I was running alone down a residential street when a woman turned into the street 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 when you made your turn, you failed to head check.”

She didn’t reply right away as if conjuring up a proper response. “I always look before turning. You’re making this up.”

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

“Does that mean you’re reporting me?”

I said I usually give a warning 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. There was nothing awkward about it. In fact it seemed to bring a sense of comfort and contentment.

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

“I’m headed to the bluff. I’m gonna get on a trail 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 more clever to say this time, but nothing was coming 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 my sympathies for whatever 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.