Page 5 of Sean
He slumped back against the couch cushions, the ornament cradled in his hands, Brittany’s voice in his ears.
“Can we do it again next year?”
“I thought you’d had your fill of pre-dawn practice runs.”
“There were mornings when I wanted to stuff that alarm clock down your throat, but once I was up, it was OK for the most part.I bet you could win it for me next year.”
“Win it for you?”
“Well, yeah.”Her expression turned mischievous.“I’d find that very sexy.”
“Oh, yeah.Nothing sexier than your sweaty husband huffing for breath?”
“Why would I lie?”
Sean swallowed and clutched the plastic runners in a tight fist as his wife’s words replayed.“Why would I lie?”
Was an untold truth a lie?He had no answer now, just like he’d had no answer then.
From the cushion next to him, his phone rang again.He fumbled for it without looking and swiped the call open.“Yeah.”
“Hey, bro.I talked to Mom.”
Sean flinched at his twin’s chipper voice.If there was anything he didn’t need right now, it was the favored, blessed son offering him pity.Luckily, he didn’t need to say anything, since Benjamin continued.
“She says you’re coming home, and it gave me a wild idea.”
Some of Benjamin’swild ideashad been the source of Sean’s greatest embarrassments.Being hauled into the principal’s office after taking his brother’s math final still stung a decade later.The memory of his dad’s disappointed, “I expected better from you,” still had the power to shrivel Sean’s insides.
“Sean, are you there?”
“Yeah, I was just...”What?Crying over his dead wife?About to ask God why for the four millionth time?
Not going there with Mr.Perfect.
He yawned into the phone.“I guess I fell asleep on the couch.What were you saying about an idea?”
“Dude, it’s barely nine p.m.What happened to Mr.Night Owl?”
“Parenthood.”Sean thought about reminding him of the time difference between Ohio and Oklahoma, but it hadn’t done any good the last hundred times.His brother wasn’t selfish, just spontaneous.“So, what’s your idea?”
“You keeping up with your running?”
The non sequitur had Sean rolling his eyes.His morning runs with his early-bird son bundled into the stroller were the best part of his day.The fresh air and stretching made breakfast that much sweeter.
“Yeah.Why?”
“There’s a marathon coming up in Oklahoma City this spring.Garfield has a group of runners training for it.I joined, and I could sign you up if you’re interested.A one-two finish by the Conklin brothers would be a story for the books.I promise not to beat you by much.You up for it?”
Sean’s gaze was pulled back to the ornament in his hand.It was just like Benjamin to think he’d come out ahead, but...
Win it for me?
Circumstances had prevented their participation in that second Ohio run, but without even realizing the motivation Sean would train with, Benjamin was offering Sean a chance at redemption.He hoped they did cross the finish line first and second, but it wouldn’t be Sean lagging behind.He closed his eyes and pulled Brittany’s face into his consciousness.Her green eyes were bright with glee, and her soft lips formed four mischievous words.
Win it for me.
Sean grinned at the image before turning his attention back to his conversation.“Sign me up.”
