by S. Tron
"What's to process? You're good; they want you to run for them, it's every person dream" Shak the oldest says, his wife nods in agreement. "Yeah, Judy, it will be great!" she adds. Trust them to see it like that, the happy couple.
"It's easy Jude," Ron says, taking out beers from the fridge, "you like running? Do you love London? You'll get paid for it."
"It isn't that easy Ron, I have a life, I'm still mourning, the kids just had a rough year, and I like my work, I like my boss"
"I call it excuses," Ryan says, taking a beer, "give it a try, I'm sure your boss will take you back if you ask".
I glance at Lee, "I don't know sis, maybe it's time to leave, to move on. Think of it as a sign".
The bell ring.
I open the door, a woman with a pants suit that looks way too thick to wear in the Israeli summer, an Olympic pin in her jacket. "Holy mother of dragons!"
"Excuse me?" I nice feminine voice with thick British accent answers. "nice to meet you; I am Angela."
"I'm so sorry, nice to meet you too, come in, I'm Jude."
The woman, Angela, steps in after her comes in two more men; they introduce themselves, Mark from the GB Olympic team, and Marcus who did not say who he is or what he does.
Angela is a tiny woman with high heels. Her hair is in a tight, organized bun, she is so beautiful, like a painting, her skin is so perfect and dark it reflects in the light, she has a lovely figure even though she's petit. Angela has something in her. I immediately trust her, she gave me a friendly firm handshake and a beautiful smile. We're going to be friends.
Mark is very English looking about my high, white skin, red hair, cut short and blue eyes. His handshake is a bit shaky; it is terrifying walking into our house, all the big man standing around, drinking beer.
We all look similar, all very tall; I am the shortest, all have broad shoulders, even me, unfortunately. My brothers are very muscular. I always felt that my brothers are good looking, big, broad. I didn't like that look on me, still don't, I look manly, or boyish, Daniel loved my body, he used to tell me I have magnificent curves and beautiful legs, he loved every little piece of me, he wished I felt the same about myself.
Marcus leaves his hands in his pockets, standing he's sizing the people or the house or maybe both.
"Shall we sit and talk?" Angela asked.
I nod, we go to the living room and sit down.
"Can I get anyone anything?" I ask.
This is my thing, being a bartender for so many years, this is still my comfort zone, getting people drinks.
"I heard a lot of good things about Israeli beer; I wouldn't mind trying," Marcus says.
Mark nodded his agreement, and Angela asked for tea.
That is one of the essential things that separate us from the actual British people; we can't drink tea in the summer, mum always says this is my father Israeli genes, she says it also when I'm straight forward to people, my brothers are much more polite and reserved than me. I blame them for being the way I am, growing up in this family will toughen you up.
My mum comes with a frowny face "Ron, go get everybody their drinks, Ryan go make Angela her tea, Angela earl grey?"
"Yes please with a touch of milk and no sugar"
"Ok," my mum gives the guys a look, they go get everything ready, mum looks at me, "seat!", so I do, Sam runs to sit on my lap.
"Is this your boy?" Angela asks.
"This is Sam".
"Nice to meet you", Sam says to the room.
"and out there", I point outside to wear Matty is bossing around the young children, "is my baby girl, Matty." Everybody seats in silence for a few minutes, while my brothers bring everything, setting a lovely table with biscuits, and crisps.
Marcus then gets up, take off his jacket and starts talking in a way that reminds me of a police officer, his voice is gravely and reminds me of David Caruso as Horatio Caine in CSI Miami.
"Jude, we saw your video from the gym, an awe-inspiring show of will power and strength. I was shocked to say the list; I took a team of people to investigate this video make sure it was real, to be truthful also investigate you. I liked what I saw. I search the news and social media, saw nothing. my investigator said you refused to do interviews, did not speak to anyone about your life or your world record run, some places said it is because it is not real, there are a lot of photos of the sign in the entrance ‘i just felt like running'"
That one makes everybody chuckle, and I feel my cheeks burning red. My all-time favourite movie, Forrest Gump. When reporters started to come in, the people of the town were very supportive, helped keep them out; I didn't want to speak to them, I did it for myself, like Forrest Gump, I too just felt like running. Lee, my brother, put that sign up in the entrance to the town, he knew it would make me laugh.
"and there is a guy, tells reporters to go home, you do not wish to speak to anyone about it." David, he stood there with a few of our friends, basically telling reporters to fuck off. "I want to know what is the story before we go any further, who are you, and why did you do it?"
I take a long breath before I open my mouth to speak, Sam jumps in and says
"it is because daddy told her she couldn't"
I laugh and kiss him on the head.
"Well, guess some of it is because of that, when my husband, Daniel, was alive, I use to exercise a lot, even during my pregnancies, I love power walking, and Ron", I point on my brother with my beer bottle, "he was getting heavy, started coming with me, he said we should run so we did, he couldn't keep up, so I went running myself. On my thirtieth birthday, I decided I will run 10,000m, which I did, in one hour and two minutes. I thought that was really good, so I should check how far am I from the world record, two days after that run, I told my husband, ‘I'm going to break the women's world record in 10,000m', he told me that if it were that easy, more people would have done that"
Taking a sip from my beer, I continue "so I started running, consulted with people that know stuff, got pretty good, I was supposed to go and study, be a paramedic. But then the accident happened."
