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Faithful Runner

Lies and Deception In A Short Run

By PattyrosePublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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After almost reaching the halfway mark in his run, Johnny decided to go back for his step counter. Since he needed to have some kind of evidence of his improvement.

Being on the force, he made every situation align with his love for his job and skills as a detective.

Though he had told Sarah he was going for a long run, she was still at his porch on the phone as if she lived there.

He came closer, quietly, listening to her giggles and quiet talk. He didn’t understand who she’d be talking to this late and why all the giggling.

As a detective, he knew how to creep up on people or be somewhere without being noticed. He came closer and now almost next to her with only a bush standing between them he continued to listen.

She said no one will know and yes she would meet that someone shortly for another sexy night, he held his breath. He wanted to come out yelling and take the phone, but he held back.

He kept his cool and continued to listen. He took his pulse and made it so she would not see him as she came down the steps.

In the driveway now he took a deep breath and headed for the back door. He took his key, came in through the kitchen, and there where he left it, was his step counter.

He purposely turned on the light as he watched her on the phone from the big window facing the front yard.

She seemed to be confused why the light was on for a split second, but then continued to talk.

Johnny took the counter and walked out through the back again. He ran up the driveway and pretended not to notice her in her car. He made sure she didn't see him run down the street.

He could almost feel her staring at him and squinting like does in the dark. He ran like he saw or heard nothing.

Many things made sense to him now. He was ready to change lanes, but he was going to let her sit in her sin for a little while.

He was taking the second block when his phone buzzed. Of course, it was her. He let it buzz as he ran a couple more blocks. Before he knew it, he was at their favorite park.

The one with the spinning wheel where he asked her on their first date and where he gave her, her first kiss. He came around the playground running at his usual pace.

He then took the track. His favorite track, because this is where he learned the value of keeping his pace and starting off slow.

He could still hear his coach telling him from afar to start slow because then he can move fast to win! He couldn’t think about her now.

This was not what he wanted. Lies and deception were part of his job description on the force, but not at home or at a personal level.

So right there, he decided to take this slow too because at the end it would be him crossing the relationship line alone, but fast!

On his run back, he ran in place while he called Sarah back. She asked if he was at home. He said he’d been at the track near the park.

She sounded like she wanted to say something, but he held back everything and pretended like everything was okay.

After an awkward silence he purposely mentioned he had left the lights on because his sister might stop by. She sounded like she felt relieved and he knew why.

He asked if she felt better and looks forward to seeing her tomorrow for their run. She said she was still feeling sick and didn't know about tomorrow’s run. This was clearly deception, he thought.

The next six blocks were hard for him, emotionally. He usually notices the new painting at the art gallery and tonight it was all just a blur.

His buddies at the corner seemed to be so far tonight too, he couldn't hear their hellos or see their waving.

And Mrs. Miller at the corner townhouse, usually at the window every night when he takes his run, also seemed to be a blur. He asked himself if he even saw her or not. He kept telling himself it would be okay and to focus.

As he approached his street he saw her car turning the corner. He made sure she was gone before he ran down the street. All he could think was that she was on the phone with this person all this time.

His step counter beeped and again he had surpassed his target and hit a higher level of endurance. He was proud and sure his next run was set to be better than the last. He was looking forward to crossing the finish line with his new pace buddies.

This was a big step for him since he’d been at the same pace for the last three races. Looking forward to next week’s race was his saving grace. The only thing keeping him focused.

Johnny opened his phone, ignored Sarah's texts, and called his sister. There was no going back. He kept seeing her face in his head, how she smiled and giggled. The emotion set in again and he ran as fast as he could up the stairs.

After taking a deep breath, he forced himself to only think about his race. Now determined to win he knew everything else was going to fall into place, slow and steady he was going to cross the finish line.

In no time he crossed that finish line and then crossed the next line with a bittersweet good-bye.

In A Short Run

breakups
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About the Creator

Pattyrose

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