You're thinking of Her.

Elena nodded her head to the sound of the music blasting from her headset. Her unruly black hair was tied up in a ponytail. She was dressed in spandex pants and a sports bra. She checked her watch for the umpteenth time as she jogged down the deserted streets.

She halted as she arrived at the park, taking a moment to catch her breath. Her friend Imani was already there.

“About time you arrived,” Imani teased. Her curly hair was pulled back away from her face with an elastic band, and her brown skin glistened with sweat.

Elena chuckled. “I am only like a minute behind.”

“A minute is enough time to beat a world record,” Imani stretched.

“Thankfully, we are not preparing for the Olympics.”

Imani laughed aloud. “I just might, you never know.”

“That wouldn’t be a surprise,” Elena wiped her face with a towel. “My mind is a little occupied, that’s all.”

Imani covered the small distance between them and cupped her face. “You think I don’t know that, love? That’s why it was important to me that you came out today. I know otherwise you would have been home alone sulking.”

Elena sighed. “Thank you so much, Imani. It means so much to me that you came today.”

Imani began to stretch. “Moving on to lighter things, how is your collection coming?”

“Great, I guess.”

Imani folded her arms across her chest. “So are you finally ready to let it out in the open…”

She squinted her eyes. “Emm…”

“Elena…you should really consider this. You’re an amazing artist. I think it is about time everyone found out and you got praise for your work.”

Elena tucked a few straying strands behind her ear. “I don’t think I am ready now. Meanwhile, you’re doing amazing things.”

Imani noticed the deviation but she decided not to dwell on it.

“Your work is going to be on display at a famous art gallery. I am so proud of you, Imani.”

“I am of you too, Elena, regardless of whether you want to show your art pieces or not.”

The walk back home alone was short but exhausting. Since she returned home a year ago, she had not gone out for a jog. Her father was overprotective of her. At first, she tried to understand why, but he never explained, and she got tired of asking. He would never let her go anywhere unsupervised, and it did not matter that she was old enough to fend for herself.

Today had been different; she felt it in her bones the moment she woke up, sadness so strong, she knew she needed to clear her head, and thankfully Imani was ready to join her.

She rang the bell of the large mansion. A couple of seconds later, the large iron gates opened up for her. The mansion was built similar to those in the Victorian era. It had been passed down four generations. Flower wedges lined the entrance. Although the exterior walls were made of stone, there were also stone statues and uniformed guards wielding swords; the interior was modern.

“Elena, my child, where have you been?” a stout lady in her late sixties asked.

“I went out for a little run…”

The lady got closer to her and wiped her with a damp towel. “I hope you did not hurt yourself…”

She shook her head.

That did not deter the old lady one bit. She continued to fuss over her. “You could get scrapes or worse get hit by…oh heavens forbid. Your father was worried sick about you.”

Elena held her hand. “You don’t have to worry about it, Aunt Camila. I promise you I am not a child anymore,” she smiled. “I can fare on my own now. I don’t need anyone watching me when I go outside…”

Camila shook her head. “Your father does not understand that…he was fur…”

“Elena.”

“Dad.”

Camila took it as her cue to leave. “I made your favorite food, my child. Come and eat once you’re done with your father,” she said with a smile.

“Father, you had no reason to be worried…”

“You were not in bed when we woke up,” he argued. “There was cause for alarm.”

Elena inhaled. “Father, I am twenty-four…”

“People of all ages get ki…” his voice faded.

An uncomfortable silence came upon them. Mr. Richardson began pacing, worry lines etched on his forehead. His fingers ran through his silver hair.

“I know why you’re worried,” she blurted out.

He did not respond.

“You’re thinking of her.”

He sighed.

“I know it because I am thinking of her too. It is worse because today is the anniversary of her death. It woke me up this morning. It is hard to believe it has been four years already.” Her voice was laced with sadness.

Richardson had his back to her. “I blame myself every day…” his lips quivered.

Elena walked up to him. “Father…” she placed her hand soothingly on his back. It was the closest her father had come to pouring out his heart to her since the incident. Their conversations over the phone were mainly him asking her of her well-being repeatedly. It was not that she did not ask about him, she did, but he had always brushed it off as unimportant. She was not allowed to come home for the holidays, but he would go to her occasionally. “It was not your fault. None of us could have prevented what happened that unfortunate night. Mot...mother…” her voice cracked.

Richardson pulled her in for a hug. His large hands wrapped around her small frame. They held each other in silence for a while.

She stared into his eyes when she pulled away from him. “Dad, you’re the psychologist, and even I know you need help.”

He dryly chuckled.

“I am serious, father. It is unhealthy carrying all this guilt inside of you…”

He nodded. “You’re right, Elena…I blame myself for what happened that night. I felt like I could have prevented it somehow. That’s why I want to protect you. I want you to be safe always…”

Her heart broke at the pain in his voice. “I would recommend the best therapist I know, but you’re the best I know. You need to unpack,” she rubbed his palms. “It means so much to me that you’re talking to me about your feelings.”

He nodded and managed a small smile.

“We will be fine. I will hold your hands and walk you through it, and you never have to worry ever ag…”

“I think I have had enough of all this gloominess.”

The both of them turned to see Camila standing at the door. She nodded. “Yes, of course, you heard me. There’s no need for us to sulk all day. I made breakfast for starters. That’s sure to lighten the mood.”

Elena smiled at her; she was not wrong. Her family had known Camila for many years now. She was family. She tended to the house for years and had nursed her as a child.

“We are right behind you,” Richardson said with a wide smile. Camila nodded and turned to leave.

Elena leaned towards her dad and whispered. “She wouldn’t by any chance let me freshen up before breakfast…”

He sucked in his teeth. “I highly doubt that. However, you might run along now and be back quickly before she notices your absence.”

She pulled him in for a hug. “I love you, father.”

“I love you too, princess…”

She half ran but was stopped in her tracks by Camila. “Aunt Camila, I love you, but it is important that I shower,” she said in a rush and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek before running off.

Richardson’s smile fell as he watched Elena’s retreating back.