Ryan plays college football.
He gets hit by people for fun.
So when Sarah asks whether he’s donating blood, the answer is obvious.
“Absolutely.”
After all:
“I play football.”
“I’m aware.”
“Pain doesn’t bother me.”
Then somebody brings out the needle.
Monday marks the beginning of Fall Service Week at Benedictine College, with different opportunities to serve throughout the week. It begins with a blood drive in partnership with Community Blood Center and Benedictine College Ministry, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Murphy Recreation Center Gymnasium. The college notes that the country is currently facing a critical blood shortage.
So Ryan does it.
He may look away. He may want Sarah to tell him when it’s over. And he may discover that the promise of cookies makes courage considerably easier to locate.
But he does it.
And afterward, safely reunited with a cookie:
“I’d do it again.”
“For the cookies?”
“For humanity.”
Beat.
“But these help.”
Sometimes service is heroic.
Sometimes it’s simply being a little nervous—and doing something good anyway.
ROOK
Different adventures. Same journey.