The Good Life

Chapter 6

Marla woke up to her alarm at 6am. She took a quick 15 minute shower, put on her track shorts, a pink Nike dry fit top and her pink Nike shoes. Her hair was put in a neat pony-tail. She bolted out the door with her running ready playlist on her ipod. The car radio was on the regular Top 40 radio station. As it was an early Sunday morning, the radio station was playing its weekly countdown. She listened to the music and bopped her head to the new music. That early in the morning, the station was still in the 70s. Perhaps by the time she was done with her run they would be at number 1. She had a feeling number 1 would be the Black Eyed Peas. So typical

“And now, this one, a new arrival on the countdown, is from an up and coming artist named Bruno Mars. He’s Hawaiian, adorable and word on the street, ladies, is that he’s sing-leeeee. Just The Way You Are, our biggest jump on the countdown this week at number 72.” the DJ announced.

“Oh single. Fabulous,” Marla breathed.

Marla completed her race with a personal race record of 25:15. She was pretty stoked about completing the race in that time. She placed 3rd overall and 1st in her age group. Awarded a 1st place t-shirt, a ribbon and lots of breakfast tacos she was quite satisfied with herself.

She mingled with other race participants and organizers after the race. Several of the them were classmates and colleagues. A friend, who was manning the packet pick-up table allowed her to drop off her phone and wallet at the table while she competed in the race. After the race, Marla stopped by to pick it up.

“Hey, Marley…you had a couple missed calls. It was an 808 number…is that Hawaii? Are you going on vacation without us?” the friend asked.

“Oh, I wish…” she replied. “It was an auction winner from last night. It was a big item so I told him he could call me about arrangements. I guess he couldn’t wait for the pick-up.”

She took the phone from her friend and listened to the voicemail.

“Marla….it’s Bruno….Sorry it’s so early…I hope you’re still not asleep and that I didn’t wake you up….about tonight. Let’s not do a movie. But I definitely want to do dinner.”

“Ha…wake me up.” She said.

“That doesn’t look or sound like an internship related message, Marla….” the friend said. “Who was it?”

“It was just a boy.” Marla told her.