Running Behind

by Sylvia Taekema

  “I’ve been thinking, guys,” said Simon. He was peeling a banana. “Maybe we can use some of these things to our advantage.”

  “What do you mean? You’re going to throw banana peels along the course and hope the other runners slip?” Sam frowned.

  Simon laughed. “No! I mean the phobias we were talking about last night. Tony, you should imagine a big double-cheese pizza at the finish line and run as fast as you can toward it.”

  They all laughed. “That could work,” said Tony.

  “I know! Guys, I’m serious. Shawn, imagine an army of spiders behind you. Wouldn’t you run faster?”

  Shawn shook his head. “No spiders, man.”

  “What does Spencer need to imagine then?” asked Tony. “The dentist chasing him?”

  Spencer smiled. “I’m only here at all because Paul got sick. I figure I’d better run my best for him.”

  “Yeah, we’re like the Musketeers,” said Simon, switching gears. “All for one and one for Paul!”

  Coach Dave pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I got a text from Paul this morning.”

  Feeling kind of twitchy, so sick of being itchy. Go, Diamonds!

  Laughing, the boys all put their hands into the middle of the circle. “Go, Diamonds!”

  The race parking lot was one big puddle. “Careful when you get out,” said Dave.

  “A green Jetta. That’s what you said your dad drives, right?” whispered Spencer.

  There was no green Jetta in the lot. “They’ll be here soon,” answered Jake.

  They watched as a car pulled in beside them and two officials got out. One of them pulled a box out of the backseat. It overflowed with medals.

  Tony gulped. “Wow, that’s a lot of hardware.”

  “Top three will medal,” said Dave as all the boys, eyes wide and mouths hanging slightly open, watched the man walk away with the box. Dave laughed. “But no need to think about that now. Let’s focus on the race, not the results.”

  The boys hopped out of the van.

  “I’m setting myself a goal of top fifty,” said Shawn.

  Dave whistled. “That’s a pretty high bar for a race like this.”

  “Me too,” said Tony. “Top fifty.”

  “Well, go for it! How about the rest of you?”

  Spencer was busy scanning the parking lot. Jake was watching Spencer.

  “Is it crazy to think I could aim for top ten?” asked Sam. “I really feel like I could do it today.”

  “Not crazy at all. What you’re thinking has a lot to do with how you’re running. But let’s be smart about it. First things first. Stretches, sprints, snacks. You know the drill. Simon and I will see if we can find a dry spot to set up the tent.”

  Sam led the team through a series of stretching exercises. “Okay,” he said when they were done. “Let’s warm up a bit more with a jog.” He and Shawn and Tony took off. Spencer didn’t move. Jake waited with him. “You guys coming?” asked Sam, looking over his shoulder.

  “Be right there,” said Jake. “You guys go ahead.” He moved closer to Spencer. “You okay?”

  “I don’t think I can do this. I mean, I thought I could, but now—”

  “You can.”

  “I wish my dad was here.”

  “He’ll be here.”

  “Something must have happened. What if he needs me?”

  “He’s fine.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “He’s with my dad. We would have heard if something was wrong. Right now we need you.”

  Spencer’s face darkened. “So you can win.”

  “No!” Jake tried not to get angry. “No. So we can run a good race. The best race we can.”

  Spencer sighed. “I don’t know.”

  “Listen, Spencer,” said Jake. “You’ve got to get in the zone. Your fear about your dad is holding you back big-time. Let it melt away like all this snow is doing. He’s on his way. You know he is. What would he want you to do right now?”

  Spencer sighed again. “Run.”

  “Then let’s run.”

  Chapter Twelve

  They ran, but Spencer wasn’t loosening up. He ran stiffly and kept glancing from side to side instead of concentrating on what was in front of him. Jake was getting more and more uptight, worrying about Spencer worrying. He was beginning to wonder himself where their dads were. They should have been there by now. It was almost time for the race to start.

