Kaos

I get to the party and I am loaded up with presents, champagne and hot food navigating through the house between 3 poodles, kids and an obstacle course of coffee tables, chairs, and a long table assembled together with a collection of smaller tables placed in a walkway spilling out into the already crowded lounge room.

So I make my way to the kitchen, intact balancing the hot dish on my arm and hanging onto the champagne for dear life after having offloaded the present to the hostess. Standing room in the kitchen is about a little over 50 cm square from bench top to bench top and when I arrive it is crowded. I get bailed up by a couple I haven't seen in years and proceed to start a conversation amidst the chaos. The hostess offloads the hot dish and I am desperate to pop the champagne and I have suddenly launched into a spirited conversation with the couple who I haven't seen in a while. The bloke is eyeing off the champagne cork concerned I don't take out his eye in the process of popping it or worse take out the overhead lighting. People suddenly stand clear.

In the meantime the bloke whose been eyeing off the champagne cork accidentally spills his glass of red wine all over his white shirt and hastily elbows party goers out of the way to reach the sink in the kitchen to get water and sponges to soak up the stain.

There are plastic champagne glasses and wine glasses available which are badly constructed as the bases keep falling off and they are very unstable to drink out of.


I grab a more stable plastic glass, the champagne and I grab the hostess since it is her birthday and I want to pop it in her honour and we go outside to minimise any damage to people, light fittings or kids - success, the sweet sound pops signalling good times and celebrations. The hostess presents two unstable glasses to fill up. The one stable glass I found has been cast aside.

Reluctantly I take one of the unstable glasses and I wish the hostess a very happy birthday. We go back inside where the kitchen is now overflowing with guests and still more people arrive with food to put into the kitchen.

The flow of party goers moves out of the kitchen to make way for the newcomers and spills out into the lounge room, where we navigate around the long table assembled with a collection of smaller tables and move around coffee tables and poodles while kids run through gaps made by adults and chase one another into the other parts of the house.

We all shuffle around, keen to shake off that awkward feeling I'm sure many readers can identify with. Small talk prevails while the hostess buzzes around adding more presents to the pile of gifts precariously sitting atop of one another where one slight movement at any moment would see them tumble and fall over the lounge room floor only adding to the frenetic atmosphere.

There is a quiet lull in the room as party goers leave to go elsewhere in the house and the bloke who spilled red wine all over his shirt tries desperately to disguise the stain by crossing his arms across his abdomen but realises he can't hold the position all night and after speaking with his wife, he gets up to get his jacket out of the car.

In the meantime, the room is quite calm and fills up again with people. I encourage party goers to sit in the lounges and as I wave my arm, I spill portions of the champagne on my shirt. I race to the kitchen and get behind the bloke's wife who has also got up and is getting a refill. I laugh and say 'I'm not stalking you,' and she laughs and says those glasses are really unstable. She moves to one side as I announce I am after a sponge.

After this, I dig around the kitchen cupboards and find a stable glass and pour a rather large glass of champagne. I make my way back into the lounge room where poodles and coffee tables block my way so I retreat, go back through the kitchen and find a chair on the other side of the room and sit on it.

Success, I have a solid chair and a glass of champagne which is not spilling, I relax and finally start enjoying myself. However, it is short-lived as the hostess announces we are all going outside to eat and there is commotion as the large table which I am sitting next to has all the food taken off it with the tablecloth removed revealing a series of smaller camp style tables which are upended and folded up and taken outside to be set up.

We all make our way outside and happily chat as the tables have food added to them.

Anyhow, the hostess calls out ‘time to eat,’ and I put my glass on the table which is slightly angled on the down slop, however I place it firmly in the middle of the table believing it to be quite stable.

Just as I fill my plate with food, I am chatting happily with the hostess and suddenly the glass goes flying as one of the younger guests, sitting on a computer chair swirls around on it, upsetting the table and there is the sounds of glass shattering.

The hostess swings into action armed with a dustpan and broom states that everyone needs to keep away because it is glass. Chairs are moved to block kids getting through and the hostess sweeps frantically.

