Chapter 17 - Claire Came Back to the Gym
Five years after the voice note, Claire entered my Saturday class.
Aaron came with her.
She had injured her ankle hiking.
Nothing serious.
She wanted help rebuilding stability.
For one second, the universe seemed to have an inappropriate sense of humor.
“You sure?” I asked.
Claire smiled.
“You’re apparently good at this.”
Hannah was across the room.
She waved.
Claire waved back.
And that was it.
No jealousy.
No unresolved tension.
During balance drills, Claire struggled.
I corrected her stance professionally.
She laughed.
“Five years ago, I would’ve hated you telling me what to do.”
“Five years ago, I wouldn’t have wanted to.”
After class, she lingered.
“Cole?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad we didn’t destroy each other.”
“So am I.”
She looked toward Hannah.
Then Aaron.
“We got lucky.”
“No,” I said.
“We eventually made better choices.”
Claire smiled.
“Still correcting people.”
“Occupational hazard.”
She left with her husband.
I went home with my wife.
Peace sometimes looks disappointingly ordinary.
May you like
That is why people underestimate it.
End of Chapter 17.