  They found the tent Simon and Dave had set up. Shawn, Tony and Sam were already there, each with a water bottle. “Let’s get a drink,” said Jake, steering Spencer over. He had just a few minutes left to get Spencer refocused. “Hey, Coach, Spencer’s got a question about how to handle the downhill section of the course. Could you go over that again?” Spencer gave Jake a funny look.

  “Sure,” said Dave. “What do you need to know?”

  “And Simon, find Spencer a water bottle, will you? I need to find the restrooms.”

  Jake walked away. He needed to use the restroom, but he also needed a few minutes to think. Sam was ready. Shawn was ready. Tony was ready to go. They would all do their absolute best. But Spencer wasn’t ready, and that was a shame, because of all of them Spencer Solomon had it in him to win this race. Right now Jake didn’t even know if they could get him to run it. He had tried to distract him, but that had not been enough. Now he needed to inspire him. But how? He needed more than the promise of pizza.

  On his way back from the restroom Jake still hadn’t come up with an idea. He wasn’t sure what else he could do. If he didn’t—

  “Jake!”

  Jake looked over. “Dad! Mr. Solomon! You’re here!”

  “You haven’t run yet, have you?”

  Jake shook his head.

  “We were beginning to think we were going to miss everything. The road was blocked by a tractor-trailer that must have gone over in the snow yesterday. It was finally cleared, so now here we are. We tried to call Dave, but with all the hills and valleys around here, there was no reception.”

  “We’re just about to get started. Spencer will be so glad to see you!”

  “Probably better if we head for the finish,” said Spencer’s dad. “I think it will be easier for me to set up over there. This beat-up old chair fit nicely in the trunk, but the wheels aren’t the greatest. I left my fancy electric one at home. I’m afraid it’s going to take some pushing, Ed.”

  “No problem,” said Jake’s dad. “Just point us in the right direction, Jake.”

  Jake showed them the course map that was tacked to the outside wall of the restrooms. “The finish line is here,” he said. “Want me to show you how to get there?”

  “No, you get going,” said Mr. Solomon. “We don’t want you to miss your race. Tell Spencer I’ll see him at the finish. How’s he doing?”

  “Great!” At least, he will be now, thought Jake. He turned to go, then looked back quickly. “I’m really glad you’re here, Dad. You too, Mr. Solomon.”

  His dad grinned and gave him the thumbs-up sign. “So are we. Give it all you’ve got, Jake-o.”

  Jake sprinted to the starting area. “Spencer!”

  “Jake, it’s no use. I can’t do this. I feel awful. My stomach’s all knotted up. My head hurts. I don’t know what to do.”

  “I saw your dad. He’s here! He’s good. Everything’s good.”

  Spencer looked around. “Where? Where is he?”

  “They’ve gone to the finish.”

  “I’m going to see.”

  “No. There’s no time. Look, we’re ready to start.” A tall man walked into the center of the clearing, blew sharply on his whistle and shouted to the teams to line up. An eager runner knocked into the official on his way to the line and made him drop his whistle. It disappeared in a patch of snow. The official scowled.

  “You know, that’s not a whistle anymore,” said Simon as he watched the official lift it out of the snow, shake it off and try to use it again. It sounded like some
one letting the air out of a balloon.

  Shawn had a puzzled look on his face. “What is it then?”

  “Snow blower,” Simon said with a grin.

  Spencer pulled Jake aside. “I need to see my dad.”

  “You will. At the finish.”

  Spencer crossed his arms. “I don’t believe you. He’s not really here. You’re just saying that because you want me to run.”

  Jake reached out and put his hand on Spencer’s shoulder. Spencer shook it off. Jake took a deep breath. “I do. I do want you to run. But Spencer, you have to believe me. I’m not lying. Your dad is here.”

  “He would have come and seen me.”

  “He said to tell you he will see you. At the finish. My dad and your dad are working their way over there right now. They’ll be there. Trust me.”

  Spencer looked at Jake, then looked away.

  The whistle sounded once more. “Here we go, fellas,” called Dave. “Time for takeoff.” Shawn and Tony moved in behind Sam. Jake began moving forward, but Spencer positioned himself at the end of the line. Jake stopped. Dave raised an eyebrow. “What’s up? That’s not how we planned it.”

