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fall off, they’ll work just fine.”
    “Bye, Grace.”
    “See ya, Elena.”
    Three new treadmill machines were positioned perfectly to the right of the free-weight area. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Max.
    I groaned inwardly. The gym felt so empty without him, no matter how many people buzzed around. And my raspberry scone would have to stay wrapped in the refrigerator one more day. That was the deal.
    Stupid deal.
    Disappointed, I stepped on the new treadmill near the corner. Its display was still shiny and unscratched; no one had had the chance yet to deposit a wad of gum or an empty water bottle in any of the side holders. It was like stepping into a new car. Even the rubber belt smelled freshly oiled and new.
    “Wonderful,” I muttered as I pressed the START key and began a slow warm-up to three miles per hour. I kept the incline level and held on to the side bars for additional support, just until I got comfortable with the new machine.
    After the control panel counted down the five warm-up minutes, I released my hands and increased the speed a half notch, but not so fast that I couldn’t stay on the lookout for Max without losing my balance. At three and one-half miles per hour, the back of my neck began to feel warm and sticky underneath my ponytail. As usual, half my ponytail stayed pinned back, the other half clawed around my face.
    Breathing became harder but I kept on walking. Feeling brave, I increased the speed a few more notches, watching the red computer bars on the display flash higher. The new machine even displayed an encouraging thumbs-up cartoony graphic.
    I smiled down at the cheery hand. This was the fastest I’d walked since my last fall.
    Then I decided that since I was walking so fast, I might as well jog. Why not? I could manage it. In my periphery, I watched Alexandra waltz through the front door and sway her perfect hips toward the weight room like one of those perfect models on Deal or No Deal but without the million-dollar case. Then I remembered the leg jiggle beneath my hand. And that provided all the motivation I needed. If I was ever going to have a body like Alexandra’s, I was going to have to work harder. Way harder.
    Pushing the hair from my eyes, I cranked up the speed to four and one-half miles per hour, the fastest I’d ever walked—or run. Walking became impossible, so I started to jog. My running shoes thumped against the rubber tread. I was definitely jogging.
    This isn’t so bad. I can do this…
    Encouraged, I notched up the speed to just under five miles per hour. My legs moved faster. I even felt a slight tingle in my calves. With arms close to my sides, I concentrated on my breathing. Then I did the unthinkable: I reached down to the display panel and pressed the ARROW key until the speed reached an even six miles per hour.
    Six miles per hour!
    I marveled at how well I was doing.
    I can do this! And it’s not so bad. I’m finally doing it!
    The balls of my feet banged against the rubber tread with so much force that I couldn’t hear the pulsating rap music blaring through the speaker above my head. The only thing I heard was my own steady breathing, in perfect unison with my footsteps.
    In and out. In and out.
    Then I reached down and put my forefinger on the up ARROW one last time. Just one more notch , I promised myself. Then I’ll slow down. I just wanted to see if I could do it…
    Sweat trickled down the sides of my forehead and my hair stuck all around my face like scotch tape.
    With my right finger, I pressed the ARROW key one last time, wanting to see that cheery graphic again, the one giving me the thumbs-up sign. My heart felt as if it could pump its way out of my chest. Oddly, I’d never breathed more evenly, run faster, or felt better. My body felt light as sponge cake. I felt like I could run all day, even fly.
    That was exactly when everything faded to black.

Chapter Six
Callie
    You know that sound check promo they play in the big movie