Running Deeper Than a Race Read online

  Brinley started laughing before she got up to throw her paper plate in the trash.

  “Thanksgiving? Are you cooking?”

  “I wasn’t planning on it. I thought you were cooking this year since I did it last year.”

  “Who said that?”

  “We agreed that’s why I cooked so good last year.”

  “I guess that I have dementia or something. I don’t remember agreeing to that.”

  “Well, I’ll be eating chicken nuggets, fries and wine. I don’t mind sitting here by myself and enjoying my own company.”

  “You wouldn’t?” she laughed.

  “I don’t see why I wouldn’t. I love myself.”

  “You better.”

  “Are you leaving?” she asked as she walked back into the living room.

  “Yes, I am. I have to go see this man about something that I need.”

  “I know you better not have a booty call on a Monday evening.”

  “No, I have a date at the bar. My booty calls happen on the weekend.”

  “I didn’t know there were designated dates that they happen on.”

  “I have mine set up like that unless I want it for myself. Men, always want it during the week after a long day. My body, my rules.”

  “I’m not mad at you. I stopped having booty calls in my 20s.”

  “You act like you’re knocking on 60 or something. You’re only 35.”

  “And?”

  “You haven’t lived a long life yet.”

  “You got that right.”

  “So, stop putting limits on yourself.”

  “I’m not putting limits. I don’t want sex that bad though. I’m ready to settle down and get married if you want the truth but these men out here aren’t ready for a committed relationship.”

  “I’m sure there’s a nice fellow that’s on your phone that wants to lock you down.”

  “And if he locks me down, what is he going to do with me afterwards?”

  “I hope marry you, take care of you and get you pregnant.”

  “You and this pregnancy talk. I don’t want to hear a word when I call you one day crying about being pregnant.”

  “I don’t know about all of that.”

  “You’re right. I would be at the closest abortion clinic if I got pregnant.”

  “No, you wouldn’t.”

  “I would. I don’t want kids. I’m sorry, ma. I am but I don’t want any.”

  “You will change your mind once you get the one that’s for you.”

  “It’s a sad thing to think that I’m going to change my mind. Ma, I need to get in the bed.”

  Her mother smacked her lips, “you look like you’re going to bed with your old ass.”

  “I am.”

  “Alright. I’m going to call you after the news goes off and see if you answer.”

  “I’m not.”

  Her mother started laughing before she got up to leave.

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Please don’t call me later,” she laughed. “Don’t stay out partying too long.”

  “I’ll be in the bed by 1. You know how I stay up late.”

  “That’s not good for you.”

  “Early retirement is a blessing to my life.”

  “Get a job so I can have a peace of mind.”

  “I’m not going to do it,” she laughed. “But I love you though.”

  “I love you too. Be safe.”

  “You’re the one that needs to be safe.”

  Her mother smiled as she opened the door.

  “Next time use your key.”

  “Not when you’re home, I’m not. I know how to knock.”

  “A shame.”

  “It is that you’re too lazy to get up and answer the door.”

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight. Party time,” she did a little dance before closing the door.

  Brinley opened it back up.

  “Don’t be out here acting up,” she called out to her.

  “I’m the parent. I do what I want, when I want.”

  “It’s a shame that we have to parent our parents when they get older.”

  “I heard that.”

  “I wasn’t whispering,” she waved as she watched her get into her car.

  Brinley waved again before closing the door. The wind got under her robe and she tied it tighter before turning the heat on.

  There was another knock on her door.

  “Go home. I’m not opening my door back up.”

  “Ma’am,” the voice called from behind the door.

  She tried to listen for the voice.

  “Ma’am, I came back to check on you.”

  Brinley looked down at herself as she realized that she still wasn’t wearing any clothes under her robe.

  “Yes,” she smiled.

  “I wanted to make sure that everything was okay.”

  “Yes. I’m fine. What is this about?”

  “I’m doing rounds again and decided to stop by.”

  “I don’t want to offend you but you’re making me nervous by stopping by here. I have a lot going on and you stopping by is making me suspicious.”

  “Don’t be.”

  Brinley leaned against the door.

  “I’ll let you go. I’ll try not to stop by any time soon.”

  “If you have valid reason, I don’t mind you stopping by but you’re borderline stalking me. If you want to go on a date, at least ask and stop stopping by?”

  The officer laughed.

  “I’m serious. There are other ways to go about what you’re doing without being weird.”

  “I’m happily married.”

  “That normally doesn’t stop someone. A ring is just that, a ring.”

  “Ma’am, you have a great evening.”

  “You do the same.”

  Brinley closed the door and put the boat lock on it before turning the kitchen light off and heading to the back.

  “This has been a weird turn of events. Let’s hope that the police gets some busy about himself before I have to get someone involved.”

  She turned the shower on and lathered up her face wash before washing her face. She closed her eyes and said a prayer before stepping in the shower. “This will all be a dream in the morning.”