By this stage I am cringing but retain composure and sit eating and carry on a conversation. After a while the hostess too sits and eats and for the rest of the evening there are no more dramas.

Fire and Flood - Vance Joy

Fire and Flood was released in 2014. I didn't realise that this was an Australian singer until I did some research. There is awesome talent in this country, with influences from a range of singers, both international and home grown to create wonderful diversity in harmonies and lyrics.

I'm not really sure of the meaning in this song but I simply like it. Here is Fire and the Flood...


"Fire And The Flood"

I was only walking through your neighborhood
Saw your light on, honey; in the cold I stood
Anywhere I go there you are
Anywhere I go there you are

I been getting used to waking up with you
I been getting used to waking up here
Anywhere I go there you are
Anywhere I go there you are

There you are
There you are

You're the fire and the flood
And I'll always feel you in my blood
Everything is fine
When your head's resting next to mine
Next to mine
You're the fire and the flood

Since we met I feel a lightness in my step
You're miles away but I still feel you
Anywhere I go there you are
Anywhere I go there you are
Late at night when you can't fall asleep
I'll be lying right beside you counting sheep
Anywhere I go there you are
Anywhere I go there you are

There you are
There you are

You're the fire and the flood
And I'll always feel you in my blood
Everything is fine
When your head's resting next to mine
Next to mine
You're the fire and the flood

Now listen here she said
Boy when you know you'll know
And I know

You're the fire and the flood
And I'll always feel you in my blood
Everything is fine
When your head's resting next to mine
Next to mine
You're the fire and the flood

Song

Hi, 

This post is being re-worked.

Cowboys in the Corral

                    

Thanks for visiting - this story is being re-worked.

Place your Hands - Reef

Hello,

I discovered this song last month but it has been around since 1996 and to me it still feels as fresh as if it was released in the 21 st century. The lyrics are, 'place your hands on my hope,' but the last word does sound like something else so this is called a mondegreen :)

I have written the beginning of another short story, so I hope that you will stick around as I would like to post it sometime in the future.

Cover by Jack Nolan





Oh, place your hands on my hope
Run your fingers through my soul, oh oh, yes
And the way that I feel right now
Oh Lord, it may go

So place your hands on my hope
Run your fingers through my soul, alright I say
Oh, and the way that we feel right now
Oh lord, it may go

Put your hands on, put your hands on, yeah
Put your hands on, put your hands on, yeah
Put your hands on, put your hands on, yeah
Put your hands on, put

You know you cannot hide from whats inside
You know you cannot hide from whats inside
So I ask of you to help me through
I ask of you this thing to do

Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put

So lay me down for a while
Join my body with my mind, alright now
Oh, and I cried at the common one
For weeks aft he died

Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on

Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on

'Cause the way that we feel right now
Oh Lord, it may go away

Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on
Put your hands on, put your hands on

Thank you Songwriters
STRINGER, GARY PAUL/BESSANT, JOHN DAVID/GREENSMITH, DOMINIC JOSEPH/HOUSE, KENWYN JOHN

Running High - Chapter 23

Herve moved away from the nurse’s station and stood beside Sara. He told Sara the nurse was calling a Priority 1 so the Doctor would come and see Ric. Herve went on to say they thought he may need surgery and he would most likely be transferred to another hospital.

Herve paused and then said, ’The Doctor has to authorise the move. The nurse said Ric had been assessed with either kidney stones or appendicitis.’

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

Sara said, ‘thank you.’ She went on, ‘It’s been awful seeing him sick.’

Herve paced as Sara went to see Ric.

Finally a female appeared and she introduced herself explaining she was a Doctor. She asked Ric some questions and pressed his stomach.

She wrote on a piece of paper and attached it to a clipboard and said, ‘Ok he is getting transferred. He needs surgery.’

She spoke into a device and said, ‘wait transport is coming now.’

Then she was gone.
 
Ten days had passed since Ric’s unexpected collapse and Sara’s long-held dream to finish a marathon was dashed in the closing stages of the race.

