Page 28 of Chasing Sunsets

He folded the map to show where they were going. They hurried down the steps toward their bike. She wanted to ask him to steer, but she was in no shape to read the map while riding in the back. Plus, while they were inside, she’d caught the rank whiff of fish stink on Zack, and it’d made her nauseous.

The light rain suddenly became a downpour with strong gale winds, as if the earth pissed off Mother Nature.

She didn’t know what time it was and couldn’t tell if the sun had set. She steered through the streets, ignoring the bright headlights of cars around them. Her headache morphed into a continuous stabbing at the base of her skull. Her sweat mixed with the rain and poured off of her. Each rotation of her legs drained her more and more. Breathing deeply became impossible, so she kept her breaths shallow. When they stopped at traffic lights, only knowing the camera crew would catch it on video stopped her from turning around to Zack and crying, “Mercy.”

Once the theatre lights came into sight, she found renewed strength and determination. They stopped where the other bikes were scattered in the parking lot. Zack held the bike while she slid off. Her legs felt like jelly and threatened to buckle. She held on to the bike and steadied herself as Zack hopped off. Fast as she could, she tailed him through the entrance, keeping her focus on his back and nothing else. Willing herself not to collapse.

Right after they crossed the finish line, Sadie plopped onto her ass and looked around, trying to appear somewhat tired instead of half dead.

The theatre was unique in its open design. A huge roof covered the stage and protected some affixed rows of chairs where the other contestants now sat. Holding an umbrella over her head, Gemini stood beside Sadie in the section of grass where people could bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the ground.

The other couples didn’t look like anyone had bathed and cleaned up yet.

“This is what makesChasing Sunsetsso exciting and unpredictable,” Gemini spoke into the camera. “Our first-place team from yesterday is last today. Where does everyone stand? We won’t know until the last couple finishes on the final day.”

Gemini leaned over. Rain ran off her umbrella and onto Sadie’s head. “Sadie, how are you feeling?”

Irritated at Gemini, not wanting to even imagine how she looked on camera, and angry at herself, Sadie kept her emotions in check and smiled. “Never better.”

“Tune in next week as our Texas adventure continues,” Gemini said.

“Cut,” Jessie called.

Sadie collapsed onto her back, closed her eyes, and let the downpour pelt her.

“Your cars have been moved to our hotel for the night, which is half a mile away,” Jessie explained. “Each team will find a golf cart in the parking lot to use.”

“Sadie?”

She opened her eyes.

A crew member in rain gear loomed over her. “Can I get your microphone?”

“Sure.” She rolled over. It felt like a cleaver was now wedged in the base of her skull. She struggled to her knees and stood.

Once the microphone was removed, she stayed put. Zack waited a few feet behind her. When everyone walked away and she felt certain no one could hear, she apologized, “I’m sorry. We lost the lead because of me.”

“We’re going to have good days and bad. Today is done. We need to focus on the rest of the race.” His words, like always, were positive and encouraging, only one of the reasons why he made such an amazing coach.

She wished he’d yell at her or show some emotion. “How can you put the past behind you so easily?”

Anger flared in his eyes.

They both knew she wasn’t talking about the competition.

“Do you really think I’ve done that?”

She didn’t.

But since first seeing him on the other side of the curtain, she’d been completely blown away by how normal he acted.

“I’ll never forget. I can’t.” He brushed the rain from his face with his hand. “It’s just the world doesn’t stop, time doesn’t stop, life doesn’t stop, not even long enough to catch your breath.”

No truer words had ever been spoken.

“While I wish I could change what happened, I can’t.” His voice sounded strained when he continued. “To keep my sanity, I cannot continually think about it. I can’t afford to let myself wallow. I get down, sure. In those moments, I think about the next day. It’s always on the horizon. We can’t go back in life. We have to go forward.”

She considered his words. “I wish I could do the same.”

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