Page 17 of Sean
Benjamin held up his hand.“Don’t get all bent.You loved Brittany.We all did.But it’s been a year.I think it’s normal for you to be looking to fill that void.”
Sean shoved Benjamin’s chest.“Fill a void?”He took a step back and took a couple of deep breaths.How could his brother be so cavalier?“You have no idea what you’re talking about.Do me a favor and stay out of my sight.”
Sean nearly sprinted to an empty park bench, leaving his brother sputtering behind him.He plopped onto the bench and tossed his gym bag onto the grass at his feet.He loved his twin, he really did, but sometimes he wondered how they could have come from the same parents, much less the same womb.
“Fill a void,” Sean muttered as he bent to retrieve his running shoes.Brittany’s death hadn’t left avoidin his life.What he had was a canyon carved out by a river of guilt, regrets, and should-haves.And right now, that river was at flood stage.He toed off his shoes, slid his feet into his Nike runners, and laced them up.
“Oh, hey.I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Sean looked up, raising a hand to shade his eyes from the sun’s glare.
Monica stood at the other end of the bench, a purple gym bag clutched in her hands.The light turned strands of her red hair into burning copper.
He continued tying his shoes as he bit the inside of his cheek.
Perfect.
He had an almost unbearable temptation to look around to see who might be watching.The last thing he needed was to give his brother another reason to think he had romantic designs on Monica Jenson.The thought brought him up short.
And I care about that, why?
He lifted his gaze back to Monica.She was about the only person he’d talked to since he’d been home who hadn’t left him defensive, angry, or sad.It was nice, seeing her here, knowing they had something in common other than a taste for black olives.
That did not have to equal romance.
When her forehead crinkled in a slight frown, Sean realized he’d been staring silently.“Sorry.”He motioned to the bench.“Take a load off.”Sean waited until she was seated to continue.“So, you run?”
“Yep.”Monica unpacked a pair of red Adidas runners.“High school track junior and senior year.How about you?”
“I didn’t start running until college.I was never good enough to be on the track team.Those guys had me outdistanced, outpaced, and outclassed.For me, it was never more than a hobby.”
“This your first marathon?”
“Yes and no.”
Monica brushed her fiery hair out of her face.“Yes, and no?”
“There was a Ten-K close to where we lived in Ohio.My wife and I ran it once.”Sean had to swallow as the words brought Brittany’s memory closer.“This is the first time I’ve run a full marathon.”
Monica stared off into the distance as if sensing that he needed time to collect himself.When she looked back at him, she said, “I ran this one last spring.I came in fifth.”
“Fifth is amazing.”
Her smile was mischievous.“If I told you that my fifth-place finish was in the half marathon, would I still be amazing?”
“Absolutely.Anyone who can finish a thirteen-mile run in fifth place qualifies as amazing in my book.”
“Thanks.”Monica stood.“Have you warmed up yet?”
“Not yet.”He touched her elbow.“Before we stretch can you tell me how the group works?”
“Sure.”She looked at the gathered runners.“You see the guy in the bright orange running shorts?That’s Tim Ellison, our group leader.He’ll start us off at seven o’clock.The track is a two-mile loop, and we run three laps.Most of us use a smartwatch to track our time.He’ll leave a clipboard attached to the fence for us to record our finish times on.It’s all pretty informal.”
Sean tapped the device attached to his wrist.“I came prepared.”
“I really do need to stretch.”She glanced down at her shoes, and when she looked up again, her expression was shy.“I’m sorry I cut our conversation short last night.We could finish it later, if you’ll let me buy you a cup of coffee after our run.”
He’d been enjoying their conversation, but now, it felt like the whole world came to a screeching halt.