  Chapter Seven

  The train that ran directly in front of Brinley’s house sounded off and she woke up. She checked the clock on her nightstand and it read, 4:31 am. She shook her head as she thought about the run that she was mentally prepared for but not emotionally. She rolled over and grabbed her phone from the charger. There was a light shining through her bedroom window. She ruled it off as being a passing car since she lived closer to the street.

  Maverick: Are you up?

  Brinley: Maybe. How did you know?

  Maverick: I could feel it.

  Her phone started ringing as soon as she started to reply.

  “Hello,” he smiled.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I didn’t think that you were going to pick up.”

  “You didn’t give me time to not pick up the phone,” she laughed.

  “Your voice doesn’t sound like you’re in the bed.”

  “Because I’m always ready.”

  “I see. I need to get this in person to know what it’s like.”

  “Don’t you have to work in the morning?”

  “I do but I wanted to keep you company for a while.”

  “You don’t even know why I’m up this early or late in the night.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You answered so I’m going to talk to you. Are you running in the morning?”

  “I am. Are you going to join me?”

  “I can. Just tell me the location and I’ll pull up.”

  “Let’s meet at the park by my house and we can decide on a location once we get together.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “As hell,” she smiled rolling onto her stomach.

  “Why now?”

/>   “Because you’re always trying to spend time. Help me get this mile under 9 minutes.”

  “Babe, I’m not going to lie. I don’t run that fast but I can help where I can.”

  Brinley started laughing.

  “I’m serious. I don’t. I never ran a mile under 9 minutes. Maybe right at 9 minutes but not under.”

  “We can both work on that then. What time are you pulling up?”

  “7 because I need to get a shower and get to work.”

  “Where are you going to shower?”

  “At your house? I can’t use your house?”

  Brinley started laughing.

  “Damn, you’re going to have me sweaty and stanking going into the office?”

  “Your office doesn’t have showers?”

  “That cheap ass place. No,” he laughed.

  “I guess I’ll let you get a shower.”

  “You’re so wrong. You are a handful.”

  “I told you that.”

  “I didn’t know that it was this bad. You act like I asked to have sex or something.”

  “My sex appeal can’t be resisted. Don’t trip.”

  “I didn’t say it couldn’t be I’m trying to shower and get to work. I’m not trying to go rounds with you and miss my work day unless we’re both calling off.”

  “I don’t think so,” she laughed.

  “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be there. Do you know where the park is by my house?”

  “Yes, the only park in your town.”

  “Don’t start. Where you live isn’t any better than Micro.”

  “Yes it is. That’s a conversation for another day.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Okay.”

  Brinley rolled over as she placed her phone face down.

  “Rise and shine, let’s get your day started,” rang through the speakers on her phone as she hit the snooze button.

  “Give me five more minutes.”

  The alarm went off again and Brinley pushed her blanket out, stretched and got out of her bed. She rubbed her hands over her face and regretted the idea to invite Maverick to run with her.

  Brinley: I really don’t feel like running.

  Maverick: But we’re going. Open the door.

  Brinley: This isn’t the park.

  Maverick: Open the door.

  Maverick couldn’t go back to sleep so instead he stayed up watching reruns of shows on tv before getting dressed and grabbing his work clothes.

  Brinley: I’m coming. I need to wash my face and brush my teeth.

  Maverick: Today would be nice.

  Brinley slipped on her bedroom shoes and her robe. She tied it and walked to the door.

  Maverick greeted her with a smile and a cup of coffee.

  “I don’t drink coffee.”

  “Who said that its coffee?”

  Brinley smiled as she grabbed the cup.

  “Good morning to you too.”

  “You look rested.”

  “Not at all. But I’m ready to run.”

  “Why were you up anyway?”

  “I got in late and then I was updating my resume’.”

  “What made you text me?”

  “I had a feeling.”

  Maverick was wearing a navy blue Nike hoodie, Heather grey sweat pants and a pair of black Nike sneakers.

  “Grey sweat weather?” she smiled as she took a sip of her drink. “This is good. Hmm.”

  “Yes, I love those.”

  “I’ve never had one. What is it?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. It tastes like apple and cinnamon.”

  “It’s a cinnamon apple cider. One of my favorite hot drinks from the coffee shop.”

  “You put me on to something else. I appreciate this. I wasn’t expecting you to come with gifts.”

  “That’s not a gift. It was a small gesture. See you need to stop messing with them damn bums and get you a real man. I’ll take care of you,” he smiled.

  “Where is yours?”

  “I finished mine while I was standing outside in the damn cold waiting for you to open the door.”

  Brinley started laughing. “How long were you out there?”

  “Long enough to almost piss myself. Can I use the bathroom?” he asked.

  “You didn’t say anything about using the bathroom. You came in talking junk with a cup in tow.”

  “Well, I need to use it. I thought you had to get ready.”

