stretching the mile

It really was that time of the month. Ellie cringed just thinking about it. She hated the cramps. It was coming. Maybe she was making it happen just thinking about it. She ran to the bathroom that she and her sister shared to find the supplies, but there weren't any.

"Shit." She found herself saying, when normally she did her best to be pleasant, but this was no time to be pleasant, and she was alone. Naturally, she went knocking on her sister's door.

"Do you have any Tampons?" Ellie hugged herself thinking she better take something for the pain before it got worse. Really, she just wanted to be alone. She hadn't meant to intrude on Lisa, who of course was with Geo.

"What do I look like? The drugstore!" Lisa snapped, but she dug through her top dresser drawer and brought Ellie a box.

Ellie smiled weakly, didn't dare give Geo a wave. It would be horrible to have a conversation with her sister's boyfriend, especially if her sister was there. Ellie went back to the bathroom and took a shower.

She closed her eyes under the hot water thinking she was suppose to see Kyle, but she really didn't want to. Not tonight, maybe in a few days. Or next week. But naturally, he was already waiting downstairs for her when she got out of the shower.

She knew she had to move quick. Although, she felt so slow and tired. But she showed up in her most baggy hoodie and loose sweat pants.

"We should go bike riding," he said. "Maybe get one of those free sandwiches at McDonalds. I got enough for drinks and fries."

Ellie nodded, thinking bike riding was not something she wanted to do. But somehow she'd tough it out.

"You are all right, aren't you?"

"Sure."

"Ok, then." He smiled as if this was going to be fantastic. "I pumped some air in your tires, so we're good to go."

"Thanks." She followed him outside and watched him get on his old red ten speed. Then she made an effort to straddle her purple ten speed. She gritted her teeth and watched him sail off into the wind.

He looked back about a half block away. "Are you coming!" He yelled.

"Of course." But it was a wobbly struggle as she left the driveway and followed. Finally she picked up speed, but even her legs were in pain. Luckily, the MacDonalds was close. Unfortunately, it was packed with people waiting for those free chicken sandwiches.

"You need to ride your bike more," he told her once they got in line.

"But I'm not-"

"The more you ride, the more you'll like it. And maybe we could really go places, you know. I bet you could go the distance." Then he went on about a bike trip he took with his brother across Iowa last year. "I wish we could go to South Dakota. All the way to Canada." This was his goal.

Ellie didn't want to go to Canada on a bike. She wasn't sure she even wanted to ride her bike home. What if there was an accident in her pants already and she didn't even know it?

Finally, he ordered the food. She found a table and waited.

"You know something else." He said once he sat down to eat. "Guys really go for girls they know who can kick their ass. Don't know why its like that. But its true."

"What? Now you want me to kick your ass?' She chewed at the sandwich which she was sure she was about to throw up. It wasn't that it tasted bad. She felt bad.

He laughed. Then belched.

"Yeah, right," he said. "No. No, I don't want you to kick my ass. But you probably could. Cause I'd let you."

"Well, thanks," she sighed. "I'll remember that."

"I got a job." He smiled.

"Oh yeah? Doing what?"

"Probably taking plants around in little wagons for old ladies at the garden center."

"Maybe I could do that." That was an idea.

"Its not as easy as you think, but I could try if you like. Its just afternoons." He nodded popping a fry in his mouth.

"I'd like that." Suddenly, she felt better already. No, there went a cramp. She thought a headache might be on its way.

"You're on your period, aren't you?" He was to the point.

Ellie stared back at him hard. She wanted to make a face.

"I'm sorry, its just I know." He shrugged.

"How do you know?" Maybe it was her attitude. Maybe she was bloated. She felt bloated. Tired. Even weak.

"Don't get all freaked on me," he said. "You smell different."

Ellie felt like shricking to the restroom. She just put down her sandwich and crossed her arms. Stared back at him.

"You did ask. Sorry, " He was finished with his sandwich. "Are you gonna finish that?"

She shook her head, no.

"Its not a bad smell." He went on to say. "I just know. OK. I just know."

"Then just shut up about it!" She sucked on her drink then. She so wanted to be home in bed.