Page 60 of Keeping Kama

“But nothing— and I mean nothing beats the feeling of crossing the finish line. You’ll see,” said Leia.

Passing by the aquarium, the finish line came into view. Derek wiped tears from the corner of his eyes with the heel of his hand. He couldn’t remember the last time he cried, but he couldn’t hold back the feeling of relief of knowing this pain was nearly over. Then Derek spotted Leia’s family. All of them. Every. Single. One. Teresa, Noa in a wheelchair, Kai and Alana with their kids were several yards from the finish line, jumping up and down cheering.

A tug in his heart made Derek long for Leia’s family to become his own. He knew he was taking twelve steps forward with so much ground to cover in the middle, but for a split moment, Derek imagined a world where he was no longer alone. A world where he and Leia, together, could face any obstacle.

The last several yards passed in a somewhat catatonic state, but when his feet crossed the finish line, he was euphoric.

Leia hugged him. “I knew you could do it. Doesn’t it feel amazing?” Pulling away, her fingertips dug into his biceps. She searched his face for confirmation.

“It does.” With hands on his hips, Derek leaned forward attempting to catch his breath. Gazing up at Leia from his hunched over state, he repeated, “It really does.”

Volunteers placed medals over their necks. Then they were pushed along, moving them from the finish line toward the area where runners were reuniting with their families and friends. Someone handed him a bottle of water and an ice cold dripping wet towel. Derek swiped his salty, sweat-streaked face with it, before wrapping it around his neck to cool himself down.

They walked toward the exit of the sectioned off area, or Leia walked, and Derek hobbled along. His legs were tight and sore, and every part of himself ached. Derek wanted to find a grassy area to lie down on and possibly never get up again.

“I think I need to sit down.” Derek placed a hand on Leia’s shoulder, leaning his weight on her. “I’m not feeling so great.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Leia’s gaze skidded across his face. “You do look really pale.” She slowed her walking pace, Derek leaned on her for support.

Derek gripped his stomach with his other hand. “I think I might vomit.”

“There is some space up there.” Leia pointed to the exit of the sectioned off area. “You can sit down for a bit.”

Bile bubbled up his throat. Derek fought against the urge to vomit. They made it out of the staging area. Leia found a shady grassy area to stop at. Collapsing on the grass, Derek rested flat on his back, closing his eyes for a minute.

Soon Leia’s family found them. Their chatter sounded far away. Derek couldn’t concentrate long enough to make out what they were saying. Instead, he kept his eyes closed and forced himself to slowly breathe in and out to fight against the wave of nausea that wasn’t going away. Eventually, the knot in his stomach loosened a smidge.

Leia knelt beside him and held a water bottle to his lips. “Here sip this. I think it will help.”

Forcing his eyes open, Derek took in the view of Leia’s entire family towering over him. “Thanks for coming,” he croaked. “I know you came mainly for Leia, but it’s great to see you.”

A water bottle touched his lips. Leia urged him, “Drink. Tiny sips only.”

Alana dug into her purse, pulling out a gallon ziploc bag of snacks. “I’ve ritz crackers. Would that help?”

After taking the water bottle from Leia, Derek took a few sips. Swiping the back of his mouth with the back of his hand, Derek peered up at Alana. “Actually, a few crackers might help settle my stomach.”

Derek almost added it was what his mom always fed him when he was sick, ritz crackers and ginger ale.

Alana opened the top of the bag, pulling out the little tube of ritz crackers. “Here.” Alana held them out to him.

With a crooked smile, Derek replied, “Thanks.” He took a cracker out of the tube and nibbled on one. The salty texture immediately made his nausea lift a tad. “I think it’s helping.”

A look of relief washed over Leia’s face. Glancing up at her family that were still standing, Leia motioned downward. “Sit. My neck is getting sore looking at everyone.”

Her family sat around them in a circle on the grass under the shade of the palm trees. Teresa sat down next to Noa’s wheelchair. For a few minutes, they sat in silence with everyone’s eyes on Derek. Teresa remarked that color had returned to his face as he sipped water and ate crackers.

“I’m feeling much better.” Derek forced himself upward and into a standing position. “We can get going.”

“Whoa,” said Leia, jumping up and wrapping an arm around his waist. “We’re in no hurry. Take your time.”

“I’d rather collapse face down on my bed than here,” said Derek.

Squeezing his waist, Leia said, “I understand. We can head home.”

Kai chimed in. “We’ll drive you to your car. We were able to snag a spot not far from here.”

Everyone rose to their feet too.

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