Read Online Learning to Fall by Jillian Eaton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jillian Eaton
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people with a pet had lower stress levels than those without. The same benefits could be applied to a goldfish, of course, but I wanted something capable of more than swimming around in circles inside a tiny glass bowl.
I wanted a cat, and this time… this time there was no one to tell me no.
Next weekend I decided impulsively, a grin pulling my mouth wide as I shook out my arms and resumed jogging. Next weekend I would call the three closest shelters and arrange times to visit each one and after a thoughtful, thorough process of elimination - culling out the cats that were too old, too young, too hyper, too apathetic - I’d select the one that would most benefit my needs and thrive in the environment I had to offer it.
I knew some would consider my decision making process calculated, even cold. But it was how I had always made every choice in my life, no matter how big or how small. It was how I’d decided on what college to attend. Where to do my graduate studies. Which states to consider when searching for a job. Whether to live alone or with a roommate. Whether to pick blue towels or beige.
I knew if I wanted to change - really change - I needed to stop trying to control every little aspect of my life, but that was easier to think than do.
After the cat, I assured myself as I reached the end of the road and turned around. After I pick out a cat I’ll make a concerted effort to be more spontaneous. Maybe I’ll even take a short vacation. Although I don’t really have the time to do that. Maybe a day trip up to the mountains. After the Fall Semester, of course. Although by then it will be the middle of winter and the roads might not be very good, in which case I’ll have to get snow tires for Roo so I don’t get stuck. I should probably start saving now.
Impossible.
I was absolutely impossible.
Grimacing, I eased up on my stride as a cramp pinched my right side. Running was supposed to be the one thing I could do without thinking. Determined to shut off my brain for the remainder of my run, I quickly looked both ways before crossing the street and hopping up on the sidewalk. A light breeze brushed pleasantly over my flushed skin, cooling my face and chest. For an instant I closed my eyes, letting myself simply live in the moment instead of focusing on everything that was waiting for me back at the house. Almost at once my shoulders relaxed and the knot I always seemed to carry in the small of my back began to unravel. I knew it had to be my imagination, but when I opened my eyes the sky seemed bluer and the grass looked greener. Without being driven by a single-minded purpose, I was able to notice things I hadn’t before.
Yellow sunflowers blooming behind a white picket fence.
Two sparrows squabbling high in the branches of a towering oak tree.
A black cat watching me from beneath the leafy green cover of a lilac bush.
The shout of someone’s voice as they ran up behind me.
“Coach, is that you? Hey, Coach! COACH! Imogen!”
I turned reflexively at the sound of my name, peering over my right shoulder as I checked my speed. When I saw who it was, I stopped so quick I almost tripped over my own two feet.
“Easy there.” Daniel Logan, wearing nothing more than shorts, sneakers, and a smile, laughed as he caught up to me and grabbed my waist to keep me from stumbling over the curb. “You don’t want to break an ankle. Been there, done that. Trust me, it’s not fun.”
Having never broken anything before, I would have to take his word for it.
Once I had my balance, I lifted my chin…and found myself staring straight at Daniel’s chest. His naked, gleaming with sweat, beautifully sculpted chest. “What - what are you doing here?” I sputtered, forcing my gaze away from his chiseled abdomen and up to his face. In the early morning light his eyes looked more blue than grey, but were just as intense and mesmerizing as I remembered. More so, really, now that we were standing inches apart and he
I wanted a cat, and this time… this time there was no one to tell me no.
Next weekend I decided impulsively, a grin pulling my mouth wide as I shook out my arms and resumed jogging. Next weekend I would call the three closest shelters and arrange times to visit each one and after a thoughtful, thorough process of elimination - culling out the cats that were too old, too young, too hyper, too apathetic - I’d select the one that would most benefit my needs and thrive in the environment I had to offer it.
I knew some would consider my decision making process calculated, even cold. But it was how I had always made every choice in my life, no matter how big or how small. It was how I’d decided on what college to attend. Where to do my graduate studies. Which states to consider when searching for a job. Whether to live alone or with a roommate. Whether to pick blue towels or beige.
I knew if I wanted to change - really change - I needed to stop trying to control every little aspect of my life, but that was easier to think than do.
After the cat, I assured myself as I reached the end of the road and turned around. After I pick out a cat I’ll make a concerted effort to be more spontaneous. Maybe I’ll even take a short vacation. Although I don’t really have the time to do that. Maybe a day trip up to the mountains. After the Fall Semester, of course. Although by then it will be the middle of winter and the roads might not be very good, in which case I’ll have to get snow tires for Roo so I don’t get stuck. I should probably start saving now.
Impossible.
I was absolutely impossible.
Grimacing, I eased up on my stride as a cramp pinched my right side. Running was supposed to be the one thing I could do without thinking. Determined to shut off my brain for the remainder of my run, I quickly looked both ways before crossing the street and hopping up on the sidewalk. A light breeze brushed pleasantly over my flushed skin, cooling my face and chest. For an instant I closed my eyes, letting myself simply live in the moment instead of focusing on everything that was waiting for me back at the house. Almost at once my shoulders relaxed and the knot I always seemed to carry in the small of my back began to unravel. I knew it had to be my imagination, but when I opened my eyes the sky seemed bluer and the grass looked greener. Without being driven by a single-minded purpose, I was able to notice things I hadn’t before.
Yellow sunflowers blooming behind a white picket fence.
Two sparrows squabbling high in the branches of a towering oak tree.
A black cat watching me from beneath the leafy green cover of a lilac bush.
The shout of someone’s voice as they ran up behind me.
“Coach, is that you? Hey, Coach! COACH! Imogen!”
I turned reflexively at the sound of my name, peering over my right shoulder as I checked my speed. When I saw who it was, I stopped so quick I almost tripped over my own two feet.
“Easy there.” Daniel Logan, wearing nothing more than shorts, sneakers, and a smile, laughed as he caught up to me and grabbed my waist to keep me from stumbling over the curb. “You don’t want to break an ankle. Been there, done that. Trust me, it’s not fun.”
Having never broken anything before, I would have to take his word for it.
Once I had my balance, I lifted my chin…and found myself staring straight at Daniel’s chest. His naked, gleaming with sweat, beautifully sculpted chest. “What - what are you doing here?” I sputtered, forcing my gaze away from his chiseled abdomen and up to his face. In the early morning light his eyes looked more blue than grey, but were just as intense and mesmerizing as I remembered. More so, really, now that we were standing inches apart and he
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