Cole

by Autumn Gunn

  “What do you think?” Jax asked.

  “It will definitely work. All we’d need to get started is to install a fan and order some mats and we’re in business. It will be bare bones at the beginning, but that’s all we need.”

  “Exactly. Plus that old school vibe won’t allow for any distractions. Just focus everything on training.”

  “Jasmine, what do you think about this place?”

  “It reminds me of the haunted house we went to last year on Halloween.” We all laughed.

  “So you’re saying it’s scary?”

  “Kind of, but if you and my dad were here with me and there were some lights on inside I’d definitely feel safe.”

  “Sounds like a good enough seal of approval for me.”

  “Me too.”

  “Great. We’ll call on it tomorrow.”

  “Done.”

  Chapter 6

  I woke up later than normal. I hurried to take a shower and head downstairs.

  “Somebody is catching extra zzzs this morning.”

  “Thanks for not waking me. I really needed that. Jasmine still here?”

  “Just got back from dropping her off at school. Want some breakfast?”

  “Sure. Whatcha got?”

  “Just what you need. Bacon, eggs, and coffee black.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “Good, because that’s your only choice.”

  “Sounds like eating in the field.”

  “At least you can switch your MRE if you don’t like pork and beans or spaghetti and meatballs.”

  “I got spaghetti and meatballs nine days straight once. Had been my favorite, until then. After that I would have rather eaten bugs.”

  “They are high in protein. Especially beetles.”

  We both laughed.

  “OK, I’ll whip up breakfast and we’re off to take a look at the rental.”

  “Don’t we need to call the agent first?”

  “Already did. She’s available this morning.”

  “Boom!”

  “Boom is right. Let’s knock out this breakfast and get over there before somebody else makes a move on it.”

  “Definitely.”

  Breakfast, including clean up, was all of eight minutes. Efficiency. We called the agent as we were walking out the door. She agreed to meet us right away so we drove to the unit.

  “Hi, I’m Rachel. Nice to put a face with the name.”

  “Likewise. I’m Jax, and this is Cole.”

  “Good to meet you guys. Shall we take a look inside?”

  “Definitely.”

  Rachel unlocked the padlock, deadbolt, and door locks.

  “Don’t let all the locks scare you, guys. The area is safe. We just like to take extra precautions.”

  “No worries, we’re not concerned. We’re all about security as well.”

  “Great. Let me show you around.”

  “Over here was where they usually put the DJ booth. This area was the main bar. Over here was the side bar, and except for the toilets the rest was pretty much a dance floor and mingling area.”

  “They kept it pretty simple.”

  “They sure did.”

  “Any reason why they decided to close it down?”

  “Well, it wasn’t really their choice?”

  “What happened?”

  “They kept it simple, because their main source of income was apparently selling drugs. The cops raided them and found enough drugs in here to make Burning Man look like a tea party.”

  “Really? Here.”

  “Yeah. Kids get bored in small towns. Sometimes they don’t get the direction and leadership they need from adults. Things can go downhill quickly.”

  “Well we’re here to change all that.”

  “Really? Do tell.”

  “We want to put in a small gym. Teach kids discipline, healthy eating, and build confidence.”

  “That sounds great. And you’ll be doing this together?”

  “No. Just me. Jax travels a lot for business.”

  “Oh. And, Jax, what line of work are you in?”

  “I do work for the government.”

  “That sounds interesting.”

  “Not nearly as much as it sounds.”

  “I think you’re being modest.”

  “I wish I was.”

  “Well, I can clearly see you’re both in amazing shape. I’m sure if you can get kids in this town pointed in the same direction it will be a huge success.”

  “Thanks. We think so.”

  “Ok, so the owner would like $700 a month + utilities.”

  “Ok. Anything else we might need to know?”

  “No. Everything is straightforward. As you can see it’s going to need a little work, but everything works fine. The framework is here, but it’s up to you to mold it into your vision.”

  “Fair enough. We’re up for the challenge. We’ll take it.”

  “Ok. Great. I’ll have to let the owner know, but I think everything should be OK. He just want’s to be more careful with who he rents to this time. The way the last tenants were kicked out was embarrassing and costly.”

  “Understood. We’ll await your call. Which should take about…?”

  “I would expect to know by tomorrow afternoon. The owner’s out of town and unreachable today.”

  “Can you give us some information on the owner?”

  “He’s requested complete anonymity. He likes to fly under the radar.”

  “I can completely understand that. Especially in today’s world of sharing everything online.”