Forced to choose between Ric, or winning, she chose Ric as abandoning him on the side of the road with unexplained abdominal pain was shocking to her. She did though, at the time, ask herself could she sprint across the line and then run back?

Not knowing the answer and with Ric’s sudden collapse, she chose instead to stay at his side. In that second, Sara knew she could not abandon him. As well, Gayle too, was uppermost in her mind. She never did discover if Gayle knew she and Ric were travelling and running together. Sara did not know if she could face Gayle and be party to his unexpected death in a foreign land, a flirtatious and playful jaunt that neither predicted would turn so horrible. Her love for him had welled up as she had watched in horror, as he lay on the road, his head brushing against its sharp surface, peppered with debris, violently spewing. She knew she could not abandon him despite her strong desire to sprint across the FINISH line.
 
By his side again, this time 35,000ft in the air, flying towards Australia, she knew she had made the right decision. Thanks to Herve, Ric’s emergency surgery had saved his life. Sara was thankful to Steele and Herve. Herve’s advocacy saw Ric get the treatment he needed as bad timing saw resources at the hospital stretched. It did her no good thinking about what might have happened if otherwise. She looked over at Ric who was sleeping. She tilted her chair back, willing the plane to fly faster as she drifted off to not only pass the time but to also forget.
 
They had just landed. Smiling widely, Ric looked over at Sara and squeezed her hand. They had been through a lot.

Steele had wanted to fly to Marseille and escort Sara back to Turkey. She had insisted, though on travelling with Ric so as to deliver him safely back to Gayle.

Sara was torn about letting him go. She felt they had played and played hard, risked a lot and luckily the dice, the one time when it really mattered had rolled high numbers.

She was paying a debt to Ric and Gayle, not to mention to Steele and Herve. Without their intervention, Sara thought, Ric would have died.

She was seeing the final leg of their journey through and its end had arrived. Disembarking, Sara knew Ric would soon see Gayle.

With the moment almost upon them, they continued as if it was nothing more than a brief farewell akin to friends briefly separating. As they approached the escalators, Sara knew this was it.

As she touched Ric’s arm, he looked at her and said, ‘Sara, I love you, always will.’

They were oblivious to the throngs of people around them, as Ric pressed his lips to hers and their velvety caresses were all that mattered. After denying this moment since their first meeting, they savoured its sweetness. As quickly as he had initiated it, Ric pulled away.

Separated by travellers, Sara tracked him as he moved towards baggage claims, surrounded by people waiting for loved ones and friends. Camouflaging herself amongst the crowds, she gasped as she recognised Gayle. She looked on as Gayle surged towards Ric embracing him while others swarmed around. As if sensing something of his ordeal, they formed a human shield, seeking to protect him from further threats and Ric disappeared into their arms.

The arrivals lounge swelled as travellers grabbed their baggage and moved away. With all the commotion, Sara lost sight of Ric and he did not look back to find her.

Sara got jostled in the crowd, however she moved away from the throng to hear her phone beeping. Picking it up, she discovered a message from Steele. She read it and burst into tears as its contents revealed to her that Steele had booked her a ticket to Turkey departing at NOON. She quickly composed herself astounded at this news but also thrilled that she soon would be joining Steele again, embarking on an exciting journey with him. She did not look back as she collected her luggage, making her way to check-in.

The End

Running High - Chapter 22

The paramedics approached and knelt by Ric. Checking his vital signs, they asked questions. He pointed to the side of his abdomen. There was a short discussion between the pair and the taller paramedic opened the back of the ambulance and pulled out a Guernsey.

The other one spoke with Sara asking if she was related to Ric. She said they were friends, travelling together.

When he asked her if she knew his date of birth, she shook her head. When Ric was wheeled into the back of the ambulance, the paramedic ushered Sara beside him.

She had carried her phone with her on the inside of her shorts in a pocket. Pulling it out she frantically looked up Steele’s number.

Hitting speed dial, she willed him to pick up and after the 4th ring she heard Steele’s voice. Without any pleasantries, she launched right into telling him Ric was unwell and in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

‘Christ,’ said Steele. He went on, ‘what has he got, aren’t you running?’

