As I stepped back into the house, the soft glow of dawn illuminated the kitchen, marked by the ticking of the clock that read 6:30 a.m.—a typical end to my morning jog. This small town lacked a gym, which had become a frustrating roadblock in my fitness journey. If there had been a gym nearby, I would have been there right now, pushing myself to reach new limits.
In the kitchen, the familiar figures of my mom and Elijah were bustling about, preparing for their respective workdays. The scent of fresh coffee and something savory wafted through the air.
“You’ve been gone a while,” Elijah remarked, glancing up from where he was stirring something on the stove.
“Just my usual routine. Well, I try to keep at it,” I replied, feeling a mix of pride and determination.
Mom chimed in, her voice w
