Running High - Chapter 16

The driver, smiling at Sara as they approached said, ‘you feel better now. Your family rest here, they are our sons too.’

‘Thank you,’ said Sara as she slid into the car with Steele beside her.

As they made their way out of the park, Sara spoke.

‘Thank you Steele. This has been, well overwhelming…’

She trailed off. Words could not describe her journey.

He smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

She continued, ‘Gallipoli and the run, both long-held goals.’

Steele said, ‘This is good to hear,’ and smiling he continued,‘because it’s one down and one to go.’

He went on, ‘It’s important to chase and catch dreams, you know, it’s good for the soul.’

She smiled, placing her head on his shoulder and said, ‘Steele, how can someone so young, be so profound?’

He laughed and said, ‘It’s the diplomat in me.’

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Every so often Steele gently squeezed Sara’s hand.

They arrived back at the apartment at dusk and Ric greeted them.

Silently they gathered in the lounge room as Ric poured tea, asking about the day.


Unexpectedly Sara’s tears flowed.

Steele stepped in and said, ‘Ric, it’s emotional, particularly for Sara....’

He moved close, putting his arm around her.

Silently, Ric looked on. After a while he said, ‘I can see the experience has drawn you both closer.’

There was silence.

Abruptly, Ric exclaimed, ‘well it’s probably a good thing I didn’t go.’

He went on, ‘It looks like you two have managed quite well.’

Sara, alarmed replied, ‘Ric, what’s up? You chose not to join us.’

With that, he walked out of the room.

Sara followed as he made his way to his bedroom.

She called out, yet he kept walking. Opening the door to his room he went through shutting it behind him. However Sara pushed on it and walked in.

With his back to her, Sara stepped close to him.

‘Ric,’ she pleaded, ‘why are you behaving like this?

He turned and said, ‘Sara, what about..us, and now you and him.’

‘What are you talking about?’ said Sara.

‘We’re friends, just like you and me.’

‘Friends,’ replied Ric. ‘How can you say that’s all there is between us?

He sat on the bed with his head in his hands.

She quickly sat by his side, putting her arm around him.

‘Ric,’ she said, ‘you have Gayle..and family.’

There was silence. After a while he said, ‘I am a stupid fool.’

Sara, feeling inadequate at Ric’s reaction stayed quiet.

After a while he said, ‘what are we going to do?’

‘Nothing,’ replied Sara. ‘We have to continue on as normal. We both need to.’

‘Besides,’ she said, ‘Steele needs help. He’s committed people to the dates for the workout sessions.’

She continued, ‘It’s the least I can do.’

Wiping his eyes, he nodded.

Sara squeezed him and said, ‘Come on downstairs, Steele will be wondering what’s happened.’








Australian band - The Angels - Be with You - Lead Doc Neeson (4 January 1947 – 4 June 2014)




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Running - High Chapter 17

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Running High - Chapter 15