Second Chances

By R D Power

Jaime Cox was the lucky girl who'd won the heart of the handsome hockey star, Justin Rowland, before all his fame and fortune. For fourteen years she awaited his proposal before finally giving him the ultimatum, but, to her shock and dismay, he let her walk out of his life. Now, after basking in the high life with the city's most eligible bachelor for over a decade, she's alone and penniless.

Tyler MacDonald is nothing like Justin. His career and reputation ruined by malevolent social activists, he toils as an anonymous lecturer at a university. Abandoned by his wife and raising his troublesome daughter on his own, he struggles to come to terms with his life. He has nothing to offer a woman but his heart.

Though still pining for Justin, Jaime jumps into the dating pool and meets Tyler. Their relationship is getting serious--until Justin returns offering her what she's wanted all along. Whose heart will she break?

Compelling and witty, Second Chances explores some of the most contentious issues of our time, as Jaime learns what true love really means.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R D Power
• Release date: Nov 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370009657

R D Power

ROBERT POWER was born in Canada, but raised and educated in the United States. He stayed in university so long, Berkeley eventually gave him a PhD to get rid of him. Working as a consultant from home, he drove his wife crazy until he took up writing fiction in his too-ample spare time. Neither he nor his wife know what they were thinking when they decided to have four children, but they’re happy they do--most days. They live in southern Ontario.

Book preview

Chapter One

Sometimes opportunity calls when you’re preoccupied, and it leaves a rude message when you don’t answer.

Jaime Cox was still in a miserable mood five weeks after breaking up with Justin Rowland, ex-Maple Leaf left winger. Justin had been the only boyfriend she’d ever had; she’d met him in high school. Already a hotshot Junior A player in grade eleven, he was the guy every girl wanted in their Mississauga high school. He began flirting with her the moment they met, telling her she was "by far the best-looking girl in the school." She required no convincing, though she had to hide their relationship from her parents for the first year or so—she was only fifteen-years-old at the time.

He had strung her along for fourteen years, promising that they’d get married—eventually. In the meantime, he’d had God knows how many women while he was playing hockey, first in the juniors, then in the AHL, then finally in NHL for seven seasons before a combination of injuries and competition ended his hockey career.

Her patience exhausted, she’d given him the ultimatum, and when he sidestepped it, she declared their relationship dead. He ignored the threat, so she packed her bags. As she opened the door to leave, he stood with arms crossed and confident visage, saying, You’ll be back within the week. Upset and angry, she stormed out, vowing not to take his calls.

He didn’t call. Heartbroken he could write her off so easily, she tried to extirpate him from her heart as she struggled to find her way forward on her own. As time passed she began to lose hope that they would ever be reconciled.

So, here she was at age twenty-nine, without any prospects. Since she’d left Justin, she’d frequently thought wistfully of all the successful men who’d made plays for her over the years, but she’d rejected them all in favor of the one. But now that it seemed he wasn’t the one, she had no one, and she realized that fewer and fewer passes were coming her way. She wondered if she were over the hill already.

Ironically, the thought of dating anyone else was anathema to her at the moment; it was too soon after the end of a relationship that had lasted almost half her life. The prospect of sorting through all the dross to find the elusive gold was too daunting in her present state of mind. Still, she was curious—maybe anxious was closer to the mark—about how she might fare in a dating pool that seemed to be teeming with male sharks with countless younger women angling for them.

A female colleague had convinced her to join a group of impressive people, as she’d put it, for a few drinks at the EFS nightclub after work. Jaime had just started a job she needed, but didn’t want in the human resources department at the University Health Network. The group of young professionals had begun meeting after work a few months back, and now it was more or less a Friday evening tradition.

This being her first week with the group, she was introduced to all. It was a sundry group, with seven women and six men, this week at least, including front-line health care professionals, lab technicians, and administrative personnel. It was an impressive assemblage, professionally at least, though only one of the men caught her eye. He sat at the opposite end of the elongated U-shaped booth encompassing four small tables, which the group occupied. Unfortunately he was a laboratory medicine technician. He’d mentioned his name upon introduction, but she couldn’t recall it.