  “I am. You were talking to me.”

  “Yes. Because you need to put some clothes on and take that bonnet off. I mean, if we’re going to get down to the dirty. I don’t mind seeing your nipples but I’m trying to burn off this work frustration.”

  “My nipples aren’t out.”

  “Yes, ma’am they are.” He stated touching the top of her robe, pulling it tighter.

  “I swear men are dramatic.”

  “Yes, I am. You don’t have any room to talk because you spoke on my sweat pants. My print is not showing. I made sure to tuck it good this morning,” he laughed as she walked to the bathroom. “Where is the bathroom? I’m walking like I know where I’m going.”

  “First door on the right.”

  “Now, go and get ready.”

  “I’m going.”

  “Brinley, I don’t know what you’re doing but you need to hurry up. I’m trying to get outside for the sun comes all the way up.”

  “Maverick, you do know that the sun is already out and shining bright? Daylight savings time already happened.”

  “I know but shit can you come on. It’s been at least 30 minutes.”

  “No, it has not. If you stop pacing the floor and sit down it won’t feel like it’s been so long.”

  Brinley walked through with her bright yellow sports’ bra on, green legging and a pair of long socks.

  “Where in the hell are you going? You need a shirt on, Brinley. Please don’t try to pull some super woman type shit.”

  “I’m not. Hold your horses. I’m going to get my hoodie once I put my shoes on.”

  “And you’re still not ready.”

  Brinley glanced at the clock on the wall and shook her head. “15 minutes.”

  “To do what else?”

  “It only took me 15 minutes to get ready.”

  “Yes and that’s a damn shame. We’re going outside to run, get sweaty and come back inside. It only needed to take 5, start to finish.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Once you put your hoodie on and I’ll agree.”

  “Come on.”

  Maverick shook his head.

  “I’m glad I came when I did because I would still be waiting for you at the park.”

  “Whatever,” she laughed as she slipped the hoodie over her head.

  “Your hair is a little too nice to get sweaty.”

  “Let me worry about that.”

  Brinley managed to roll and tuck the twists that she put in last night in a high bun which only took her 30 seconds of the 15 minutes to do. It took her so long because she was trying to decide on what pair of leggings to put on that enhanced her booty.

  “I see the booty too. Looking real nice,” he laughed.

  “Don’t you dare,” she laughed putting her hands behind her to stop him from slapping it.

  “I wasn’t this time. We’re already late.”

  They walked out of the house at 7:25.

  “We need to go this way. Two laps around this is going to be a mile.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked he wasn’t quite sure of her measurements.

  “Yes. I’ve been doing this.”

  “Why don’t we run around the tennis court?”

  “Because I don’t know how long it’s going to take.”

  Maverick placed his hand over his face.

  “What? Stop being dramatic. This is about me and not you.”

  “You’re right. I’m here for support only.”
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br />   “Let’s go.”

  “Where are you going to start your watch?”

  “Once we get to this stop sign I’ll start it. Shit, I forgot my headphones.”

  “What do you need those for?”

  “Because I don’t think you can sing.”

  He laughed, “you’re correct. I cannot hold a note.”

  “Exactly. It’s only going to take a minute.”

  “Nope. Give me the keys. I’ll go and get them. Where are they at?”

  “On the counter in the laundry room.”

  “I’ll be back.”

  Maverick ran in and out in no time.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I have mine in my jacket.”

  “But you were trying to talk junk to me.”

  “I wasn’t. I was only asking a question.”

  “Let’s go.”

  “I was waiting on you.”

  “Let’s run this time. Under 10 minute mile. How many miles are we doing?”

  “I can only do one today. I’m not ready to be a superhero with you this morning,” he laughed.

  “That’s cool,” she smiled. “Thank you.”

  Maverick was surprised at her thank you gesture but he smiled back at her, “you’re welcome.”

  Brinley’s mind was racing because she didn’t know if someone was going to try her again with a man with her. She was uneasy about going back outside to run but she wasn’t going to let negativity stop her from reaching her goals, even if meant putting her life on the line.

  She started her watch and put her music on.

  “Ready?” he asked tapping her on the shoulder. She nodded her head and smiled.

  Even though, Maverick stated that he wasn’t fast he was pushing Brinley.

  “Stop walking. Let’s go,” he encouraged.

  “I’m tired.”

  “I am too but you’re on a mission. Let’s go,” he repeated.

  “Half way mark. Time 4 minutes and 30 seconds.”

  Brinley almost stopped when she heard the lady in her ear.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked as she slowed down.

  “You’re trying to kill me.”

  Maverick laughed.

  “Did you lie to me?”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “Yes, you did. How am I running a half of mile in under 5 minutes?”

  “Because I got some energy from somewhere. We’re going to get this mile in less than 9 minutes. Stop slowing down and let’s finish.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. We got this. You got this. Come on,” he encouraged.