Second Chance (Anthony Rizzo)

(23) The Key Chain

Jessica

Being 26 most people my age has a real job and has had it for a while. Or is in school to get a degree for a real job at least. The crazy thing is that I have two whole degrees without a clue as to how I got them. I know what a business and management degree means but not a lot about what I had to do to get one. But I wasn't really willing to do six years of school again to figure it out.

Luckily for me Anthony and his parents offered me a position as a business partner for his foundation that helps kids with pediatric cancer. I was more than excited to be a part of this, something that's special to me and that allows me to work with Anthony and his family. It was a win win situation really, they didn't mind that I don't remember some things from my days in college and I was ready to help kids who need it most.

For me there's no cut off date for my memory, which kind of sucks. I was 22 when my memory starts to get hazy and there isn't much I can do about that. But I had been in school for four years by then. Some things I do remember but it starts to fade once I get out of the gen Ed's and into the core classes. Luckily I remember enough for me to be a part of this team of amazing people and not feel like a total waste of space.

"Look at you" Anthony smiles as I walk up to him at the hospital. I had on one of his polos and a name tag feeling pretty official.

"First day, just trying to impress the boss" I joke.

"He's impressed" he claims as he pulls me into a hug. I know most couples don't hug, there's so many other things to do than hug. But his hugs are like being surrounded by a million blankets, I love them.

"So, what is on the schedule for today" I ask.

"Mom set us up for some visits, we got toys to hand out and another check to give. It's a full day" he insists.

"Perfect. Can't wait to start" I smile.

First and foremost we present the check to the hospital because it was a big one, in amount and in size. It was for a total of one million dollars raised by Anthony through his fundraisers and some of his own money. He doesn't make the kind of money you would think. Five million for this season is still a lot, just for him to play a game. But many with less of a impact on the game both on and off the field make upwards of 20 million a year so to say he is considered underpaid is a understatement. But he took less money to have a longer contract, one that lasts far into the future allowing him to be able to stay here in Chicago and make the difference he has. And five million is still nothing to blink an eye at. He is still able to put his own money in his foundation and make it a success.

Once the check was signed over and we take pictures it was on to the good part. We get to visit the kids and give them toys that they can keep around for when they get bored. I look around for a certain little boy I made friends with the lady time I was here but don't see him. I get a bad feeling in my chest as I can't find him anywhere. He wasn't in his room but his name was still up on the door. His charts say he hasn't had treatment for a little and I pray this doesn't mean he has passed.

"Jessie" a soft voice says and I perk up. I turn around and see my little friend Isaac standing in the doorway.

But this time he had a little bit of hair and normal clothes on. No iv patch on him and he looked a lot better than when I saw him last.

I walk over and pick him up. He smiles at me with all the teeth he had left. It looks like he lost a few since I was him last. "Hey Isaac, I've missed you" I admit. I was mostly relieved to see he was still here.

"I have something for you" he says as he holds his hand out. I open my hand and he placed my little Cubs key chain in it.

My eyes widen once I realize what was going on. "Are you in remission" I ask.

He nods his little head a as I let out a gasp. I pull him into a hug as his small arms wrap around me. I try to choke back the tears but it was getting increasingly hard. I really didn't know if he would make it to return this key chain to me. Cancer is powerful, more powerful than him or I will ever be. But something it can't ever take away is the love we have for another, even if we were just strangers at the time.

"I'm so proud of you" I whisper in his ear.

"Can I still see you guys" he wonders and I smile.

"Of course. I want you to keep this key chain. I want you to hang on to it forever. Whenever you need strength, whenever you feel alone you can look at this and know that I am somewhere in this world needing you to stay alive. Believing in you. This way, I'll always be with you" I say.

He takes the chain out of my hand and holds it to his heart. The smile on his face as big as I have ever seen it. "I will" he promises.

I take him to his family and we get to watch him ring the bell and the tears fall. I've met this kid just a few times but I knew how special this was. He beat the big bad wolf and he was able to be a kid again.

"Are you gonna stop crying" Anthony teases and I laugh.

"No" I joke.

"I'm really happy you're a part of this. I'm really lucky that I get to be with you and work with you. I know this is going to be really good, for everyone" he claims.

"Thanks for believing in me, for saying that I could do this even after all I had to go through. Now I have a chance to help others despite not really being able to help myself" I say softly.

He pulls me into a soft kiss and I smile. I hope this is the start of a lifelong journey to helping as many kids as possible.