“I should go.” Jed arose, pushing the book closer to Abbey.She was surprised, disappointed, yet amused. “Never meet your heroes. They never live... up to your expectations.”“Heroine,” he replied.“No, thanks. I had some Coke earlier.”“Not the drug, I meant--”“I know what you meant.” Abbey coiled her cropped hair into a low, tight bun. She swiveled her wooden chair away from Jed, reopened her notebook, and began writing. “See you around, fellow countryman.”He stuck his hands in his pockets and. We both sat down, and I put in my earbuds and cranked the music on my phone.I always put together a unique playlist for once I’m on the course, usually with a collection of up-tempo, hard-driving songs, but I always listen to the same playlist before the race. It is decidedly much more mellow, and relaxes me as I stretch myself out and do a few visualization techniques that I learned in counseling over the years.It starts with a hymn I grew up with that is based on Psalm 95. Every time I listen. While Kumiko was answering the questions the man was concentrating veryhard and Kumiko felt something in her head, which made her even moreantsy. Finally she couldn't stand it anymore. "Are you some kind oftelepath, and are you picking my brain?" she asked boldly.The man smiled, "Yes Kumiko. You are quite perceptive. I was lookinginto your subconscious. I have found out a little about you. You're somekind of low power bio-elemental with some shape shifting capabilities,though I think it will be. Sarah was staring at it as well and was nodding with agreement with each of Kim’s soft suggestions. After a few moments I explained that the menu at the diner just was not peaking my interest. I had a craving but could not think of what I wanted. Yet, I was so hungry. Kim agreed with my lack of interest in the diner’s cuisine and invited me back to her place. I put a five on the table and followed Kim out to her truck.Sarah pushed me into the middle and we headed out of town a few miles.