Run

by David Skuy

  “I think you’re a runner,” she said softly. “Have a good night, dear. Come by and say hello tomorrow if you have a chance.”

  “Okay … Bye.”

  He closed the door behind him and looked at the watch as he went to his apartment. He wasn’t a runner. Okay, he ran and he liked it, but he wasn’t like Kiana. Donna was right about one thing, though: he did say sorry all the time. Even before he began to talk to someone he somehow felt like he’d done something wrong, like he was gonna say something stupid and would end up feeling sorry in the end, so he should get it over with and say sorry up front.

  His mom looked up from the kitchen table as he opened the door. “Lionel, where have you been? I was so worried. I’ve been … I thought you were coming home from school. You need to call me and tell me where you are. I made dinner and now it’s cold.” There were tears in her eyes.

  A “sorry” was on the tip of his tongue. He had to fight against it.

  “I said I was going to Binny’s after school, Mom,” he said. “I told you last night, and you said that was cool and that there was no hurry to get home.”

  She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. Lionel put his backpack down by the sofa and sat at the table. She was really crying now. This was dumb. He decided to get it over with.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll call next time. I was being stupid as usual and forgot. Sorry. You don’t have to cry.”

  She shook her head violently and crumpled the tissue in her fist. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I? And don’t apologize to me,” she said.

  That made it three people who didn’t want him to say sorry. Then why was she crying?

  “I should explain,” she said. “My … counsellor told me I need to communicate better and to stop feeling sorry for myself and taking it out on other people. Her name’s Andrea.” She cleared her throat and looked up with half-closed eyes. “I’m starting in the middle of the story, aren’t I? Anyway, Sheila came to talk to me earlier this week, and she said I needed to speak to someone from Human Resources — they deal with employees whenever there’s a problem. I knew right then and there I was being fired. It made sense since I thought Sheila hated me so much. I went without a word. Figured I should get it over with. I had some nasty thoughts, though. And guess what?”

  Lionel’s chin sunk to his chest. Fired! She complained and complained and complained about her job, but she always said it would be impossible to find a job like that again with a big company that paid well. His mom had said tons of times that the pension alone made it worth staying, even though she hated Sheila. He felt his stomach begin to tighten.

  “I have eighty dollars from working at the café, and maybe I can find part-time work,” he said.

  She was laughing.

  “How is this funny, Mom?”

  What if she didn’t find a new job?

  “Lionel, I wasn’t fired.” She wiped her eyes. “Far from it. The HR woman, Andrea, is a counsellor for people to talk to, about life, and their problems, and how they feel, and stuff like that. Sheila just wanted me to talk to her — to help me. It was real weird at first, talking to a stranger about myself. Even weirder was that once I started I couldn’t stop, must’ve talked for five hours — honest — and Andrea just listened. Sheila didn’t even get angry when I came back. I even got paid for the time with Andrea! I told Sheila I’d use up my holidays, but she told me it was okay. I’ve met with Andrea every day this week for an hour to two, mostly over lunch or at breaks or after work.” She patted his hand. “I’m embarrassing you, aren’t I?”

  He shook his head, even though she was.

  She wasn’t fooled. “Kids don’t like hearing about their parents’ problems. I’ve been loading mine onto you, and everyone else, for too long, and I feel bad about it. And I feel bad about how I’ve treated Sheila. We’ve talked a little this week and she’s actually nice. I’ve always looked at things from my perspective and never hers. All she wanted was for me to do my job and be a team player, and all I wanted was to be a victim and get people to feel sorry for me.” A tear fell. “Mostly, I feel guilty about how I’ve treated you, complaining and whining and being negative. Andrea’s been telling me to stop blaming others for my problems and to do something with my life if I’m not happy, and that got me thinking of you, and how you cleaned up your room, and how you’re running and getting in shape, and you’re earning some money even, and how you got me to start cooking and not ordering in fast food all the time, which is another thing I feel guilty about. And, well, I want to tell you how proud I am of you and what you’ve been doing, and that I love you like crazy, and that, well, I went ahead and did something crazy myself.”

