One Lap Around

A couple of laps around Montebello then back home for a bite to eat. That was the plan. He parked the car and looked around. It was more crowded than usual for this time of day. Then he looked at his watch. It was only 6:30 p.m.

The weather was too nice to go home. The gentle spring breeze caused waves of tiny ripples through the reservoir. He sat in his car for a minute and drew in a few deep breathes before exiting. The cool air grabbed his body and felt so good when he got out the car.

He blended with the crowd of people taking in the final rays of sun as they made their way around the mile and a quarter wide reservoir. There were joggers, bike riders, power walkers, women with strollers, men with strollers, whole families, husbands and wives, girlfriends and boyfriends. All doing their part to lead a healthy, active life. He found a spot for himself and set a leisurely pace to maneuver around the others.

He admired the scenery as he walked. There were many sights to enjoy. If he was in the right frame of mind, he could flirt as he strolled, but his head was filled with thoughts about other matters. He did hear a few conversations that sparked his curiosity, but he couldn’t be nosy. That wouldn’t be right.

“So I told her…if she didn’t…like the way…I did the report…she could…do it herself,” panted the pleasantly plump woman.

“I don’t blame you, girl,” replied her slightly slimmer friend. “She should do her own work.”

“Damn straight.” She looked around for a moment. “How many times have we been around this thing?”

“This is our second time.”

“Damn.”

He smiled. Only because he had passed and they could not see his face.

“When I got home last night, he started pawing all over me,” said the well-defined shape in front of him. He thought she was talking to the woman beside her. But the woman beside her looked around and started walking faster. “Then got upset because I told him I was not in the mood.”

He shook his head and walked around her. The temptation to look behind him was strong, but he fought a brave fight and resisted. Her comments did trigger some thoughts.

He loved Giselle with all his heart, but their relationship had changed since her promotion. They were working longer hours and did not have the time for each other they once enjoyed. He tried surprising her with candlelight dinners. Only to receive a phone call saying she had to work late and was too tired to come over. The time they did spend together was just to help her “relieve” some stress and then she would fall asleep.

For a guy, it seemed like the ideal situation. No complaining about spending time together. No whining about talking more. Wild and freaky sex whenever you both are in the mood. What more could a guy ask for?

Ten years ago, he had women throwing themselves at him left and right. It never fazed him when a woman would ask him about spending more time together. He would break a date in a heartbeat if something better came along. Balancing three or four women at one time was routine for him.

Along came Giselle. She was not the prettiest woman he had dated, but she could easily stop traffic. She was a little different from the other women he dated. She was always up to trying different things no matter how strange it seemed. They would go out drinking and shooting pool one night and then to a jazz concert and art exhibit the following night. She could be one of the boys and belch like a longshoreman during the day. By nightfall, she could look like a fashion model.

They had never talked about being a couple, but neither spent time with anyone else. She invited him to family reunions, birthday parties, and weddings. He took her to business parties, weekend trips to Atlantic City, and business trips to L. A., New York, Miami, or Atlanta. Friends always asked when they would marry. Each would laugh and reply that they were just good friends.

While watching a man push a stroller, he thought about having children with Giselle. She loved children but was not sure if she wanted one of her own.

“It’s not like you can give ‘em back when they’re yours,” she joked.

So he never mentioned to her about having children again. How could he think about having children with someone that barely had time for him?

The couple about ten feet in front of him walked hand and hand at a leisurely pace without any concern for the crowd around them.

“That’s what I want,” he thought. “For us to get to a point where we don’t even realize other people are around.”

They had a few moments like that but not often enough to lead to that big conversation. The closest time occurred when they were at her family reunion. They decided to go for a walk and stretch their legs.

“You have a funny family,” he commented.

“That’s the first thing most of my friends say,” she replied.

“I can see why you’re such a cut up.”

“They always playing jokes on each other. And if you don’t pay attention, they will get you. Especially my cousin Tony. He thinks he’s the next Chris Rock.”

“I’ll be sure to stay on his good side.” They walked along in silence for a minute. “So do they give you a hard time about us?”

“Sometimes. But not really. I think they have gotten used to you and consider you family.”

“That’s cool.” He paused for a moment. “What about you? What do you consider me as?”

“I can’t believe you’re asking me that.” She playfully nudged his shoulder. “Of course I consider you like family. I just get a few extra benefits that a normal family member wouldn’t get.” She put her arms around him and gave him a kiss.

“You are too silly. I don’t know why I asked you.” He pushed her away and they laughed.

He did not bother to ask where he stood in her life after that. But he could sense a change. There were times when she gave him the feeling it could be more. Then she would play it off as a joke. As he watched the couple in front of him, the longing for her increased.

He completed walking his first lap around and proceeded to jog. Beginning with a slow trot. Then images of Giselle running towards him flashed in front of him. So he picked up the pace, but she still seemed far away. He started running. Suddenly, she turned around and ran away from him. He ran faster, but she kept running away from him. The faster he ran, the more distance grew between them. He was unaware of anyone around him. Everything was a blur. Then darkness.

When he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital bed with an I. V. in his arm. His eyes fluttered as he looked around the room. Then he saw Giselle in a chair by his bed with her eyes closed holding a box of tissues. He closed his eyes and smiled.


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