{"id":11037,"date":"2026-03-05T15:24:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/?p=11037"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:24:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:24:13","slug":"woman-tires-of-admirer-who-joins-her-jog-every-morning-but-desperately-searches-for-him-when-he-doesnt-show-up-story-of-the-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/?p=11037","title":{"rendered":"Woman Tires of Admirer Who Joins Her Jog Every Morning but Desperately Searches for Him When He Doesn’t Show Up \u2014 Story of the Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rebecca coped with her depression by organizing her life so there\u2019d be no time for it. She\u2019d been doing that for years since the divorce. Until one persistent stranger decided to interfere with her strict, lonely routine. Little did Rebecca know, he\u2019d become the one person she\u2019d end up missing.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In the dim light of her bedroom, Rebecca lay on her back, her gaze locked on the digital clock beside her bed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The numbers read 6:29. She took a steady breath, waiting for the clock to change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As soon as it clicked to 6:30, the alarm went off, but Rebecca was quick to silence it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She sat up, threw the covers aside, and rose from the bed with practiced precision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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First things first\u2014Rebecca smoothed out her sheets, arranging every corner until the bed looked crisp and perfectly made.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She walked into the bathroom, where everything had its place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her toothbrush rested neatly in a holder, the soap was placed just so in a dish, and a small mirror hung over the sink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca took a moment to look at her own reflection, her expression calm but distant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She was forty-seven, with lines of experience and resilience etched onto her face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Seven years had passed since her divorce, and though the pain had dulled, it had left behind a scar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her response to the heartache had been order, discipline, and strict routine. These things brought her a sense of control, something solid to hold onto when life felt chaotic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At exactly seven o\u2019clock, Rebecca laced up her running shoes, plugged in her headphones, and stepped outside, ready for her morning jog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For years, these runs had been her escape, a time to strengthen her body while listening to audiobooks that exercised her mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It was her shield against sadness, each step a way to push forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But for the past month, something had started to disrupt her carefully designed routine\u2014a neighbor named Charlie, who seemed determined to break through her guarded solitude, one cheerful \u201cgood morning\u201d at a time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie\u2019s house was right across the street, and every morning, just as Rebecca fell into her steady pace, he would come bounding out, waving his arms like an enthusiastic kid, barely managing to keep his sneakers on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This morning was no different. Rebecca spotted him out of the corner of her eye as he hopped down his steps, shoving his shoelaces into his sneakers in a hurry to catch up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She sighed, rolling her eyes and speeding up, hoping he\u2019d get the hint this time. But, as always, Charlie wouldn\u2019t be discouraged so easily.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cRebecca! Wait, it\u2019s me!\u201d he called, his voice cheerful as he jogged over, waving with one hand and holding his side with the other.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca pretended not to hear him and kept her eyes straight ahead, her footsteps rhythmic and focused.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But Charlie was determined, and soon he was jogging alongside her, albeit slightly out of breath.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re fast… as always,\u201d he managed between pants, giving her a crooked smile as he tried to match her pace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca pulled out one of her earbuds and glanced at him, feigning surprise. \u201cOh, hi, didn\u2019t see you there,\u201d she replied, with just a hint of annoyance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She had her whole morning planned out, and chatting with her neighbor hadn\u2019t been on the agenda.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cNo problem, totally my fault for being late,\u201d Charlie said, his breath still coming in gasps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca could see he was trying hard to keep up, yet he looked pleased just to be running alongside her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She gave a small, dismissive nod and was about to put her earbud back in when Charlie chimed in again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHey, want to hear a joke?\u201d he asked eagerly, his voice carrying that unbreakable enthusiasm she found both irritating and oddly endearing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019d save more breath if you talked less while running…\u201d she muttered, but he ignored her suggestion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWhy did the scarecrow get a promotion?\u201d he asked, grinning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca sighed. She knew better than to indulge him, but she couldn\u2019t help herself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cBecause he was outstanding in his field!\u201d Charlie delivered the punchline with a broad, triumphant grin, his eyes bright with expectation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca paused, rolling the joke over in her mind, and against her better judgment, a chuckle escaped her lips.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She quickly tried to stifle it, but it was too late. Charlie had seen her reaction, and his face lit up with delight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSee? You smiled! I\u2019m getting better at this,\u201d he noted with satisfaction, practically glowing at his small victory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca shook her head, but her smile lingered, however brief.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll give it to you, that one wasn\u2019t\u2026 too bad,\u201d she conceded, still pretending to be unimpressed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie threw a fist in the air, grinning as if he\u2019d won a prize.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cFinally! Progress!\u201d he cheered, laughing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca picked up her pace again, leaving Charlie struggling to keep up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Each morning, Rebecca found herself looking forward to the sight of Charlie bounding out of his house with his untied sneakers and his cheerful grin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His silly jokes that once made her roll her eyes had grown on her, and she found herself smiling more often, even laughing aloud, which was something she hadn\u2019t done in a long time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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More surprising to her, she had started to slow her pace\u2014just a bit\u2014so they could talk longer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie\u2019s enthusiasm and light-heartedness had a way of softening the strict walls Rebecca had built around herself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He had even managed to slip past her strict routine, something she thought no one could do.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As she laced up her shoes and looked out the window, Rebecca found herself glancing at his house, as she had started doing most mornings. Today, though, something felt different.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The door to his house was shut tight, and there was no sign of him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She checked her watch and waited, telling herself not to worry. But after a few more minutes passed, doubt crept in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This wasn\u2019t like Charlie\u2014he was always so excited to join her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She hesitated, feeling a strange mix of concern and disappointment, but finally, she walked over to his house and knocked on the door.