  Lionel blinked several times. That was most definitely his mom sitting in front of him, but it didn’t sound like her. She was talking fast and waving her hands in the air, and she had this weird energy.

  “And when you walked in … well … I was upset with myself, not you. I wanted you home early so we could eat together. I made chicken with brown rice and salad. I got the recipe from the internet, this site called the Runner’s Diet, which has all these tips and recipes for runners. I got so caught up in the cooking, I forgot you told me about working at the café — and now I gotta go!” She went to the counter and put a plate of food in front of him.

  The Runner’s Diet?

  “Let me explain,” she said, grabbing her purse. “When I met your father I was actually taking a bookkeeping course, which is learning how to keep track of money for businesses. I quit the course when I got pregnant with you … and … this is the crazy part … I registered for another bookkeeping course and the first class is tonight, so I gotta go or I’ll be late. Sorry. I wanted to have dinner with you and explain the Runner’s Diet.”

  “We can do that later, Mom.”

  “You’re so sweet. Thanks. I might be a bit late, so maybe tomorrow.”

  That sounded kinda funny, like she was asking permission, like she was the kid and he was the parent, and he began to laugh, and so did she.

  The idea of his mom going back to school was a bit insane, but she seemed so excited about it, so happy, so into it, he wasn’t gonna be the one to say she shouldn’t. In a way, she sounded like him when he began running. Maybe she’d love bookkeeping the way he loved to run.

  “I think it’s a great idea, Mom … if that’s what you want to do.”

  “Thanks, Li.” She gave him a kiss, then leaned her head back. “Where did you get that watch?” she said.

  “Oh … you know Donna?”

  “The nice lady down the hall? She’s a real character. Talks my ear off.”

  “Yeah, her. Well … she found out I was jogging a bit and … she bought me this watch. It’s a smart watch.”

  It struck him how ridiculous it was for him to wear it. He liked saying it, though.

  He also liked that his mom was doing stuff, like him and the running. Maybe she would like it and … be happier.

  It then struck him that they were a family too, he and his mom, every bit as much as Kiana’s.

  Saturday: 9:00 a.m.

  Deepak swung his arms in wild circles. “So, I was figuring we run to the ravine and back and laugh at Afonso when he passes out. He’ll want us to call an ambulance, but I say we don’t because it’ll slow us down. Worst case scenario, he dies. I’m willing to take the risk.”

  “I’m going to pass out from the color of your shorts,” Afonso said.

  Deepak began to jog on the spot. “Yellow is an energy color. You’d best get used to seeing these way out in front.”

  Afonso grunted. “No chance I’m running behind those banana pants. Get used to the back of my shirt.”

  Deepak rubbed his chin with his fingers. “You might have a point. Last time I ran more than twenty yards was … Can’t actually remember.” His face grew troubled. “I’m out of shape. All I do is go to school, wor
k at the store, and go to piano lessons. I’m like an old man.” He pulled his shoulders back. “This is going to be painful, but I need it. Will you guys promise to carry me back when I collapse into the fetal position and start sucking my thumb?”

  “We’ll drag you back by your heels — or those shorts,” Afonso said.

  “I knew I could count on you,” Deepak gushed.

  Lionel didn’t know where to look or how to stand or even how to hold his arms. He could never joke around. Nick and his buds were always giving each other a hard time — and the meaner the insult, the harder they laughed. Deepak and Afonso were a little different. Their disses were funny — but not bully-mean like Nick’s vicious put-downs.

  “Where are Kiana and Georgina?” Deepak said.

  Kiana had sent a text yesterday to meet at the café at nine o’clock.

  “There’s Georgina,” Deepak said. He waved his hand over his head. “At least run it in. You’re a Marketeer now.”

  She jogged over, her head down. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” she said.