‘No,’ she cried. She continued, ‘I mean, we were but he, he collapsed.’

There was silence.

After a while Steele said, ‘It will be ok Sara, he is receiving medical attention. Can you call me when you get to the hospital?’

Crying, she said, ‘yes,’ and the line dropped out.
 
The waiting area was crowded inside Emergency and Sara asked, ‘What’s happened?’ to the paramedic who had spoken with her after Ric’s collapse. He said there had been a pile up on Le Freeway A63 with rescuers still there working to pull the injured from the wrecks.

He went onto say, ‘Two are in surgery now.’

Hearing this, she anxiously asked, ‘When will Ric be seen?

The paramedic shook his head and said, ‘We cannot say, he has pain in the abdomen with vomiting but the others….for now are a priority…’

Gripped with worry about Ric, she looked at him lying on his side on the Guernsey, knees curled. The paramedic said Ric would get pain relief as soon as they knew what was wrong.

Bowing he said, ‘I will return shortly.’

Concerned about medical resources being used elsewhere, she grabbed her phone, telling Ric she would be right back.

She hurried to the ward’s entrance and quickly dialled Steele again. He picked up after the second ring.

Crying, her words tumbled out and Steele asked her to slow down. She told him medical staff were treating badly injured people from a car accident and that she didn’t know how long Ric would have to wait.

Cursing, Steele said, ‘Sara, you have to stay calm. There was silence and then continuing he said, ‘I have a friend, a colleague. His name is Herve and he lives in Marseille. Give me a minute, I have to call. I will ring you soon.’

He rang off and Sara shuffled to an empty chair in Emergency and sat down. Exhausted after running the marathon and shocked at Ric’s sudden collapse, she put her head in her hands, desperate to block everything out.

She would have stayed this way if it was not for a tapping on her knee. She opened her eyes and in front of her was a child, no more than 6 years old. He stopped as she saw him. He had a lollipop in his hand and his large, brown eyes watched her as she held his gaze.

After a while, he cautiously extended the lollipop to her. She took it and half crying and half smiling, said, ‘Thank you.’

He looked at her shyly and hardly blinking his big brown eyes, he watched her again for several moments. She returned his gaze. After a while, he turned and ran back most likely to his mother. She was nursing a baby and had a toddler by her side. At the toddler’s feet was a bucket. She smiled and Sara smiled back. Unwrapping the lollipop, she put it in her mouth, finding the tangy flavour a welcome distraction. As she did her phone rang. Answering it, she heard the familiar sound of Steele’s voice.

‘Sara,’ he said, ‘I have good news. I spoke to Herve and he is driving now to the hospital. He has your number and I will text you his. Be strong, Ric is depending on you.’

Sara choking back tears, nodded and she said, ‘Ok, I better go back to Ric.’

‘Do that Sara,’ he said ringing off.

Before she did, she gave a friendly wave to the mother and little boy who had given her the lollipop. As she did, a name was called. Watching as the mother stirred, Sara realised it was her. Overladen, as she stood up, Sara went over and said, ‘Let me help you.’

She took the baby as the mother carried the toddler asking the little boy something in the local language. Sara watched as he carried the bucket and followed his mother into the treatment room. Sara walked with them handing the baby back as the toddler was placed on the bed.

Medical staff gathered around and the mother smiled at Sara who farewelled her, giving a big wave to the little boy, jumping playfully beside her. Sara welcomed the child’s joie de vivre, before turning her attention once again to Ric.

Sara went to his side and could see straight away Ric had not improved. She asked a nurse how long to get attention. The nurse did not reply but instead offered painkillers. Sara gave them to Ric.

Suddenly her phone rang, ‘Hello, Sara,’ said the speaker on the end of the phone.

‘Hello,’ replied Sara, ‘is that Herve?’

‘Yes, I am entering Emergency now.’

‘Ok,’ said Sara, ‘I will come see you.’