Jaime had stratospheric standards for men. After all, she’d been with one of the city’s most eligible bachelors for fourteen years. He’d made a lot of money and spoiled her. Not that she was a kept woman. She’d earned her doctorate in clinical psychology and paid her own way via scholarships and summer jobs while she was living with him, but she’d lived in a style that would’ve been impossible on her own, a millionaire’s lifestyle that she was now missing a great deal. Comparing her spartan bachelor apartment in the Annex neighborhood of Toronto to the fancy digs she’d occupied with Justin in the city’s most desirable neighborhood, she could only sigh. Taking the subway everywhere was depressing after the Lexus IS350 convertible she’d had exclusive use of while she was with Justin. Eating at Subway was downright humiliating after the typical fare she’d enjoyed with Justin at the city’s finest restaurants.

No, a lowly lab tech would never do.

That he was interested in her was patent, considering his frequent glances were progressing to steady gazes, which were beginning to discomfit her. Finally he made his move, getting to his feet and sashaying toward her. Dammit, she said to herself.

As he approached, another man joined the group; this one was handsome and dressed to the nines.

Jaime shuffled to the left, making it clear she wanted him to sit beside her. The lab tech arrived at the same time and made a move to sit, but Jaime said, Sorry, I, um, made this space for him, gesticulating to the other man.

The lab tech looked surprised, then abashed. He nodded and appeared uncertain what to do next. Jaime’s neighbor to her left, Dr. Eva something-or-other, shifted so he could sit on the other side of her.

The well-dressed man sat and introduced himself to Jaime. William Everling, nice to meet you.

She smiled and said, Jaime Cox. Likewise.

As she shook his hand, she glanced beyond him to the group and felt a definite chill. Maybe it was her imagination, but some seemed to be grimacing at her; one woman was shaking her head. What’s their problem? she wondered.

She shook it off and attended to William. He certainly looked successful. The nurse to his right nodded at him and said, Dr. Everling, before turning her attention back to her other neighbor.

That sounded promising to Jaime, although even a handsome doctor would be a step down from Justin—but then any man would be a step down. Stop it, she scolded herself. Stop comparing every man to Justin. Take them on their own merits.

A waitress came for drink orders.

Oh, how Jaime wanted a Champagne Cocktail, but she couldn’t afford it. Never did she consider what something cost when she was out with Justin.

When the waitress reached them, William asked Jaime, What’ll you have?

Um, a Champagne Cocktail? she said to William as much as the waitress.

The waitress nodded and jotted.

William ordered a double of scotch on ice. She recognized the brand. Justin drank expensive scotch, and apparently William shared his passion for the drink.

Next was Eva, who was squinting at the cocktail menu.

The lab tech said to the waitress, You’re in her light. Stop being so tall.

Sir? she said, obviously confused.

Eva said, Don’t try to make sense of anything Tyler says. Can I get a Singapore Sling?

The waitress nodded and jotted it down, then looked at Tyler, who said, Moosehead.

Figures, thought Jaime. Working class through and through.

So, said Jaime to William, you’re a doctor?

William answered. A surgeon.

What’s that like?

Mostly boring by now, I’ve been at it for so long.

You must’ve saved so many lives.

Some, but I typically do operations that restore function. I’m an orthopedic surgeon and have come to specialize in shoulders. This afternoon, for instance, I took a ligament from a cadaver and grafted it into my patient.

Wow. Did the operation succeed?

Of course; I’ve done it hundreds of times.

But there’s a side effect that doctors don’t like to acknowledge, budded in Tyler. After getting parts from a cadaver the patient soon begins to crave brains. He then glanced at Jaime with a fake smile and added, Don’t worry; you’re safe.

I think he was only half-joking; he feels insulted and is trying to pay me back, Jaime told herself.

