Okay Then

“It’s not funny!”
 
Here I am fighting back tears of mortification in the middle of a restaurant while Thomas and the other runners laugh!
 
Way to embarrass yourself, Amy.
 
“Oh, no. Stop it, y’all!” Candace puts a motherly arm around my shoulders. “Amy, don’t be upset. You have to admit, it was funny.”
 
I shake my head emphatically. “It wasn’t. It scared me half to death and we could have all be eaten!”
 
“Didn’t you look up the park before joining us for the run?” One of the more experienced runners – Harris? – looked…confused?
 
Wincing. “I meant to, but it was a busy week and I forgot.”
 
“You should always know what sort of trail you’ll be running,” he instructed, frowning.
 
And everyone’s nodding.
 
Positive thoughts, Amy. You are NOT a moron!
 
“I’ve never been on a run like this before. How would I know?”
 
A woman’s pointing at my boyfriend. “HE should’ve told you, at least!”
 
Thomas doesn’t defend himself.
 
“He did mention alligators, at least once. But he didn’t say they might be near the path.” I have to smile at him. “I suppose you didn’t want to scare me?”
 
His worried expression lightens as he smiles back. “That plan didn’t work out too well.”
 
Now, we’re all laughing.
 
“So, the question is…” Candace waits for everyone to calm down and looks at me.
 
“What?” Of course, I have to ask.
 
“Will you run with us again?”
 
The question already crossed my mind, and I have an answer.
 
“I sort of hate to say this…”
 
Their faces! Priceless! That's what they get for laughing at me!
 
“But yeah! I’d love to.”
 
A loud cheer, some hugs, and a kiss from Thomas.

All in all a great day, alligator not withstanding.