I was just happy I made it back before dark.
I knew it was possible, in theory, but I wasn't sure if I'd pull it off. But, after seven and a half miles of running up and down the windy hills of Vermont's backroads, I'm strolling the final stretch toward home as a post-run cool-down.
This route isn't very pedestrian friendly. There's no sidewalks or bike lanes and the shoulders are particularly narrow. Where the pavement ends, the ground falls away into brush on one side and a steep ravine on the other. Not to mention, it's officially the time of year where I had to pull out the reflector vest. It stays light out long enough in the summers here that I'm never really running in difficult visibility. Fall, winter, and spring, though? Yeah, I go full glow-stick.
As I'm walking the final straightaway, I stutter-step. There's no cars and no other people around, so the silence makes sense. But it shouldn't. Cocking my head to the side, I'm waiting for it to be broken. My eyes widen and my shoulders lift. Huh. It's been quite a while since I've heard a peep out of Benji. He's a one-eyed golden retriever that lives in the white house with the tree out front next to the swing set. Usually, Benji barks when I go by (even when it's just me without Ava). He barks when anyone goes by, really. I mean, it's to the point where he's kind of like those floodlights on a motion-sensor that people have by their garages. After a bit of barking, though, he stands up on his hind legs by the fence with a toy in his mouth from the many scattered throughout the yard.
Almost home, no Benji.
Weird.
Oh shit... I hope he's ok.
I'm thinking it would really suck if something happened to him when I spot a furry golden floof laying down on the side-steps. And for a second I'm feeling relieved. But then, as I'm walking the last few steps before the driveway, my shoulders slump forward. Seeing Benji is a huge relief, but... he still didn't bark. No toy by the fence, either.
"Dogs get old," I tell myself.
It happens—I've lived it.
I just... well, seconds ago, I was just happy I made it back before dark. Now, I'm back to hoping Benji's ok.
* * *
When presented with the passage of time, what do you do with it?
onward.
For more on this daily column, read the backstory here. And if you know someone who'd appreciate this, pass it along.