Cole

by Autumn Gunn

  “OK.” She pulled out a chair for Jax. He sat and I stood by his side. We were in the front of the classroom towards the corner.

  “OK, everyone. Our very special guest has arrived and he has brought another very special guest. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Callahan and Mr. Justice.”

  The kids began clapping excitedly while staring at both of us. Jax stood up. Side by side we were quite the spectacle. I looked at the blackboard and noticed the words Welcome Mr. Callahan in big chalk. Carissa caught me looking and quickly made her way to the blackboard and added the words and Mr. Justice.” I looked at Jax and he smirked.

  As the children’s claps died down Carissa moved to the podium.

  “Mr. Callahan is a Navy SEAL. He is here today to talk about discipline, fitness, and becoming the best you that you want to be. Achieving the things that you want to achieve. We may have different goals, but there are some common factors that can help just about all of us achieve those goals. No matter how different they might be. Please give your attention to Mr. Callahan. U.S. Navy SEAL.”

  Carissa backed away from the podium and extended her arms toward it motioning the floor was all mine. Jax took a seat and I took two steps to my left. Close to the podium, but in an open area. I knew I was going to be excited and would need to move around. Also, it’s an old presentation trick to keep the audience’s attention. I had their attention now, but I didn’t have much experience with kids of this age and had no idea how long I’d be able to keep it.

  “Thank you for having me today. This afternoon there are more than 30 students in this classroom. On average, each of you will meet over 10,000 people in your lifetime. 10,000 people. That’s a lot of people. That’s the entire fan section of the basketball gym here on our campus. Three times. Imagine that. Every seat in our basketball gym filled. Three times. A lot of people.

  If every one of you here today was able to change the life of just 10 people. And those people changed the life of just 10 people. And those people changed the life of just 10 people. Do you know how many lives that would be?”

  The students stared intently. Not a hand rose. Not an eyeball wavering.

  “33,300 people. Imagine that. The entire population of our county. Go one more generation and it’s 333,300. And if you go five generations it’s 3,333,300. That more than the population of 21 of our 50 states.

  If you think it’s difficult to change the lives of 10 people during your lifetime…well, it’s not. In a part of South America where a bunch of really, really bad guys live, lots of bad guys, one man heard a very small noise. Just one man. That man was our leader that day. He told us to stop and change direction. We found out later that if we would have continued along that same jungle path for just 20 more yards we would have all been dead. Some of you sitting in here right now can throw a football 20 yards. Some of you can run that distance in under three seconds. How many lives did that one man change? Did that one man save? He saved 12 including his own.”

  The students looked like they were in shock. Each frozen in their seats. I had accomplished my first mission. Get their attention. Now, not only not to lose it, but to direct it towards something positive.

  “Who is that man? He’s sitting eight feet to my right at this exact moment.”

  The children’s eyes moved simultaneously to the left like the final point in the fifth set of the U.S. Open. Jax’s gaze was already there to meet them. I didn’t need to look at him to know. I already knew. Plus I could see it with my peripheral vision.

  “That man saved 12 lives.” The student’s eyes moved in unison back to me. The lives of 11 others plus his own.

  I’m here today to repay that favor. Not to him, but to you. With your permission, I want to change your life. Technically I don’t know you so I will say I’m here to impact your life. Impact it in the most positive way as quickly as possible.

  And what will your world look like then? I want you all to close your eyes for a moment.” The children’s eyes shut tight like they were playing hide-and-seek and didn’t want to get called out for cheating.

  “Imagine waking up every day feeling happy. Full of energy. Waking up early. Excited for what the day has to bring. And not just what the day will bring you, but what you will bring the day. What do I mean by that? I mean you have already prepared. You are prepared and ready to make an impact on the day. On the world. They day won’t tell you what to do. You will be in charge. You will have purpose and that purpose will guide you to accomplish everything you set out to accomplish.

  Your body will be strong. Your mind will be strong. You will have the resources available to you to accomplish your goals. And if you don’t have those resources right away your mind will be sharp and focused and in combination with your strong body all the parts of you will be able to work together to get these resources. Or to make these resources. To do whatever it takes to get the tools to make you successful. Successful in the ways that you choose. But first you must build that foundation.

  You can open your eyes now.” I was holding an 8x10 print of the moment I kissed the cobra.

  “As you can see, anything is possible.” The kids gasped.

  “As Ms. Compton said, I am a Navy SEAL. So is the man sitting to my right. Mr. Justice. Mr. Justice has changed my life. More than just changed my life, he saved my life. It’s time I return that favor. I’d like to give that gift to each and every one of you here today. Each and every one who wants to work with me. Side-by-side. To allow me to share the wisdom I’ve learned from the years of Navy SEAL training. From the training from traveling all around the world. From the training of living life.”

