Curve Ball

Eternal quest to trim down, get more energy and stay in shape…this morning while jogging on my normal path…I saw far up ahead a young woman walking down the hill on my side of the street.  Even from far away I could see that she was tall, young and slender, Black, wearing a dark blue tracksuit and listening to a Walkman.  I’d certainly never seen HER coming down this street!  But, for sure, she was gonna see me in my best light.  And, you know…be simply mesmerized by the vision of The $ynchronizer all day and, heh…all night.  Hoho!!  I was still running up the tough part of the course, the steep hill, but I straightened my posture and extended my stride.  I used the washcloth to wipe the sweat away from my face to give the impression that the incline meant nothing and that I would just as soon perform surgery I was so calm and unaffected by the run.  I reached to the iPod and paused the music lest she hear the upbeat Ace of Base blasting from my headphones as we passed and, not quite in the back of my mind, I celebrated the fact that I had worn the sleeveless tank top anyway instead of going back home to change because the weather was cold and windy.  So, she’s getting close…all set?  Jogging elegantly?  Breathing softly?  Sweat-free?  No booming trance music?  Biceps flexed?  Nonchalant facial expression?  Time to fire an innocuous “how ya doin’?” when…

“Hi, Mr. Lucas!”

“Uhh, hey hey, uh…what’s up?!”

Aack!  Former student!  Former student!  She’s 15!  Awkwardness!  Run!!

Nevertheless, I had a fantastic day.