Dancing Through The Night

Chapter 23 - Cohen

On my way to work this morning I see Alannah at the playground with her friend from the hospital. It's good to know that she has her family and friends around. I just hope her friend's boy is not contagious anymore.

Today is meant to be my day off. The staff meeting they set-up for ten o'clock is an important one to attend, so I'll head in for a few hours. I still have some reports to write and may as well finish them in my office, rather than taking the paperwork home. I should easily be back home before Jay comes by after school. Vicky told me he has an assignment due on Wednesday which he's refusing to work on. Stubborn boy. I'll see if I can get him motivated with a surf this evening.

As I walk through the automatic double door to the hospital foyer, my phone pings, announcing an incoming message. It's from Loula. She's wondering if I received her email with the plans and had time to consider her suggestions. Nope, I haven't, I think to myself. She also wants to know if I am free this evening to discuss the landscaping project some more. She'll be in the area. I catch myself frown and put the phone back in my pocket without answering. This evening is dedicated to Jayden. Vicky wants to go out with a friend and will be late. Last time Loula came around it was a challenge getting rid of her. I'll answer her later to tell her that today doesn't suit me.

The meeting is over much earlier than expected and I'm back home just after midday. Winston only had a short walk this morning, so I decide to take him. That way I really have the afternoon all for Jay. We walk to the dog park but at this time of day there's hardly anyone here. "Let's go for a run, Winston," I tell my best friend whose ears straighten up by the mention of his name. If we don't run along the beach we usually take the promenade and make stops at some of the exercise stations along the way. That's what I feel like today, and Winston isn't allowed at this part of the beach during the day anyway.
We don't get far when Loula appears in front of me. I forgot to text her but it's not even afternoon.
She greets me with three kisses to the cheek, the strong scent of her perfume still encasing me after she steps back.
"You're going for a jog," she states the obvious. Just now I realise she's not in business attire but wears an airy fashionable sports outfit, her bra showing through the netted textile. I bet that butt of hers doesn't come from nothing. I silently nod, then set on to apologise for not answering her text when she interrupts me. Her hand goes to my back and she says: "I was just going for a run along the promenade. We can go together." No, no, no. I don't run with others, especially not with Loula. I wouldn't hear the end of all her plans.
"I'm actually going to the gym with a friend," I lie, making my way in the opposite direction, forgetting again to call off the meeting this evening. I'll text her when I get home. Running along the road is unusual for me. I don't really go this way often. Normally only if I take Jay to the bike track back in the bushland.
The scents of the new area must be exciting for Winston. He's generally a good running partner but today he drives me insane. Every ten metres he stops and sniffs on something. "Come on, Winston. We need to be back in an hour and I want to actually run more than five steps at a time," I tell the canine. He ignores me at first but after a while starts trotting along.

The area we walk through looks familiar. It's very green and flowery and it's obvious that the people living here spend a considerable amount of time looking after their gardens. Winston stops outside a lovely white gate to sniff and do his business. As I lift my gaze I notice the blueberry bushes along the fence. They are a bit overgrown. So are all the other plants. The blinds are drawn shut and the house looks dark. It's Alannah's house, where I dropped her off after giving her a lift from the hospital. It's strange how I keep on bumping into her. Or maybe I always used to and just never noticed her before. No, I'm lying to myself. I would have noticed her.

Jay and I grab our surfboards and run towards the waves. He's completed that entire assignment this afternoon. I promised him we'd catch some waves and have take-away for dinner as a reward. Vicky seemed stressed about his homework. I'm glad whenever I can help her with these small things.