A Morning Walk

“Hi, Amy!”

“Simon? Good morning! Aren’t you out early?”

He lives…around the corner?  

Nice guy, from up North somewhere, a little older than me. But he seems even older. Maybe because he’s raising two kids on his own?

“Mind if I walk with you? I’m just a few blocks down. I just finished my last sprint.”

“Of course I don’t mind. What do you mean, your ‘last sprint’”?

Wry smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full, happy smile from the man.

“I’m getting there, Amy! Pretty soon, I’ll be running, not walking every morning.”

“Good for you! But what does sprinting have to do with it?”

“Well, there’s no way I could’ve run when I first started.”

I certainly know that feeling!

“So what did you do?”

“What you’re doing. I think.” He does smile then, kindly. “I walked, then walked faster and further. One day, the fast walking became a slow run, and I ran a block. Then two blocks. I’ve been working on distance and speed ever since.”

Huh. Sounds doable. Sideways peek. He’s actually in pretty good shape.

He shrugs. “Sure, some days are better than others. But overall, it’s been good for me. Hey, Tom!”

Tom? I glance towards where he’s waving.

Thomas!

Our eyes meet.

He trips.