"Even though running

       is physically straining,

             it's mentally refreshing..."

– Biz Stone

  ABBIE

"Knock knock? Livi?" I pause momentarily, waiting for an answer before inserting the spare key Livi had given me for safe keeping with a twist. Pushing open the door with my knee as I carry a large box of donuts.

"I know you said come in when I arrive, just wanted to make sure you and Sean were decent! I don't want a do over of last time!" I shout from the foyer.

"Of course, I'm in the kitchen."

When I turn the corner, Liv is bent down tying the laces of her running shoes. "Sorry I'm a little behind, I'm almost ready." She gestures as she stands to pull her short pony through the hole near the strap of her navy ballcap.

"Where are your shoes and compression gear?" instant confusion covers her face as she collects her thoughts before continuing.

One thing I've learned is never answer the first question Liv asks, there is always more to follow. If you do however, make the mistake of answering too early? Just prepare yourself for an impromptu interrogation.

"What's in the box?" She quickly points before shifting her gaze along with her finger at me, "You said you missed our morning runs Abs. Anddd I for one am ready to sweat out some anger."

"What are you mad about this time?" mimicking her pointed finger, I tease. "Never mind, the box... is carbs, for a celebration!"

"Donuts?" She pops open the lid, plucking a glazed hole from inside, tossing half into her mouth. "You know I can't eat these!" She protests with a moan of satisfaction, grabbing a full donut this time, peeling it a part.

"You better be pregnant for me to literally put my ass on the line like this!" Another cry of delight pours from her mouth before she stops mid-chew.

"Wait, holy shit! Abs? For real?"

I try to hold off as long as I can before answering, just to make her squirm.

"No, no. Not that I'm aware of anyway." I finally respond with a chuckle.

"This on the other hand.... happened last night!" I scream, tossing the backside of my hand in the air to reveal a gorgeous princess cut engagement ring. Shimmering with smaller round accent diamonds below the raised center, an elegant band detailed of 14k white gold perfectly twisted from the center of the princess cut, ending midway for a smooth finish.

"Shut up! Let me see!" snatching my hand, she brings the square as close as she can inspecting every detail.

"Ouuu, It's so shiny. You even have your own unique Carbon pocket in the middle! See, look!"

"Is that good?"

"Oh sure, natural diamonds almost always have flaws and are almost never perfect. That little pocket is likely materials that's became trapped by the diamond as it was growing."

"That's pretty neat. How the hell do you know all this?"

"Marilyn Monroe! Her song Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend? Come on Abs, It's iconic."

"Really? It's in the lyrics?"

"No silly, I'm teasing. But I did read it somewhere. The internet, I'm sure." Snatching my hand. She produces a high-pitched squeal once again admiring my ring.

"What are all the screams about?" Sean questions with a yawn, entering the room still in his pjs.

"Wyatt, proposed!"

"Well, it's about damn time! Congratulations! We should go out to dinner sometime this week to celebrate. We could get a small group together; we could invite Josie and Mr. Scott."

"That's a great idea Sean, Thanks. Wyatt's at PT right now, but I'll give him a heads up and let him know about future dinner plans."

Liv quickly chimes in, her voice a bit nervous. That's odd for her. "Orrr we could say in. Feed the couple of honor? Like a potluck?"

"Uh, sure, even better. Nothing like celebrating at the comfort of home."

An awkward silence fills the room before Livi finally clears her throat. "So, Abs. We still on for that run?"

Shaking my head, I excuse myself, lifting my small duffel from the barstool and head to the small guest restroom on the ground floor.

The swoosh of the breeze in my hair gives me a form of freedom, I only experience when running. A peace of mind as time slows with each stride. With a beaming smile I turn my head to challenge Liv to a race, be realize her chirp, fitness junkie attitude isn't there.

"Hey. What's the deal?" Stopping in the middle of the path, I pull her arm inviting her to look at me. "You shutdown at the house earlier and you aren't yelling at me to keep up. Is it Sean? Is, is he mistreating you? Because you can move back in with me and - "

"What?" She interrupts the tail end on my sentence, "No! It's nothing like that. Let's just run...please"

For Alivia to plea with me was out of the box. What the hell could she be so secretive about? The girl was normally an open book, straight forward, confident in everything she did or said. She needed this run.

So, we ran. Ran until sweat soaked our tops, ran until my legs were ready to give, ran until my throat felt dry, ran until she was ready to stop.

Liv and Sean found a cute house far from the city limits, a 5-acre lot with a dead-end gravel drive, full of 4-wheeling trails that Liv used as a running track. The owner's before must of loved watching birds and other wildlife, down each long and hilly trail that intersected and looped back with one another had elegant iron benches placed near shady evergreen trees, small faded wooden bird houses and solar lights hung from several limbs like ornaments and random stone bird baths always seemed to be nearby. The place was dream.

An hour had gone by since we had spoken, until Liv finally stopped. I was more than ready to talk, to ask what was wrong. But knowing her she needed this control, to be the one to start the conversation.

My legs felt like noodles walking up the steps of the small, weathered drop deck that connected to the back porch. The house was older, green flaky painted shutters hung on rusted hinges, the siding an aged cedar tongue and groove, dull and grey from the years of harsh weather.

"He's out you know." Handing me a bottle of water as she finally spoke.

"Alright, I'll bite, who?"

"Jason."

His name echoes in my ear as time stands still. Her voice no longer audible, just a faint buzz lost in my thoughts of worry. I need to get to Wyatt. Fear tugs at my heartstrings, I can feel my skin turning red as nerves run wild. I move joining her on the porch swing.

"When?"

"His court hearing was a few days ago, the District Attorney's office decided to lower the charges to a Class 3 misdemeanor."

"Why, didn't you tel-."

"I needed to face him on my own. I understand you and Wyatt have your history with him." Her sentence breaks, as she tries to control her quivering lip. "Bu-, But I was the one beaten and left for dead that night!"

I hold back my tears, as I watch her shoulders shake. I've never seen her like this, vulnerable and guarded. Liv needed me to be strong for her like she has always been for me. Reaching my arm around her, I pull her close, resting her head against my neck.

"Shhh, shhh" I say as I pat her back, soothing her as best I can as the hanging bench sways. "I've got you honey."

After a brief moment, she pulls from my arms, wiping her pink nose and puffy cheeks with the back of her hand before sitting up. Shifting to lean into the swing's backrest, she pulls her knees to her chest before she continues.

"Anyways, at his hearing the District Attorney's office decided to lower his charges. Some shit about the crime couldn't be classified as attempted murder. Like hell it can't!"

She huffs, her eyes full of rage, turning away once again to wipe her cheeks as she peers into the Woodline surrounding the property to calm down.

"So, they lowered it to battery charges. You know what the serving penalty is in the great state of fucking Colorado for a class three misdemeanor like that? Six measly fucking months. It's total bullshit. He deserves to rot in there. But the best punishment he'll probably ever get is when Wyatt beat his ass at the Station."

"What about parole?"

"He got it, but that doesn't matter to him. Parole to Jason is like a straining order in a domestic abuse case, just empty promises signed and dated on cheap paper. A way for the law to simply cover their own asses. Besides, the man isn't normal. Hell, look how he forced you and Wyatt to live, without phones or TV. He tucked you away in a rundown hunting cabin like some Little House on the Prairie bullshit. And the stories of Wyatt's abuse. I don't know Abbie, it's like once his wife passed a switch must have flipped."