I had tried to tell myself that it was just jetlag, but I knew that there was more to it than that. I was nervous about my conversation with Brenna. I wasn’t exactly sure why I felt so nervous, and I didn’t want to put too much thought into it, but I couldn’t deny that the nerves were there.
I stretched out and thought back to my conversation the day before with Rylan. He had said that he thought it was great thatI got the job offer and that he thought there were a lot of really great things about the idea of moving to London.
I had asked him about his friends and the thought of moving so far away, and he said that although he would miss his friends, he knew he would make new friends.
He also said that it would be the perfect time to go since everyone was going different ways into high school anyway. Our town only had one public high school, but there were five private schools to choose from, and a lot of his friends were going to be at different schools the next year.
I was surprised at how open he was to the idea. However, he also mentioned that there was a lot that he had been looking forward to about starting high school, and a lot of the opportunities that he would have here in town.
We ended the conversation with him telling me that he trusted me, and he knew that whatever decision I made would be the best one for both of us.
I felt a bit emotional about how much he trusted me, and I was determined that I would do the best thing for him.
Realizing that I wasn’t going to go back to sleep, I sat up, turned on my light, and tried to read my book. After reading the same page three times I decided that I was just going for a jog before heading to Brenna’s. I wrote a quick note for Rylan, grabbed my shoes, and headed towards the beach.
One of the things I loved about Vista Bay was the two-mile long paved bike path that ran the length of the sand. At least four days a week I would head out there and get some exercise.
I knew that it was good for me, but it was also a great way to clear my head. The cool morning air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and the pink and orange hues of the sunrise created a serene atmosphere that always helped me gather my thoughts.
Once I reached the path, I stretched, turned on the music, and ran. I tried not to think of anything else, but instead just focused on the music and the scenery. The rhythmic sound of my feet hitting the pavement, the salty breeze, and the distant calls of seagulls combined into a meditative experience that I cherished.
An hour and a half later I returned home, showered, and then headed over to see Brenna. As I pulled up to the Bed and Breakfast, I was once again struck by how much she had accomplished in such a short time, and I was so proud of her. Once she had decided on what she wanted to do, she didn’t stop until she achieved it.
I smiled as I saw her standing on the deck, with two large travel mugs in her hands. Seeing the deck reminded me of how much work Rylan had done for her, and I felt another surge of pride, although this time for him.
He had taken the initiative to ride his bike over and offer to help. It spoke volumes about his dedication and work ethic, but also showed me how he felt about Brenna. I was so happy that they had developed such a strong relationship.
“Good morning,” I shouted, getting out of my car.
“Good morning,” Brenna answered. “I hate to make you come all the way up here, but I still need to use the railing to get down the stairs, and I can’t do that with the coffee in my hands. And we both know that I can’t leave the coffee behind!”
I laughed. “Absolutely! Coffee is a must!” I walked up the stairs and grabbed the coffee from her.
“Do you need help?” I asked.
“Nope!” she answered. “As long as you take the coffee, I’ll get myself down these stairs.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
I walked down the stairs as Brenna quickly but awkwardly followed me.
“How is it feeling?” I asked, gesturing towards her ankle.
“It’s a lot better than it was,” she said. “It’s pretty painful on nights when I have been on my feet a lot during the day, but I can tell that it’s healing. The doctor said that I only have to be in this for another week or so, and then I will have a removable brace and can start physical therapy!”
“Oh, good! I bet that will feel good!” I said.
“I can’t wait!” she said. “I am used to being so active, so it has been so annoying having to deal with this thing!”
We got into the car and as we drove towards the beach I decided to tell her something I had been thinking and feeling for a few weeks.
“You know, I really admire the way you have handled all of this,” I said.
She looked at me with a confused expression on her face.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I mean that you have been so gracious this entire time. Since the very beginning. I know so many other people who would have been angry, lashed out, and gotten nasty with people. And a lot of it would be understandable, especially because you were in so much pain.
