The Write Way

Chapter 4: Running Blind

   But there's still that feeling picking up the hairs on the back of my neck. I scan as I run but there's nothing strange that catches my attention. There's vehicles rattling on by, a grey truck slides past, a big bearded face with a baseball cap peering out.

   I run on until my legs tell me they need a break. There's a coffee truck off to one side and I've got cash jammed into a back pocket.

   I order a latte and take it to a bench nearby, cupping it to warm up my hands. There's a woman sitting on one side so I take the opposite end and try a sip.

   Burnt.

   But caffeine is still caffeine. I sit back and feel the heat slowly spread through my chest. I'm rubbing my calves out, and thinking about heading back, when I feel the woman at the end of the bench stiffen.

   I glance over. It takes me a second to place her tight blonde bun and freckled face. I think it's the look in her eyes that I recognize first.

   It's the woman from the corner store.

   She seems as surprised as I do, but she gives me a cautious smile and a little wave. "Hello again. Somehow I'm not surprised to see you here."

   I'm pretty sure I look constipated as I hold my breath and try to string together a few words. It takes me a bit, but I get there.

   "T-this time's a bit better, I hope."

   Oh come on, that's what you came up with? You can write in your sleep but you open your stupid mouth and that comes out?

   To my surprise, she laughs. It seems her nerves are as jittery as mine.

   "Yeah, a bit. Let's hope we get through this one without bruises."

   My eyes go wide. "I gave you a bruise?"

   She laughs again and shakes her head. "I was joking. I survived unscathed."

   Right. Idiot.

  She's wearing yoga pants and an oversized shirt despite the cold breeze, orange running shoes and holding a large coffee cup. I say, "I see we had t-the same idea."

   "Yeah. I've been running down here the last few days. Really like it. And this coffee truck seems to be a mainstay. Not great, but caffeine is caffeine." She takes a sip and grimaces. "It's never a good idea to have coffee on an empty stomach after a run. Not sure why I do it."

   "Seems like a good idea at first, I guess."

   "Mmm. Exactly," she says. She looks like she's going to say more but doesn't.

   I lean over and extend my hand. "I'm Lark."

   She pauses for a moment and I wonder if I've done the wrong thing, but then she shakes it firmly with that pretty smile of hers. "Annie. It's nice to meet you, Lark."

   "Same," I say.

   "How often do you run?"

   "Just g-got back into it. Only a few days. Used to run a lot when I was younger."

   "Me too. Ran track and field. Wasn't all that good though," she grins and kicks a rock with a neon shoe.

   I find myself returning the smile. "Something tells me you're being modest."

   "Nope, honest." Annie pauses for a moment, frowning toward the ocean as if finally feeling the wind. She asks, "You running again tomorrow?"

   I shrug, "Guess so."