2 A Normal Day 2
During the discovery of his talents Jake used his spare time and work breaks practicing 2 and 3-point shots when he got tired he would pick up the ball and play with it a little whilst throwing it at the wall, Jake's training helped him get familiar with the ball and the sport, the training was less tiresome for Jake than his long-distance runs so he was able to complete several sets at a time.
It was a good way to clear his head and de-stress, plus he enjoyed basketball it allowed him to forget about the past.
And then he began to find more things that he liked to do, first he started acting at home, from a young age Jake was always interested in the theatres at school and movies that showed on television.
Maybe it was because of his Middle School influences that he was a little art oriented, but Jake always wanted to be an actor, but he had a lot of important things to focus on hence he never had a chance to take the time to do it.
Now that he only had the job in the company and plenty of spare time Jake started looking for online acting classes and spent a good amount of time doing it, he was quite skilled at acting, it also improved his communication skills at work letting him control his expressions so he doesn't appear rude or disrespectful by accident.
After Jake started looking for some stock market and business management classes that he wanted to do in college, he mostly surveyed the stock market, comparing the most profitable trades from the 1980s to the present day. Several companies that were initially devaluing later rose in value and those who invested in them became millionaires, this was due to the stock market bubble in the 2000s, so he learned a lot about what to do and what not to do.
When he had more time, Jake went to universities nearby with open classes to learn things he couldn't on his own.
In the next few years, Jake managed to make a lot of money investing stocks by doing what had learned, he didn't become a millionaire because he was too conservative and missed several opportunities to earn money, but also because of this he never lost money either.
So Jake bought a bigger house and left behind the house that he and his mother used to live in, but because he still had many memories in that house, he didn't sell it and even still spent some nights there.
He brought his new home to build a court to play whenever he wanted because the open court was closed when it rained.
It also let him renovate the house to make it more suitable for his handicap.
In addition, Jake barely spent money on anything, Jake didn't want to hire many people to stay in his house, so besides a company to do cleaning, Jake learned how to cook so he could rely on himself.
He wanted to try various dishes from many countries, even exotic dishes, so Jake learned how to make different kinds of cuisine to eat, and after a few years, he was cooking so well that he had no more interest in going to restaurants.
Plus he continued to work in his company, the company was in a good location and had diligent and kind colleagues.
He just didn't make friends with any of them, because they inadvertently looked at Jake with pity, and he didn't like it, so besides going out to drink and talk sometimes, Jake didn't have much contact with them.
Especially after the time when his co-workers tried to arrange a surprise meeting for Jake to amuse him with good intentions, this event led to everyone discovering Jake wasn't able to have children in addition to having paralyzed legs.
If it were not for Jake building a strong mindset and thick skin with all the things that had happened to him in all those years, he would probably have stopped working at that company after that shame.
Jake also decided to learn to speak other languages, which was a desire he always had, although it is convenient and beneficial if others took the chance to learn other languages, its usually a very boring and difficult thing to do, Jake wouldn't be able to do it by himself if not was for now the internet era with videos everywhere it was a lot easier.
To give himself an incentive Jake decided that when he could speak almost fluently and read the languages with ease, he would visit the country where the language is most spoken.
He started with Spanish which was the language that his mother's family spoke to Eva but he himself didn't know much, so after a while, he managed to learn and on his vacation from work he made a trip to Spain without anyone knowing.
He visited several cities, went sight-seeing, and tried the local food at a multitude of restaurants, it was a peaceful holiday.
Jake came back to America with a calm mind and was determined to do it every year, the next language Jake learned was French because he liked many French stories and books, so he had more material to study.
Then at the end of the year Jake went to France but he only stayed in Paris, he visited many famous shops and bought some perfumes for himself, but he was a bit sad because in those shops it was mainly women and couples.
It was a good trip though, the next language he learned was Italian because he wanted to travel there to try the food and wine Italy was so famous.
After a year of learning Jake traveled to Italy, he went to several restaurants and even bought some suits on this trip, he also took to order some wines to be sent by plane.
After he learned German because he liked the German accent, so at the end of the year he traveled to Germany, he would be happier if he could buy a car, however, he wouldn't be able to drive it, so in the end, he traveled by taxis or on foot(wheelchair).
This year Jake was planning to learn Japanese because he liked cooking and many of the dishes, he learned were Japanese, he also enjoyed many translated Japanese books but the enjoyment would be different if he could read its original form.
After leaving to visit his mother's cemetery in the morning he went to the restaurant that she worked to eat the waffles that she used to give to him when he was younger, it wasn't the same as it was in memories though.
Later on, he went to the community center to see the children and youths playing basketball, he came here several times, it was good to see children having fun to improve their state of mind and abilities, he was even friends with several coaches who came here, he learned a few things about children and their training.
Now Jake was in the city park pushing his wheelchair feeling refreshed, despite the things that happened in the past Jake believed he was happy, he did everything he could do despite his circumstances.
Although Jake usually looked at the bright side, he still couldn't help complaining and mourning over past events, everyone has problems as well as him, but unlike many people, Jake overcame his struggles and moved forward to enjoy life.
On his birthday, Jake was alone and felt somewhat upset. Although he definitely had some contacts who'd offer their company on his special day it wouldn't be the same as dedicated friends and family who'd visit without pitying him, an invitation or ulterior motives.
But, today was a day that Jake preferred to be alone so he could take the day to reminisce about the past, to remember good and bad things and to plan a future, because soon the second half of his life will begin, although he couldn't raise a family, how many people are not in the same situation as him and are happy with what they have.
There are many people who have even less than he has, and still aren't complaining like him, today on his birthday Jake enjoyed spending time alone to cultivate the strength to live another year.
Jake thought it was time to go home, the day already turned to dusk and the sunset was on the horizon, Jake gave a lonely but satisfied smile and pushed his wheelchair out of the park, Jake pondered whether or not to call a taxi.
In the end, he decided against, the truth is that since his accident on that bus, Jake tries to avoid vehicles as much as possible he hated the thought of being stuck in a vehicle being unable to escape.
He didn't have trauma because when he was walking though, and planes didn't scare him as much as he thought they would in his mind because he has more trust in a plane than a car or bus.
Jake took in his surroundings whilst pushing his wheelchair home looking quite peaceful and serene to a passer-by.
