“I just thought that it would be a nice change of pace for you is all. You used to love that bike and I used to love riding mine with you. That’s another thing about our friendship I miss. Anna misses you too man.”
Chris saw the look of genuine... something... on his friend’s face, but at least it was genuine and he softened slightly.
“Look, I know you’re concerned about me and it’s nice to know that for whatever strange reasons your girl misses seeing me around too, but honestly I’m just busy and, because of all the busy, I am understandably stressed out at the moment. I’m also being a little introspective man. I guess it’s just that time in my life.”
“All right!” Steve exclaimed somewhat questioningly and plopped down on a grassy patch of earth and started looking around for rocks to skip across the pond, “I still think you should give it some thought though. There’s nothing better than driving from Colorado to South Dakota with the wind in your hair and with no reason behind the trip other than frequenting random dives along the way. Besides you can’t let what happened ruin something you care so much about.”
“First of all, dive hopping does not sound fun to me. Second of all I’m in the middle of a thesis. Third... Ow!” Chris had unknowingly crossed in front of his seated friend at the exact moment Steve had located and launched his first rock towards the water and Chris got rewarded with a stinging pelt to the back of his thigh. Stifled giggles erupted from behind him as Chris began to rub his leg and finish his sentence through clenched teeth.
“And third, what happened only happened a little less than two years ago. So I’m pretty sure I’m not yet in danger of becoming akin to some hermit-esque, cat lady.”
“Just saying, think about it.” Steve repeated as he stood up and clapped Chris on the back.
“Yeah because that never happened before you mentioned it. Thanks old pal.”
Steve rolled his eyes and started back for the trail at a quickened pace with the intent of conquering a particularly fierce hill. Chris paused for several moments and took in the scenery; along with a deep breath. He just couldn’t get Skylar out of his mind. He felt that he could be the person she wanted, if only he had the time. But then again, he did have time for an invigorating kidnap-camping session and his thesis would hopefully soon be finished. Would he really be able to use those things as an excuse for much longer? Or, would it turn into a new excuse like finding a career.
Chris reached down and picked up the rock that had hit him in the back of the leg and threw it at the water; watching it skip numerous times before sinking to the bottom of the pond beyond reach. He was sure there was some sort of glaring metaphor in that moment, but it was just beyond his grasp. So, not wanting to be left alone for an ice pick wielding, serial killing bear or whatever, Chris turned and joined his friend in a comfortable and, mercifully, quiet jog.
~~~
“And remember, kids, you never hit as hard as you can. You find your focus, channel your feelings, and always stay in control. What you learn here is for safety, not so that you can win fights. We respect each other and our friends and through that we gain a better understanding of ourselves. We’ll see you next week, keep practicing your kicks if you find an empty space big enough for it at home, and good job,” Skylar said as she bowed to her class. Several children of various ages bowed back and then went to find their mothers and she smiled as she watched them go.
Volunteering as a trainer after she had learned enough karate on her own had seemed like a good way to get a little extra cash. It had also made it possible for her to continue taking her own lessons on Thursday nights.
The lessons, though, had turned into something that she loved to do. It felt
Chris saw the look of genuine... something... on his friend’s face, but at least it was genuine and he softened slightly.
“Look, I know you’re concerned about me and it’s nice to know that for whatever strange reasons your girl misses seeing me around too, but honestly I’m just busy and, because of all the busy, I am understandably stressed out at the moment. I’m also being a little introspective man. I guess it’s just that time in my life.”
“All right!” Steve exclaimed somewhat questioningly and plopped down on a grassy patch of earth and started looking around for rocks to skip across the pond, “I still think you should give it some thought though. There’s nothing better than driving from Colorado to South Dakota with the wind in your hair and with no reason behind the trip other than frequenting random dives along the way. Besides you can’t let what happened ruin something you care so much about.”
“First of all, dive hopping does not sound fun to me. Second of all I’m in the middle of a thesis. Third... Ow!” Chris had unknowingly crossed in front of his seated friend at the exact moment Steve had located and launched his first rock towards the water and Chris got rewarded with a stinging pelt to the back of his thigh. Stifled giggles erupted from behind him as Chris began to rub his leg and finish his sentence through clenched teeth.
“And third, what happened only happened a little less than two years ago. So I’m pretty sure I’m not yet in danger of becoming akin to some hermit-esque, cat lady.”
“Just saying, think about it.” Steve repeated as he stood up and clapped Chris on the back.
“Yeah because that never happened before you mentioned it. Thanks old pal.”
Steve rolled his eyes and started back for the trail at a quickened pace with the intent of conquering a particularly fierce hill. Chris paused for several moments and took in the scenery; along with a deep breath. He just couldn’t get Skylar out of his mind. He felt that he could be the person she wanted, if only he had the time. But then again, he did have time for an invigorating kidnap-camping session and his thesis would hopefully soon be finished. Would he really be able to use those things as an excuse for much longer? Or, would it turn into a new excuse like finding a career.
Chris reached down and picked up the rock that had hit him in the back of the leg and threw it at the water; watching it skip numerous times before sinking to the bottom of the pond beyond reach. He was sure there was some sort of glaring metaphor in that moment, but it was just beyond his grasp. So, not wanting to be left alone for an ice pick wielding, serial killing bear or whatever, Chris turned and joined his friend in a comfortable and, mercifully, quiet jog.
~~~
“And remember, kids, you never hit as hard as you can. You find your focus, channel your feelings, and always stay in control. What you learn here is for safety, not so that you can win fights. We respect each other and our friends and through that we gain a better understanding of ourselves. We’ll see you next week, keep practicing your kicks if you find an empty space big enough for it at home, and good job,” Skylar said as she bowed to her class. Several children of various ages bowed back and then went to find their mothers and she smiled as she watched them go.
Volunteering as a trainer after she had learned enough karate on her own had seemed like a good way to get a little extra cash. It had also made it possible for her to continue taking her own lessons on Thursday nights.
The lessons, though, had turned into something that she loved to do. It felt
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