  I had slowly been increasing the speed of my speech. I wanted to build to the ultimate moment and I think I had it. Now or never.

  “In my pocket I have a list. A list for anyone who would like to join me in training. Training the body. Training the mind. Today I opened a gym. Today. Day one. You can start on the first day. Be a part of the original team. Be a part of something new. Something special. Tonight at 7pm will be our first class. It’s free to attend. I don’t ask anyone to pay in anything but hard work and sweat for the first month. I’m that sure of it. Try it for one month. See how well it works for you. No risk.

  We will work hard this month. We will exercise until you think you can’t exercise anymore. But you will. Your mind will overcome the pain. You will be pushed to limits you didn’t know were possible. And then you will blow past them. You will be prepared. You will be strong. You will be ready. For anything.”

  I stopped. The children were still frozen in their seats. Even Ms. Compton seemed a bit taken back. No one spoke. Then suddenly a small boy in the back of the class who had been leaning forward on his seat and desk did a combination slide and jump to his left to exit his desk and yelled “Awww” and ran to the podium. It reminded me of a battle cry.

  “Mr. Callahan. I’m ready. I have my pen. Where do I sign?”

  It was like a dam broke. All the children poured out of their desks and engulfed the podium. Commotion. High-fiving. Muscle flexing by some of the boys and even the girls. Feeling each other’s biceps. It had worked. It was a success. The kids were pumped up. Now I just had to keep the momentum.

  “Remember. When you sign you are giving your word. Not only to me, but more importantly to yourselves. Also you will need to check with your parents. I encourage you to sign the form tonight, but make sure to check with your parents to make sure.”

  No one backed away. I couldn’t image all the students showing up in a little under four and a half hours, but I liked their enthusiasm.

  As the children were taking turns signing the form I felt Ms. Compton’s hand on my back. I turned and she motioned to join her on the other side of the room.

  “Cole, that was incredible.” She held out her arm. It was covered in goose bumps. “When you first started I thought your intensity was too high for kids their age, but now that I think about it that’s just what they needed. You met their e
nergy level with one that’s even higher. I don’t think they’re used to that. I have to admit I was engrossed. I literally forgot where I was. It was like I was in the middle of a movie. I think you hypnotized us with your intensity then motivated us beyond belief with your words. Did I just have an out of body experience? I may have.”

  We both laughed.

  “Adults are welcome too Carissa. And I can definitely promise an in body experience when you try one of my workouts. They’re guaranteed to tear you down first, but then rebuild you even stronger.”

  “So you’re saying this is the real boot camp exercise program?”

  “Something like that. You’re definitely going to feel alive and see changes.”

  “Cole, I’m infected. I got the bite. I’m all in on the Kool-Aid. Sign me up.”

  I laughed. “No Kool-Aid, Carissa. And I know you just meant it as a figure of speech, but you’ve got to sign up yourself. It reaffirms the commitment your making to yourself. It’s a lot easier to stay committed when it’s your hand that physically takes that pen and signs your name on the line.”

  “You know all the tricks, don’t you?”

  “Just the ones that work.”

  Carissa looked up at me in a combination of a smile and full entrancement. I could feel the spark we had. It was back. And back in a big way. A huge way. Her pupils were dilating. I could feel my heart racing. It felt good.

  Just then the bell rang. The students didn’t motion to leave. One little girl put her hand up.

  “Yes, Katie.”

  “Miss Compton, where do we go at 7pm?”

  I walked to the chalkboard and wrote down the address. Carissa tore out some small sheets of paper and began copying it while some of the kids took pictures of the chalkboard with their smart phones.

  “Please remember to check with your parents. I want you all to come, but you must tell your parents. The gym is very basic, but don’t be scared. It will be easier to stay focused without any distractions.”

  A little boy walked up to me and stuck out his hand. I took it in a shake.

  “What’s your name young man?”

  “Mr. Callahan, I’m Jerry Harper. I’m going to see you tonight. And a lot more nights too.”

  “Excellent Mr. Harper. I’m going to be looking forward to it.”

  He turned and walked towards the door as did the rest of the students. They filed out still buzzing about the speech.

  I looked over at Jax and he raised both eyebrows.

  “When did you learn to do math?”

  “You mean multiply by ten?”

  “And keep the cumulative total running.”

  “You’re not underestimating me after all these years are you?”

  “Never.”

  We shook hands and shared a grin.

  “And what’s up with opening tonight? Your enthusiasm was a little in overdrive, huh?”

  “You know me. I got so fired up and there’s no stopping me.”

  “It’s for a good cause, so I’m all for it. Well, I guess we should hurry home and eat so we have the energy. I’ll text Jasmine to see where she’s at. She’s probably waiting for us out front.”

