The October Light of August Read Online Free Page B

over, chest heaving and sweat dripping off my nose to plop on the gray carpet.
    “You are an utter moron,” I gasped to myself. The carpet seemed to grow several shades darker at the corners of my vision, and a queasy feeling started to build in my stomach. I sat down hard on the floor, and felt a warm hand on the clammy skin of my arm.
    “Are you okay?”
    I jerked at the touch, and flushed in embarrassment - which may have saved me from passing out. I nodded my head, and looked up to see a blur of tan skin, blond hair and blue, concerned-looking eyes.
    “Maybe you should lie down for a bit?” she asked me. “Get some water in you?”
    “I think...,” was all I could manage.
    The young woman stood abruptly and called out, “Hey Jordan? Jordan! I think this guy needs to hydrate!”
    Not getting a response, she squatted again and looked me in the eyes.
    “Just stay here, 'kay? I'll get you something to drink.”
    She stood again and turned, and I noticed her fleece-covered bottom displaying the word 'Pink.'
     
    Jordan was the popped-collar douche at the check-in desk, who was supposed to be paying attention to the members, but at 5:00 in the morning he could get away with playing with his PSP or flirting with any women who would show up that early. While annoyed to be bothered by the likes of an overweight man in his late twenties passing out from heat-stroke, he didn't mind at all dealing with the girl in the sweatpants with the word 'Pink' stitched across her ass. So he acted concerned with me, while admonishing that I should take things easy in the beginning. You can't climb Everest in a day after all, and other pearls of wisdom.
    “You should be paying attention,” Pink stated bluntly. Jordan nodded his head solemnly and helped me to my feet.
    Pink turned to me. “You okay?”
    I managed a wan smile and a thumbs-up, which earned me a smile full of even white teeth.
    “Awesome,” she said, and turned away to begin her morning workout.
     
    I was sure I would give it up right then and there, but I found myself driving to the gym again in the middle of the week. Jordan greeted me with a “Don't pass out on me today!” and I nodded foolishly. I eased into my run (okay, brisk walk), drank plenty, and while I didn't end my session feeling good about myself I certainly met my goal for the day. It dawned on me in the middle of my workout that I had hoped to see Pink. That she could see me gamely exercising and that she would approve. Then, of course, I realized she wouldn't even remember me. I was just a bump that slowed down her morning routine. She was more likely to recall a pothole in the road before she ever recalled me . I was probably 10 years older than her, not particularly attractive and painfully shy. Who cared if I was trying to get in shape? Still, in the weeks ahead I continued to show up at the gym. I started my routine as a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule but by the end of my second week I started going every day.
    And did not run into her at all. Yes, I was feeling good and had lost five pounds already. Co-workers had mentioned I looked better – the matronly ones that always threatened to set me up with this or that daughter of so-and-so. But I hated showing up at the gym and never running into her again. Hell, even if she was just there – we didn't have to make eye contact or anything. It wasn't like I daydreamed about her. I had associated the gym with her and her momentary kindness, and I could not separate the two.
    I’m not too anal a personality, but I liked my routine. I had been going to the gym daily for two straight months, and one morning I overslept. I toyed with the idea of just skipping it. But if I did, I would skip again. And again. Would that be so bad? I could continue to eat healthier, and get out and exercise by jogging. It was getting warmer and lighter out, and lately I had taken to running down to the gym instead of driving. I could work up the nerve, surely, to run