Eva looked at what Tyler was wearing and shook her head. He was attired in a tatty black leather jacket and black jeans. She said, You look like a slob.

Doesn’t matter what you’re wearing if you have five bucks in your pocket. He took off his jacket and said, This better?

Eva and Jaime were shocked to see that his white t-shirt read ʁetarded and prowd of it.

Eva said, Honestly, Ty, why would you wear something like that? They might kick you out if they see it.

What for?

For being so offensive.

To whom?

To everyone.

Can he really be this naïve? mused Jaime.

Tyler said, I’ll never understand why people choose to get offended on behalf of someone else; it’s an entire industry nowadays. Really, when you think about it, the only people this t-shirt should offend are the mentally retarded, but they’re unlikely to understand it, so I should be safe. Jaime rolled her eyes, which Tyler noticed because he mockingly copied her.

Tyler! Put your jacket back on, said Eva.

He laughed and did as she asked, saying, I’d like to claim I’m wearing this shirt to make a statement: Piss off, social justice warriors! But the truth is I lost a bet with my brother-in-law; I have to wear this all day.

What was the bet? asked a woman to Tyler’s left.

I found a joke Christmas card that said, ‘I asked Santa for Emilia Clarke, but the fat bastard didn’t come through. Guess you’ll have to do for another year,’ and I bet him he wouldn’t give it to my sister. I lost the bet but, knowing my sister, he lost a lot more.

Well, I hope you don’t expect to attract any women with your getup, said Eva.

He scanned the room and, with eyes coming to rest on Jaime, said, No big loss.

Oh! You can be such a jerk! cried Eva.

She stood and made ready to stomp away, but Tyler clutched her hand and said, Eva, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to offend you.

No, you meant to offend me, thought Jaime. Why would she be so upset about being slighted by him anyway? Is she actually attracted to him? Eva wasn’t pretty but she seemed nice and she was a doctor. As far as Jaime was concerned, Eva was far too good for him.

William commented, I think your shirt represents an accurate portrayal of its wearer.

Jaime tittered at that, and William smiled at her.

Tyler said, You’re questioning my smartedidity? William nodded, and Tyler continued, Take care, sir, or you and I are headed for a kerfuffle.

Eva chuckled and resumed her seat.

I think you owe all the fine ladies here an apology, said William with a head gesture to Jaime.

Sorry for thinking your dress makes you look frumpy, said Tyler to Jaime.

Okay, you’re upset I chose him over you, replied Jaime, now thoroughly miffed at him. Believe me, it wasn’t a hard decision, and every word out of your mouth convinces me I was right.

He looked at her and said something unexpected. You’re right; I’m sorry. I’m making a fool of myself tonight, so I think I’ll call it a night.

He got up to leave, but it was Eva’s turn to grab his hand. The nurse beside William and the female occupational therapist said, You’re leaving?

Jaime was now confused. Why did they care that this loser was leaving? What am I missing?

They prevailed on him to stay, but he vowed to keep his big mouth shut. That, too, prompted protest from those nearby. The occupational therapist cast what could only be interpreted as a Get lost! scowl her way. Had she already alienated her new workmates? What did I do?

The waitress brought the first round of drinks. As William took his he ordered another double for himself and another Champagne Cocktail for Jaime. Before she could object he said, They take forever to come back. She said nothing but noticed no one else in their group ordered another drink.

She fell into conversation with William about working at the hospital. He complained at length about the administrators, which was awkward for her since she was now one of them. The workforce in the healthcare system is up by something like eighty percent in the last quarter century. Guess what percentage of the new hires were doctors?

Maybe half? she guessed.

"You’re off by an order of magnitude. Five percent. The number of administrators is up by over three thousand percent in the last three decades, in the U.S., anyway. It’s somewhat lower in Canada, but still outrageous. That, in a nutshell, is what’s wrong with our healthcare system. Far too many people on the payroll who don’t help anyone but themselves."

Well, I hope some of us do some good, she said.