  “Wait. We?”

  “You heard me?”

  “You’re going to train?”

  “Are you kidding me? You just invited over 30 kids to a training session that starts in a few hours. A little help and more personalized instruction could be just what the doctor ordered.”

  Jax always had my back. “Thanks, brother. Would love to have you there. Side by side again.”

  “Don’t forget about me!”

  I turned to see Carissa jump up with her hand in the air. Like she was now the student attracting attention from the teacher.

  “You’re trained in this kind of stuff?” I gave her an inquisitive look.

  “Heck no, but I heard you say 30 students. I’m coming too!”

  We all laughed.

  “You’re darn right you are. Right there from day one.”

  “Cole, Jasmine just texted me. She’s out front. We should really get going.”

  “Definitely.”

  I turned to Carissa. “See you tonight. And no cute workout clothes. Wear something that you don’t mind ruining. Something you can do real work in.”

  “Ruining? What do you have planned?”

  “You’ll see.” I gave her a wink. “And thanks again for letting us come.

  “My pleasure. And I can’t wait. To see you. I mean to see.”

  Freudian slip. It’s on now.

  Chapter 12

  Jax, Jasmine and I arrived at the gym 30 minutes early. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were already over 15 cars in the gravel parking lot in front and on the sides of the gym. Jerry Harper was standing by the front door next to a woman.

  I almost jumped out of the Jeep before it came to a stop. I approached the front door and the doors of the parked cars opened and adults and parents made their way to the entrance.

  “Hello Mr. Callahan,” Jerry said as he extended his hand.

  “Hello, Jerry. Good to see you again.” I shook Jerry’s hand and then turned my eyes to the woman on his right.

  “Cole Callahan.” I offered my hand, which she readily accepted. She had a firm hand shake. One with hope. Her eyes were optimistic. Wide. Bright.

  “Kate Koval. I’m Jerry’s mom. He hasn’t stopped talking about you since he got home. Good to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s all mine, Kate. Let me open this door so you and Jerry can see the gym.”

  “Sounds great.”

  I opened the door and when I turned around I could see a line had already formed. Kate and Jerry stepped inside, but there were more people. A lot more. Kids and their parents approached the door and introduced themselves. The kids seemed really excited which made me even more excited. The parents were really behind their kids in this community. I loved seeing this. It made me proud. Proud to be a part of something already great. Now I had to contribute. I wanted to contribute. I wanted to belong. I was losing that feeling of belonging with all the time away from my SEAL team. I didn’t expect this to replace it, but I sure hoped it could help.

  After the last of the parents and their kids stepped inside I prepared to follow suit. Just then I heard a voice from behind.

  “Got room for one more?” I could recognize that voice from anywhere.

  “You made it.”

  “You didn’t think I was going to miss it did you? Or even worse show up late.”

  We both smiled. Carissa was dressed in yoga pants and an Under Armour women’s t-shirt. It was one of those synthetic materials great for staying dry during grueling activities. A great choice. Not only for the function, but also for the fit. Her clothes were snug. Not tight. Showing off her curves while still leaving plenty to the imagination. My imagination was running wild. It took all my energy to maintain total eye contact.

  “Looks like you’re ready to go.”

  “I am. I’m ready to put in work. Just like you were saying.”

  “Great, because there is plenty of work to be done inside. Let’s go in there and get started.”

  “Let’s.”

  I put my hand on the small of Carissa’s back as she crossed the threshold. I didn’t even think about it. It was natural for me and her reaction, or actually her lack of, made it seem natural for her as well. It reminded me of when we danced at the wedding. My hand on her lower back as we danced. Moving together in rhythm. Tonight we’d be doing a different kind of dance. One that requires just as much agility, but in a much different kind of way. This was a whole new ball game, and it takes two to tango.

  There were so many people I wanted to quickly address the entire crowd. I walked to the middle of the room.

  “Hello everyone. Please remove your shoes and take a seat in a circle around me. You can leave your shoes just outside the mat or by the door.”

  After a minute or two everyone was seated and focused on the wor
ds I was about to speak.

  “First of all. Thank you to everyone for coming. Your show of support this evening is outstanding. My goal is to provide that same level outstanding training for everyone here who wishes to participate. The techniques are designed to first and foremost build mental strength, physical strength, and discipline. These three things often go hand in hand. To accomplish these three goals I will rely on my training and experience as a Navy SEAL. Don’t worry…I’m not going to ask anyone to jump out of a helicopter 10 miles from shore and to swim in. I’m not going to ask anyone to repel down the side of a skyscraper. And I’m definitely not going to ask anyone to defuse a bomb underneath a cargo ship.”