9:40 a.m.
ME:I picked up my bib and am waiting near the start line. I know you’re busy so I won’t try to find you, but I’m here if you want to say hello.
Based on the enthusiasm with which Renn had been messaging me all morning, I half expected him to materialize as soon as I sent the text. But he didn’t. I looked around at the rest of the runners in my category. Most of the women wore expensive designer gear. While I didn’t aspire to owning overpriced yoga pants, I still felt somewhat out of place, so I focused on my pre-running routine. I set my Garmin to help pace me and began warming up, bending over for a hamstring stretch when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned around, happy to see Renn, but ended up giving my bright smile to Pete.
“Sadie, I thought that was you.”
I hadn’t seen him since the day at Starbucks, and only twice in total, but the content of our interactions made him feel like more than a passing acquaintance.
“Oh, hey, Pete.”
“You were expecting someone else?” He smiled knowingly.
“Yeah. Renn asked me to come, and he’s been texting all morning. I didn’t realize you’d be here.”
His smile fell. “You do know Robbie is my nephew, right?”
I startled at his dickish tone.
“Damn…Sorry, Sadie. I didn’t mean to sound like an ass.” He rubbed his eyes and ran both hands through his hair, shuffling his weight from one foot to the other before releasing a long breath. “I’ve just been trying to make more of an effort with the boys lately and not always succeeding.”
Since I’d overheard Renn talking to Archie, I had more insight into what Pete was admitting than he realized. “All good. Apology accepted.”
“Thanks.” He was quiet for a moment, then sounded proud when he asked, “Did you know Renn organized this entire thing?”
“Uh-huh. He told me when he invited me.”
Pete glanced around at the proceedings—banners hung everywhere, t-shirt and registration tables, screens and loudspeakers announcing results, volunteers coming and going with water, Band-Aids, and whatever else might be needed. He shook his head before stating, “It’s impressive. Renn’s so good at everything he does…He’s just like his dad in that way.” Pete’s features softened, bemusement showing he’d lost himself in a memory.
I supported Renn’s right to avoid discussing his dad, but his uncle’s desire to remember Thomas seemed reasonable as well. And since I was one of the few people who understood this push-and-pull between them, Pete must have felt emboldened, because he kept on light-heartedly. “Thomas also excelled at anything he tried, but you couldn’t even be annoyed because he was such a great guy.”
I huffed playfully. “Well, then you’re wrong about him being exactly like his dad because there are definitely times I’m annoyed by how perfect Renn is.” I moved into a squat, checking for soreness in my left ankle. I’d bruised it the day before in a kick fight with my longstanding nemesis, the icemaker at Hal’s.
Pete grinned. “Totally relate.” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he looked down before speaking again. “So…uh…you and Renn?”
I blanched, breaking the stretch I’d just begun. “What do you mean…me and Renn?”
“You know, you’re a thing, or whatever. I thought maybe after how he acted at Starbucks, but he hasn’t said anything definitive. But, since you’re here and all, I figure…”
My mood sobered in an instant. “Look, Pete, don’t make assumptions. My relationship with Renn—howeverwedefine it—is not your business.”
He held up his hands. “Of course. Sorry…just…like I said at the fundraiser, he’s different since he met you. It’s good, I guess.”
I laughed bitingly before starting on some reverse lunges. “Gee, thanks for that ringing endorsement. But the key point remains…” I made a quick circular motion with my wrist to prompt him.
He smirked. “That this is none of my business?”
“Bingo.” My tone was light, but my message was clear.
“Okay, I get it. You want me to stay out of your…whatever it is with Renn. Shouldn’t be hard. It’s not like he tells me anything, anyway.” Pete didn’t sound bitter, just sad. What I’d overheard Archie say to Renn had been accurate. There was something in the way of the uncle-nephew dynamic.
What had brought them to this point where they seemingly loved each other but still circled like wary cats? Renn had given me the basic rundown of their situation at our last appointment, but no details on how or why they’d arrived there. I knew Renn had primary custody of Robbie and Gage, that he’d moved back into their Pasadena home after Thomas and Mary had died, trying to provide some sense of continuity and normalcy for the boys. Pete had a room at the house, but still spent most of his time at the downtown apartment he shared with a roommate. It seemed strange that the boys’ nineteen-year-old brother had taken on that burden when they’d had an uncle in his mid-thirties. Why had Pete insisted on keeping his distance back then? How had Renn ended up in the master bedroom with Pete part-time down the hall?
It was almost time for my race to start. I was about to say goodbye to Pete when we both spotted Robbie across the field, carrying a large jug to the water table. Pete called out and raised his hand in a wave. Robbie looked over and scowled at his uncle before going back to his task.
“He hates me.” Pete frowned.
