I was running alone down a residential street when a woman turned in front of me going the same direction. I was very happy about this coincidence. I picked up the pace until I was at her side.

“Pardon me, Miss, I noticed you failed to head check when you turned.”

She smiled, then turned it into a glare. “You need to check the door cameras along here. I always head check. You’re making this up.” Her smile returned.

“I was in the middle of the street,” I said. “You would’ve seen me if you’d head checked.”

“Does that mean you’re reporting me?”

I said I give warnings for first offenses, then admitted I was just trying to be funny, and maybe I should’ve come up with something better.

We ran side by side for a couple blocks without saying anything. It wasn’t awkward at all.  I rather liked it.

“May I inquire how far you’re running today?” I asked.

“I’m gonna get on a trail on the High Drive bluff and take it downtown. I have a route through the neighborhood coming back. It’s about seven miles.”

We were coming up to an intersection where I needed to turn. I was trying to think of something clever to say this time, but nothing came to mind.

“I notice you’ve taken a little vacation from the Manito Running Club,” I said.

“Yeah, but I got a lot going on, Jim. I’m working through something. I haven’t forgotten about you guys, though. I’ll be back.”

I told Petra that I needed to take the next turn. I wished her a good run and expressed sympathy for the tough times she was going through.

Petra stopped at the intersection and told me it really wasn’t that big a deal and apologized for making it sound like it was. “Byron and I are breaking up. We…I’m just trying to keep it friendly.”

She gave me a smile, I wished her good luck, and we went our separate ways.