Nine
Mid-January 2015
The sky wasthe color of soupy cement on the Saturday of the 5K—terrible weather if you were hoping for a winter tan but fantastic for running. I had been jogging consistently for a year and was fitter and stronger than I’d ever been. I might have the beginnings of forehead lines and my pores weren’t what they used to be, but damn if I wasn’t proud of my quads. Having picked my outfit with an eye toward showing off Renn’s handiwork, I had on little purple jogging shorts and a navy-blue running tank, finishing the look with blue-striped athletic knee socks.
When I arrived, I realized just how remarkable it was for Renn to be overseeing the event. Robbie’s wealthy middle school in Pasadena was insanely crowded, rivaling the large charity runs I’d done in Boston. Massive white-stucco buildings came together like a palace complex among the manicured grounds. The abundant event signage looked professional.
I parked in the designated overflow lot, a deserted-on-the-weekends office park nearby. When Renn had described this as a school fundraiser, I’d envisioned something more low-key, but this was serious business. I received an official logoed t-shirt at registration when I picked up my racing bib. I was almost certain it was Renn’s handiwork on the design.
I still had another month to run in the women ages thirty to thirty-four category, as my birthday wasn’t until February. Renn’s group, men ages eighteen to twenty-four, had already completed their race. A large screen projected the results. Out of seventy runners, they displayed only the top twenty-five finishers. Renn’s name wasn’t there. But I’d already known it wouldn’t be.
6:30 a.m.
RENN:I’m at the school. We’ve been setting up since 5. I wanted to check in and make sure you’re still coming. *smiley face emoji*
7:56 a.m.
RENN:I guess you’re not up yet? You know your group runs at 10, right? I probably should have confirmed with you yesterday.
7:58 a.m.
RENN:I’m texting in full sentences again. Adding superfluous hashtags to soften it. Also using five-dollar words like superfluous. #cantstopwontstop
8:11 a.m.
RENN:I hope you’re okay.
8:50 a.m.
RENN:My group runs in ten. I’m glad we opened it up to the community because we’re making four times the amount of money as when it was just for school families.
8:52 a.m.
RENN:But some of these guys look serious. I’m afraid. There are some very short shorts going on. And so many pairs of long, skinny runner legs. Pretty sure some of them are bird people. I better get to the start line. Hope to see you soon!
9:15 a.m.
ME:I’m here! Sorry I didn’t get home until close to 3 after my shift and forgot to plug it in so I woke up with a dead phone. Charged it in the car so just now seeing your texts.
9:17 a.m.
ME:You know, for someone who claims to be busy you sure had the time to text me.
9:18 a.m.
ME:I’m heading over from the overflow parking. I’ll try to catch you coming across the finish.
9:34 a.m.
RENN:Well at least I didn’t come in last. Just under 28 minutes. What can I say…I’m not a runner.
9:35 a.m.
RENN:I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent multi-tasker and I can text you and tell people where the water table is at the same time
9:37 a.m.
ME:Glad you didn’t totally embarrass yourself. I tried to pick you out from where I was standing but there were a shocking number of men with longish brown hair and tattoos. So I couldn’t find yours among the stork legs. Sorry.