She leant across to Ric explaining to him Steele’s friend had arrived and she would be right back.

He did not react and she quickly walked to the Emergency’s entrance.

She knew it was him, as he came through the doors. She smiled and said, ‘Hi, you must be Herve.’

Returning a smile he said, ‘Yes hello, it’s Sara, isn’t it? So nice to meet you. Steele called me and told me the news about Ric. I know both Ric and Steel well, so please let me help.’

With that she took him through to the treatment cubicle where Ric lay on the Guernsey.

‘Ric,’ he said as he got closer, ‘I hear you’re a bit sick.’

Ric opened his eyes and waved and said, ‘Herve, what a way for us to meet again and you seeing me like this.’

‘Yes,’ said Herve, ‘You certainly have got yourself into a bit of trouble. Let’s see what we can do.’

With that he approached the nurse’s station and he began speaking to one of the staff members. Sara observed his calm tone and manner as he spoke quietly. As Herve gestured towards Ric, the nurse nodded.

Herve paused and the nurse said ‘Un instant se il vous plait.’ (One moment please)

Herve looked at Sara, waving his hand slightly and mouthed the words, ‘wait’ as the nurse made a phone call.

Sara motioned with a slight nod of her head without saying anything.

The nurse’s call ended and she spoke to Herve. He became animated as she told him news.

Herve replied with, ‘Oui, oui.’ (Yes, yes)

The assistant continued and Herve said, ‘Merci beaucoup.’ (Thank you a lot)












Birds of Tokyo - 'Lanterns' Acoustic Live - BPM TV In the Raw


Lanterns by Birds of Tokyo - Perth Western Australia

The song is about a journey. It might be your journey or is it mine - a new job, a new relationship or a material journey. Whatever, know that as we traverse the inky landscape of surprise and intrigue, we light our own paths to reach our destinations.

'On we march 'til we meet the dawn, we will light our way with our lanterns on.'

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net - (1)


Image courtesy of patrisyu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net - (2)



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Running High - Chapter 23



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Running High - Chapter 21

Running High - Chapter 21

Shoulder to shoulder with other runners, a final announcement was made and Ric told Sara, the pistol was about to be fired.

Excitedly they both waited. At last, Sara’s long-held dream would begin. Smiling, she looked over at Ric, squeezing his hand.

Suddenly, the pistol’s ping rang out and the crowd’s roar travelled the depth of the route.

Sara and Ric found they were not moving as the number of runners in front made it impossible for them to walk, let alone run.  They could only step forward slowly as the crowd dispersed. Sara looked down and thought if she tripped, there’d be little opportunity to get up as the energy of the runners surged behind her, impatient at the race’s delays. Thoughts of being crushed crossed her mind.

As the front of the pack opened up, the race eventually gained momentum, giving them room to finally run.

Flags, balloons and streamers flashed by Sara as she ran its course. The rush she got from the roar of the spectators fuelled her pace.

Early on Ric was already lagging. She was torn between running her own race and running beside him. Slowing down, allowed him to catch up.

By her side, he said, ‘Sara, go ahead, I’m slow today.’

Without losing her focus, she replied, ‘No, we’re running together, 20kms, all the way.’

With that she adjusted her rhythm and they ran side-by-side.
 
Their pace was steady and with the inclines behind them at the 10km mark, the next 10kms would be the flat part of the course.

This made sense since most runners would have maximum energy at the beginning to tackle the route’s more difficult terrains. When energy and stamina were failing, the final legs, flat and smooth would offer relief and a belief that the race was within reach.

They’d been running for 75 minutes past the half-way mark, slower than their average during training. Sara pulled back as Ric shuffled rather than ran.

Their training, though had given them the confidence to dig deep and find the reserves needed to cross the line. Sara glanced at Ric and saw he was puffing heavily.

‘Steady,’ she said between breaths. Water signs displayed along the route indicated a station was 1 km away.

‘Water ahead,’ said Sara. She continued, ‘only 8 kms after the station, Ric.’

Labouring under the strain, he did not talk.

