Brief Encounters

Monday, at the gym.

I was walking towards him as he was walking away from an exercise machine. It happened so quickly that I wasn't sure if he had seen me.

Instead of pursuing him just to say hello, I continued walking, chose a machine and began my work out session.

I was on my final machine, near the Men's Locker Room, when I noticed him standing in the doorway, waving at me about to make his way inside.

I thought it was sweet and thoughtful of him to pause and wave. I had been so deep in thought I would have otherwise missed his departure.

I mouthed, "Hi P___."

We exchanged smiles and he disappeared into the Locker Room.


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Wednesday, at the gym.

I noticed him a few machines into my workout. But by the time I was at a machine that was within speaking distance, he was already making his way towards the Locker Room.

I silently asked for assistance to be able to say, "Hello" before he made his way upstairs.

I finished my reps on the current machine and then moved to my final one. When I concluded the third set of reps, I began making my way over to the water fountain next to the Men's Locker Room.

Out of the corner of my eye, just as I was approaching the fountain, he was making his exit and I just barely missed colliding into him.

Without breaking his stride, he reached out, brushed his hand against my arm and coupled the gesture with, "Hello." I responded with, "Hello" and then after a split second, called out, "Have good day."

He looked back, said, "Thank you" and may have wished me the same.

I turned my attention to the water fountain and drank my fill.

I then gave silent thanks for the opportunity to exchange salutations before heading upstairs to begin my cardio.