  Jake thought about it. Spencer had the best time. He was supposed to be their first runner out. Was Spencer hanging back because his heart wasn’t in the race? Was he thinking of cutting out to go look for his dad? Or was he just angry with Jake and didn’t want to stand next to him? Jake wanted to explain everything to the team so they’d understand. But there wasn’t time, and he had promised Spencer he’d keep quiet. But he had to say something. “We’ve been talking, Coach. We think this lineup will work better. I, uh, I don’t really have time to explain why, but we’ve got it figured out.”

  Dave looked at the others. “You guys okay with this?” Jake made eye contact with each of his teammates, silently pleading with them to go along. They seemed to get the message.

  “Sure,” said Tony.

  “Works for me,” said Shawn.

  “Go, Diamonds,” said Sam.

  “Last call, all teams,” shouted the tall official. Just then another man ran over to talk to him. The tall man put his hands on his hips and listened intently. Then he blew a long blast on his whistle, just like a referee would to signal the end of a soccer match. “Your attention, please. The race will be delayed by ten minutes while we locate the starting pistol. Race delay, ten minutes.”

  Dave shook his head. “I’ve never seen that happen before. At ease, team. Stay loose.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jake grabbed Spencer by the elbow and hauled him away from the others. “I need to know if you’re in,” he demanded.

  “I’m in.”

  Jake felt a rush of relief.

  “I really want out, but I’m in. I want to go over and find my dad but I can’t let the team down. Or Paul. I’ll do my best, but let me be the last runner out. I don’t want to slow anyone down.”

  “Okay, but Spencer…”

  “Just give me a minute, okay?” Spencer’s voice cracked. Jake could tell he was having a hard time keeping things together.

  Another runner came close to where Spencer and Jake were standing. He wore black gloves and a black hat, and there was a Ravens logo on his black shirt. He looked Spencer up and down. He was a full head taller than Spencer was and wide as a refrigerator box. “What’s the matter, little man?” he asked. “Scared? Can’t take the pressure of the big race?”

  “Back off,” said Jake.

  The Ravens runner hooked Jake’s jersey with a gloved finger. “Diamonds, huh? Psssht. Wimps.”

  “Look, you don’t understand—”

  “Sure I do. You think you’ve got what it takes to travel a tough race like this? We’ll just see how it ends.” He let go of Jake’s shirt and walked back to his team.

  “Take your minute,” said Jake. Spencer nodded. Jake walked back toward the others. “Dave,” he called, “I’m going to run over to the restroom one more time.”

  “Now?”

  “Nerves. You know. Be right back.”

  “But there’s no time.”

  “I’ll be back. Trust me!”

  Dave threw his hands up in the air. “This is the craziest race I’ve ever been to.”

  Jake jogged away, but he didn’t go to the restrooms. He waited just out of sight at the edge of the clearing. He saw the official return to his place ahead of the starting line, heard the whistle blow, saw the teams move into position. He saw his teammates line up, Sam, Shawn, Tony, and felt a stab of joy when he saw Spencer join them. He watched Simon high-five each of them, wishing them a good race. He saw Dave scanning the runners, searching for him. He ran in just as the official raised the gun.

  Dave let out his breath. Spencer backed up to make space for Jake in the lineup.

  “I’m good back here,” said Jake. Spencer turned and gave him a look. They both jumped at the sound of the gun. All the runners surged forward. “Go!” Jake shouted.

  It was chaos. A runner in green shot forward, and hundreds of feet churned after him through the mud and the slush to the end of the field. Jake loved this part. He wanted to work his way through the crowd so he could be in a good position heading into the woods, but he forced himself to stick to Spencer like a shadow. He was surrounded by a sea of jerseys. Yellow, green, orange, blue, red. Suddenly a black cloud descended as the burly Raven they’d met earlier crossed into their path. He continued to push left until his feet nearly tangled with Spencer’s. Had he done that on purpose? Was he trying to trip Spencer? Get a grip, thought Jake. There are an awful lot of feet out here.

