Page 1 of The Enemy Face Off

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Beth

Early morning walk people are the best.

There, I said it.

And I stand by it.

Whether it was strolling along the scenic Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia, hiking the trails of Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, Texas, enjoying the serene Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, North Carolina, or any other places we moved to during my childhood, my theory about humanity was affirmed time and time again—the best people start their day with an early morning walk.

How else do you explain ashelf-diagnosed, snarky booktrovert like me, whose idea of heaven is being curled up in a dark room with the thermostat set to a chilly sixty degrees, a nonstop supply of books on hand, and whohatesthe outdoors at any other time of the day, strolling through Comfort Bay with a big smile on her face, saying things like, "I saw your garden yesterday. Those marigolds are beautiful this year!" as I pass Mrs. Maynard. Or thanking Dusty Bennett for the strawberries he brought into the bookstore last week, "They were so sweet!" Or smiling ear-to-ear when Mrs. Huxley grabs me by the arm, double checks to make sure no one is within earshot, and with a devilish smile on her sweet seventy-four-year-old face, whispers, "Thanks for the recommendation on that hockey romance novel, I'm really enjoying it."

I'm not a smile-when-I-see-someone person.

I don't take much of an interest in other people's lives beyond the polite surface level stuff. And I certainly don't spend time doing outdoorsy things in nature, like hiking.

With one notable exception.

Yep, that's right.

On my early morning walk.

They've been a regular part of my morning routine, like brushing my teeth and scrolling through Bookstagram, for as long as I can remember. Mom's an early morning walker, too. I joined her one day when I was a little girl and have never looked back.

I do it every single day when it's not raining, which, in Monterey County, California, is hardly ever.

When I do occasionally miss a walk, I'm sluggish all day. It takes my brain way too long to think of my trademark quips. I often find myself chasing after a customer with a clever retort five minutes too late, only to find them gone and my witty comeback wasted. I'm kidding, of course…I'd never run.

I've even managed to rope my closest girlfriends into joining me. My goal was to have a weekly group walk, but with Evie not exactly being a morning person—plus her life being consumed by her hockey stadium, Hannah spending every spare second of her summer with Culver, her best friend,coughcough, and with Summer living in LA and busy with dad-caring duties when she's back in town on weekends, it really only leaves Amiel, who, much like me most of the time, isn't an outdoorsy, exercisey kind of gal, either.

But we do manage a group walk every once in a while, which is enough for me.

I spot Elise Daniels, who I know from senior class, coming toward me. I pass on my concern to her. "I hope your mom is feeling better. Let her know I'm thinking of her."

"Thanks, Beth. I will. Have a great day."

"You, too, Elise."

And see, the thing is, a little friendly exchange wouldn't happen on a walk at any other time.

Trust me.

I've tested my theory out by walking at other times of the day—on my lunch break, after work, even at sunset—and for whatever reason, people are just different.

Not as friendly.

Not as likely to stop and chitchat for a few moments.

Not as willing to smile and say hello and wish you a good day.

I think once people get their caffeine hit, log on to social media, and start dealing with whatever they're dealing with in their lives, they change. They get bogged down by the everydayness of things.

That's why walking first thing in the morning is so great. People aren't bombarded and overwhelmed with everything and are just…nice.

It's refreshing.

I take a deep breath and savor this magical time of day. The sun is just beginning to rise, casting a soft, golden light that gently illuminates the empty streets and buildings of Comfort Bay, the place I've called home since Dad left the military and he, Mom, and my three sisters settled here.

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