Sara slightly worried said, ‘Ric, we can stop at the station.’

Her heart sank at the thought of bailing but she could see today wasn’t his day.

Without speaking, he waved as if rejecting any thoughts of stopping.

She continued on silently.

Snatching cups of water from the tables she guzzled their contents throwing the empties into the bin. Ric behind her did the same.


        

 
Buoyed by the thirst quenchers, it was almost as if Ric found a second wind and motioned to Sara to continue. Smiling she shouted, ‘that’s the spirit!’
 
They continued on as runners passed them and Sara slowed as Ric switched to shuffling again and with only 5 kms to go, Sara cheered, ‘not far to go.’

Waving excitedly to the spectators lining the final stretches of the route, she felt as if she could run for another 20 kms as the joy she felt as she visualised crossing the line gave her almost super-human strength. Anticipating the finale just ahead of her, she pumped the air with her fist.

As they rounded the final bend, she had a clear view of the banner emblazoned with the words FINISH. Crossing this would mean her hard work would finally come to fruition.

Wanting to share her exhilaration she looked over at Ric. Emitting a deep rasping sound upon seeing his colouring and the difficulty he had in breathing, she shrilled, ‘Ric, are you okay?’

Forcing himself to answer, he said, ‘Go ahead Sara, I…I can’t continue.’

As she began to speak, he stumbled, falling onto the road.

Alarmed, Sara yelled, ‘Ric, what’s up?’

Writhing around, he said, ‘Sara, please go finish the race.’

Within seconds, Sara debated within herself whether to run the 800 metres, cross the line and run back to Ric. It was within her sights and her goal would be completed but she hesitated as she would have to run against the racers. Dread gripped her as she thought of Ric if she left him alone.  Instinctively, she knew she could not run off.

Dropping beside him she asked where it hurt. He pointed to his abdomen and it was then she waved frantically to a nearby marshal.

He nonchalantly walked her way and crying she said, ‘My friend is very ill, please hurry.’

 ‘Ok, ok,’ he said, and as he got closer, he could clearly see Ric’s distress and made a call. Within minutes, Sara could hear sirens as an ambulance drove through the crowds.

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Running High - Chapter 22

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Running High - Chapter 20

Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid FreeDigitalPhotos - (1)


Image courtesy of nitinut FreeDigitalPhotos - (2)
 

Running High - Chapter 20

Race day dawned. Awakening, Sara looked at the time and seeing it was on her side got up. Opening the curtains, she smiled as the skies foretold clear weather.

She walked around the room and drank a glass of water before stretching. She moved her arms down her legs. Breathing deeply, she performed windmill workouts, touching opposite feet with her hands.

After, she got on the floor and raising her body, using her elbows to support her weight, she held for several seconds before dropping and raising her body again cycling several times through the set.

Getting onto her feet she lurched into a series of scissor kicks and with her mini workout almost complete, Sara finished off with butt kicks.

Knowing energy conservation would be vital in crossing the line today, she joined Ric for a relaxed breakfast after showering and dressing. She felt good but focused, determined to meet any challenges the day might present.

Within walking distance from the hotel, Ric and Sara made their way to the run's registration station weaving through crowds of runners and spectators to finally reach the city's bustling pedestrian district. It was here they joined throngs of runners, all queued and presenting their mandatory fit-to-run medical verifications. This which would seal their place in today's race, a key event in the European Summer’s Marathon Calendar.

Officials called for order as the masses pushed to get their medical certificates verified, names recorded and numbers issued.

Sara and Ric’s alarm at the volume of racers competing intensified as announcements echoed throughout the precinct. The crowds sprawled across the cordoned off streets and grassy verges of the city’s centre.

Either side of the barriers, people gathered pressing close to the run’s thoroughfare so as to get the best possible vantage points and a closer view of those daring enough to participate in today’s event. They would observe well-prepared runners and those whose lack thereof would be their undoing as the race’s challenges would prove overwhelming.

