Chapter 11
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It was a beautiful Sunday morning so Martin decided to take Milo for a run through Central Park. He had just reached the North Meadow when he heard someone shout his name. He stopped and turned around spotting Viv walking in his direction. She was dressed all in black and carrying a backpack.
"Hey, good morning," he said as he walked towards her with a big smile on his face.
"Morning," Viv said as she neared. She looked healthy and happy.
"What are you doing here?" He glanced around for any signs of Marcus or Reggie.
"Waiting for Sam, we do yoga in the park sometimes," she explained before asking, "Is this Milo?"
"Oh, right, you haven't met. Shake Milo," he said and the big Lab lifted up his right paw and Viv shook it.
Viv smiled and said, "He's cute."
"Sorry I'm late," Sam said as she approached from behind Martin. "Hey." She looked down and said, "Hi, are you Milo?"
Milo was wagging his tail so enthusiastically at the sight of Sam that he was literally pounding it into Martin's knees. Without being told, he sat down on his haunches and lifted up his paw.
"Oh, he's smart." She reached down and shook his paw, smiling broadly. She scratched him behind the ears and moved closer to her, practically begging her to never, ever stop.
Martin could relate to that feeling.
Viv looked at Sam and said, "We should go find a spot before it gets too crowded." Then she turned to Martin and said, "You should join us. Yoga stretches are good for runners."
"Thanks for asking but it's not really my thing," he replied shaking his head.
"Don't bother Viv, I've tried to get him to do yoga but he thinks it for 'chicks'." Sam rolled her eyes and smirked at Martin.
"I'm pretty sure I did not use the word 'chicks'," he denied, grinning directly into her face; enjoying their playful banter.
"Whatever, he thinks it's only for girls." She continued smiling right back.
"Well, it's just as well; it might be too difficult for him to do anyway," Viv said dismissively.
"Yeah, you're right," Sam agreed. She motioned to Martin and said, "Can you imagine this guy doing a Cobra or a Boat?"
"I know what you're doing and it's not going to work," he said shaking his head. He could not believe that they were trying to bait him.
"What are we doing? We're agreeing with you," Viv argued but the smirk was unmistakable. "Yoga is easier for women than men."
He lifted his hand up for them to stop with their feeble attempt at reverse psychology and said, "Nice try, but I'm not that gullible."
Later, as Martin moved into a downward dog pose he thought, I am that gullible.