Livein Nana & Pop’s House Forever
CHAD
IHADNEVER RUNwith someone before Molly. It had always been a solitaryactivity and something I succumbed to doing alone. But now, after running with herfor weeks, I couldn’t imagine ever doing it by myself again.
Sheran well and easily kept up with me, as we moved through River Canyon’s nearlyempty main street area. I marveled at her confidence and the control she hadover her body. I just wished she felt that way about her other interests, likeher music. But that would be putting herself out there and making herself feelvulnerable. It meant trying for something out of her control, and that scaredher.
Andwhile I thought about the things that scared her, I also thought about thethings that scaredme. My health. Myrelationship, or lack of, with Ali, and the thought of breaking up with herafter being together for so long. But more than anything, I found I was afraidof Molly. I wasabsolutely terrifiedbecause, as weran through the small Connecticut town, I couldn’t stop staring at her. Almostlike I was seeing her for the very first time.
Whiletrapped in my thoughts, I’d fallen a few steps behind and was looking at theback of her. Long legs. Strong back. The rhythmic lift and drop of her hips.Her long, curly ponytail swayed with every step and I found myself entranced byits timely swing. Like a pendulum, it was hypnotizing, and I hadn’t realizedI’d been staring so intently until I ran into a mailbox.
Icame to an abrupt stop as the damn thing knocked the wind out of me with abreathlessoof!Molly’s run slowed to a jog-in-place as she turned around and asked, “Youokay?”
Igroaned as I nodded. “Yeah. Just didn’t see it.”
Hereyes narrowed skeptically. “You didn’t see thatgiantmailboxcomin’ right at you?”
“Nope.”
Shestopped jogging and just stared at me. Head tipped and hip cocked. “Issomethin’ wrong with your eyes, old man? I know youaregettin’ up there in age.”
“Iwaslookin’ atsomethin’else,” I explained simply, which wasn’t a lie.
Sheeyed me suspiciously but didn’t push for an answer. She just resumed her jogand said, “Better watch for those garbage cans, too. Never know when they’llsneak up andbite’cha.”
“Ha-ha.”
Weresumed our run, and I focused on my breathing and on the sidewalk beneath myfeet. I kept my gaze from her and just enjoyed the company. It was a simplecomfort, one I could’ve easily enjoyed with a girlfriend, or a wife, if I evergot that far.
Ali doesn’t run and she neverwill.
Westopped for a quick break in the River Canyon Park and found ourselves a bench.The early morning was quiet and barren of pedestrians. Not even the localbusinesses had opened yet, and for the first time since we’d set out an hourago, I truly noticed how alone we were.
“Youready to head back?” Molly asked before guzzling her water bottle.
Ichecked the time on my watch and nodded regrettably. “Yeah, we should. Devwants to head out by eight.”
“Whattime is it now?”
“Six.”
Shehummed thoughtfully, nodding slowly and surveying the quiet park. Birds sangfrom a nearby tree and a gentle breeze blew through the leaves, rustling anddisturbing the tranquil silence with a natural melody. I sighed contentedly andclosed my eyes to enjoy the moment. Times like these were rare. No pain, nonoise, no pressure—justpeace. Itfelt like the proverbial calm before a storm just waiting to hit, and that wasall the morereason to take as much pleasure from it as Icould get.
“Thisis beautiful,” Molly whispered.
“Mm-hmm,”I agreed, tipping my head back to breathe in the cool spring air.
“Icould stay right here forever and be totally happy.”
“Youand me both.”
“Ithink I’d have to bring Mama, though. I wouldn’t be able to leave her alone.”
Iopened one eye to peer at her. “She’s not alone. She’s got Hank.”
“Youknow what I mean.”
Openingboth eyes now, I furrowed my brow and asked, “Is that why you don’t go out anddo more with your music?”