Spectators gathered as fire-eaters extinguished slow burning flames almost as if swallowing marshmallows and the gasps of a few became contagious, rippling through the crowds, itself like wild fire. Musicians entertained, rattling pandeiros and strumming guitars.

People laughed and jostled as singers competed with intermittent announcements echoing across the precinct.

Sara and Ric looked at one another and Ric touched Sara’s arm. Leaning in close, he spoke words of reassurance.

Smiling, Sara shuffled patiently beside him. Finally it was their turn. With their names recorded and medical certificates verified, Sara and Ric were issued with numbers and pins.

Stepping away from the restless line of runners, they fumbled with the possessions, eventually pinning the numbers to one another’s tops.

Relieved the mandatory pre-race component was complete, they walked to the Participants’ Only Zone ready to run when the marshal’s gun signalled its start.

Once inside, Ric and Sara faced a 2x5m white banner, hitched across the city skywalk billowing in the light breeze, emblazoned with the words, START.

Sara looked at Ric who appeared serene. She touched his arm, exclaiming, ‘Ric, we will stay together.’

Smiling, she gently squeezed his arm and their eyes locked as they too joined the masses ready to run the race of their lives.





M People Search For The Hero (Euro'96 finals) 

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Running High - Chapter 21

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Running High - Chapter 19 


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Running High - Chapter 19

On the way to the airport, she wiped her eyes and Ric looked on. She excused it saying it was the emotional experience visiting Gallipoli. Ric comforted her but it only made it worse as Sara felt she had betrayed Ric.

Once they were airborne, Sara settled down as the views out of the plane distracted her.

Ric, making attempts to get her smiling and unaware of the interaction with Steele patted his stomach and cracked jokes about having a spare tyre. She couldn’t resist his banter and playfully pushed him.

He made noises, making her giggle. She shook her head at the situations she found herself in.

Finally they arrived in the Province and with Ric speaking French was able to direct the driver to their hotel. Sara looked out of the window with her focus now on the finale of their journey.
 
After checking-in at the hotel, she feigned tiredness and stayed in her room, ordering a meal over dining with Ric. At the time she could see he was hurt but she was lovesick and on top of it all, she felt as if she was toggling between them. With her main focus now on crossing the line in a few days, she couldn't afford to wallow in self-pity. She watched some TV and got an early night. After all, the thought of her long-held goal slipping from reach at this late stage in her journey was unfathomable. 

She had slept soundly and now awake, stretched languidly. Looking forward to the day she got up.

Rummaging through her bag, she found her medical certificate, verifying she was fit to run and having seen Ric's a few days ago, she relaxed confident their plans were on track.

She pulled on her sweats ready to meet Ric for breakfast. The night before they had decided to do a reconnaissance of the circuit. She had gotten maps of the local region from the Concierge and booking accommodation close to the race’s course meant they did not have far to walk to reach the run's route.

Just after 9 am she heard a light tap and Ric calling out her name.

‘Coming,’ she answered.

Opening the door, she was greeted by a smiling Ric.

Together they walked to the breakfast room.

Sara was feeling much better and Ric sensed this. He said she seemed like her old self.

Chatting, she said she was looking forward to their run today.

After breakfast, they made their way outside and headed towards the city's waterways. Sara gave Ric an encouraging look as they pounded a different kind of pavement in a foreign land.


After running 10 kms, Sara stopped. Panting she said. ‘Ric, we’re done. A rest day tomorrow and then we race.’

Breathing rapidly and bending over he nodded.

Sara waved in the direction of a nearby park, saying, ‘Over here, Ric.’

Ric sat on a bench while Sara bought water and together they sat recovering, each lost in their own thoughts.
 
The following day, Sara slept late, meeting up with Ric for a leisurely breakfast. Conserving energy, they spent the rest of the day by the hotel's pool.

Sara told Ric she would stay with him during the run. After all, she said, ‘crossing the line together will round the trip off.’

She touched his arm and said she was lucky to have him here.

Smiling he said, ‘yes.’

Neither spoke about Gayle or Steele nor their strong feelings for each other - the forbidden love they wrestled with.

Sara sighed and said she was going to her room but would see him later at dinner.

