What Friends Are For
"Looking good, Ben! Let's break for a minute."
Joyous to give his legs a rest, Clawhauser immediately half-collapsed against the nearest park bench. He focused on breathing, heaving for air, shameless regarding other morning joggers. At a tapping on his hip he remembered other necessities, mumbling a breathless thanks to Judy as he took out and half-emptied his water bottle.
For a while the pair stayed there, mammal-watching, Clawhauser now pacing out his sips. Judy stayed peaceably quiet, embarrassing in her patience. Clawhauser hated using so much of it. But then... it had been the reason he'd gone to her for help starting an exercise habit.
"Thanks again for all this, Judes."
She shrugged, slid her bottle back into its holster. "It's what friends are for. Good for another lap?"
To anyone else, Clawhauser would've said no. But this was Judy. Pushing yourself around her was as easy as breathing.