1
It had been two years now, and she was not exactly sure what had reminded her of it. Maybe it was the old pair of running shoes in the corner of the closet – the pair she should have thrown away long ago but just hadn’t. Two years had indeed passed and things had changed. Mostly what had changed was the date and the time, but there had been other things as well and she smiled at the irony of her thoughts. She did look at things a little differently now and maybe people too, particularly when she thought about the future. 2
She seemed to struggle more these days. Where once she had clearly pictured what she wanted in the years stretching ahead of her, now it was more difficult – or at least more complicated. He, the D man, had made her think a little, and that thought process had ingrained itself into her very being so that, while she tried to evaluate everything as she had those two years ago, there were now questions that invaded the process, doubts about the sincerity of what she had always felt she wanted from life. Strange urges now occasionally gripped her, thoughts of family and parenting, things that had seemed so far in the future only that short time ago. Now she was no longer sure.3
She laced up the running shoes, careful to double knot them. Even that part of her life had changed as she no longer ran the way she once did. It was only occasional now, when she had time. Work, friends and partying took most of the available hours these days, and the conditioning had taken a back seat. She stood up and studied herself in the mirror sighing deeply. It wasn't really much but she could see every pound – or at least felt like she could, no matter what others said. She often felt she was critical of others, and rightfully so, but she was even harder on herself. 4
On the front porch she stretched, then stopped for a minute to give the punching bag hanging there a brief pounding. Smiling now, she jumped off the porch and, with that short and bouncing stride that characterized her running, she was off. It felt good to run again, despite the fact that she knew the lack of regular conditioning would take its toll and her lungs would start to burn and her legs would began feeling loggy. She made the usual left turn after two blocks and, her mind just recently jostled by the sight of the old running shoes, couldn’t help but remember that day two years ago when she had first heard the sound of someone else running right behind her – much as she was hearing at this very moment. Even the two years had not been able to dampen the feeling of déjà vu that grasped her psyche right now.5
She couldn’t help but smile again, amazed by what memory and imagination could create, already beginning to feel the burn when she became aware that the sound was really there, that the tap-tap-tapping sound behind her was indeed someone running and getting closer with each step. The hair on her neck stood up and she felt a sudden tightness in her stomach and she gritted her teeth, disgusted by her reactions and the disappointment that she knew would come despite her efforts to avoid it. She wasn’t the only runner in town and she had lost count of the number of times other runners had stirred memories – memories that she wished she could dismiss.6
"So, you’re still running," the deep voice said.7
Her mind went blank and her heart stopped beating as she jumped to a stop and spun around only to be met by a six foot three inch, 225 pound body that couldn’t stop. Tangled together, they both went down and rolled over, ending with her on top of him, staring into those blue eyes. She struggled to get up but he was holding her, and wasn’t letting go.8
"Are you okay," he gasped, then, "I love the short hair."9
"Let go of me," she said instinctively, not quite sure in that instant just what her mind and body really wanted. Those eyes and the arms around her made her tingle despite what her words were saying and, when he spread his arms, she immediately jumped up only to squeal in pain and collapse back onto his chest. To his puzzled look she replied, "My ankle," and reached down to grab it, pressing on each side to see if she could determine how badly it was hurt.10
He gently slipped out from under her and stood up, bending to check out her ankle. If anything, he was bigger than she remembered and as he pressed his fingers gently into the soft flesh around the now tender joint mixed feelings emanated from her suddenly confused brain.11
"Does that hurt?" he asked gently as he squeezed.12
"Yes," was her curt reply.13
"Hmmm."14
"What does that mean?" Again her words were short and crisp. She should probably be mad but she wasn’t and wondered why not. The sharpness in her voice was just a reaction to the whole situation, her attempt to stand away until she was sure just what was happening.15
"It means I think you twisted your ankle a little."16
"You twisted it for me – I just stopped."17
"Well, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stop that fast." He tried to catch her eye and when she finally looked up at him, they lingered momentarily, searching. He wanted to smile again but was wary and just looked back to her ankle.18
She didn’t respond, but reached out and felt the ankle again, noting that it was sore and tender, but wasn’t swelling too much yet. Maybe it wasn’t bad after all. She was ready to stand up again when she felt his hand on her shoulder.19
"I’ll help you up and carry you home," he said matter-of-factly, bending over again and anticipating her reply.20
"Like hell you will," she snapped, pushing his hand away and struggling to stand and finally balancing on one foot. She took one tentative step, then stopped, refusing to look in his direction, sure that he was smiling that smug little smile that men came up with in situations like this. She looked up the street, at the several blocks between her and her house, thinking about the pain and the time it would take when suddenly she felt herself lifted off the ground and settled into his arms.21
"No!" she exclaimed.22
"Yes," he replied calmly.23
"Damn it, put me down," she said again, but didn’t struggle to get away.24
"Lady, I’m gonna carry you home here, because both of us are blaming me for that sore ankle you have. Then, when we get there, you can do as you want. But until then, just calm down and enjoy the ride." His long stride was covering the ground quickly and effortlessly and once more she was amazed at this man, at his strength, at his lack of "fear" for want of a better word as she often overwhelmed men that she met. He had never been like that and wasn’t that way now. 25
She wanted to fight against him, yet couldn’t and wasn’t sure why – and didn’t like it at all that she felt that way and didn’t have complete control. She liked to be in control, in fact nearly required it. What would she do when they finally got to her house?26
Author notes
Well, it's been 2 years in the life of the Lady and now, very suddenly, the D Man is back. What change will this make in both their lives and how will they now respond to each other? Only time will tell.
[Original photo by DHPhotography]
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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great
first story i read not what i expected at all it is truely profestional congrats on the write i thought it came out of a book -
Great write I now know why I chose you to be my editor and occational mentor. This is great!! You do know that when you say d man fast it kinda sounds like demon. I will read the rest soon. Once again great job well written!
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Hey there dad!!! I know it's taken me awhile to get to reading these....So far you've got me addicted!!!!! You are an amazing writer, like I said, you should be a famous writer by now. Well I'm gonna go read the next one, I'll comment there as well.
love you,
Sara -
Off to 2.. Catressa
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Well clearly I've fallen asleep and haven't noticed these have been posted.. well better late than never I suppose. I'm glad he's back and I'm sure this will make for some very interesting events.. Good work yet again
Becca -
WOW... This story has caught my attention Grampa and won't let it go... LOL... I have to go read CH 2 now!!!
Hugs,
Beth -
In the fifth paragraph, the second line, where it says, “the tap-tap-taping sound behind her” did you perhaps mean tapping? I was just curious because I’m not sure what a taping sound is. Ack!!! It’s not complete! You can’t quit yet. There is no definite closure here. We human beings like to see somebody get closure you know?
This was a remarkable series Paul and I really enjoyed it. Your observation of the characteristics of others is truly amazing. There was certainly written with great care.
♥ Kimberly
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Oh dear - How DO you know so much???
I love it
Gat -
make D man suffer a bit! he so shouldn't get it so easily ^^
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