There is Always Tomorrow.

There Will Always Be Tomorrow

It's a funny thing about runners, they rarely know exactly where they are. It was like that with Jack on this cold morning as he ran through a misty like fog that surrounded the lake. He particularly liked days like this. Every step along the leaf covered pathway seemed quicker than the one before it.

Negative splits; run each mile faster than the one before it. It wasn't a conscious choice, it just happened. It's yet another mystery of the long distance runner never solved.

Around the corner a cute blond jumped onto the trail and ran beside him until she could no longer keep pace. She had secretly admired him. She would wait at the same spot everyday, jump in, and then fade back. She was getting better, however, and running farther each day. According to her calculations, at her current rate of improvement, she would be up to his level in about 15 years. It's a long time to wait to meet a guy, but she would if she had to.

Jack never noticed. He didn't notice a lot, which explains why, at age 23, he was still unattached.

He was an inner soul, keeping to himself most of the time. It was his way. He got nervous interacting with others, and found himself left out of most conversations. For this very reason he preferred the solitude of the long distance runner over the culture club group, where wearing the right shoes defined who you were. Jack would never pass that test. He believed in functionality over style.

Today was going to be the day, thought the girl. Today she would get him to talk to her. With all her confidence built up inside, she jumped in and joined the chase. Suddenly she realized she didn't know how to start a conversation with someone she didn't know.

She ran beside him as long as she could and then, as always, faded back. On a whim she shouted,

“Hey, slow down a bit.”

He never heard her, never slowed down, never knew she was ever there.

She stopped, bowed her head and said,

“Darn.”

She turned and slowly walked back.

“Well,” she thought, “there will always be tomorrow.”

Author's Note

A nice little tale of longing.

Reviews

[Susan 🦋]

So many questions! lol Jack, 23 at unattached? Ha what year is this?? ;) Jack needs help. He's in his own little world. That girl could use a little help too! 15 years? Ohh no.... This was a fun little read this morning! Your last line caught me. “There will always be tomorrow.”
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Of course, you know that, and this is just a story. Maybe, we need a part 2? :-)

[emmajoygreen]

I really like this story. Had me smiling start to finish. It's romantic without any true romance or tawdry sex. Jack's a self-contained, contented soul and she's a trier who's wise enough to be contented for a few years! Seems it's an unknown contest; he's hasn't a clue, she has but only a faint one! This sort of tale reminds me of ones written by an American short story writer one of our/my grannies enjoyed, specially Can't remember the writer's name. but think Henry. Oh well. Sad story about l eaves on a wall?

Your story has so many points: is very well presented and penned, is gentle and somehow - charming , plus has a sort of mysterious feel.

(The writes I couldn't remember was O.Henry! )

[Samuel Dickens]

Well done. This great little tale exemplifies the complexities of romance, and just one of the countless ways it may succeed or fail. I wonder if Jack even wants to meet a girl. Perhaps it scares him? And the cute blond--I wish her luck and faster feet.