March 2024 Short STory

As the blaring afternoon sun sought to enter its rays into the air-conditioned fitness centre, one window had its blinds tightly shut, while another next to it basked in the sun, letting it shine right through.

Rachel jogged next to her fitness partner Robyn on the treadmills, criticizing each other’s efforts in an attempt to pass the time quicker.

“You call that running Robyn! I’ve seen turtles run faster than that.” Leaning over, Rachel raised the speed on her friend’s machine, forcing her to run at a pace that was a little too fast.

“No, No no no, Rachel, slow it down! I’m going to cr—” Cried Robyn

Bam!

Rubbing her sore knee, Robyn rolled her eyes at Rachel, who couldn’t help but laugh at the sorry sight. “Actually, you were running faster than me, I just wanted to see if you could run at twenty kilometres per hour…and a part of me wanted to see you wipe out!” Laughed Rachel. “Why don’t you just throw in the towel now?”

Splat!

Taking the soggy odour-full towel off her head, Rachel picked up her friend’s drinking water and threw it at Robyn, who instinctive grabbed what she could to block the water from hitting her.

Hearing a slight fizzing sound, they both suddenly realized that Robyn had grabbed Rachel’s coat, which had her phone inside one of the pockets.

Taking out the phone, Rachel groaned in disbelief, coming to terms that all her pictures, videos and phone numbers were all gone. 

“I told you to get a waterproof case,” chuckled Robyn.

“I don’t need a waterproof case, I need a Robyn-proof case!” Lamented Rachel as she wiped down her phone as best she could with a towel. Not hearing a response from her friend, Rachel looked up and saw Robyn transfixed by the window-washer outside.

“C’mon boy, come to mama.” Whispered Robyn and completely ignoring the shocked facial expression from her friend.

“Robyn, you’re probably old enough to be his mama. Let’s find you someone in your age group alright?” Said Rachel, shaking Robyn’s shoulders.

“We won’t know how old he is till I ask.” Said Robyn as she walked outside and conversed with the man.

Rachel watched as the two politely laughed before Robyn returned inside and informed her friend of what he said. 

“His name is Trent and he’s thirty-two, just a year younger than me.” Said Robyn dreamily.

“I’ll bet you under that loose uniform jacket he has a potbelly.” Snorted Rachel, clearly not seeing what was so attractive about the man. “And he’s a window washer. He probably can’t even afford to buy a house for you guys to live in!”

Watching as Trent climbed a ladder to clean the second story windows, Robyn dragged her friend to come with her to the second floor, where yoga balls and mats were strewn across the floor. Pretending to stretch, Robyn noted the white, perfectly in-line teeth Trent had, to which Rachel criticized as well. “That’s probably because he’s a perfectionist; he’d probably blow a fuse if he saw the pigsty you live in.”

“His hair is perfectly wavy and sandy brown.” Said Robyn, completely ignoring her friend’s tirade.

“Just wait till he gets bald. Then you’ll regret it in the end. Not to mention hair will be growing out of his ears and nose!”

As Trent finished the upper story windows, he came back down and chatted with Robyn, while Rachel fumed inside, angry that her childhood friend was leaving her alone and that she herself didn’t have a boyfriend of her own. 

“Next thing you know, they will be dating, then he’ll propose to her at some fancy la-dee-la restaurant where she’ll say “yes” before ultimately saying “I do” at their town hall wedding. Then she’ll get pregnant, pop out five kids and turn grey happy with the family she had found, never mind all the extended family and friends to call upon.” Stopping her ranting for a moment, Rachel’s angry furled eyebrows faded, as she contemplated why she was feeling so envious.

“What about me? What future do I have? Working five eight-hour days a week, till one day I retire and spend all my lifesavings on luxury cruise ships till the day I croak and end all my miserable loneliness that I have inside.”

Scowling at Trent as she watched him charm his way into Robyn’s trust, she immediately looked away as Robyn pointed at her and Trent looked her way. Half-smiling and nervous, Rachel glanced over where Trent had lifted his jacket and was pointing to his six-pack abs, as Robyn was mouthing “no potbelly.” 

Giving a thumbs-up, Rachel turned around embarrassed and crashed into another man who had just finished his workout. Dropping her water bottle, the man politely picked it up and apologized for running into her.

“Yeah dud, er dude. I just ripped, er slipped I think.” Said Rachel nervously.

“The name’s Doug. I don’t come here often, but I’d really like to get your number.” Said the man.

Looking over at Trent and Robyn, who were watching with grins as wide as the sea, Rachel entered her number into his smart phone before saying goodbye. Finding herself smiling, she watched as Doug walked out, then chased the two grinning ducks who were outside, telling them to mind their own business. Stopping to ponder what could be, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to have a family after all. But thinking back about the number she gave Doug, she then suddenly realized, her phone was short circuited from the water! Sitting down slowly, Robyn bounded over and asked if she gave him her number. Ignoring her friend, Rachel looked out the window, unamused at how fate could be so cruel to her, tantalizing her with what could have been a perfect partner.

The End