Rebecca was able to bear her depression by organizing her life to have no time for herself. I had been doing it for years since the divorce. Until a persistent stranger decided to interfere with his strict and lonely routine. I didn’t imagine that he would become the only one I would miss.
In the dim light of her bedroom, Rebecca was lying on her back, staring at the digital clock next to the bed.
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The numbers were 6:29. He took a deep breath, waiting for the clock to change.
As soon as it marked 6:30, the alarm went off, but Rebecca hurried to silence it.
He got up, pushed the sheets aside and got out of bed with precision.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
First things first: Rebecca smoot the sheets, fixing every corner until the bed was crispy and perfectly made.
He entered the bathroom, where everything was in place.
His toothbrush rested neatly on a support, the soap was placed right in place on a plate, and a small mirror hung over the sink.
Rebecca took a moment to look at her own reflection, with a calm but distant expression.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He was forty-seven years old, with the lines of experience and resistance engraved on his face.
Seven years had passed since his divorce and, although the pain had been mitigated, he had left a scar.
His response to pain had been order, discipline and a strict routine. These things gave him a feeling of control, something solid to hold on to when life seemed chaotic to him.
At seven o’clock, Rebecca tied her running shoes, connected her headphones and went out into the street, ready to run in the morning.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For years, these races had been his escape route, a moment to strengthen the body while listening to audiobooks that exercised his mind.
It was his shield against sadness, every step a way to move forward.
But for a month, something had begun to disturb his carefully designed routine: a neighbor named Charlie, who seemed determined to break his guarded solitude, a cheerful “good morning” every time.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Charlie’s house was across the street and every morning, just when Rebecca began to walk with a firm step, he went out jumping, waving his arms like an enthusiastic child and barely putting on his sneakers.
This morning was no different. Rebecca saw him out of the corner of her eye as he went down the steps, putting his laces in his shoes in a hurry.
He sighed, rolled his eyes and quickened his pace, hoping that this time he would catch the hint. But, as always, Charlie would not be discouraged so easily.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Rebecca! Wait, it’s me!” he called, with a cheerful voice, as he approached jogging, waving with one hand and holding his side with the other.
Rebecca pretended not to hear him and kept her gaze forward, with rhythmic and concentrated steps.
But Charlie was determined and did not take long to jog next to him, although a little out of breath.
“You’re fast… as always,” he managed to say between gasps, giving her a crooked smile while trying to follow her rhythm.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca took off one of the headphones and looked at it, pretending to be surprised. “Hello, I hadn’t seen you,” she replied, with a hint of annoyance.
He had planned all morning, and chatting with his neighbor was not on his agenda.
“It’s okay, it’s my fault for being late,” Charlie said, his breathless.
Rebecca realized that he was trying to keep up with him, but he seemed happy to run by his side.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He nodded with a disdainful gesture and was about to put the headset back on when Charlie intervened again.
“Hey, do you want to hear a joke?” she asked enthusiastically, her voice loaded with that unwavering enthusiasm that she found irritating and strangely endearing.
“You would save more breath if you talked less while running…” she murmured, but he ignored her suggestion.
“Why have they ascended the scarecrow?” he asked smiling.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca sighed. He knew he shouldn’t please him, but he couldn’t help it.
“Because he stood out in his field!” Charlie let go of the joke with a wide triumphant smile, his eyes shining with expectation.
Rebecca paused, turning the joke in her mind, and, against her good judgment, a chuckle escaped her.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He tried to suppress it quickly, but it was too late. Charlie had seen his reaction and his face lit up with joy.
“Do you see? You smiled! I’m getting better and better at this,” he observed satisfied, practically radiant for his small victory.
Rebecca shook her head, but her smile remained, although brief.
“I recognize you, that one hasn’t been… so bad,” she conceded, even pretending not to be impressed.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Charlie raised his fist and smiled as if he had won a prize.
“At last! Progress!” he encouraged, laughing.
Rebecca quickened her pace again, leaving Charlie struggling to follow her.
Every morning, Rebecca expected to see Charlie leave the house with his sneakers untied and a cheerful smile.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Her silly jokes, which used to make her roll her eyes, had begun to like her, and she smiled more and more, she even laughed out loud, something she hadn’t done for a long time.
And what was more surprising to her, she had begun to slow down the pace – just a little – so that they could talk for longer.
Charlie’s enthusiasm and lightness softened the strict walls that Rebecca had built around her.
She had even managed to circumvent her strict routine, something she believed no one could do.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
As she buttoned her shoes and looked out the window, Rebecca took a look at her house, as she had begun to do almost every morning. Today, however, something seemed different.
The door of his house was tightly closed and there was no trace of him.
She looked at the clock and waited, telling herself not to worry. But, after a few minutes, he began to hesitate.
Charlie was not like that: he was always so excited to meet her.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He hesitated, feeling a strange mixture of worry and disappointment, but finally went home and knocked on the door.
He waited tapping his foot, looking around in the hope that he had forgotten to wake up. But he didn’t answer.
