 Hard day at work, but yoga was good. So was the shower.
But no dinner yet. Maybe I’ll skip it for once. It was an exhausting day and I want to go to bed. But my stomach is rumbling. “Meow.” That face! I have to scoop her up. “Let’s see what we have to eat.” Together, we peer into the refrigerator. “I don’t think I can stand another salad, and I don’t want to even think about rotisserie chicken. Do you want some?” Whiskers looks uncertain. “No? I don’t blame you. Maybe an omelette?” Honestly, I’m too tired to cook. “How about a sandwich? Oh, drat! I forgot to buy deli.” I really need to start keeping a grocery list on my phone. And a few insta-meals wouldn’t hurt, would they? Add that to the list! ONLY IF THEY’RE HEALTHY! Eyes on the prize, Amy! I refuse to notice the picture of short shorts I stuck on the refrigerator. Not that I’d ever wear them, but still… Maybe there’s something in the freezer that I’ve forgotten about. One more container from Mom… Nope! But… Vanilla ice cream? Why do I have… From the holidays, of course. It looks really good. Dairy? NO, AMY. SHORT SHORTS! YOU CAN’T EAT ICE CREAM FOR DINNER! Rumble. Maybe just a little.
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 Phew! What a Monday! Almost home! Time to play with Whiskers.
I can still hardly believe no one claimed such a sweet little kitty. But I’m glad. It’s nice to have a pet again. It sort of feels as though she chose me! Is that… A group of runners? Is that Thomas running with them? It has to be. There’s no mistaking that curly, caramel colored head rising above the others. Red light! Yikes! That was close! Pay attention to the road, Amy! It’s my turn, anyway. One last peek at the runners’ backs. Men and women, all running together. Could it be fun? I’m going to check out the link Thomas sent me.  Weekends! What’s not to love?
Sunny sky, not too cold… And here I am in my own front yard. Planting bulbs! Daydreaming of blue eyes, a nice smile, a long talk by the lake… “Morning, Amy.” I almost fall into the flower bed. “Marge, good morning!” “I‘m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to startle you. But here are my promised crinum bulbs. I meant to bring them earlier this week, but it looks like now's a good time.” She hands me a surprisingly large shopping bag. Whoa! The bulbs are HUGE! They’re nothing like these gladioluses that Joan gave me last week. “Marge, this is so generous of you! Thank you.” “Good morning, Marge! Good morning, Amy! How does Carmen look so pretty so early on a Saturday morning? All sporty leggings, fitted jacket, and baseball cap. “Good morning, neighbor! You look nice!” She laughs. “Nice? Thank you. We have soccer. But I had to run over. I have an opportunity you might be interested in.” “An opportunity?” “Didn’t you say that you taught piano while you were in high school?”  The lake, pretty and peaceful, a nice place to chat...
“It’s been a tough few years. My dad had been sick for a while before he died, then mom fell and broke her arm and hip.” Gasp. “Oh, wow! How awful! That’s when you moved in with her?” “Yeah. At first, I hired someone to stay with her while I was at work. She hated that, but I couldn’t not work. Then Covid hit and I started working from home. I’ve been doing so ever since.” “Can she walk now? How old is she?” “She’s 72. It hasn’t been easy for her. For a while, she was really depressed. But she’s one of the lucky ones. She’s regained her mobility, and she’s finally becoming herself again. To the point that I’ve been thinking about moving, getting back into my own place.” Moving? But, well, of course I understand. “You’re a good son. Would she be upset if you move?” “I don’t think so. And I probably wouldn’t move far. I like it out here.” So do I. I like it better all the time.  Should I suggest that we pick up the pace?
“Amy?” “Hmm? Oh, sorry! I keep thinking I’m slowing you down.” “This was my idea!” “True. You were saying?” “Have you thought about joining a running club?” “Running club? Are you making fun of me?” “I wouldn’t dare! I belong to one myself.” “But I can still only run a few blocks.” “That’s how everyone starts. Running with other people of different levels helps with motivation – not that you seem to need it. And you learn a lot.” “How so? The learning, I mean.” “Technique, tips, places to run…” Not bad. “Nagging? Shaming?” “Maybe a little nagging sometimes, but no shaming. It’s runners encouraging each other and can be a lot of fun. I can give you information to check out the club I belong to, if you’re interested.” “I’m moderately interested.” He has a nice laugh. “Try to contain your excitement. I’ll text you the website. Call or text me if you have any questions.” Exchanging phone numbers…  Short Fridays every other week. Who would’ve thought? Dr. McMahon is the best boss ever!
