As Suzanne pulled up in the parking lot of the walking trail, she was amazed by how few cars were in the lot. Usually there were so many more but it was a little colder that it had been earlier in the week, she thought. As she got out of the car carefully, Suzanne thought back over the past six months, when she started walking on this trail. The doctor had suggested that she try the trail out after she finished rehab. He said it was close to the hospital and always had plenty of people so Suzanne would feel safe. Dr. DeVoss was right, of course, as he had been all through Suzanne’s time working with him.
Even though Suzanne had lived just across town from the trail, she’d never known it was there. David’s allergies and his work schedule kept them both inside most of the time. David, she thought fondly, oh David, I wish you were here now. Then Suzanne shook her head briskly to push away the sad thoughts. Keep on pushing along, one day at a time, she thought. Ever since the tragic accident, Suzanne had used that mantra when she started dwelling on all that she had lost. But life doesn’t stop for anyone and Suzanne was determined that she would live a good life, despite the loss.
She looked down at the new running shoes she had bought last week. It was her second pair since she started walking. Suzanne thought it was funny when Dr. DeVoss gave her a prescription to a running store but he explained that good running shoes were important when you were walking too. The nice man at the running store had been very patient as Suzanne tried on several styles of shoes and finally found the one that felt the best on her feet. He was the same man who had waited on her when she bought her second pair last week, was his name Craig? Kevin? No, it was Kurt, that was it. Kurt said that it was pretty common to wear out a pair of shoes in 4-6 months, more often if you were a runner. He was nice but not at all like David. David had been tall, thin, and very serious. He had worked very hard to get hired by a great law practice and was a rising star in the making when the accident happened.
Suzanne shook her head again, shaking away the sad memories. She stretched gently to warm up before her four mile walk. It was amazing that she could walk so far after all that time lying flat on her back in the hospital. But every day Suzanne got a little stronger and every week she added a little distance to her walking. Soon she would be up to five miles. One step at a time, always forwards and never back. Suzanne had been on the trail for about ten minutes when suddenly, a deer jumped out from the woods right in front of her. Suzanne jumped and screamed just a little scream. Then she laughed at her fearful self and looked in wonder as the deer bounded off into the woods to the right.
Suzanne had noticed the dirt trails into the woods in the past but she had never even thought about walking down into the woods all alone. But today, something felt different, almost magical. Maybe it was just the deer jumping out there but Suzanne felt that maybe this would be a great day. She turned into the woods on the trail. With the leaves off the trees, Suzanne could see all the way down to the creek for which the trail was named, Creek Side Trail. As she slowly made her way down the trail, she looked around in wonder. Whoever knew this was here? Suzanne loved the woods as a child. She and her brothers played in the woods all summer long, building forts, climbing trees, and catching tree toads.
Suddenly there was a noise behind Suzanne and she jumped. “Hello there,” she heard from behind. As she turned, she was surprised to see the guy from the running store, Kurt. “Well hi, Kurt” Suzanne heard herself say. “It’s a great day for a walk, Suzie,” Kurt said. “I usually run on the paved trail but I’m taking a break to enjoy the woods. Do you come down the trail often?” Suzanne laughed and said, “Nobody’s called me Suzie since I was a kid.” Then she shook her head, “No, Kurt, I’ve never come off the paved trail before. Actually, I never thought about it until today.” Kurt asked, “Well, Suzie fits you, perky and cute. Have you been down to the bridge across the creek yet?” Suzanne blushed at the compliments. She didn’t even know that there was a bridge over the creek. “No,” she said, “I haven’t.”
Kurt bowed and said, “You must see the bridge. It’s the best part of the trip down to the creek. Won’t you join me?” Suzanne laughed, something she was doing more and more often these days. “I’d be delighted,” she said. As they walked together down the trail, Kurt and Suzanne talked, the small talk of two people getting to know one another. They felt comfortable together and it showed. In about fifteen minutes, they came around a corner and suddenly the bridge was in sight. Suzanne’s mouth dropped open. The bridge was a beautiful structure, a miniature copy of an old covered bridge, out in the middle of the woods. “Who would have known that there could be something so magnificent in the woods,” Suzanne said in wonder. Kurt looked down at Suzanne and responded, “Magnificent is right. I know it’s soon and we’ve only really just met but I’d love to take you out to dinner.”
Suzanne thought about it for a minute. She’d always known that some day she would meet someone, would go out on dates, would maybe even fall in love. Somehow being with Kurt didn’t feel wrong but felt comfortable and exciting all at the same time. “Yes,” she said quietly, “I would like that.” Kurt reached out his hand and Suzanne put her hand in his. Together they walked hand in hand back up the trail. Kurt said, “Nobody as beautiful and special as you should eat dinner alone on Valentine’s Day.” Suzanne realized that she’d forgotten it was February 14. No wonder it felt like a special day. She had a feeling it would be the first of many special days.