Tao of the Broken

Chapter Four

Four

            Eiji had asked Sorrel if she wanted to join him in the mornings for his jog with Ako.  She had asked if they went around the trees or within them and he’d offered to take the longer route if she agreed.  Today was the first morning she was actually meeting him.  She stood barefoot on her porch but had her shoes in her left hand.  She didn’t really want to put them on but she didn’t want to slow Eiji down if they came across thistles or rough gravel.  She’d never run the whole perimeter of the neighborhood so she wasn’t sure what was in store.  She looked toward the Hibiki home, Eiji wasn’t out yet so she knew she had some time to stretch.

            She started warming up simply by standing on one foot while she put on her shoes and tied the laces.  If she started to lose her balance she would pause.  She wanted to be sturdy on her feet and this was one of the easiest, as well as challenging, ways to do it.  With her shoes on she dropped to a crouch, stretching one leg out against the ground beside her while she leaned over the bent knee.  She could feel the familiar strain through her calves and the backs of her thighs.

            When she was through stretching her legs she stood, looking up at Eiji’s home.  He was already halfway down the hill, headed her way.  Ako trotted happily beside him and Sorrel felt herself smiling.  This pair seemed to do that a lot to her, but only Eiji made her stomach either knot or feel like it would float up through her mouth.

            She stepped from her porch and headed over to them.  Ako met her first and she greeted him with a scratch behind the ear.  “I didn’t realize you were already out,” she admitted, “I would have met you near the trees.”

            “I know, that’s why I came here.  It gives us a little bit longer together.”  He said, the smile she was growing familiar with spread across his face.  She really did like that smile.  “Are you ready?”

            She nodded and he led her south as they began an easy jog.  She’d only seen the homes on the southern end of the neighborhood once.  She suddenly felt anxious.  She didn’t want any of the people who lived here to see her.  Jogging she couldn’t hide her face as easily, with Eiji she didn’t mind, but anyone else made her uncomfortable.

            “Do you usually see anyone when you’re out this early?” She asked, sounding breathless even though they’d only just begun their jog.

            “Not usually if I’m out this far.  Sometimes I jog closer to the fences, it’s less muddy after the rain, and I’ll see a couple people.  They’re friendly, usually just a wave or a greeting.  Most people up this early are doing their morning chores anyway.”  Eiji could tell Sorrel was nervous.  “Don’t worry about it though, we’ll be close to the trees soon.  Ako will let us know if someone is near, you can walk if you want, or just stay behind me.”

            Sorrel felt guilty making Eiji go out of his way for her.  “I’m sorry I’m being so weird about it,” she told him, “I just…”

            “It’s okay.  I don’t mind.  I’m just happy I’ve got someone to talk to besides Ako.”

            They jogged the rest of the way around the town in silence.  Sorrel used that time to take in her surroundings.  There were less oak trees on this side and many more pine trees.  Needles covered the ground below their feet and as she jogged they made a soft crunching sound.  When they reached the river she sensed Eiji slowing his pace and she matched it until they were walking easily.

            “I usually stop to let Ako play and drink for a while before finishing.”  Eiji told her, watching the dog make a beeline to the water.