New England, New Romance

Chapter 1

Unaccustomed to the New England humidity she found herself doubled over after only a quarter of her planned run. She was also normally unaccustomed to exercise but for the last month she had forced herself out for a run every morning. Her friends assumed it was to get into shape to start dating again but for Laney it was the only time she had to herself anymore.  She needed the time to get out of their house and clear her head.   She sucked in a deep breath and felt her shirt cling to her already drenched sports bra; yuck!  The shade of the tree she had ducked under didn't even help her feel cooler although her fair skin could use the break from the sun. That was the one thing that Los Angeles had going for it, barely any humidity.

Feeling like she was being watched she worked some easy stretches in so it didn't look like she was just leaning against the tree.  Laney looked around furtively. Everyone in the park was busy worried about themselves.  It was pretty crowded for a Wednesday morning, but it was the start of summer and the weather was begging people to come out and enjoy after a particularly harsh winter.  Laney cast her eyes across the walk surrounding the park to the river beyond. She enjoyed the river tableau with its sparkling blue water, work and pleasure boats and the riparian landscape on the opposite bank with a few small houses nestled among the small marine businesses.  She smiled contentedly. This was what her soul needed; the sights and sounds of her home. Maybe this is what she needed permanently.

The jogger running through her vision reminded her of her task. There was no way she was giving up yet. She took a deep breath and started running again.  At the completion of her first lap, which took longer than she cared to admit, Laney was back at her tree leaning on it for strength.  She looked out at the river again and thought about diving in. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled.  Why did she feel like someone was watching her?  She looked towards the riverfront hotel. There were about twenty wrought iron tables on an outside patio filled with guests having coffee and breakfast.  She quickly looked over the group and reprimanded herself for being foolish. She should get at least one more lap in.  She jogged off at a pace she knew she couldn't sustain for very long.  In fact, she only made it about a hundred yards before she stopped to walk and catch her breath.  

There were a few large white trucks that weren't there on her first trip around. She walked slowly, watching the men unload metal pieces. Unable to discern what they were unloading she wandered over to ask.  She picked a young man who was easily carrying a tool belt and a Home Depot signature orange bucket toward the direction she had just come from.  She walked backwards next to him while he told her about the Riverfest that was happening tomorrow night.  They were building the stage.  Laney was about to ask another question when she stepped on a root or something and then her back slammed into the person who owned the foot she had just stepped on.