  “Me too. OK, gentleman. I have to get to another appointment. We’ll be in touch.”

  “Great. Look forward to your call.”

  Rachel pulled away in her Lexus SUV and Jax and I jumped into the Jeep to head back to his house.

  “So what did you think?”

  “It’s good, Jax. I think it could be a perfect fit.”

  “I know that. I’m not talking about the property. I’m talking about Rachel.”

  “Professional. Seemed nice.”

  “Come on, man. She was into you. I could see right through those sunglass lenses. She was eyeing you up.”

  “Really? I didn’t notice.”

  “You never notice. You could have the Swedish Bikini Team giving you a private, nude hands-on synchronized swimming lesson and you wouldn’t notice they were into you.”

  “I’ve always been that way. I only see the girls I’m interested in. Everyone else kind of just becomes background blur. Plus the Swedish Bikini Team doesn’t much seem like my type.”

  “Really? I thought that was every guy’s type?”

  “Yeah, maybe when I was 16, but not anymore. I need a woman with a brain. Someone who I can talk to. An equal. Somebody I can grow with and maybe even start a family one day.”

  “Geez, dude. It’s not even 11am. Since when did Cole go and get all romantic?”

  We laughed.

  “You know, man. Being in that desert changes things. It changes you. The only sense of normalcy was watching the sunset every day. It somehow kept me sane. Especially after what happened.”

  “Any news on that?”

  “Not yet. I’m waiting on a decision. I’ve spoken to Commander Stone a few times. He’s really fighting for me. He got me the best shrinks. The ones who usually recommend against separation. Even at his rank and his position within the SEALs it’s out of his hands. Not his call. Now it’s just a waiting game.”

  “I’m rooting for you, bro. Jasmine too. I went in her room last night to tuck her in and she was praying beside the bed. I asked her what for and she said so that Uncle Cole can get back to doing what he loves.”

  “Man. That little girl of yours is amazing. I’m going to have to take her for ice cream again. Three scoops this time. And of course she gets to choose the flavors.”

  Jax laughed. I followed suit.

  “Don’t be rotting my baby’s teeth out. It’s going to be
hard enough to keep all her chompers when she starts training at your gym.”

  “Let’s not jinx it. Hopefully it all works out, but I’m not celebrating until our first paying customer walks in the door.”

  “What? We don’t count?”

  “Of course you guys count, but you guy’s got my back no matter what. This time I need to prove I can do it on my own. Run something myself. Make it with my own two hands.”

  “What about your team? They could call you back to active duty at any time. It’s just the matter of approval and a phone call. To be honest, I’m a bit surprised you’re taking on this gym project.”

  I didn’t say anything. At least 20 seconds passed.

  “Everything Ok?”

  I said nothing.

  “Cole, are you with us? Earth to Cole. Come in buddy.”

  “I’m here. It’s just that I’ve got some inside intel. My paperwork isn’t looking so good.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, the resource is solid. She handles all the cases that go through. It’s hard to put a guy like me back in the field. And there’s no way I’m working a desk job.”

  “What do you mean? You’re conditioning is still top notch and your rifle scores are out of this world.”

  “I know, but none of that matters now. They can’t take the PR risk. That American Sniper movie is really making things tough on PTSD SEALs like me.”

  “I thought people loved that movie. Cooper’s performance was amazing and the family aspect was beyond emotionally gut wrenching.”

  “That’s the problem. It was too good. People loved the movie, feel sympathy for Chris Kyle, but also don’t want the government taking risks with our boys. Putting them in situations, especially when the perception is that they might be off a little. Mentally.”

  “No way! No way are you off. You’re still solid as a rock upstairs. I’d take you on my team seven days a week and twice on Sunday.”

  “Thanks, brother, but let’s face it. I can’t even wake up normally anymore. Could you imagine waking me at some odd hour in the middle of nowhere during a mission. Weird thoughts could kick in. Plus, even if everything was OK, but if one little thing happened to our unit, the press might get some leaked information and they could turn my story any which way they want. It’s all in the way you tell it. How you edit it.”

  It was silent for over two minutes.

  “It’s tough to do our jobs these days. There are always eyes. Always cameras. Everything gets second-guessed. The media is looking for page views. Sensationalism. They can get it too. It’s all in the presentation. However they choose to spin it. Like you said.”

