Bobby Brumley Sneak Peek
A Chance Encounter
Running was a pain. Literally. But Bobby Brumley knew that it was what he needed to do to build up his stamina, a must if he was going to have any hope of reclaiming his spot on the wrestling team. A lot had happened over the past year and now it was all about rebuilding. The problem was the obstacles seemed harder to overcome. And why shouldn’t they be after what he had been through. But wow, what a difference a year off could make: was he really in that bad of shape? He hocked up a lugie or two and then pushed on. The crisp early morning October air was trying to do a number on his lungs but step by step he told himself. He was bringing up the rear as he watched his teammates trot out way in front of him for the opening run at Wrestler’s Camp. You’ve got this; slow and steady, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Think positive he kept telling himself as he all but ordered his leg muscles not to fail him. Bobby was so focused on the road in front of him that he didn’t even notice her. The old woman darted in front of him, coming from nowhere. She was riding her bike and had nearly slammed right into Bobby. But she swerved and went toppling over the side of the hill, her bike spinning right after her.
Bobby slowed his pace and ventured down the side of the hill to check on her. No one else was in sight. Bobby was really going to be last now.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m so sorry, young man,” she said, not turning to look at him.
“Let me help you,” Bobby said.
The old woman was really small. Bobby helped her to her feet.
“Nope…I think I’ve sprained it,” she said leaning on him.
“Do you think you can walk?”
“Let me try,” she said and stepped down on her foot and winced immediately.
“Do you want me to carry you to the road?”
“I don’t want you to strain yourself, son.”
“I think I’ll be alright,” Bobby said, hoisting her in his arms. She was incredibly light. Bobby got them both back to the road in no time.
“You’re stronger than you look, young man,” she said as he gently placed her back down again on the road. She reached in her fanny pack and pulled out a small first aid kit.
“I’m a wrestler.”
“Hmmm, that explains it.”
“Let me see if I can get your bike back.” Bobby scampered back down the hill as the old woman kicked off her sneaks and unfurled the ace wrap that was in her fanny pack.
“Thank you, son.”
Bobby rolled the woman’s bike back up to the road as she was finishing wrapping her ankle.
“Pays to come prepared.”
“I think your bike is still in working order,” Bobby said.
“It’s a solid model,” she said.
“Can I do anything else for you?”
“I think I can take it from here, Mr. Brumley.”
“How did you know my name?”
“Well you look like a Brumley,” she said, “and your shirt says so too.”
“Oh.”
“I think you should catch up to your teammates,” she said.
“Yeah.”
“I really appreciate you stopping to help,” she said. “You’re going to have a wrestling season like no other I believe.”
“Okay.”
“But a word of warning to you, Mr. Brumley,” she said suddenly and ominously. “You need to watch out for the boy with the blue hair.”
“What?”
She would only smile in return, her eyes twinkling as she did.
“Take care Mr. Brumley.”
She pedaled off as quickly as she had appeared the fog and mist of the morning swallowing her up as she sped away in the opposite direction. Bobby didn’t know quite what to make of what had just transpired. He guessed it took all kinds of loonies to make a universe. Pursing his lips in frustration, he picked up the pace in hopes that his last place finish wouldn’t be too embarrassing.