Unbidden

Chapter 1

Robin listened to the rhythm of her feet thumping against the packed dirt, sometimes in sync with BJ, other times completely opposite.  Her breathing too came in a rhythmic pattern, in for two, out for two.  They had been running long enough that her body had relaxed into its “running rhythm”, as she liked to call it.  Every now and then she’d do a check to make sure she wasn’t tensing her shoulders or clenching her fists.  Her cheeks were relaxed, bouncing with each foot fall as she inhaled and exhaled.  Every so often she had to check to make sure she wasn’t drooling either.  The fewer muscles she used on non-essentials, like keeping her mouth shut, the more energy she had to put into her legs.

Robin glanced over at BJ – short for Bethany Jill – and wondered how she made running look so easy.  BJ and her husband, Matt, had moved to Hunter’s Grove permanently, shortly after David had died.  Both originally from the Pittsburgh area, Robin had met them in college and kept in touch after graduation.   The two had settled down and started a very successful construction and home interior business: Hummel’s Construction and Design.

After David’s death they had taken some time off to come visit with her, make sure she was doing okay.  They had liked the slower pace of Hunter’s Grove so much they decided to stay.  Their business moved with them and became just as successful as it had been in Pittsburgh.

BJ had always been an avid runner.  She’d been part of the cross country team in high school, and though she hadn’t run for the college, it didn’t mean she’d stopped.  She had managed to get Robin hooked and they would alternate days at the track and days in town.  After graduation Robin had kept it up even though she’d lost her running partner.  She’d even finished a few 5Ks at local races.  When BJ moved to Hunter’s Grove the two had become partners again and Robin realized how much she had missed the camaraderie.  BJ didn’t have to say anything – her presence was enough.  The pounding of their feet and the heaving of their lungs helped to keep Robin’s mind focused on something other than her grief in the months after David died.  And on the days when she didn’t want to get out of bed, BJ pushed her to do it anyway, knowing that it would help.  Robin couldn’t thank her enough for all she’d done in the past two years.  Some days those runs were the only thing that kept her going or gave her a reason to get out of bed.

As they rounded the last bend in the trail Robin looked over at BJ again.  “Race you back?” she challenged.

BJ sent her a devilish grin.  “You’re on.”

The two took off, sending dirt flying.  They were only a quarter of a mile from the trail head and as the parking lot came into view Robin could hear her blood wooshing in her ears as she pushed her legs to their max.  They broke through the tree line and into the parking lot, side by side.  Robin slowed to a walk, hands on hips, gasping for air.

“One of these days,” she panted, “I will beat you.”

BJ laughed.  They both knew it was impressive that Robin could keep up.  After all the years she’d put in, BJ was like a running machine.

The two took a few minutes to catch their breath, grab some water and stretch out before heading for their vehicles.

Robin stopped behind her Jeep and bent down to untie her key from her shoe laces.  She looked up at BJ, asking, “Seven at Rusty’s tonight, right?”

BJ nodded.  “Yep. Lisa’s bringing the cake and we’ll all split Shelly’s tab.”

“Sounds good.” Robin agreed, standing up.  “See you then.”

BJ waved and then moved to climb into her Durango.

Robin slid behind the wheel and cranked the engine, then pulled from the parking lot of the nature preserve.   She thoroughly enjoyed running with BJ, as well as the rush and sense of accomplishment afterwards.  The only thing she could skip was the sweating.  Even though it was September it was still warm and she rolled the windows down all the way to let the wind cool her skin.