I pulled into the parking lot at Manito Park and and immediately saw Her Wonderfulness. It’s odd how I noticed her with but a glance when there were 15 or 20 people standing together. It was like everyone was in the shadows, and Petra had a big spotlight on her.

Joe was talking to Petra, and he was really hitting on her. He touched her arm and leaned toward her as he talked, and he was already standing so close. Petra was nodding and being very attentive.

Joe eventually wandered off, and two other guys immediately swooped in. I bet it’s the same thing wherever she goes. I made my way over to Joe, said hello, asked how things were going, and then broached the issue.

“You’re not wasting any time with Petra are you?”

Joe smiled. “Am I that obvious?”

“Yes. I want to get my two minutes in, but you overstay your time allotment and then those two move in, and they didn’t even sign-up.”

Joe chuckled. “So, we need to get on a waiting list to talk to Petra?”

“Way it’s going, it’s the only way I can get a word in.”

After announcements we headed out, and I was able to run next to Petra for a couple miles. What’s so special about her is that talk comes so easily. I don’t have to work at it, and our conversations are so stimulating. I think it’s the same for her, too.

And being next to her, just us two, feels so good. It’s like we’re mimicking being a couple. However, there was one small word Petra used that left me bummed for the rest of the day.

She was telling me about a recent weekend trip she’d taken to Missoula. She described a hike, saying, “We saw two moose.”

Anytime the word “we” is used without elaboration, it can mean only one thing – she has a boyfriend.