Standard disclaimers apply.
Second Chance
Gary sat on the EL heading back to McGinty's. After receiving 15 stitches at Chicago Memorial Hospital, he was able to stop the scooter accident and the apartment air conditioner mishap with relative ease. He rubbed his shoulder and thought back to the park that morning. He was happy that he was able to help that woman. He couldn't get her face out of his head. The fact that he didn't even get her name was just one more example of how the paper was ruling his life. If Gary would have met her under "normal" circumstances, he would have asked her out, to dinner maybe…"Stop it Hobson!" …Gary shook his head trying to remove the thought. "Nothing about your life is normal!"
Armstrong went relatively easy on him, but he was sure he would pay for that later. They had developed sort of a "friendly" relationship. Armstrong didn't know how Gary always ended up at the right place at the right time, he just assumed that Gary had some sort of sense about things. He grew to accept it and most of the time was thankful that Gary could help; though, he would never let Gary know that.
The EL stopped and Gary got off. He started to walk the short distance to McGinty's. He figured that he had enough time to change his shirt, which had blood all over it, and grab a bite to eat before he had to head off to stop the fight at the swimming pool.
When he walked in the front door, he looked around. The place was busy with the normal lunch crowd. He headed toward the office to see if he could find Marissa. He found her standing by the filing cabinet when he entered. "Gary, is that you?"
"Yeah it's me. I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier to let you know that everything went okay this morning in the park. I had to make a small trip to the emergency room."
"The emergency room?" Marissa got nervous. "Gary are you all right?"
"Yeah I just got a minor cut and had to get some stitches." Gary rubbed his shoulder.
"Did Armstrong get there in time to help?" Marissa asked.
"He got there in time. Thanks to you. I think they were able to catch the guy."
"And you were the only one who ended up getting hurt?"
"It's not that bad really. It was worth 15 stitches." Gary smiled as he thought back to that morning.
"What is that supposed to mean? I hope you got her number?" Marissa teased.
"I just meant, well she was nice, that's all. And no, unfortunately, because of all the commotion I didn't even get her name." Gary frowned. "Besides, this is just another example of how this paper doesn't want me to have life."
"You could always call Armstong, I'm sure he can get in touch with her." Marissa closed the filing cabinet and headed towards the desk.
"I don't have time for that Marissa, I have to get changed and head over to the swimming pool. I'll talk to you later." Gary headed upstairs to his loft.
Marissa thought to herself, maybe I could call Detective Armstrong. He might give me the information Gary obviously regrets that he didn't get. Then she quickly changed her mind. I had better stay out of it she thought.
Megan was sitting outside on her front porch when Kaitlyn pulled up in the police car. She got out and thanked the officer for the ride home then headed up her walk.
"What are you getting police escorts home now? Where have you been." Megan yelled as she crossed the street. Megan stopped when she saw the look on Kaitlyn's face.
"You are not even going to believe what happed to me? Where are the girls?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Mom picked them up. You just missed them…and by the look on your face, I think it's a good thing. What happened?"
Kaitlyn and Megan sat down on the steps of the porch and went through the entire story from beginning to end. She smiled when she spoke of Gary, her hero. When she finished her sister grabbed her and hugged her. "Thank god your okay."
"Yeah, it didn't really hit me until I sat in that police car and had to identify that man. If Gary Hobson hadn't been there well I honestly believe that I wouldn't be here." Kaitlyn shivered.
"Was he cute? You like him don't you?" Megan smiled.
"Well how can you not like someone who saves your life." Kaitlyn laughed. "He was handsome though. Something about him when I looked in his eyes. I don't know." Kaitlyn shrugged. "I didn't even get a chance to say thank you."
"Well I think you should definitely make a point to do that." Megan laughed. "Are you gonna be okay here by yourself. I told Ben I would take him to the movies this afternoon?" Megan got up. "I can cancel if you want?"
"Don't be silly. I'll be fine. Thanks for coming over this morning. I'm gonna go and take a shower and try and get some work done."
"Well you know where to find me." Megan started down the stairs and turned back around to hug her sister one more time. "I'm right across the street if you need me."
Kaitlyn watched her sister cross the street and walk into her home. She went into her own home and headed up the stairs to take a shower. She thought about what a great family she had. Megan's guidance had always been a constant in her life that she could count on. Her older sister had seen her through some tough times. Only two years apart in age, they had always been close. Kaitlyn smiled as she thought about her family. They were all very close. She thought about her oldest sister, Emily, who lived in New York City. She missed her. She would have to make a point to call her later tonight.
Her parents had just recently moved to Chicago from Kentucky. They conveniently bought a house only a block away. They seemed to be following Megan and Kaitlyn. However, her mother said it was "to be closer to my grandchildren." Her father was a retired police officer who had a part time job doing security at Wrigley field. Her parents had a loving relationship. It was the kind of relationship she tried to model her own marriage after. The kind of family life she wanted to give her girls. Unfortunately, that didn't happen the way she had planned.
Kaitlyn put on a pair of tan shorts and a white v-neck t-shirt. As she sat on her bed and buckled her sandals, she thought back to that morning in the park. Yep, she was definitely going to take a trip to McGinty's and pay Gary Hobson a visit.