Reservoir Run
Page 7
accident, he followed them to the reservoir. When they drove to the access trail where they dropped off the extra supplies for Alison, he parked on a side road and walked up the trail to wait for her. When Alison saw him on the trail, she started screaming. He panicked, they wrestled briefly then he pushed her. He didn’t even see her land, he just ran.
Overwhelmed with guilt and anxious to repent, Byron was tried for attempted murder. The courts found him guilty and sentenced him to fourteen years in prison with the chance for parole in six.
Rick required a brief hospitalization after discovering Byron had tried to kill his wife. He had contracted a flu virus while staying in the hospital with Alison which caused a fever. This illness, combined with his already dehydrated and malnourished body, played havoc with his mental state and his senses. After two days, they released him feeling like a new man.
Alison’s rehabilitation created a unique situation for their relationship and since she now relied so much on Rick, she softened and learned to appreciate his newfound dedication to her wellbeing. Being forced into downtime by her near death experience gave Alison a fresh appreciation for the gift of life and her family which she neglected so much over the past few of years.
Guilt and forgiveness ultimately saved this family. Alison’s treatment of her family over the last three years should have torn them apart, but it didn’t. Rick, feeling guilty for trying to kill his wife easily forgave her for all of her past insufficiencies and in return, Alison, with a new appreciation for life, dove head first into her family with a fresh appreciation and was graciously satisfied. The kids, always resilient, went along for the ride and came out with two parents who love them dearly.
Alison ran The Western States 100 the following year with the help of her devoted husband as he guided her through the last 30 miles of the race.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.” Alison told him with a thankful smile.
Rick shook his head and simply said, “I didn’t do it.”
The End.
About the Author
Diane Strong lives in Kentucky with her husband and their two children. She received a liberal arts degree at Itasca Community College, a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Equine Studies from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana and a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Kentucky.
She writes a small column for the Georgetown News Graphic and homeschools her children. In her spare time she competes in road races, triathlons and adventure races. She is the founder of the Georgetown Run/Walk Club and Intellectual Society. She loves what she does.
If you liked this story, do me a big favor and tell somebody. Better yet, tell the world by writing a review.
I hope you enjoyed this short story enough to check out my other works:
Out and Back (a novel)
Newspaper Bundle (a collection of columns)
The Running Suspense Series:
The Run #1
Falcon Point #2
The Other Way #3
The Rescue #4
Reservoir Run #5
Merry Christmas Mr. Saunders #6
Running Shorts: The Running Suspense Collection
Reach me at:
Facebook Page
www.dianestrong.com
Twitter: @dianeistrong
email: dianestrong@ymail.com