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She tapped her foot as she waited, glancing around and hoping he\u2019d just forgotten to wake up. But there was no answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She rang the doorbell again, then leaned close to the window, peeking inside, but the rooms were still and quiet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCharlie! Are you there?\u201d she called, trying to keep her voice steady. \u201cCome on, you\u2019re missing our jog!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She hoped he\u2019d suddenly appear, laughing and apologizing for being late. But all she heard was silence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Just then, an elderly voice spoke from nearby.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWho\u2019s shouting out here?\u201d Startled, Rebecca turned to see Mrs. Lewis, an elderly woman who lived next door to Charlie, watching her with curiosity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh, Mrs. Lewis,\u201d Rebecca said, feeling embarrassed for the outburst.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI usually run with Charlie, but he didn\u2019t show up today. Maybe he overslept,\u201d she added, her voice quieter, almost as if she were speaking to herself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She felt a pang of worry, wondering if maybe he simply didn\u2019t want to run with her anymore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mrs. Lewis shook her head, looking concerned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOverslept? Oh no, dear. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance last night.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca\u2019s heart skipped a beat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe hospital? What happened to him?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mrs. Lewis sighed, clearly upset herself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m not sure. I only saw the ambulance pull up and take him away. It\u2019s such a shame. Poor man lives alone with no one to watch over him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca stood there, processing the news, a wave of guilt and worry washing over her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She had only known Charlie for a short while, but in that time, he had somehow become a part of her life, someone she looked forward to seeing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Without a second thought, Rebecca thanked Mrs. Lewis, turned around, and headed back home to grab her purse and keys. There was only one hospital nearby, and she needed to find him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca felt her heart racing as she walked through the bustling halls of the hospital, the antiseptic smell filling her nose and making her even more anxious. She took a steadying breath as she approached the reception desk, hoping to sound calm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cGood morning,\u201d she said, her voice just a bit shaky. \u201cI\u2019m looking for a patient who was admitted last night. His name is Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The receptionist raised an eyebrow, looking over her glasses. \u201cDo you have a last name, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca felt herself blush. \u201cNo, sorry\u2026 I only know him as Charlie. We just\u2026 met recently,\u201d she admitted, realizing how strange it must sound.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The receptionist gave her a slightly skeptical look. \u201cYou do know that only family or close relatives are typically allowed to visit patients, right?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2026 I\u2019m his girlfriend,\u201d she blurted, surprising even herself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The receptionist\u2019s eyes softened as a small smile crept onto her face. \u201cGirlfriend, huh?\u201d She tapped a few keys on her computer, a slight twinkle in her eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou might as well learn his last name, then. You\u2019ll need it if he\u2019s going to be around,\u201d she said with a wink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCharlie Sanders. Room 113. I\u2019ll take you there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca felt her heart flip as she whispered a quick \u201cthank you\u201d and followed the receptionist down the hall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Before they even reached the room, she could hear Charlie\u2019s familiar laughter, his voice carrying through the doorway as he shared a joke with someone in the room.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The receptionist rapped gently on the wall to announce Rebecca\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCharlie, there\u2019s a lady here to see you\u2026 she says she\u2019s your girlfriend,\u201d she added, a hint of playfulness in her voice as she glanced at Rebecca.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie\u2019s eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. \u201cYes, yes! Rebecca, come on in. Of course, she\u2019s here for me,\u201d he said with a grin, gesturing for her to come closer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca felt a rush of relief as she walked over to sit beside him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie looked tired but cheerful, as if the hospital gown and the IV were just minor inconveniences in his day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She glanced at him, both relieved and exasperated. \u201cGirlfriend, huh?\u201d Charlie teased, raising his eyebrows playfully.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca gave him a mock-scowl. \u201cI had to say something to get in here, didn\u2019t I? And you missed our jog this morning! What happened?\u201d she asked, a touch of concern creeping into her voice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie sighed, shifting slightly in the bed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWell\u2026 it\u2019s a bit embarrassing to admit, but those jogs? Not exactly great for my health.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca\u2019s face fell. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He glanced down, looking a little sheepish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI have a heart condition. Doctor\u2019s orders are to avoid anything too intense\u2026 like trying to keep up with you,\u201d he admitted with a wry smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her heart sank, and she shook her head in disbelief.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCharlie, why didn\u2019t you tell me? You shouldn\u2019t have been running at all!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie gave a small, lopsided smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWell\u2026 if I didn\u2019t, I wouldn\u2019t have seen you. I wouldn\u2019t have gotten to know you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca felt her face soften, a mix of surprise and affection warming her heart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSo you were willing to risk your health just to talk to me?\u201d she asked quietly, looking him in the eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He nodded, his expression turning serious.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYes,\u201d he said simply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve watched you every morning, jogging at the same time, like clockwork. I\u2019ve seen you give things to charity, help the neighbors. You\u2019re\u2026 you\u2019re someone special, Rebecca.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca felt a lump form in her throat, his words striking her in a way she hadn\u2019t expected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCharlie,\u201d she said, her voice soft, \u201cyou don\u2019t need to run to spend time with me. How about dinner at my place instead?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie\u2019s face broke into a warm smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cNow that sounds a lot safer for my heart,\u201d he replied, his eyes shining. \u201cI think the doctor would definitely approve.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rebecca chuckled, feeling the tension in her chest ease as they shared a smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI hope so,\u201d she murmured, looking forward to an evening that didn\u2019t involve heart-stopping runs but instead a quiet meal with someone who, in a short time, had become surprisingly important to her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rebecca coped with her depression by organizing her life so there\u2019d be no time for it. She\u2019d been doing that for years since the divorce. Until one persistent stranger decided … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11038,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,22,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","category-inspiration","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11037"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11039,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11037\/revisions\/11039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readinstory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}