normal teenage life.
No…how far is it from your house?
About 6 miles, why?
Let’s run.
Seriously?
I set the phone down and gulp the rest of the OJ in my glass. Standing up, I walk to the front closet and grab a hoody. “Keys are on my desk in the study Abel,” Dad echoes from the kitchen. My phone vibrates once more and I reach into my pocket to grab it.
I’ll meet you at the end of Vestry Street, halfway between our houses. Ready to run .
I smile and slide the phone back into my pocket, “Don’t need them Dad…” I step into the center of the foyer so that I can see his face. “We’re going to run there.” He smiles and nods in approval.
My father might think that I’m getting caught up in the idea of this suburban life, that I am unaware of my purpose, that I have somehow forgotten why I am here, but he is wrong. I think of nothing else.
The air outside is crisp today, something about the way the wind flows through the mountains makes each inhale line my lungs with energy. The temperature is cool but the lack of clouds makes the suns presence so much more intense; it’s perfect running weather. I take a path that stays within the sector so that I won’t have to come into contact with any checkpoints and be harassed about my lack of currency class identification. I round the corner and step onto Vestry Street and I see her smiling at the other end of the street. My heart beats so quickly that I feel as though my chest is struggling to contain it. I have dreamt of a time when she and I could truly be, when things would be simple, and though they’re not, if I allow myself to forget the past and what may come of the future, the present seems beautiful. She is beautiful, and I will make the conscious decision to enjoy this beautiful day with her.
“There you are!” She throws her arms around my neck and pulls me close, her lips grazing mine. I grin.
“Ready?” I ask then grab her hand and take off down the street. At first she falls a few steps behind, clearly unready for my abrupt takeoff.
“Abel!” she screams, laughing, but it isn’t long before her pace is even with mine. I love the burst of energy I gain when I’m near her. She makes me feel invincible. I slowly begin to gain speed and though I expect her to begin falling behind again, she doesn’t.
My life, for the most part, has followed a specific routine, specific events in a reoccurring pattern. But this moment, right now, is new and I realize that between strides. We are creating something together, a memory. I feel her form by my side begin to reach past mine. Is she passing me? How? My mind is snapped back into reality as I strain to find whatever energy I have stored up, and begin to close the gap again. We continue this cycle, down the side streets and alleys, her edging ahead and then me countering until we reach the book store. I cannot remember the last time I pushed myself that hard, leaning over against the brick building I gasp for air.
“Are you okay old man?” Cate smiles, I look up to see her ready to run another 6 miles and out of habit I reach up and place my hand over her heart, its even beat pulsing through her body. She moves backwards, “What are you doing?” laughing through squinted eyes.
“Sorry, I just…”
“You just what? Expected I couldn’t handle your 6 mile sprint?” I stand there, leaning up against the wall. No, I didn’t expect that , I think and I laugh. She grabs my hand and directs me inside, “Come on old man, there’s a tropper novel I’ve wanted to get ahold of.”
I follow closely behind and the next 30 minutes are comprised of her grabbing book after book, each more engrossing
No…how far is it from your house?
About 6 miles, why?
Let’s run.
Seriously?
I set the phone down and gulp the rest of the OJ in my glass. Standing up, I walk to the front closet and grab a hoody. “Keys are on my desk in the study Abel,” Dad echoes from the kitchen. My phone vibrates once more and I reach into my pocket to grab it.
I’ll meet you at the end of Vestry Street, halfway between our houses. Ready to run .
I smile and slide the phone back into my pocket, “Don’t need them Dad…” I step into the center of the foyer so that I can see his face. “We’re going to run there.” He smiles and nods in approval.
My father might think that I’m getting caught up in the idea of this suburban life, that I am unaware of my purpose, that I have somehow forgotten why I am here, but he is wrong. I think of nothing else.
The air outside is crisp today, something about the way the wind flows through the mountains makes each inhale line my lungs with energy. The temperature is cool but the lack of clouds makes the suns presence so much more intense; it’s perfect running weather. I take a path that stays within the sector so that I won’t have to come into contact with any checkpoints and be harassed about my lack of currency class identification. I round the corner and step onto Vestry Street and I see her smiling at the other end of the street. My heart beats so quickly that I feel as though my chest is struggling to contain it. I have dreamt of a time when she and I could truly be, when things would be simple, and though they’re not, if I allow myself to forget the past and what may come of the future, the present seems beautiful. She is beautiful, and I will make the conscious decision to enjoy this beautiful day with her.
“There you are!” She throws her arms around my neck and pulls me close, her lips grazing mine. I grin.
“Ready?” I ask then grab her hand and take off down the street. At first she falls a few steps behind, clearly unready for my abrupt takeoff.
“Abel!” she screams, laughing, but it isn’t long before her pace is even with mine. I love the burst of energy I gain when I’m near her. She makes me feel invincible. I slowly begin to gain speed and though I expect her to begin falling behind again, she doesn’t.
My life, for the most part, has followed a specific routine, specific events in a reoccurring pattern. But this moment, right now, is new and I realize that between strides. We are creating something together, a memory. I feel her form by my side begin to reach past mine. Is she passing me? How? My mind is snapped back into reality as I strain to find whatever energy I have stored up, and begin to close the gap again. We continue this cycle, down the side streets and alleys, her edging ahead and then me countering until we reach the book store. I cannot remember the last time I pushed myself that hard, leaning over against the brick building I gasp for air.
“Are you okay old man?” Cate smiles, I look up to see her ready to run another 6 miles and out of habit I reach up and place my hand over her heart, its even beat pulsing through her body. She moves backwards, “What are you doing?” laughing through squinted eyes.
“Sorry, I just…”
“You just what? Expected I couldn’t handle your 6 mile sprint?” I stand there, leaning up against the wall. No, I didn’t expect that , I think and I laugh. She grabs my hand and directs me inside, “Come on old man, there’s a tropper novel I’ve wanted to get ahold of.”
I follow closely behind and the next 30 minutes are comprised of her grabbing book after book, each more engrossing
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