  Georgina didn’t look like she was running anywhere. She wore her big black boots and had long black socks that went to the middle of her thighs, with a short black skirt, and a black t-shirt with a black fishnet shirt on top.

  “I can’t believe Afonso is doing this either,” Deepak said.

  “He’ll do great,” Georgina said.

  Afonso bowed his head slightly.

  Kiana came out of the café. “Awesome, we’re all here. Had to deal with the parents. Apparently, I stayed out too late last night. Anyway … this is such a great idea. I’m so stoked. I tried to set up a running club at school and no one ever showed up.”

  Kiana glanced at Georgina. “I thought you had this morning off so you could run with us,” she said.

  Georgina’s eyes hardened. “I am …”

  “You’re running in that?” Kiana said.

  “What do you want me to run in?” Georgina said.

  Kiana suddenly laughed and she patted Georgina’s shoulder. “You’re the best, George. I love it. I should be more like you and wear what I want. I’m such a fashion victim.”

  Georgina bit her lower lip and smiled, her eyelashes flickering. “Don’t know about that,” she murmured.

  Kiana wore blue tights with a black stripe up the sides and a pink and blue top. Lionel thought she looked … athletic.

  “So are we the Marketeers Running Club or the Marketeers Stand Around and Do Nothing Club?” Kiana said.

  “I vote for the second one,” Deepak said.

  “You would,” Kiana said.

  “So where should we go? The ravine?” Afonso said.

  They all looked at each other.

  “The ravine it is,” Kiana said.

  The door opened and Binny came out. “Good. Got you before you left.” He tugged on the leash and Britney popped out the door. Britney sniffed the air and went over to Kiana. She bent and patted her head and rubbed her belly.

  “This young lady needs a good run,” Binny said. “I want her back five pounds lighter.”

  “We’d have to run for a couple days for that, Daddy,” Kiana said.

  Binny handed her the leash. “Do what it takes. Good luck to you and don’t forget to come back for some smoothies. Runners need to keep up their protein.”

  “Smoothie’s don’t have protein,” Kiana said.

  Binny flicked his eyebrows. “They do when I make them.”

  “Yum,” Deepak said. “Bacon smoothies.”

  Kiana wrapped the end of the leash around her hand. “Marketeers away,” she declared.

  She and Britney set off down the street. Georgina fell in behind, and then Deepak and Afonso. Lionel brought up the rear, which suited him fine. They wouldn’t see his bouncing stomach. He had a feeling Deepak would make a joke about it. They continued along for a few blocks, very slowly. Lionel had to force himself to drop back. This was slow even for him. He figured they were just warming up.

  “Please tell me we’re at the ravine,” Deepak said.

  “We’re at the ravine,” Afonso said.

  “Really?”

  “No.”

  Deepak groaned. Lionel laughed to himself. Those two were funny. They continued for a few more blocks — and then it hit him. They were running slowly for him. Don’t leave the fat slob behind. Maybe that was nice, in a weird way, but it bugged him, too. He and Britney went way faster than this. Britney was actually a pretty good runner for a small, chubby dog. Those little legs could motor.

  “Whoa, Mister Flash,” Deepak said.

  Lionel blew past them. Kiana and Georgina were fifteen yards ahead. They stopped suddenly, and he slowed to see what was up.

  “C’mon, Britney,” Kiana said. “Don’t be like that.”

  “She doesn’t want to run?” Lionel said. “Is she faking it?”

  Britney scratched behind her ears with her back paw.

  “Not sure,” Kiana said. “Are you being a bad doggie?”

  “She hasn’t pretended to hurt herself for a while,” Lionel said. He knelt down and patted her. “What’s wrong, Brit? You can run way longer than this.”

  Britney put her two front paws on his thighs and licked his cheek.

  “Whoever decided to rest is my hero and I will worship them forever,” Deepak said, breathing heavily.

  Kiana put the leash in Lionel’s hand.

