Grace walks away from the marathon lane, the hum of cheering runners fading behind her. A quiet ache settles in her chest, a soft, hollow sadness that makes her steps feel heavier than usual. She exhales slowly, letting the cool air brush against her face.
"I'm okay right now," she whispers, a fragile smile lingering in the space around her, as if the trees themselves might hear. "I'm just not sure if I should chase every memory I've lost."
She walks alone through the park, the path dappled with shadows from the late afternoon sun. Even though no one is beside her, she's answering the question Karen and Eugene asked earlier. For the first time, she speaks her truth aloud, letting it float in the open air.
Her voice softens, carrying a mix of hesitation and longing.
"It's not that I remember much… but I feel like there was just a—" She stops mid-step, swallowing the memory that clings like a shadow. "I feel like there was a very hurtful memory. So I hesitate… to dig deeper right now, even though I want my memories back so badly."
A small, awkward laugh escapes her lips, a sound swallowed by the rustling leaves.
"Julian!!!" Eugene shouts.
"Wow, Julian!!!" Karen also exclaims.
They both wave their arms high, voices ringing across the near-empty finish line. Julian is sprinting toward them, his pace steady, his smile radiating confidence. The crowd has mostly passed, leaving the path wide and quiet, but he moves as if the world is cheering only for him.
He crosses the line, slowing to a proud, controlled stop. He inhales deeply, chest rising and falling with calm triumph, a confident smile tugging at his lips.
"Thank you, all," he says, eyes meeting theirs, gratitude shining in his gaze.
Julian pulls the sweat-damp headband from his forehead, letting it fall to his side, and strides toward them. Eugene and Karen close the gap, their smiles open and welcoming, mirroring his energy.
"This is amazing! You came in with such an incredible time," Karen says, her eyes bright with admiration.
Eugene pats Julian's shoulders, pride evident in every gesture.
"You did so well, Julian. I can't believe how steady you stayed the whole way. No wonder you run all the time."
Julian's lips curl into a warm, quiet smile, and he looks at them both, feeling the connection that only moments like this can bring—a mix of relief, triumph, and the joy of being understood.
"Thank you two for waiting. Let's hurry and go have dinner—the dinner's on me," Julian says, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
Should I tell Julian that I met Grace just now? Eugene pauses, the words catching in his mind. No… not yet. Maybe later.
For now, Eugene lets the thought linger silently, tucked away beneath the warmth and chatter at the table.
The three of them start walking toward the parking lot, their footsteps crunching lightly on the pavement. A cold winter wind sweeps around them, swirling through scarves and jackets, ruffling hair and carrying the faint scent of frost and distant city lights. They huddle slightly closer to ward off the chill, laughter and easy chatter weaving through the crisp evening air.
In the cozy, not-so-crowded barbecue place, the three sit around a round table, the grill sizzling in the center. Wisps of smoke curl into the air, carrying the rich, savory aroma of meat that browns and crackles before their eyes. They pick at the pieces, passing tongs back and forth, laughter and casual chatter filling the space around them.
"I'm just learning so much more now that I'm living these married days with Eugene," Karen says, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "I never realized he was so picky about cleaning the floors."
Julian chuckles, shaking his head in amusement, and Eugene protests with a burst of laughter.
"I'm not the picky one! Karen, you don't care that much about the floor," Eugene says, half joking, his eyes sparkling with humor. He turns to Julian, as if seeking an ally. "Julian, hear me out. Whenever I come out from the—"
Julian listens, a grin spreading across his face as he takes in their playful banter. Their conversation flows freely, a seamless mix of teasing, shared stories, and laughter, the warmth of the grill and the restaurant wrapping around them like a cozy bubble.
Their chatter continues in this rhythm, casual and easy, each laugh and comment blending into the comfortable hum of the evening.
As their plates near empty, Karen suddenly sits up a little straighter, her eyes flicking toward Eugene.
"Oh, right, Eugene, we didn't tell Julian about Grace yet," she says.
Julian's eyes falter the instant he hears the name.
Grace…?
Images of her flash briefly in his mind—her smile, the way she looked that day—but he's been trying to push those thoughts aside while enjoying this time with his friends. Now, just hearing her name makes his curiosity surge, unbidden.
"Oh, Grace…" Eugene murmurs, glancing at Julian, reading the flicker of emotion across his face.
Julian meets Eugene's eyes, sensing immediately that Eugene already knows how he feels about Grace. He recalls everything Eugene has told him about her in the past.
Eugene shifts, a slightly awkward smile tugging at his lips.
"We met this girl, Grace, at the park while we were waiting for you." His words come carefully, almost hesitant, as if measuring the impact on Julian. "And… um… you know, she came by as my customer. We were just talking, and we found out she knows you. When we told her we were waiting for Julian Lenter—our friend running in the marathon—she mentioned that you're her professor."
Julian nods slowly, reading Eugene's careful act. Eugene pretends not to know much about Grace, though Julian remembers all the stories Eugene has told him—he knows Eugene is playing along because Karen thinks otherwise.
"I see," Julian says in a composed voice. "Grace Silver, I guess. She was my student last term."
Karen beams at him, warmth in her eyes.
"You remember all your students' names? How sweet," she says.
"Of course. I'm a professor," Julian replies with a small smile. "I always try to remember everyone's names." He shifts slightly, glances at the door, and stands up hesitantly. "Let me just step out and make a quick call. Sorry."
"Of course, go ahead," Karen says, motioning him toward the door.
Julian gives them both a warm smile and walks out into the cold evening air. The crisp wind brushes against his face, tugging lightly at his hair and coat, carrying the faint scent of the city beyond.
Eugene watches him go, the evening chill brushing against his own face, then rises from his chair. "Karen, just give me a sec," he says.
"Okay," Karen replies, a teasing smile on her lips. "Maybe like a men's talk," she says with a small laugh.
Eugene steps outside and falls into step beside Julian. The wind bites at their cheeks, carrying the quiet murmur of the street around them.
"Hey, June," Eugene says softly, his voice low and private.
With Karen out of earshot, Eugene calls him by the name Julian once had in the society where they first met—a name only the two of them share, a whisper of the past connecting them in the cold evening air.
"Hey," Julian says, glancing to the side, a faint smile brushing his lips.
"Why are you out here in this cold if you're not calling anyone?" Eugene asks, a teasing lilt in his voice, though he already knows the answer.
Julian ducks his head slightly, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I just wanted some fresh air," he says, letting the words hang lightly between them.
Eugene studies him, a small, almost apologetic smile forming. The wind brushes past, tugging at their coats and tousling their hair, adding weight to the quiet space between them.
"Well… about Grace…" Eugene starts, his voice faltering as he searches for the right words.
Julian meets his gaze, a soft, knowing smile on his face.
"I know," he says calmly. "I already saw her when I was waiting for the start gun to fire for the marathon."
The words linger, carried lightly on the cold evening air, a quiet understanding passing between them as the city hums softly around them.
"So you already saw her, I see…" Eugene says, his voice soft but steady. "Since Karen doesn't know about you and Grace, and how you've already told me about her, I just pretended I first met her at the photo studio as a client."
Julian's lips curl into a small, understanding smile.
"I get it," he says calmly. "I knew that, so I went along with it. Thanks."
Eugene's shoulders relax slightly, and a warm smile spreads across his face. The cold evening wind brushes past them, but the warmth of their shared understanding seems to buffer it, holding the chill at bay.
"So," Eugene exhales, a slight pause hanging between his words, "you were right. She clearly doesn't seem to remember you at all."