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, w
