Page 109 of In the Long Run
Knox heaves a sigh.‘Yeah.’
‘How’s Eugene?’I ask as we jog down the path towards the beach.
‘He’s okay today.’It’s like he’s talking to a friend or – worse – an acquaintance.‘He’s getting ready to meet with some prospective buyers for Alizée’s later this morning.’
‘That’s good?’I guess, because the man running next to me issomeone I haven’t seen for months.The gaps in our conversation are so loud.‘How do you feel about it all?’
‘I’ll support whatever he wants.’Knox’s tone makes it clear that he doesn’t want to continue this topic of conversation.
A sharp wind carries the stink of seaweed towards us from the beach.I wrinkle my nose and push on, already counting down the minutes until this morning’s run is finished.
After an excruciatingly quiet kilometre, during which we don’t even acknowledge the start of any of Croissants and Kilometres’ Strava segments – something we always,alwaysdo – I can’t stand it any longer.‘Caleb might be interested, you know.’
‘In what?’
‘Alizée’s.He’s got a lot of experience with desserts, and he’s always looking for new things to learn.He mentioned wanting a new challenge recently.’
Knox’s smile is the saddest one I’ve ever seen.‘He should talk to Eugene.Be great if that worked out.’
I nod.‘I’ll tell him.The Annas are finally getting ready to launch their fitness platform.Did you know that?’
‘Yeah?’
‘It’s the beta version to check all the membership and platform stuff works, but I’ve really enjoyed working with them.’I’m babbling but I don’t care.
‘That’s awesome, Gen.’
‘They’ve introduced me to a few other influencers as well.My client book is fuller than ever.I’m going to be busy.’
I’m going to be okayis what I’m trying to tell him … and myself.And eventually it will be true.
‘I’m really happy for you,’ Knox says in the soft voice of his that I’ve always liked so much.
Might as well get the next bit over with.The Old Gen would’ve ignored the hard questions and buried her head in thesand, but I know it’s only delaying the inevitable.‘When do you have to leave?’
Knox blows out a long, noisy breath and his pace slows.‘Thursday night.I didn’t want to miss Eug’s review appointment with his surgeon.’
‘Wait.’Panic creeps into my voice, adding a reedy edge to my words.‘ThisThursday?’I stop in the middle of the path.Because it’sTuesday.That means Knox is leaving the day after tomorrow.And what?He’ll just be gone?Tendrils of hair stab at my face as the wind mimics my panic and whips itself into a frenzy.‘What about Brigitte’s Run?’
I thought we’d have more time.
‘I don’t think I’ll be able to get back for it.’
‘But all your training?And run club on Sunday?’It’s the last one before the run.We’re supposed to have a party at Alizée’s after, to celebrate how far we’ve all come and what we’re about to do.
Knox steps towards me and my body sways towards his automatically.
‘Sometimes things just are what they are,’ he says.
They’re the same words I said to my parents last night and I hate them even more right now.
Knox’s fingers trace my cheek before curling around the back of my neck, underneath where my ponytail sits.‘I’m sorry, Gen.’
I blink and nod, hoping that my face has already gone as red as it usually does when I run so he can’t tell how close to crying I am.‘What about Eugene?’I ask.It’s one last paltry attempt at disguising what I really want to say.
‘He reckons he’ll be fine on his own, but Celeste is going to stay with him for a bit.Her lease is ending, so the timing is good.’
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
