“The lack of a written plan does not remove the decision.”
“You’re right.”
I stood and paced toward the window. I wanted her to comfort me. I wanted the route change to count as enough. I wanted theconversation to become about panic instead of the fact that I had placed her run inside my experiment.
I stopped. “I made your training carry risk you did not agree to. That was wrong.”
Amy’s shoulders lowered slightly. “Thank you.”
“Rose is taking me back tomorrow. Walking. No running.”
“Do you want me there?”
“Yes.”
I answered too fast. Then I corrected.
“No.”
Amy waited.
“I want you,” I said. “But I need to do it without turning you into the reason I stay or leave.”
Her answer hurt and still felt clean. Amy accepted it.
“Do you want a plan for afterward?”
The remembered question.
“Yes.”
“I can come here after.”
“Okay.”
“No report required. Unless you want to talk.”
“Okay.”
The offer settled between us, specific enough not to become a rescue.
“And no running after.”
“Rose already said.”
“I am saying it too.”
“You are not my coach.”
“I am your girlfriend.”
Girlfriendstill affected me.
“Yes.”
She stood and came closer.
“Changing the route was not quitting,” she said.