  They reached the end of the clearing, slowing as runners jostled to find a place on the trail. Spencer glanced back over his shoulder. Jake was right behind him. “There’s a spot up ahead where you can pass, Jake.”

  “No.”

  “Yes, there is. I remember it.”

  “I’m not going to pass.”

  “I still don’t feel so good. I can’t get a rhythm going. I—”

  “I am not going to pass you. I’m going to stay behind you all the way.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Your dad is here, Spencer. He will meet you at the finish. The sooner you get there, the sooner you’ll know I’m telling the truth. I’m going to make sure you get across that line. I am not going to pass, so you’d better get going.”

  Spencer threw another quick look over his shoulder.

  Jake pulled a face. “I told the guys I was going to stick to you like glue, remember? This is all you’re going to see back here for the entire race, so you might want to look ahead instead.”

  Spencer barked out a laugh. Then he shook out his fingers, rolled his shoulders back and began to run faster. They reached the boardwalk, and Spencer began to get a rhythm. His breathing started to become more even. Good, thought Jake. Good. Jake kept his eyes trained on Spencer’s silver jersey in front of him.

  He and Spencer slipped in the mud and soggy leaves at times, but they kept moving steadily forward. Up ahead the path would turn and become steeper. There was a big rock next to the trail, marking the spot. Jake smiled when he spotted Coach Dave perched on top of it. “That’s it, boys,” he called. “Pace it out now. Up you go. Just run.”

  Spencer made the turn and took off. Yes! This was more like it. Jake found a higher gear, the muscles in his calves burning with the uphill climb. His lower back began to ache, but he didn’t pay any attention. He was focused on following that silver jersey. Many runners began to slow, but not Spencer. He flew through the trees. They began to pass groups of runners where the trail widened and slid past runners one by one when it was narrow. That’s it, thought Jake, following and fighting to keep his breathing even. He jumped roots and stones, splashed through slush, ducked under low-hanging branches, batted away spiderwebs and tried to ignore the cold water seeping into his shoes.

  “Still there?” Spencer called over his shoulder.

  “Like glue.” It was getting harder, but Jake
was determined to keep up. They hadn’t made the halfway point yet. Still a long way to go. But Jake knew Spencer was no longer just back in the race. He was back on track to win. That idea was giving Jake a whole new kind of energy.

  Chapter Fourteen

  They burst through the last of the trees and came out at the top of the cliff. Finally. The high point of the trail. Halfway. The wind bit at Jake’s nose. He narrowed his eyes to a squint. His legs felt like logs, and his throat burned. He didn’t know if he could keep going at this pace.

  “Well done! Looking strong! And it’s all downhill from here!”

  Jake didn’t know how Coach Dave managed to pop up along the trail the way he did, but his words gave Jake just the boost he needed. Half a dozen runners ahead of them were almost across the rocky clearing and were making their way back to the trees and the downward trail. Spencer pointed, and Jake knew he meant they had to get in front of this group before the path narrowed again and they got caught with no place to pass. They began to sprint. Yellow shirt. Orange. Navy. Red. Silver. Sam. He grinned as Spencer and Jake shot past him. “Go, Diamonds!” he shouted.

  Ahead, a lone runner disappeared into the darkness of the trees. Black jersey. When he heard feet pounding on the path behind him, the big Raven glanced over his shoulder and looked at them darkly. “Go, Diamonds,” he called out in a falsetto voice. “Wimps,” he added before taking off. Jake wanted to reply but knew it was wiser to save his breath. They still had some serious ground to cover.

  It was almost harder running downhill than it had been going up. The trail was muddy, and the loose gravel was slippery. More than once Jake had to grab hold of a branch to help him stay on his feet. Spencer began to pull away, and Jake worked hard to stick close. It was a brutal pace. After hooking his foot on a root, Jake glanced down to make sure his laces were still tied. When he looked up again he saw that Spencer had begun to slow. Oh no. What now?

  Spencer had caught up to the runner in black. The trail was narrow, and the Raven was holding his arms out at his sides in a T shape so Spencer couldn’t pass.