He understood and apologized, grasping the back of her hand and squeezing. The waitress returned with their second round. Jaime had barely tasted her first drink. A few people, including William, ordered another round. Uh oh, she said to herself.

She noticed people to her left were laughing a lot, so she turned her attention there.

Tyler was speaking to the female lab tech to his left. But if you laugh me off you’ll never know the tender sensation of my hand stroking your thigh.

Those within earshot laughed, and the homely woman responded, I wish.

Tyler returned, There will be no fourth chance for me, no ma’am. I have my pride.

Eva sidled up to him.

She wants his attention back, observed Jaime. Jaime loved observing human interaction and was excellent at divining the latent meaning of verbal and non-verbal interaction. She’d fallen into clinical psychology almost by accident. She’d taken a course in psychology in her freshman year at the University of Toronto and found it easy and interesting, so she took another and another until she eventually ended up with a PhD. But it was more than a credential for her; she discovered she was a natural at personal counselling, especially with children. All her professors and her mentor said as much. It was so frustrating that she was forced to take a job in human resources to get by when she’d been slowly—very slowly—building her own caseload of patients since she’d graduated just over a year ago. How was she to continue to build a caseload without Justin to support her?

Eva said, Where’s Syl, anyway? He told me he’d be here.

Tyler said, Syl’s late at everything he does. He was born three days after his birthday. By December fifth he won’t even be finished November.

That produced a guffaw, and Jaime couldn’t help but join in.

Tyler added, It’s true his wife complains he comes too early all the time; I think she means she doesn’t like his company.

Hey, Ty, said a man at the far end of the booth, I read that global warming is melting the polar ice and that polar bears are at great risk. You told us global warming is nonsense, but how else would the ice melt?

The group turned to Tyler, awaiting his response, many of them grinning. Jaime surmised that this had been the focus of a previous discussion.

Tyler answered, I think the northern ice cap is disappearing because Will’s been chipping it off for his drinks.

Everyone laughed, except Jaime, who was now worried she’d accepted the company of an alcoholic.

Oh, there he is, said Eva.

Another man, Syl, Jaime guessed, had just shown up. He was good-looking, but he wore a wedding ring. Tyler said, Happy tidings to you, dildo.

Piss off, said Syl. He sat next to Jaime and extended his hand, saying, Syl Turner.

Shaking his hand, she told him her name and that she’d just joined the human resources department at the hospital. He said he was a petroleum engineer at Imperial Oil and Eva’s neighbor and married to Tyler’s sister.

Tyler told Syl, Thanks for coming. I’d be the most boring person here if it weren’t for you. Where’s my sister?

I asked her to come, but she said she looked hideous, said Syl.

That never stopped her before.

I’m telling her you said that. I need a stiff drink. Came within an inch of getting splattered by a Chevy as I was crossing the street to get here.

Tyler returned, I wouldn’t stand for getting run over by a Chevy; I wouldn’t settle for less than an Audi. How was Yellowknife?

Regina is pretty much the worst shithole in the solar system, and Yellowknife is a shitty Regina.

Another man joined the party. Apparently this was his first time as well, since he was introduced to the group. He was an unattractive physician by the name of Braylon Smith. At least that’s what Jaime thought she heard. She guessed his parents wanted to offset the common family name with a unique given name.

Tyler commented, Of all the Braylons I’ve ever come across, you’re the first.

Braylon said to Tyler, Your name sounds familiar.

That’s not surprising, said Tyler. There are plenty of Tylers around.

As Braylon sat near the far end of the group, he rejoined, No, I mean your full name.

Tyler glanced at his brother-in-law as if to say, No sense of humor.

A woman to the other side of Tyler who worked in the office next to Jaime’s, the person who’d invited her to this get-together, said to Syl, You remember Andrew Johansson? Syl shook his head. He joined us for the first Friday or two, but stopped coming because he couldn’t stand your brother-in-law?

That doesn’t narrow it down much.

Small, balding guy.