She touched his arm again and her hand fell away. She left it there for a few moments before getting up.

He watched her, and could not deny his love. Distracting himself he dived headfirst into the pool, swimming vigorously.

Sheppard on board the 112 performing Geronimo!

FoxFMMelbourne - Australian Band - reached number 1 on the Australian Singles Chart in April 2014






 Image courtesy of dan FreeDigitalPhotos - image 1 (Marseille)


Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici FreeDigitalPhotos   - image 2 (swimmer)




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Running High - Chapter 20

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Running High - Chapter 18
 

Running High - Chapter 18

Their time in Istanbul was over. Today they would fly to Marseille. This would give Sara and Ric 3 days before the race.

Sara’s boundaries while in Istanbul were extended, especially when visiting Gallipoli where her ancestors had fought and died. In many ways she had reconnected with her own heritage. She wasn’t sure what this meant but perhaps the future would make this clearer for her somehow in her actions or the decisions she made. She’d gained knowledge about herself too, her good and not so good traits such as her tendency to fall easily in love. She mused on this as she recognised such traits came with inherent dangers, some of which she’d already encountered.

As well, she realised her choices in men depended upon their willingness to offer her the unconditional emotional support she craved. She wondered if this deal breaker had been what had held her back from settling into a long-term commitment.

If nothing else from this journey she wanted that she could be more the master of her emotional life and not be constantly at its mercy, like a boat being rocked around in stormy seas.

She sighed thinking about the past 6 months and her fascination with Ric. One of the reasons she loved him was he met her emotional needs unconditionally.

For now her mind was focused on the run and sharing it with him. After all, it had been an unusual encounter which had not only brought them together but had seen them travel to a foreign land on the other side of the world. No mean feat really. As well, she thought about how far they both had really travelled personally. She wanted to savour it and have him by her side, crossing the finishing line together.

She picked up her pack and went downstairs to say her farewells to Steele.

There was no one around when she went downstairs. Putting her pack down, she made her way outside. Admiring the pool she headed towards the grassy knoll to take a final look across the Aegean Sea.

As she rounded the corner of the building, Steele saw her and called out.

‘Hi,’ he said as he walked towards her. ‘I was just checking the meter as Abdi said there had been a power surge.’

Sara said, ‘I was just going to take one final look over the ocean.’

Their eyes held for a second. Steele took her arm and said, ‘Come, Sara let me show you a great vantage point.’

Together they walked towards the grassy knoll and over its crest was a headland covered with vegetation and an opening which revealed expansive views of the ocean.

‘It’s truly stunning,’ said Sara.

‘Thanks for helping, Sara, the spouses loved it!'

He laughed and continued,  'You made my job very easy.’

‘Steele,’ said Sara, ‘it was a pleasure, after all you’ve done.’

He held her close.

‘I’m sorry it can’t be different,’ she whispered. ‘You, me, Ric, your girlfriend. It is all so complicated.’

He turned and faced her. Placing his fingers against her lips he tenderly lifted a strand of hair from her eyes.

Cupping her face in his hands, he tilted his head and placed his lips on hers, kissing her for a long time.

She responded by placing her arms around his neck and obscured from view by the vegetation they kissed sweetly.

When they parted she gasped and held onto him. He wrapped both his arms around her. Stroking her hair and nuzzling his face against her neck, he whispered, ‘I’m falling for you.’

Resting on his chest, she listened to her head rather than her heart.

Abruptly breaking away, she said, ‘I have to go, the timing isn’t right.’

He held her at arm’s length and looking intently said, ‘Sara, the timing will never be right. Stay with me.’

Slowly shaking her head, she said, ‘No I have to go.’

Stumbling, she half ran, half walked towards the apartment.

Steele raced after her, calling out, ‘Ok, wait up. Ric will wonder what’s happening.’

He caught up to her and together they returned to the apartment.



 


I'd die to be with you tonight - TheRealMikeHeffernan



Australian singer - Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel)

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Running High - Chapter 19

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Running High - Chapter 17