83.

“Morning!”

“Morning!” Dimitri waved as he jogged past the older man walking his dog.

With only a few minutes left on the trail, he picked up speed, pumping his legs faster and faster until he sped out of the canopy of forests and into the morning sun. He closed his eyes, planting his hands on his waist as he tried to catch his breath. The sun’s heat was bearable, even pleasant in the morning.

After his quick rest, he pulled his headphones down to his shoulders and began walking to where he parked his car. He looked towards the water and stopped in his tracks. Ayesha sat on the ground with a blanket beneath her and a lunch box propped at her side. Her sneakers were off, neatly arranged to the side. Her socks stuck out of them.

She sat with her hands braced behind her, keeping her upright as she watched the lake. He hadn’t seen in a while. He knew she didn’t want to speak to him yet, so he remained there even though he felt compelled to go to her. He missed her desperately, but he d