Page 44 of Blinded
Gisela and Tom moved forward with their group, and Sandra could tell the exact moment when her mother noticed the staff with their bright red powder spraying the participants. Her mother stiffened and then stopped. She turned to her husband to say something and Sandra wished she was close enough to hear. Her father’s response was clearly unsatisfactory to her mother because she saw him take her arm and resume walking forward. Gisela had the choice of causing a scene – something she wouldn’t dream of doing in public – or going along with her husband. She had a single means of protection left. Gisela put up her parasol and held it protectively in front of her. Sandra knew it wouldn’t help much since the staff were coming at the runners and walkers from all sides, but she loved the picture it made and wished she had her phone with her for a photo or two. Gisela managed to keep her face clean with the parasol, but the rest of her was bright red. Sandra could tell from the expression on her mother’s face that she was furious, but no one else would notice. Gisela had that one specific smile that said to those who knew her well, “We are not amused.” Her parents stopped for water and Sandra decided that was her cue to get going. She would be interested to see if they finished the course.
Sandra picked up her pace and caught up with Ruby and Will before the last checkpoint. They had been running but were taking it slower now that the end was in sight. Colored powder covered all three. The overall effect was mushy, and Sandra wished there was a way to get more of a rainbow effect. As they approached the finish, Sandra saw more color being sprayed and there was a separate chute for those who wanted to add glitter to their appearance.
Ruby headed for the glitter chute, but Sandra and Will took the regular route, not wanting to deal with glitter for the next week or more. Ruby had more flexibility with her appearance and could afford to shine and sparkle at the tattoo parlor.
Once through, they found themselves in a mass of humanity covered in powdered color and more. Some of the outfits were quite striking. Sandra saw a group who had on tutus over their running clothes and others in tie-dyed outfits. All were getting into the spirit of the event. Sandra started shaking herself off, wanting to get rid of the excess powder before she found GT. “Do you know if James and Laura were ahead of us?” she asked Will and Ruby.
“Oh yeah. You could have kept up with them, but not me,” Ruby said. “How did you get behind us, anyway?”
“I hung around at the first checkpoint to see what happened when my parents got there.”
“You mean Gisela was actually doing the run?” Ruby’s eyebrows made question marks over her face.
“Yeah. I’m not sure why or how, but she was determined. She and my dad were walking, though.”
“So, what happened?” Will asked.
“From what I could see, Gisela had no idea about the color. She tried to stop before the checkpoint, but my father wouldn’t let her. She went through as fast as she could trying to use her parasol to protect herself. It was hilarious. I wish I had pictures, but I left my phone at home because I didn’t want to risk getting it messed up with the colored powder.”
“Will, can you see them?” Ruby asked. “I’m dying to see what Gisela looks like before she cleans up.”
Will turned toward the crowd approaching the stadium and looked out. “No sign as far as I can tell – I don’t see any parasols. But I don’t really know what Sandra’s parents look like.”
“Damn. I forgot you only got a glimpse of them at the beginning.” She turned to Sandra. “Are you going to wait for them here?”
“Yes, I promised GT this was where he could find me, so I’ll keep watch for them, too. Let me know where you’re sitting, and I’ll join you if I can. I may be stuck with the VIP crowd.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be back as soon as we’ve found James and Laura,” Ruby said, and she and Will disappeared into the crowd.
Sandra grabbed a bottle of water from a table near the chute exit and continued people watching. She saw one group posing for pictures with bright white smiles in contrast to the colors on their faces. Another person seemed to have missed the blue checkpoint because all she saw were shades of orange, red, and yellow. She was starting to think she should go in search of GT when out of the crowd she heard her mother’s voice. “No, I will not put my parasol down. It’s the only thing that’s protected me from all this ridiculous powder. I’m sorry you feel it’s blocking your view, but I need it.”
Sandra inwardly chuckled as she heard the trademark sound of her mother’s prim and proper voice. Outwardly, she waved her arm and called out, “Mother! Dad! Over here!” At first she thought she would have to keep on shouting, but then Sandra caught her father’s eye and knew she only had to wait. She didn’t need her mother’s lecture on ‘not making a spectacle of oneself’ today. She had that one memorized.
“Mother, Dad, you made it through! Congratulations!” she said when they made their way close enough to hear her. “How do you feel after your first 5K?”
“I thought it was a hoot and a half.” All the excitement and craziness seemed to have loosened Tom’s tongue and personality. “Who came up with the idea? Do you know?”
“No, I don’t. It’s a whole corporation, though. They do events worldwide. GT and his mother managed to be the local charity they partnered with here this year. If it does as well as he hopes, I expect it will be a regular thing for them,” Sandra said. “What about you, Mother?”
“If I’d known about the ridiculous color throwing, I wouldn’t have done it,” Gisela answered in a prissy tone. She turned to Sandra’s father. “You could have warned me, Thomas.” Her father shrugged and winked at Sandra. “The walking was fine. But I look awful and I’m afraid these clothes are ruined. And what about my skin? Will this wash off?”
Sandra bit back a laugh, “It will all wash off. The powder is non-toxic, non-permanent food coloring mixed with baking soda and corn starch. If you clean things right away, you should be fine. If you go over that way, you’ll find a station where they’ll blow most of the loose powder off you, so you can feel more like yourself.” She pointed to the left where a giant fan had been set up.
“You’re very helpful, dear. Thank you. Let’s go, Thomas. Let’s get cleaned up and then find the VIP area so I can sit down.”
As her parents disappeared into the crowd, GT arrived from behind and embraced her without any regard for her stained appearance. Sandra couldn’t help thinking how different he was from her mother. Maybe this relationship thing could work with the right person.
“What’s next?” Sandra asked.
“Whatever you want,” GT replied. “You can get the excess powder blown off you or we can get lunch in the VIP lounge where your parents will probably be, or we can join our friends. I’m free for a while. I have to make a presentation for the Foundation later, but right now, I’m all yours.”
“Do we have to join the VIPs? I’d rather hang out with James and Laura and Will and Ruby.”
“Sounds good to me. Catering to the ‘special’ guests gets tiring after a while. I only do it for the Foundation. Do you know where they are?”
“Ruby was supposed to come here and tell me when she and Will found James and Laura. Speak of the devil.” Ruby appeared behind GT.
“We’re all hanging out on the far side of that food table.” She pointed in the direction she’d come from. “Connor, Suzie and the kids are here, too, now. Can you guys come?”
