“We will! Thank you, Winnie. This means so much to Charlie. This is so beautiful. So restful. Even without the excitement of the race, I think this is good for you. A lot of flying in just a few days, but still...”

“I’m glad to have this,” Winnie said. She reached for Lin Su’s hand. “I’m glad to have you and Charlie. And you, young lady, are too stubborn. I want you to fight your instinct to suffer and let yourself enjoy the occasional good fortune. Look at me, darling. Life is too short to waste.”

Lin Su knew she was right. Always bracing herself for the next blow was no way to live, no way to raise Charlie. He was such a remarkable kid. In most ways he kept her positive and not the other way around. What did that say about her attitude?

If it wasn’t too late, she might try to change that.

* * *

The race would officially begin at seven but Lin Su and Charlie were at the start site shortly after five and it was already madness. She could only tell by those people who had registered and had their race numbers assigned, wearing them, that they were participants. Had they not had passes to the VIP pavilion, she wasn’t sure they would ever figure out where to sit or stand to watch. She wasn’t sure she would ever see Blake, at least until he crossed the finish line. As for Winnie—without the passes, she didn’t know how she would keep her safe from this teeming throng.

Despite the great crowd of people, the mood seemed serious, or maybe it was hyperfocused. Triathletes stood talking with other athletes or support crew or race support staff. There was some stretching going on, people sorting through their gear, shaking hands with friends and competitors. Lin Su and Charlie had been near the race start for over an hour when an ATV drove up and Blake got out. He wore his skintight racing gear and a T-shirt.

“Look,” Charlie said.

“I see,” Lin Su said. “Don’t bother him. He might not even notice us and that’s okay.”

Blake smiled and shook hands with a few people who stood around the starting point, from which they would run into the ocean. Gretchen was also out of their ATV, which was loaded with everything from bicycle wheels to coolers. She was laughing, saying hello, handing Blake a plastic bottle of liquid.

“Remember, we don’t want to distract him,” Lin Su said. But as she watched she could see that he was something of a celebrity in this circle with people approaching, talking, laughing.

Then he began looking around casually, and when his eyes fell on them, he grinned. He seemed to sparkle all over and walked toward them. She couldn’t stop herself; she smiled with happiness that he seemed pleased they were there. He shouldn’t have been surprised; he knew they’d be there. Shouldn’t he be more indifferent? More excited about the race than his spectators?

“You made it.” He shook Charlie’s hand. “Winnie?”

“We’re going to get her a little later so she’s not worn-out. Seeing the finish means a lot to her. To all of us.”

“Will your team be in the ATV?” Charlie asked.

“Just Gretchen with road repairs and water. If this weren’t such a huge event, I’d let Charlie help with the team. But it’s a really long day and a lot of people.”

“Thousands,” Lin Su said.

“I’m going to get ready to go,” he said, twisting the cap off his drink and downing it in three swallows. “If I don’t see you again until afterward, it’s because...”

“Don’t look around, Blake,” Lin Su said, a begging sound to her voice. “Just know we’re around, but don’t look. Just concentrate on the race. We’ll share highlights tomorrow. Don’t...”

“Always telling people what to do,” he said, laughing, shaking his head.

“I meant... Oh, you know what I meant! I want to do everything to help and nothing to interfere!”

“I’m happy you’re here,” he said. “Enjoy the day.”

Gretchen was behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s get moving,” she said. Then looking at them, she smiled. It wasn’t the thrilled, excited smile she’d seen Blake wear a few seconds ago. “Hello. Good you could see this. It’s an amazing experience.” Then to Blake. “Eyes on the start now, okay? Head in the race.” And she walked away.

“And don’t you look for me,” Blake said. “See as much of this circus as you can—there are vendors and services and food everywhere. It’s a long day.” He ruffled Charlie’s black hair. “Have fun today, bud.” And then he was gone.

But just that half a minute that he noticed them, noticed her, the pleasure and gratitude on his face, it filled her with joy and ridiculous hope.

* * *

The day stretched out forever, and in that hot Hawaiian sun, Lin Su was very grateful for the VIP tent with shade and fans. It was still early when Winnie texted her that she was coming by a hotel car to the triathlon and would call Lin Su if she needed help finding her seating.

As the athletes came in from the swim, Blake was in front and Lin Su almost lost her mind with excitement.

“That’s his best event,” Charlie said. “Take it easy. The bike kills him.”

They watched in fascination as he accomplished the transition, finding his racked bike, his cycling shoes on the bike. He was in the shoes immediately, on the bike and zoom.

There were a couple of spots along the route where they could see the cyclists, but it was approximately four hours before the transition to the marathon. Lin Su and Charlie were ready, witness to another transition. Blake changed shoes, added a belt to which he could strap his water bottle and he stuffed his slim pockets with gel packs that contained carbs, electrolytes, glucose and other ingredients.

“He’s behind,” Lin Su murmured, biting her lower lip.

“He’s good,” Charlie said.

“There are at least ten runners ahead of him,” she said, sounding worried.

“Only a few, but he’s fine. He won’t let hotshots screw up his pace. He knows what he’s doing. He owns the marathon.”

After Blake disappeared from sight, they went to the VIP tent and had some lunch. It felt to Lin Su as if everyone there was part of a group, that Lin Su and Charlie were alone. She didn’t care; this wasn’t just about Charlie anymore. While they sat at one of the long tables eating salad and sandwiches, they could see parts of a live video feed of various stages of the race on a screen in the tent. When they were finished eating, Lin Su thought they should try to close their eyes for a little while, but Charlie wasn’t having it.