Look at you, Amy, getting in a walk/run on a Friday afternoon! “Hi, Amy!” Thomas? Is he always off Fridays? How can I still not know what the man does for a living? “Hi, Thomas!” He’s headed in the opposite direction and sooo… Here we are, face to face. His blue eyes are bright beneath his wireframed glasses, his light brown hair blowing in the breeze. And he’s smiling at me… “Are you headed to the gym?” he asks. “No, just out for a walk with maybe a sprint throw in now and then.” His smile gets bigger. “I always see you going the same way. Have you ever run around the lake?” “Lake? No. I remember seeing it when I was looking for a house. But I didn’t realize it’s near here.” “Well, it’s not exactly near, but it’s worth the distance. Would you like to join me? Do you have time?” Do I have time? Don’t gape, Amy. “I do have time, but you know I’m still more a walker than a runner. Are you sure you want to compromise your workout?” Those blue eyes are still looking right into mine. “Doesn't matter. The company would be worth it.”  Four pushups... This is taking longer than I thought it would.
That’s okay! By the end of this week, it'll be five. Maybe more! Time for Amy’s Modified Pushup Combo! Should I be doing sit-ups, too? But I hate sit-ups. My core gets a good workout at yoga class. Which I've been going to once a week. Riiight... Amy's Modified Pushup/Sit-up Combo.  “Thank you, Amy. If I’d known I was out of baking powder, I wouldn’t have started baking a cake!”
“Any time!” Carmen takes a last glance at my front room as we walk to the door. “I know!” I can’t help but wail. Her eyebrows shoot up. “Know what?” “My house is boring! I’m so sick of bare walls and surfaces! But I don’t know what I want or where to shop. Not that I have a lot of money left for decorating. I need to look over my budget. I…” “Amy.” She pats my arm. “Slow down. You just moved in a few months ago.” “I shouldn’t have spent so much on holiday decorations. I…” “Your home looked wonderful during the holidays. And I think we need to live in a house for a while before decorating. Don’t rush out to buy just anything. Let your home reflect you.” “Is that what you did?” “Yes, and it took years to get it the way I wanted. Not that I don’t make changes now and then.” Her home is beautiful, welcoming… “But I’m tired of my house looking like I just moved in.” “That’s understandable. But don’t think you have to rush out and spend a lot of money. For now, check our neighborhood’s FB page. People put things up for sale all the time. Stop by second hand stores and antique shops when you can. And keep an eye out for garage sales. But don’t go overboard. Spend your money on things that are worth it. No junk.” “No junk. Got it.” “Plus you’re crafty. You’ll figure it out.” She smiles. “Thanks again for the baking powder.” "Thanks for the counseling." I still need to rework my budget.  It’s impossible not to smile.
“You’re being awful this morning!” He shrugs. He’s a nice-looking man in an ordinary sort of way. Average height and shape, clean-cut, ordinary features, nice smile, short, dark hair with a big of gray that’s just beginning to thin… We’re becoming friends, I think. “Dental hygienist, right?” “Me? Right. I work for Dr. McMahon. He’s a pediatric dentist.” “You like it?” “I love it. He’s a great boss and the kids are adorable. I’ve worked there for five years now.” “Good for you. It’s nice to love what you do. So you’d recommend him for my kids?” A ten-year-old girl and a twelve-year-old boy, as I recall. “Absolutely!” “Great. They’re overdue. Their old dentist is in the city, close to where we used to live.” “Oh, wow. Their mom takes them, then?” “Nope. She’s back in Philly. Remarried.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. The kids and I are better off without her.” Ouch. “What about you? Do you love what you do?” “I don’t know about love. I’m in investment banking. Lotta stress. Good money.” “Long hours?” “Sometimes. They could be longer, but I’ve learned to control it for the most part. For the kids.” His smile has totally disappeared. My fault? He had been laughing just a few moments ago. “Simon?” “Yeah?” “Would you show me how sprint’s supposed to look?”  “Look at her go!”
“Hey, Simon! You’ve got me walking faster, you evil man!” He laughs as he jogs towards me. “It’ll warm you up. It’s cold today and you’re not wearing your ski clothes.” I wish I was wearing at least a scarf. I can feel the blush rising up my neck. “Meanie! I was so embarrassed!” “Why? At least you’re trying.” “You and Thomas weren’t wearing coats. And my neighbor was wearing shorts!” “She’s your neighbor? She’s nuts!” “Oh, please! You must like nuts!” “Nope! She was probably wearing shorts because joggers wouldn’t fit.” “What do you mean, ‘joggers wouldn’t fit’?” “You know, with that big stick up her ass…” |
She loves people, books, poetry, baking, and is currently obsessed with her new house!
Unfortunately, she's not so crazy about herself. That has to change. You've Got This, Amy Munro! Archives
April 2024
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