I look at my boy who squeezes my hand; I love that guy. So much strength and compassion in one small child,
"I decided that I need to be here for my children, gave up my studies and stayed at my work, my boss is the best, I have a free hour between the end of daycare and work, so I used it for running or at night after the children go to sleep, I took a sitter or a friend came by, while I went out running"
I can not say here I used to listen to his favourite album, and cry all the way. I'm not even sure if my parents know.
"Also I have a problem, all my life when somebody told me I couldn't, I had to prove them wrong"
Now my brothers chuckle, and Lee stifles a laugh even my dad is smiling from ear to ear. Marcus looks at my family, sizing them again. "Sam baby can you go and play outside please?"
He looks at me with the same eyes as me, same mouth, same nose and same sadness "no" and the same stubbornness. I run my fingers through his hair, smile to him — my god his my mini-me this one.
I do not wish to confuse him with this talk; he should hear everything later.
Marcus says softly, "ok then; I think I have what I need" just like Horatio. I think I'm going to start calling him that, though he looks more like James Bond, the Sean Connery ones.
My though cut short by Marcus "this is the deal, I heard your sister in law is a lawyer, I understand she already sent us a few notes about the contract. Before you sign it, I want you to come for a week of training with Andrew Bedford".
He puffed his chest out while saying Andrews name, which means he thinks we need to know that name, we all look to Ryan who is the sports maniac, Ryan watches everything, even archery and pool, he looks at me with a smile and starts his wiki sports mind.
&n
bsp; "Andrew Bedford was active in the years 2008 till 2016 he broke three world records in the 10,000m run, twice was his record, he was also second and third place in the 5000m series, but never the first, most 10,000m runners don't do shorter races, they do cross country runs, I don't think he ever did cross country runs. Andrew got one silver for 5000m in 2012 and got three gold for 10,000m in 2008, 2012, 2016. He was European 10,000m champion, every year from 2007 till 2016. He is a very close friend of our legend Andy Murray".
Holly shit that got everyone's attention, we love Andy, he's a Scotsman like us, he has a temper like us, and he looks like our lost brother.
Mark looks at my brother than at his colleagues "can I keep him?" we all share a laugh, he is impressive when talking sports, Angela notice that.
I start to feel dizzy and get up. Sam gets up with me and goes to seat between my brothers.
"So let me understand, you want me, a middle-aged mum to run for the GB Team, to go live there, with my children, leave my family so you can what? Win the Olympics?"
Now Mark is the one who speaks
"not exactly, we want you to promote the sport, to give the people a sense of greatness, if you can do it everybody can, we want you to speak with youth about sports and healthy food, we want you to show the world how to overcome a tragedy, how to be amazing."
Ok wow, that was big. I look to Sam, he seems confused, glaring the floor.
"So why her contract says she has to get a medal? what would happen if she doesn't succeed?" my sister in law asks
"Because all the talking isn't worth shit if Jude loses, we will say our goodbyes, and that's that," Mark says.
"Let's eat. everybody to the table" my mum orders.
4. Andrew
I sit in my London house in front of my television. The video paused. Not at the end of it, where the time is showing as I did in Marcus's office. On her face. Jude doesn't even look like she struggled with the run. Sure her face is a bit flushed from straining, and two drops of sweat on her right chick, other than that, Jude looks calm, she even gave a small smile, she knew she's doing great. Jude has beautiful green eyes, her hair is tight on her head, with at least ten pins, it looks painful. Still, I see a few curls managed to break free. I turn off the tv and go to my kitchen, opening the small fridge and taking out a craft IPA beer, then open the big fridge taking out a frozen tall glass, I pour the drink in, almost all come out as foam, I let it set.
A folder on the counter taunts me to open it, read more about her; I wonder for a second what's going on with Marcus, Angela and Mark in Israel, will she agree to come? Why do I want her to come? I hate the wannabes coming in, thinking it is so easy to run, I hear it all the time ‘im just running and what's the big deal', that infuriated me for so many years. Now I found a way to block them out; I stay at my house. Marcus says it's lonely and pathetic; it is better than having the news show my angry red face yelling at a kid who thinks he's all that.
I walk to the folder, open it, again, her face in A paparazzi shot or the PI. She is walking a big dog, though it seems the dog is taking her for a walk, it is a big dog, Jude has auburn hair, short curls in kind of a bob, no wonder she used all those pins, she is barefoot has a short jeans but not too short, a dark red tank top, stars painted on it in a darker shade of red. Jude is also wearing sunglasses, that make me miss those green, beautiful eyes of hers. I close the folder and go back to my beer, taking it to the living room and seating in the dark, wondering what is going on over in Israel.
5. Jude
A chaotic dinner where all children are yelling, adults speaking over the yelling and food passes over people heads. I'm surprised that the GB Team did not leave. I see Marcus glance at me a few times, whispering in Angela's ear. I help my mother and brothers clean up the table; we all sit together in the outside dining table with coffee and tea for Angela. All the children went to the trampoline in the backyard, and I know the big ones will take care of my babies, the way they always did, even Daniel was still here.
