Page 45 of Running
My plate’s been overfull in the three weeks since my time at Johnson’s house. Three classes, the auction prep, and helping Landon consumes my days.
Landon’s had more drama going on with Rori too, as she decided to end things. My heart has been hurting for him, so I’ve tried to get to his house for dinner every night to keep him company.
Juggling it all is a lot.
On the flip side, being busy has helped me not think about what happened with Johnson at his house. Well, I won’t say I haven’t thought about it at all, but I’ve managed not to over-analyze it.
His hesitation isn’t about you,I’ve told myself repeatedly.
I know he said that maybe something could happen after the season, but how realistic is that? He easily could be dating another woman by then, and even if not, I’m not sure the dynamic with my brother will be any different.
The most difficult part is that I’d acknowledged being open to the possibility of something happening between us. So it’s hard to get that door back closed. Over the objections in my head, myheart is keeping the hope alive that something will evolve eventually, if only I’m patient enough.
The good/bad news is that Johnson is staying “friendly” as he promised, still texting to check on the auction developments.
However, he’s missed all the weekly gala co-chair meetings since the first one. I’m not letting that bother me too much. Between finishing training camp, getting through three pre-season games, and prepping for the first regular season game against Washington, his schedule’s as crazy as mine.
Also, it’s probably best we haven’t seen each other in person. No tension, no awkwardness that way.
Though, there’ll be no missing him for the actual auction.Just stay in business mode that night,I tell myself.
As busy as I have been, there’s daylight on the horizon. When I wake up today, the last Monday of finals week, the immediate demands for the summer term of school are dwindling. I’ve submitted all my required papers, and I only have one test and the post-auction report to finish. Even though the auction is two days away, there’s finally breathing room on my to-do list.
I’m going to go to the Tolliver track again.It’ll only be the third time, and a fun change of pace now that I have some spare room on my schedule.
Once there, I note a significant difference in the activity around the athletic complex. Now that it’s late August, the Tolliver undergrad fall sports are in full swing, and even the winter sports programs have informal workouts. Whereas my two runs here in July were quiet, I’m dodging and weaving people on the way to the track.
When I line up to start, I move to lane two. Two was my lucky number back in school. Whether it was a trick of the mind or true serendipity, every time I was assigned two as my start lane or hip number (the small sticky label we wear on our hip for a race),something good happened. A win, qualifying for the next round, a personal best—whatever was on the table at that moment.
Since I haven’t been track running, I hadn’t even thought about my lucky number for over a year. I smile at the reconnection now, though.
I begin without any fanfare, and once I’m spinning around the 400 meter loop of the track, I’m able to block out my surroundings.
Almost. I do see a couple of women runners putting in serious times in conjunction with my laps. I assume they’re part of the track and field team, because normies don’t do in mile intervals at the speeds I’m seeing.
None of my business though. I’m here to enjoy the track.
After I finish, I head to where my duffle bag is sitting on the ground, check my pulse (not bad), and sip some water.
“Grace Battle?”
I turn around and see a thirty-something woman in Tolliver gear. A navy t-shirt and grey shorts, both with the school’s logo.
“Yes, that’s me.”
She smiles, looking happy to be right. “Hi, I’m Shelley Page, or ‘Coach Shelley’ as the track team calls me. I recognized you from your college years. You looked great out there.”
From my college years? I don’t want to be rude, so I respond simply. “Thank you.”
She doesn’t budge from her spot, even with my short reply. “What are you doing here at Tolliver? You graduated from Princeton two years ago, right?”
I guess there’s no avoiding this conversation. “I actually go to business school here now. Since last year.”
“Oh, wow. That’s incredible, I had no idea. Are you working with the Fairview Elite Group while you’re here in Florida?” Fairview is one of the pro track and field coaching groups that attracts national and world contenders. Their facility is about an hour away.
Unfortunately, I need to burst her bubble.
“No, I’m not running at that level anymore. Just casually.”