  “You run with her,” Kiana said. “I think she wants you.”

  Lionel stood up. “She likes you best. She won’t run with me if she won’t with you.”

  “I’m liking our recess, by the way,” Deepak said, his chest heaving.

  Deepak should stop pretending he was tired and just run, Lionel thought. Sometimes he pushed a joke too far.

  “Are we gonna take a break every five minutes?” Afonso said.

  “You’re getting on my nerves,” Deepak said to him.

  Afonso grinned. “C’mon Lionel. Take the lead and let’s go. I’ve got a soccer season to get ready for. I was thinking about this last night. I’m always too tired during a game to do much, especially in the second half. I want to be a good player.”

  “And I have the city finals to make,” Kiana said.

  “I think I need to get a pair of running shoes,” Georgina said. “Not sure what I was thinking with these clodhoppers.”

  “Come over to the store after the run and I’ll find you a pair,” Deepak said. “We have tons of shoes in the back that won’t cost much. Not sure the color …”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Georgina said quickly.

  Lionel took the leash and gave it a tug. Britney bounced to her feet. She let out a few barks and began to run. Lionel had no choice but to go too. The others fell in behind. Britney wouldn’t slow down, however, and she began to strain against the leash. Lionel had to run faster so she wouldn’t choke herself. He caught a couple of green lights and still she kept at it. He sensed someone running on his right and he moved over.

  “I can’t believe that’s my Britney,” Kiana said.

  “She can go pretty fast when she wants to,” Lionel said. He looked over his shoulder. Deepak and Afonso were way back. Georgina was about twenty yards behind.

  “That’s because Britney’s such a good doggie, isn’t she?” Kiana said. “You’re such a Britney and you love running like your master. Right? That’s why.”

  Kiana ran so easily, so effortlessly, so gracefully, as if her feet barely touched the sidewalk. Stride for stride she matched him, with Britney’s feet scurrying like mad, as they crossed another intersection and continued up the street. He enjoyed being with Kiana — until he began to feel the pressure of conversation. They couldn’t run next to each other and not say a word. He didn’t dare talk about school, that was a minefield, and she didn
’t strike him as a gamer. No chance he’d tell her about his running chart. She’d think that was geeky. Britney barked and pulled on the leash. That gave him an idea. She loved Britney.

  “She’s into it now,” he said.

  “Let’s see what she can do, then,” Kiana said. She ran faster. Lionel kept up. Britney barked a few times, her feet moving so fast it was a blur of paws. He’d never seen Britney look so happy. She kept letting out a bark every few yards and her tail was wagging insanely. Lionel began to worry that Kiana would notice the sweat dripping down his forehead. He was overheating in his sweatshirt and sweatpants.

  Kiana looked down at Britney and then smiled at him. She sure loved that dog, Lionel thought. He’d stick with that.

  “Is she yours? Is she your dog, I mean?” he said.

  “Dad bought her for my birthday, so I guess she is,” Kiana said.

  “I’ve never had a dog,” Lionel said. “My mom says it’s not fair to leave a dog in an apartment all day. She works at a grocery store and I’m at school.”

  “Is there anyone else … at home?”

  “My dad and mom split up a few years ago.”

  He’d leave Brent out of it.

  “Do you see your dad much?”

  “Not really. He moved to another town and he’s busy. Got married again. He has a couple of kids now — boys, I think.”

  “So you have two brothers — or half-brothers.”

  “I guess.”

  “I take it you guys aren’t that close.”

  “Not really.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  Sometimes he wondered what those kids were like, his half-brothers, and what his dad did with them. He probably took them to baseball and played with them in the park and stuff. Truth was, he’d never met his half-brothers, and as for his dad, he hadn’t laid eyes on him since the night he left six years ago.

  They continued on. The Britney topic was used up. What else could they talk about? The ravine was only about two hundred yards away and the silence was gruelling. She must think he was the most boring kid in the world.