Chapter Two

“Don’t be so nervous. You’re going to do just fine.”

Ry Starling redid his collar for what felt like the thousand time within the last half hour as he got dressed for the interview he was preparing within an hour’s time. He sat at the kitchen table as his mother set a plate of breakfast in front of him. Staring down at the eggs and French toast he wasn’t so sure if he was able to eat any of it.

But he knew his mother had worked all morning to prepare it for him just for this occasion. Just graduating college not two months prior he finally was able to land an interview of his field of study, a youth counselor for any background. He wanted to help kids who were struggling but it was a lot harder than he thought getting a job that was more local and near his parents.

“This position is a big deal, mom. If I get it I’ll be helping dozens of them that either have no families or families that are broken. They need me.” He presses can’t believing his luck that one opened up at the local church a few miles from here. “Besides, I don’t go to their church so they may not hire me just for that reason alone.” he mumbles.

“Nonsense. If they reject you because of that then they’re just backpaddling on their own belief system now aren’t they?” She slightly scolds him. “You are the kindest, most wonderful and amazing human being on this planet. They’re going to love you as soon as you give them that beautiful smile of yours.”

“Mom, that’s not how this works.” He smiles anyways knowing she was just doing her best to cheer him up, but it didn’t make the rock sitting in his gut lessen the weight any. Taking a few bites that wasn’t helping at all he couldn’t help feeling the anxiety build higher as the time drew near for him to leave.

Not able to shovel more down he gets up to grab his coat. “I have to go mom.” He says to her as she comes rushing over to embrace him.

“Don’t overthink it, you’re going to do just fine.” She whispers to him making him smile a little.

“Thanks. I’ll call you right after.” Letting her go he heads out the door and starts walking down the street.

He had to take the city bus to get where he was going. He didn’t have his own car and while his mother offered to give him a ride he didn’t take it. He didn’t want to burden his parents any more than he already had since coming home from college. His dad was already off to work so he wasn’t able to see him when he woke up. It wasn’t too bad in the morning, a little breezy as the cold weather was finally winding down and spring was in the air.

His phone whistles at him telling him there was an incoming text message. Pulling it out of his pocket he checks to see that it was his dad. Reading his message of encouragement and well wishes he smiles knowing his parents were always rooting for him in whatever he did in life. He was lucky enough to have them when so many children didn’t have what he did.

Checking the time he still had a good twenty minutes before the bus was going to show up, so he decided to head to the little local café just across the street to get a coffee to go. Heading to the crosswalk he noticed it was a second away of showing the hand sign indicating not to cross. Frowning he noticed that an older woman was still crossing very slowly and knew she wasn’t going to make it before the light turned green for the cars.

Risking his own safety he ran across the street to head to her side when the light turns green, thankfully some of the people were patient with her but there was one vehicle who wasn’t really paying attention. Ry carefully leaned in close without startling her and asked,

“Ma’am, may I help you cross the street?”

“Oh.” Her wobbly voice squeaks out in surprise. “Aren’t you a gentlemen. My legs aren’t what they used to be, and these signals don’t give old people like me enough time to get across.”

Suddenly the vehicle stops in time and starts honking like crazy. Ry ignores the man as he takes her hand and places it on his forearm. “Here, let me guide you.”

“Oh my, he’s not very happy now is he?” She states as she jumps a little at the honking.

“Come on! The damn light is green here! Walk faster old woman!”

Ry clenches his teeth preventing himself from snapping at the man. “Don’t listen to him, he’s just being a…jerk.” He finishes not wanting to use bad language in front of her.

“Asshole, sweetie, it’s called being an asshole.” She pats his hand making him smile.

Not a second that they finally pass his car does he zoom off cursing at them and flipping his middle finger. He breathes out slowly trying hard not to lose his cool.

“That was a brave and noble thing you just did young man; I appreciate your kindness. It’s rare nowadays for young people like you to have such wonderful manners.” She pats his cheek as she moves away. “Thank you for being so caring to this old woman. It gives me hope that this world isn’t completely going down the drain. Your parents did right by you.”

She waves at him as she continues on her way. He watches her go saddened that the older generation are now thinking that way about the younger ones. Shaking his head he goes to the café and notices a young mother was struggling to open the door with her stroller and a young toddler in tow trying to get in.

Rushing over he opens it for her, and she gushes her thanks as she easily goes in with his help. Seeing an older couple heading his way he stands there and allows them to go in ahead of him. This couple didn’t even bother to say thank you as they walked in and headed straight for the line.

“Okay.” He mumbles and shakes his head. They weren’t as old as that old woman, but they weren’t quite as young as his parents. It seems that maybe the younger generation wasn’t the only issue in this world.

After standing in line for a few minutes and then ordering his drink he stands there and waits. Checking the time on his phone the door dings open and for a strange, odd moment something compels him to look up. When he does his entire body feels lightweight as if gravity had lifted just a little.

He couldn’t help but stare at the young girl who had walked in. She looks around until she spots him then looks away as if he hadn’t been standing right there. But that didn’t bother him because he was looking at the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on.

And he couldn’t seem to look away.