I’m not a beer snob, but I do have some minimum standards.” They all chuckled in agreement as Rhys distributed plates which he had taken from the cupboard, then opened the pizza boxes. The men began to dig in.

“Jesse told me a little about himself when we were at the Y the other night,” commented Alex. “And I bored everyone with my story at brunch. Tell me a little about yourself, Rhys.”

Rhys took a pull from his beer bottle, then began. “Well, I grew up in a small town in southwest Iowa called Clarinda. My dad owns a little pharmacy downtown, and my mom teaches math at the high school. I somehow managed to never have her for a teacher. I went to Iowa State University and got a degree in secondary education. Not in math, though! Math was always my weakest subject. Now I teach history and economics in the Waukee school district.

“All in all, I really enjoy teaching. If only there wasn’t so much politics in school administration. And if I didn’t have to deal with parents! Most are fine, but there are a few who think their kids’ shit doesn’t stink, so to speak. They will ride my ass over every little thing. Last year, I had one parent who would want to go over each and every question their kid got wrong on a test. I’m not sure if .)they think if they argue on their kid’s behalf over the answers, I’ll raise their grade. I guess, in a way, being a ‘hands on’ parent is better than a parent who doesn’t care about their kids, but jeez, high school is when kids are supposed to begin transitioning to adults. You need to start letting your teenagers fly a little, and make a few mistakes along the way, you know?

“Fortunately, I haven’t had too much of an issue with parents who are convinced that I’m teaching their kids critical race theory, or who want me to say how enslaved blacks didn’t really mind being enslaved all that much. I’ve heard stories from some of the other teachers, so I’m sure I’ll encounter one of ‘those’ parents at some point….

“Calling them enslaved people and not slaves,” commented Alex. “Very PC. Has anybody got on you for ‘woke’ language?”

Rhys giggled. “Wow, you picked up on that. I’m kind of impressed.”

“Well, I guess I like being politically correct. Why wouldn’t you use words or terms that other people prefer, you know?”

“To answer your question, Alex,” replied Rhys, “no, I can’t think of a time when I got called out for being ‘woke,’ knock on wood.” He continued, “ I guess the other hot button issue when it comes to schools is the mass shooter threat. The thought of confronting a gunman always looms in the back of every teacher’s mind.”

“Did you guys have ‘active shooter’ drills when you were in school?” asked Alex.

Jesse shook his head. Rhys replied, “Yes, but only when I was in high school. I think only my junior and senior years.”

“Things have sure changed. When I was in seventh and eighth grades in school, we had one fire drill per year, always at the beginning of October. We never had a tornado drill. I guess they figured everyone knew to go to the basement in the event of bad weather, and how everyone got there wasn’t a great concern. And in high school, we never even had a fire drill. So active shooter drills? I don’t think anyone had even considered the possibility that someone might come in and shoot up a school. Heck, the doors were always unlocked during school hours.”

“Meaning to change the subject,” asked Jesse, “are you coming with us next Friday to The Ranch for karaoke night? It’s a fun time.”

“I’m planning on it, if I can,” replied Alex. “I’m going to be in Ohio next week. I’m planning on returning Friday, but if things go sideways with work, I may not get back home until Saturday.” He then added, “But don’t expect me to sing.”

“Oh, come on. You won’t be making a fool of yourself. Certainly not more so than anyone else.”

Rhys turned to look at Alex. “Don’t let Jesse pressure you. After all, I don’t think he’s ever gone on stage on karaoke night.”

Jesse looked chagrined.

Taking the opportunity to change the subject once again, Alex responded, “I am planning on hitting the Y tomorrow evening. Will you guys be there?”

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