Run For It Read Free Page B

I’ll probably check with you now and then
     to see how it’s going.”
    “See you, Gee,” Paul said.
    Theo waved as the car moved away. He’d be back tomorrow, and he’d do the same routine.
    Except maybe just a little better.

4
    T he following day was Sunday, and Theo worked out by himself, using Mr. Baskin’s charts to help him remember the stretches.
     As he started out, he felt a little nervous, but soon relaxed and just got into the rhythm of moving. Without Mr. Baskin along,
     Theo wasn’t sure how fast he was going. But he thought he might be walking a little faster than the previous day.
    He wondered if it would be a good idea to do his walking and running on the school track at least once a week, so that he’d
     know how far he was going and at what speed. That way, he’d know how much progress he was making.
    The first ten minutes went by surprisingly fast, and Theo began to run. One of the pointers Mr. Baskin had given him yesterday
     concerned breathing. Heshould keep his breathing steady and rhythmical. He focused on that. When he had to slow down to a walk, Theo was pleasantly
     surprised. He had run for almost three minutes! That was better than he had done the day before. He resolved to try not to
     walk more than one more time during the middle ten minutes today.
    And he did it! Determined not to walk, Theo did have to slow down during his last run, looking at his watch every few seconds
     to see when the ten minutes was over. He forgot about keeping his breathing even and steady and was happy to keep breathing
     at all. When the second hand of the watch finally showed that he could stop, he was panting and sweating heavily.
    But during the whole ten minutes, Theo had only walked for two. In other words, he had run for eight minutes. No doubt about
     it, he’d made progress!
    As he walked the last ten minutes, Theo realized he must have had a big grin on his face, because people coming his way grinned
     back. But he felt good. Maybe he’d reach his goal, after all. It began to seem possible to him.
    He finished the last walk and did his stretches,feeling really great. Theo wasn’t sure whether he felt great because he’d done better today or because running did that for
     you, like the Baskins said. But it didn’t really matter. It was nice to feel so good, whatever the reason.
    When he arrived at home, his father saw him come in. “How did it go?” he asked.
    “Okay,” Theo replied. “Actually, it was really good. I did better than yesterday.”
    “That’s great news,” said Mr. Gordimer. “Want to tell Aunt Marj? We’re going to see her, and you’re welcome to join us.”
    “Sure,” Theo said. “I’ll get cleaned up.”
    Mr. Gordimer said, “Marj just finished her last chemotherapy session, so this is sort of a congratulations visit. I don’t
     think we’ll stay for long — she’s never up for long visits just after finishing one of those. But she’ll be happy to hear
     your news.”
    “I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” Theo said as he ran up to his room.
    When the Gordimers arrived at Marj’s place, Marj’s aide, Louise, let them in. Louise had been staying with Marj during her
     recovery. She was a young woman who seemed to be cheerful all the time,which, Theo figured, was a good quality to have for someone who did that kind of work. He knew that Marj had a high opinion
     of Louise, whose services had been vital for the last several months.
    “How is she doing?” asked Theo’s mother as Louise closed the front door.
    Louise’s usual sunny look turned a little less bright. “Well, you know how it is. Right after she gets back from the therapy,
     she’s not real strong. But that’ll pass. And she’s looking forward to seeing you. Just let’s keep it pretty short today, all
     right?”
    Theo, who thought he was prepared to see his aunt looking not very well, was nevertheless shocked when they went into Marj’s
     room. She was lying in bed, propped up on a