Rebecca kept her depression at bay by sticking to a strict routine since her divorce, until a persistent neighbor, Charlie, disrupted it. Unbeknownst to her, he’d become the one person she’d end up missing.
Every morning, Rebecca followed her meticulous routine: bed-making, brushing her teeth, and an early jog. For years, these rituals shielded her from sadness. But Charlie, with his relentless cheer, started to break through her solitude. Each morning, he’d jog alongside her, cracking silly jokes that gradually wore down her defenses.
One day, Charlie didn’t show up. Worried, Rebecca learned from a neighbor that he’d been hospitalized. Panicked, she rushed to the hospital, where she found Charlie in good spirits despite his heart condition. He’d been running to be close to her.
Touched by his vulnerability, Rebecca invited him to dinner, offering a safer way for them to spend time together—no more heart-stopping runs, just quiet moments shared.