He rang the bell again and looked out the window to look inside, but the rooms were still and silent.
“Charlie! Are you there?” he called, trying to keep his voice steady. “Come on, you’re missing our jogging!”
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I expected him to appear suddenly, laughing and apologizing for being late. But he only heard silence.
Just then, an old voice spoke from up close.
“Who’s screaming here?” Startled, Rebecca turned to see Mrs. Lewis, an old woman who lived next to Charlie, watching her curiously.
“Oh, Mrs. Lewis,” Rebecca said, feeling embarrassed by the outburst.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I usually run with Charlie, but today he hasn’t come. Maybe he fell asleep,” he added, in a calmer voice, almost as if he was talking to himself.
She felt a pang of concern, wondering if maybe he didn’t want to run with her anymore.
Mrs. Lewis shook her head, worried.
“Sleepy? Oh, no, dear. Last night they took him to the hospital by ambulance.”
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca’s heart turned upside down.
“To the hospital? What happened to him?”
Mrs. Lewis sighed, clearly disgusted.
“I’m not sure. I only saw how the ambulance took him. It’s a shame. The poor man lives alone, with no one to watch over him.”
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca stood up, assimilating the news, and a wave of guilt and concern invaded her.
He had known Charlie for a short time, but at that time he had somehow become part of his life, someone he wanted to see.
Without thinking twice, Rebecca thanked Mrs. Lewis, turned around and went home to get the bag and keys. There was only one hospital nearby and I had to find it.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca felt her heart race as she walked through the bustling corridors of the hospital, the antiseptic smell filled her nose and made her even more anxious. She took a deep breath as she approached the reception desk, hoping to look calm.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice a little trembling. “I’m looking for a patient who was admitted last night. His name is Charlie.”
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, looking over her glasses. “Do you have a last name, ma’am?”
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca felt herself blush. “No, I’m sorry… I only know him as Charlie. We… we met recently,” he admitted, realizing how strange it must have sounded.
The receptionist looked at her with some skepticism. “You know that normally only patients are allowed to visit relatives or close relatives, right?”
“I… am his girlfriend,” she said, even surprising herself.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The receptionist’s eyes softened and a small smile was drawn on her face. ” Girlfriend, huh?” He touched some keys on the computer, with a slight glare in his eyes.
“Then you better learn his last name. You’ll need it if it’s going to be nearby,” he said, winking.
“Charlie Sanders. Room 113. I’ll take you.”
Rebecca felt her heart skip a beat as she whispered a quick “thank you” and followed the receptionist down the hall.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Before even reaching the room, he could hear Charlie’s familiar laughter, his voice going through the door while sharing a joke with someone in the room.
The receptionist gently hit the wall to announce Rebecca’s arrival.
“Charlie, a lady has come to see you… she says she’s your girlfriend,” he added, with a bit of mischief in his voice as he looked at Rebecca.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Charlie’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. “Yes, yes! Rebecca, come in. Of course, he’s here for me,” he said with a smile, gesturing to him to come closer.
Rebecca felt a surge of relief when she approached to sit next to her.
Charlie looked tired but happy, as if the hospital gown and the IV were just small inconveniences in his day.
She looked at him, relieved and exasperated at the same time. ” Girlfriend, huh?” Charlie joked, raising his eyebrows playfully.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca looked at him with a frown. “I had to say something to get in here, didn’t I? And you missed our jogging this morning! What happened?” he asked, with a stop of concern in his voice.
Charlie sighed, moving slightly on the bed.
“Well… I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but those trots… They’re not exactly good for my health.”
Rebecca’s face dropped in shame. “What do you mean?”
He looked down, a little embarrassed.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have heart problems. The doctor has ordered me to avoid anything that is too intense… like trying to keep up with you,” he admitted with an ironic smile.
Her heart shrank and she shook her head, incredulous.
“Charlie, why didn’t you tell me? You shouldn’t have run at all.”
Charlie sketched a small sideways smile.
“Well… if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have seen you. I wouldn’t have gotten to know you.”
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca felt her face soften, a mixture of surprise and affection that warmed her heart.
“So you were willing to risk your health just to talk to me?” he asked softly, looking into his eyes.
He nodded, with a serious expression.
“I saw you every morning, you went for a run at the same time, like a clock. I’ve seen you donate things to charity, help the neighbors. You’re… you’re someone special, Rebecca.”
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca felt a lump forming in her throat, her words impacted her in a way she had not expected.
He approached and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
“Charlie,” he said in a soft voice, “you don’t have to run to spend time with me. What do you think if we have dinner at my house?”
Charlie sketched a warm smile.
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“That sounds much safer to my heart,” he replied, his eyes bright. “I think the doctor would approve it.”
Rebecca let out a chuckle and felt the tension in her chest relax as they shared a smile.
“I hope so,” she murmured, wishing that a night would come in which there were no heart attack races, but a quiet meal with someone who, in a short time, had become surprisingly important to her.
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