“Phones can fail.”
“Satellites?”
“Yes.”
She smiled. After the seminar, we moved toward the charity partner booths. This was not necessary. Our route to the exit simply passed them. Run Forward Youth Fund occupied a blue-and-yellow booth near the wall. A list of runners appeared on a standing sign. Dani’s name was third.
DANIELA REYES — COACHING ACCESS FUND
I stopped. Tessa looked at the sign.
“She raised the minimum.”
“Yes.”
The total beside her name exceeded the required amount. Donations from gym members. Gloria. Rose. Carol. Anonymous supporters. Possibly people who knew the challenge story. The purpose was not redemption. At least not entirely. The charity funded coaching and race access for teenagers who could not afford equipment or entry fees. That sounded like Dani. Care turned outward. Rose stood behind the booth speaking to a volunteer. She saw me. We both paused. Then she walked over. Tessa moved several feet away without pretending it was accidental.
“Hi,” Rose said.
“Hello.”
“How’s the knee?”
“Stable. No qualifying language.”
“Good.”
No discussion of Dani. I returned to the runner list.
“She raised more than required.”
“Yes.”
“She added the youth coaching designation.”
“Yes.”
“Was that her choice?”
“Yes.”
Rose waited. I did not know what I wanted to ask. Is she ready? Is she afraid? Does she still love me? None belonged to Rose.
“Thank you for overseeing her plan,” I said.
Rose’s clinical reserve eased.
“You’re welcome.”
“Does it put you in a difficult position?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You did not create it.”
I accepted that. Rose turned toward the race map.
