章 111: Chapter 111: Penitents, Part 6

Michael

I’ve nothing better to do with my time, so I join her on the next machine, jogging along to keep her company. I’m out of condition. Five minutes and I’m tired, with a weariness that penetrates through to the bone. Nonetheless, I keep going, staying with her.

After a few minutes, panting and sweating, she knocks down to a cool-off sequence, dropping from a hard cross-country pounding to a jog, to a walk and then, done. Grabbing a bottle of water, she splashes a handful over her face, then glugs down a dozen swallows.

Leaning against the wall, she looks up, peering into my face. “Michael. You look like hell. What's wrong?”

Where do I begin…?

Lost for words. I shake my head.

“Come on,” she says, “We’re old friends, aren’t we? What’s the matter?” She gulps down some more water, waiting for my reply, then, “Is it that girl you got involved with last year?”

Sick at heart, I simply nod.