Author's Note: This story is inspired by the 100th episode-Psalm 151, in which, we met a young boy with Cystic Fibrosis, and his friend Celine. This is definantly Author Universe...but it the idea was sparked after watching the episode again. I hope you enjoy...
In Honor Of Petey
Glancing around the park, Celine smiled. She couldn't believe how lucky she was today. "It's almost as if you're watching out for this, Petey. Perfect weather, no clouds in the sky. The sun is shining bright. It's perfect," Celine mused. "It looks like it's going to be another good turn out, Petey." Her eyes scanned the gathering group of people around her. Some were stretching their arms and legs or jogging in place. In small clusters, others sat on the grass talking.
"Hey Celine!" a voice called out.
Scanning the crowd, she spotted two of her friends, Skyler and Deena jogging toward her. Waving, Celine called, "Hey Sky, Dee. What's up?"
Jogging up to her friend and trying to catch her breath, Deena stated, "Well...it's your idea to be in this run. So, Sky and I figured we would cheer you on."
"Yeah, like ya don't get enough running on track and field or on cross country teams at school," Skyler teased, as he ran his fingers through his dark black hair. "You have to sign for up this." he continued motioning to the gathering crowd.
"You guys know that I do this every year." Celine replied.
"Yeah, like clockwork." Dee teased. "but I guess we never asked, 'why?' "
"Yeah, if I remeber right, it's always been this one." Skyler remarked.
Glancing at the start/finish line, Celine watched the "Great Strides For Cystic Fibrosis" banner wave in the gentle breeze. With a wisful smile, she answered, "Well, I do it for Petey's memory."
"Who's Petey?" Skyler asked.
Figuring they would have some time before the Marathon began, Celine sat on the grass, Indian style. Her two friends followed suit. "Petey was my best friend, when I was younger. He died shortly after his 9th birthday, due complications caused by Cystic fibrosis." Celine explained.
"So, you've done this since you were nine?" Deena asked, surprised.
"No, ten. I was ten when Petey died. But, yeah, I've been doing this awhile."
"I'd say." Skyler replied, "but that's cool." Nodding, with a new understanding, Deena agreed, "Way cool."
A loud, squeal, then crackling sound interrupted their conversation."Testing...testing...does thing work?" a short, balding man asked, as he spoke into a microphone. Celine, Skyler, and Deena turned toward the stage, set in the middle of the park. They listened, as the gentleman continued,"Well, I'm Mayor Ralph Gandy and I'd like to welcome you to this year's Marathon. As you can see, we have wonderful weather today. Now, if the particapants would start gathering at the starting line, we could begin."
"Well, I guess that's my cue." Celine stated, as she rose and headed toward the starting line.
"Good luck, Celine!" Deena cheered.
"For Petey!" Skyler shouted, thrusting his fist in the air.
"For Petey!" echoed Deena.
Turning around, momentarily, Celine, also thrust her fist in the air and grinned at her friends antics. She loved them. "I think you would have liked them, Petey." she thought, as she joined the gathering crowd of runners.
Unbeknown to Celine, changes and challenges were just around the bend...