  “Yeah. Hard to be a real person with any perceived crack in the armor when your in the SEALs. They need elite. Perfection. I totally understand why. Out of respect for my SEAL brothers there’s no way I’d fight a negative decision. If they say I’m unfit, then I’m unfit. I won’t be happy, but there’s no way I want to go back in the field if I’m not at 100%. It puts lives in danger. I’m not going to do that to my brothers.”

  “You know the team would welcome you back 100%, but thank you. Thank you for thinking of us first. It means a lot.”

  “Don’t thank me. I’m just saying what needs to be said. The truth.”

  Chapter 7

  It had only been a little over 24 hours, but I was dying to know whether or not I got the rental. I decided to go for run. Running was one of my favorite things to do, but only on natural surfaces. The pavement eats up your knees real quick. Luckily Jax’s house was close to a big forest with plenty of trails. I put on my PT gear and headed out.

  I like to start fast. A lesson I learned in middle school when I was a slow starter in cross country races and would ultimately find myself boxed in and trying to make up ground in a tiny lane for the last half a kilometer of our 5K runs. Placing 131st in my first race was unacceptable. A quicker start in race number two resulted in a 5th place finish and from then I was hooked. I wasn’t a jogger. I was a runner. I hit the ground running with the first step just as I pushed the begin timer button on my Timex.

  These days running serves me so much more than just to stay in shape. Keeping focused on maintaining speed takes my mind off of everything. Past and present. I like the way the body feels when it moves. How the shortness of breath is both a pain and a high. I never tried drugs, and have no desire too. Running was all the high I needed.

  The forest was a great run. The fresh air, a few small inclines, and the beautiful views. I even saw a few deer about half way through. They took off in a sprint the moment I turned the corner out of the turn and began in their direction.

  The last 400 yards to Jax’s back door were a dead out sprint. I touched the door signaling completion and hit the timer button on the Timex. Exactly 5k and 17:51. Exactly a minute off my best time, but a good first run.

  I was still breathing hard, but wanted to knock out some push-ups and leg kicks in the grass. By the time I was done I was exhausted.

  “Somebody’s up early today.” Jax said as I walked into the kitchen.

  “Needed to get the body moving. Feeling alive now.”

  “Guess you won’t be needing a coffee then.”

  “Not at all.”

  “Is your phone in the living room? I think I heard a beep while you were out.”

  “It is. Maybe it’s Rachel.”

  I went to my phone and scrolled to the messages. Nothing there. I swiped left and noticed the number one above my Gmail inbox notifications. I clicked on it.

  Cole,

  Where to begin? First of all I’m sorry for what happened between us. It wasn’t right and I apologize. I should have been more careful before I jumped to conclusions. If you’re free later this week maybe we can grab a coffee. I’d really like that.

  Carissa

  Your Photo Booth Funny Face Feline

  P.S. I got your email from Emily

  “You get the rental?” Jax asked from back in the kitchen.

  “Not about that.”

  “Really? So you’re already filling up that new phone of yours with lady callers?”

  “Not callers. Caller.”

  “Somebody special?”

  “Yes. Carissa. She wants to meet for coffee.”

  “Great. That turned around fast. I guess your visit helped to put things right.”

  “Maybe. I guess we’ll see.”

  “Are you going to accept?”

  “Yes. I want to get this sorted out once and for all. And get that spark fired back up.”

  “Great.”

  “Only one problem.”

  “Which is?”

  “I don’t know any coffee shops.”

  “Easy. There is a bunch in town. Take her to Fiesty Fido’s.”

  I laughed. “Fiesty Fido’s? What the heck is that all about?”

  “Owner has a dog named Fido.”

  “Not exactly original.”

  “True, but this is no ordinary dog.”

  “How so?”

  “You don’t finish your drink and he blocks the exit when you go to leave.”

  “You’ve got to be joking me. How would a dog even know you didn’t finish your coffee?”

  “They serve all drinks in double walled glasses. He can see.”

  “Yeah, but you’re at a table. He’s on the ground.”

  “Everyone’s on the ground.”

  “Why would everyone be on the ground?”

  “Japanese place. The guy who runs it is an old codger from Japan. Kind of an ornery, grumpy guy, but that’s his charm. He’s revered in the community.”

  “So let me get this straight. You have a angry Japanese guy running a coffee shop and everybody thinks he’s great?”

  “It’s technically a tea house, but he also has great coffees. Some he grows with hydroponics in a green house behind the shop. He’s arrives at his shop at 4am every day. Cleans the entire sidewalk, picks up any trash in the area, washes the windows, and even puts
out water and some food for the animals in the area. I would have never known if I hadn’t passed by on a few late night summer runs.”