"Your children are wonderful" Angela tells me
"It's not because of the accident," Ryan says her knowing people always go there, "the two of them are super smart like their father was, and super sensitive like my sister. If you ask her," he points at me with his thumb, "she'll tell you she got lucky, it isn't luck, it's all her doing."
"I can see that," Mark says "they wear their hearts on their sleeves, or in that case on their face"
I laugh and look at Lee "also when you see them like that; you compare them to the terrorist group than they look like angels" Lee gives me an excerpted eye roll and we both laugh.
My father shifts in his seat "are we going to talk business?" always the businessman, he had retired five years ago. Still, it runs in his blood.
"I can't leave my children," I say "I mean, it sounds like a fantastic opportunity, but I can't leave them".
Angela is the one who speaks now "nobody wants you to leave them, their a part of you, this is exactly what we want, do not worry, we are not going to do anything you do not agree with" Angela obviously saw my anger bubbling "we want you to come to London, meet Andrew and train with him, after that he will give us his evaluation, if he thinks you can do it, we will continue the process"
"What is the process?" I ask
"Moving to the UK, all expenses paid by us, of course. We will make sure Sam and Matty will go to a good daycare, we will make a training schedule that will fit you and the children, you will get an allowance that can help you go back home, if you need and if it fits your training schedule, you will do interviews and go to fundraising events with Andrew and maybe with the children, if that's okay by you"
Now that is a lot; it is scary and exciting at the same time. "It's overwhelming."
"No. your run is overwhelming," my father says, "losing your husband is overwhelming, rising those two amazing children is overwhelming, you should go, go for that week to see how it is, me and mum and everyone will take care of Sam and Matty. When you get back, we will speak about it."
"Plus," Ron says "you always told Daniel, if you are going abroad for his PHD, it will be to the UK so that the children can get their citizenship"
He got me there, that thought crossed my mind many times since they got here.
"Okay" I say hesitantly "I will give it a try, I will meet Andrew, I do not wish to get anybody's hopes up, so it is just this week, after that, If I decide to go back to London, we will speak about contract and terms, I do not think lightly of this, I need to do what is best for my family" taking a big breath I look at the people surrounding me "all my family" looking at my mum, she nods her approval.
with a smile "now there just one more problem to resolve" giving them my best smile, "who is taking Eddy?" everyone groans in frustration and our guests looked puzzled "the dog" I explain laughing.
I stand in my living room packing one suitcase and two bags for the children; Matty is helping me by getting stuff from the bedroom, Sam seats between different boxes, things I got from companies asking me to wear them. "mummy, you taking all the new stuff you got?"
"No baby I will send it back"
"But why? Look at all the shoes and clothes they sent you."
"I know, I didn't do anything to deserve it, I like my clothes and shoes if they have so many spare stuff they should give them to people in need"
"We can give it to people in need, don't send it back, I want to give it"
"That's a great idea Sam, your so clever and thoughtful"
"Tatty want to also," she says.
"Ok, baby girl, you and Sam can give it to the goodwill".
"You know we will be fine, I will help Matty, and we will have fun at grandmas, and I don't mind going away if we need to," Sam says.
"Were you eavesdropping mister?" He looks embarrassed "thank you, Sam, yo
u know I love you both more than anything, when I come back, we'll speak about it and make the decision together" I kiss him, then Matty. my mum walks in the house
"You're packing the entire house! My house is five minutes away if I need something I will come and get it."
I know that, but it is easier to go when I know they have everything they need, Sam goes into their room, Matty right behind him, I hear them singing, something from one of Mattys books. I go to my room, open my underwear drawer, take out sensible panties for running.
"Don't take those old looking panties" my mum says in my ear, I jump and hold my hand to my chest.
"You scared the shit out of me, don't sneak up like that!"
"I was not sneaking; I was right behind you, now, take only nice panties" mum pushes me aside and rearrange my panties. "I took the liberty of packing you the nice black dress you have. Also nice trousers and blouses, you know you can't go in jeans and t-shirt everywhere."
"I can't?" I say in an exaggerated shocked face. "Mum I'm going mostly to run and exercise, I don't think I even get to go out, they will probably wear me out."
"A lady needs to be ready, and that Andrew is not bad on the eyes, pack some of that sexy Lingerie you have"
First, I blush than I realize what she is saying "how do you know about my Lingerie? I bought them for Daniel."
"I know, because you moved after the accident, could barely hold yourself together, so I helped you pack"
She opens the high cabinet door and takes out a shoebox, I know what's inside, and my heart stops, she opens it, taking out a thin gold necklace with three rings on it, Daniel's wedding ring, my wedding and engagement rings. "It's been almost a year; you didn't date, you didn't speak to anyone about it, every time someone tries to talk about the accident you shut down, he would have loved to see you this strong"
I don't say anything, I close my hand over the necklace and the rings, trying to shove away the bad though, would he love it? He did not even though I could do it.
