Wasn’t a friendship between Jerry and Tanya what I’d wanted? There was no real evidence that they had any kind of attraction to each other beyond their connection through me. Maybe the problem was squarely inside my head—uncertainty about where I stood with my sister, how I felt about her in return, and our lack of contact over the years, combined with the newness of my relationship with Jerry.
I slowed to an easy jog, more aware of my surroundings now. I relished the beautiful homes I was running past, feeling better about my life overall and the amazing place where I lived. The dream of owning my store had been fully realized, and my relationship with a guy who seemed perfect for me was getting better all the time.
As I continued jogging, I realized my shoe was slightly loose. I glanced at my left foot and saw that the laces were ready to come untied. I stopped and squatted, pulling the laces, then tying them with a hard yank. As I stood, I turned slightly, then froze.
That man was behind me, standing on the corner of the street I’d just crossed, waiting for me to start up again. The decorative yard lights from the house beside where he stood gave me a better view than before. He wore a navy blue ball cap without a logo, a black all-weather jacket, jeans, and dark shoes. His hair was short because I couldn’t tell the color with the cap, which was pulled low to completely cover his eyes and most of his nose. All I saw were lips set in a straight, determined line.
I gasped and glanced around me. Surely there would be others out walking or running. It was a little past nine o’clock. People were awake, houses were lit, some might be looking out their windows at that very minute. But there was no one. The man and I were alone on the street. In the time I’d been standing there, not a single car had passed by.
I yanked out my earphones and shoved them into my pocket. I turned and began running, my mind racing to decide which turns to take that would lead me back to busier streets.
My heart pounded like a fist against my chest, making it hard to breathe. It wasn’t the exertion of my full-speed run, it was that man who was now walking behind me, moving so quickly he was almost jogging himself.
What did he want? I tried to run faster, but I was already giving it every ounce of strength I had. My heart was beating harder now, making me feel like it was about to explode. Sweat covered my face and the back of my neck, and I was gasping for air, more from panic than exertion.
I couldn’t keep up this pace. I had no idea what I should do. Run up to one of the houses? I started to cry. It was a ridiculous thought in the midst of being followed—but what if I made a fool of myself? Maybe once again, he was just out for a stroll? Was it really the same man? I couldn’t even remember if that other guy had been wearing a hat. If I ran up to a house, pounding on the door, crying, and it turned out he wasn’t even paying attention to me, how would that affect Fresh Barons? Would word get out that the owner was unbalanced?
I slowed my pace. Maybe my gut was telling me it wasn’t that bad. If I were really afraid for my life, I wouldn’t be thinking about the PR image of my business!
Still, I kept running, heading now toward the store, as if I were a homing pigeon, and that was my natural destination. Except I wanted to go home. I wanted to be safe inside my house. What good would hiding out at the store do? I would have to leave again at some point.
I turned the corner and looped around, headed toward my house, calmer now. I was a few blocks from home, but he was still back there. I checked every time I rounded a corner, but he’d dropped back and was doing a slow jog. He looked very out of place because his clothes weren’t made for running.
Finally, I turned the corner onto Jealousy Junction. I put out a burst of speed. I raced to my house and up the front path. I unlocked the door, my hand shaking and my heart still ricocheting, but feeling uncertain whether I was losing my grip or this man was truly stalking me. I realized that he wasn’t planning to attack me, or he would have; there was something else he wanted. Part of me thought I should confront him if I saw him again, but I didn’t want there to be a next time.
I set the alarm and tugged off my running shoes, dropping them on the floor of the closet in the hallway. I walked slowly up the stairs. The house was silent.
Suddenly, Jerry and Tanya both appeared in the hallway. “Where were you?” Jerry asked.
“I went for a run.”
“Without telling us? We were worried about you,” Tanya said.
I shrugged. I pulled off my sweatshirt and started to walk around them, trying to decide whether I wanted to tell them about the man. If they dismissed it, I would feel worse than I had when I left the house.
“I texted you,” Jerry said.
“I didn’t notice.”
He kissed my cheek.
I tried to duck away from him. “I’m sweaty.”
“No worries.” He grinned. “You seem amped up. Are you okay?” He put his hand on my waist.
“Mostly. I saw that guy again. He was following me.”
Jerry moved his arm, draping it over