Oh, yeah. Syl turned to Jaime and said, He didn’t appreciate Ty’s sense of humor. Andrew was bad-mouthing a friend of his, and Ty told him, ‘He’s not half as good as you,’ and while Andrew was thanking him, Ty added, ‘He’s twice as good as you.’ That’s all it took, since he never came back.

The woman continued, Anyway, he went on his long-planned safari and ended up dying.

Sounds like an unplanned destination. How’d he go? said Syl.

Tyler interrupted with, His casket was filled with lion shit if that tells you anything.

Laughing, the woman said to Jaime, You got his position, so you can thank the lion.

Syl turned to Tyler and said, Hey, you wearing your new shirt?

Yes, said Eva, shaking her head in disapproval.

You’re violating the spirit of our agreement. Take off your jacket.

With a smirk, Tyler removed his jacket. He said, You know, as bad as this shirt is, at least it’s not pink. Syl was wearing a button-down pink shirt; the top button was undone and his tie was loosened. Tyler went on, My mom bought me a shirt like that once, but I never wore it because I like girls.

I could tell by the way you felt me up, you like boys, too, said his brother-in-law.

What do you mean? said Eva.

Never mind, said Tyler.

Tell us, insisted the nurse.

Syl said, In what will live in infamy as the most embarrassing moment of all time, the man who was about to become my brother-in-law came into our room the night before the wedding. He and my best man had stayed up drinking long after everyone else. Ty was hammered and had never been to my place before, so, naturally, in seeking his bed he chose the wrong room. I was awake and knew what was going on. It was dark, but my eyes were accustomed to it; his weren’t.

He could’ve just called out and I’d have left, said Tyler.

Where’s the fun in that? I nudged his sister and whispered, ‘He doesn’t know it’s our room; let’s see what he does.’ He paused to laugh in reminiscence, then continued, So he stumbles to the bed and kneels next to it. He drawls, ‘Hey, Rache’—Rachel, his ex-wife—’Hey, Rache, you awake? Been saving a massive boner for you.’ It was all we could do to prevent bursting out laughing. Heidi was shaking up a storm keeping the laughter inside.

The audience was chuckling, but Syl said, I haven’t gotten to the funny part yet. I, unfortunately, was on the side of the bed he was near. That ratcheted up the laughter as the listeners anticipated what happened next. He starts running his hands over me. I’d positioned my arm so he’d feel that first.

It might’ve been even more disgusting if I felt up my sister, said Tyler.

Syl resumed, So he gets to my, you know, junk . . . The laughter escalated. I hear a gasp, and he yanks his hands away. Then he says, ‘Hey, those aren’t Rachel’s balls.’

That brought down the house as a chortling Syl completed his account. Well, Heidi and I laughed so hard, we woke up half the house. The next day I’m standing at the front of the church awaiting my lovely bride and I glance at this clown who’s sitting in a pew licking his top lip and motioning with his hand as if he’s fondling me, and I lost it. I laughed so hard, I started crying, and they had to delay Heidi from coming into the church for a few minutes.

Remind me to have you killed, said Tyler to his brother-in-law as he stood, presumably to go to the men’s room.

Jaime resumed talking to William, who was fast getting inebriated. A couple of minutes later, Tyler returned. Before he reached his seat he passed a pair of slutty women, one of whom spotted his shirt. Indignantly, she said, I find your shirt highly offensive. My brother is a person with developmental disabilities.

Must run in the family, said Tyler.

Amidst the guffaw, Eva said, Ty! as the woman thundered away.

A moment later, a bouncer appeared and told Tyler to leave.

Why? challenged Tyler.

Your shirt.

No collar?

What it says.

You don’t believe in free speech? What’s your title? House censor?

Leave.

Or?

I’ll escort you out.

I’m running through my options in my head, but they all seem to lead to an unfortunate series of events that leave me lying on the floor bleeding, said Tyler as he donned his jacket and stood to leave. "So I’ll go, but be aware that my brother-in-law will give you what