Second Chances

This story is by Eva Ayer and was part of our 2024 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

   Evie arrived at her office ready to tackle  the many projects that awaited her attention.  She glanced quickly at each one, then selected one requiring her particular blend of reason and experience. And, then another. And, another. She soon eased into a line of thinking which combined the above skills with those of talking to particular persons involved, and deciding which changes made sense — and which didn’t. To Evie, each project was like a little puzzle, waiting for her to supply the “missing piece “ that would make it whole again. 

    Evie was interrupted from her problem-solving work by a phone call from her boss. “Evie, please come into my office”, he requested, and then promptly hung up. Suspecting nary a thing, Evie got up and headed toward his office.

     Evie and her boss exchanged the usual pleasantries — for each respected the other. They talked for so long that Evie began toying with the idea of “helping” her boss get to the point. He finally began addressing his topic. “Evie, as you know, we’re going through terrible budget cuts, and are having to consolidate several departments.  Unfortunately, your department is one of them and, what’s worse, you’re a casualty.”  

   As Evie sat reeling from the horrible blow she’d just been dealt, she began to cry.  “Don’t worry, Evie,” her boss said, “You’re in a great field; you have a great work ethic; and you’ll have another job in no time.   One you’ll like a hundred times more than this one!”   Evie certainly hoped that was true, and sniffled her way out of the office, and back to her house…where she could cry in private, with no prying eyes around to witness her heartbreak. 

    The next morning Evie was awakened from her tearful slumber by the constant jangling of her phone. She finally answered it, wondering all the while, “Who could be calling me so early on a Saturday morning?”  She then became terribly worried that more horrible news awaited her on the other end of the line. 

  “Hello?” she said… tentatively. “Hello, Evie!” was the jubilant response. Evie recognized the voice of her old friend, Debbie, and breathed a sigh of relief.  She couldn’t imagine Debbie bringing her anything but happy news!

  “Evie, I have a proposition for you!” said Debbie.  “Oh???”, said Evie, thinking anew of her own terrible state of affairs.  “Yes!” said Debbie. “As you know, I own a gym. The manager of that gym has just resigned, and I’m gonna conduct a contest between you and another friend, Pam, to determine who will take her place.  Are you interested???”

   “But, Debbie,” said Evie, “I have no experience running a gym. I only have experience being in one!”  “Ahhhh, I know,” said Debbie, “But you have an incredible head for business and, more importantly, are able to look at things objectively and make immediate changes.  I haven’t quite decided how to conduct the contest; what do you think I should do???”

  Evie couldn’t decide how to respond.  A contest???  For a job???  Well, Debbie had always been one to add fun to whatever she did, so Evie guessed she wasn’t terribly surprised by Debbie’s latest antics!  

  “I don’t know,” said Evie. “You’re the boss; you should make the rules!”

  “You’re right!” said Debbie, pausing briefly. “I was thinking I’d put you and Pam in various gym situations and see how you respond to them.”   

   “Of course!” said Evie. “That certainly seems like a fair-minded approach!” 

   She and Debbie talked more about the contest. They decided Evie should definitely participate, that the contest should run  about a month, and that Debbie would relay all details to Pam.  They also agreed to meet the next day and discuss Debbie’s idea more — after each had had a chance to mull things over.  

   They then hung up. Evie just sat and stared — with her mouth agape. She  couldn’t believe it. The absolute worst day of her life had  been replaced by one of the craziest days of her life!   She’d just been given a second chance — one with strings, of course — but a second chance nevertheless!  A chance to place her brand of leadership upon a business location!  A chance to marry her obsession for hard-and-fast rules with her flair for trying new things!  A chance to make an even bigger success of something that was tried-and-true!  

    Even though things weren’t sewn up as neatly as Evie would have liked, she couldn’t help being excited over this  unusual situation!  She’d gone to bed with the most horrible cloud of despair hanging over her, and now lived in a state of near euphoria!  Life could certainly be strange!  

   Evie had always wanted to be part of a gym.   To her, such a goal demanded lots of discipline, hard work, and, certainly, intelligence.  She was in clear possession of all these attributes, as well as one that eluded many people: incredible drive!  

   The next day, Evie and Debbie met to  discuss the contest again. Evie still wanted to participate; Debbie still wanted her to participate; so things were semi-settled…again!  Monday morning arrived. Evie drove to Debbie’s gym to begin her new life…and start winning Debbie’s contest. 

   The first day was a definite learning experience for Evie. She appreciated Debbie’s confidence in her, but couldn’t see yet that her confidence was warranted. However, Evie also realized that things were still being defined.  She vowed to keep an open mind toward everything that was happening in her life right now. 

   Days went by.  Evie continued soaking up knowledge — and applying her experience.  One morning, she was called down to the fitness floor to deal with a messy situation. A lady had arrived to work out dressed in standard workout attire…but had topped the outfit with a full-length mink coat… which she refused to take off!   “How,” Evie wondered, “am I going to deal with this???” She quickly began reviewing any work situations which might help in resolving this particular problem.  Unfortunately, nothing lept to mind!

   Evie talked and talked with the lady,  but got nowhere with her. She seemed to be terrified of the coat being stolen if she took it off….but also wanted to work out. “So, why did you bring it here???” thought Evie as she began pursuing yet another angle of persuasion with her. This time, she got the lady to agree that she’d remove her coat if two gym attendants watched it while the two were separated. Evie breathed a huge sigh of relief as this plan was put into action; the lady finally shrugged herself free from the coat; and the attendants hung it near their line of sight!  

    Evie also suggested changes to the gym itself; she added needed equipment and recommended new events.  She and Debbie decided to add a running track to the fitness floor; Evie then began eagerly learning how the body acclimated itself to it. She became extremely aware of all the people at the gym (staff, as well as members) and how dedicated each person was; accordingly, she suggested to Debbie rewards for each group.  She soon also learned how each group loved being “best”, and suggested Debbie add challenge-competitions whenever possible.  

   Evie became well-liked and respected over the next month. There was hardly a day that went by when her advice wasn’t sought to resolve a particular problem —whether it be in modifying equipment or programs at the gym, or in offering a new benefit to employees.  It became harder and harder for Evie to recall her “old” life and the accomplishment she felt when resolving black-and-white problems. Now, she was  solving those problems and new ones  involving gym members, employees, and actual policies. 

   True to her word, Debbie met with Evie and Pam after a month. “Girls,” she began “you’ve made this decision extremely difficult for me. You both have suggested wonderful ways to improve my gym.”  She paused, then continued, “But, I have to admit that Evie has suggested the ideas that seem most applicable to my situation.  Pam, I’m so sorry. Your ideas are certainly wonderful, but Evie’s are more tailored to my particular needs.”  

   Evie could barely believe what Debbie was saying!  She was finally doing something that “made a difference!”  She was extremely thankful for the second chance she’d received and greedily taken,  and wondered why she’d ever thought second chances didn’t happen. Her life suddenly seemed much fuller than it ever had. 

  Weeks later, as Debbie helped Evie load her car with some item needed at the gym, Evie was finally able to express her extreme gratitude to Debbie for her second chance. “Debbie,” she began, “Thank you for this incredible opportunity. Thank you for thinking up this crazy contest, and for thinking that I should be in it.  I’m so grateful to you for my new — better — life.”  They hugged each other for a long moment, then Evie got in her car and drove off to her new second home: Debbie’s gym.