Hey you. You know who you are, even if I don’t, my secret friend. My new, secret, gym friend. Do you remember when our friendship began? Who knows, right? At first, it was all very random, very sporadic, but over the next few weeks a pattern began to take shape.

I think it was sometime in the winter, maybe February or so. In fact, I remember coming back from the gym on Valentine’s Day, and telling my wife about you. I remember it because Valentine’s Day is her birthday and I want to remember every single detail so I won’t repeat myself when I plan her surprises.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I consider myself lucky to have somebody like you out there, someone I can trust and count on, no matter what. I also like the fact that we just have an understanding on how things work, instead of creating a huge plan, and signing agreements and sorts. It’s all built on trust, that’s it.

I think our relationship got stronger when I went away for a few weeks, remember that? I was worried that you might have forgotten about me and that I would have to make new arrangements, but noooo… no, no, no, everything was just like before when I returned.

The bottle was still there, hidden behind that weird corner by the lockers closest to the showers. Just like always. It’s been there for months, and I know that you know that I use it. And I know that you know that I know that you use it. That’s the deal, right? Take the bottle, fill it up with water and use to throw water on the stove in the sauna, then return the bottle to its place, hidden from the staff.

“No water on the stove.” Ha, ha! Yeah, right. We beat the system, buddy.

You and me, my friend. Beat the system. You. And. Me.

Sometimes I look at the guys in the locker room and wonder if you’re there. Especially, if there’s somebody sitting where I always sit. That said, I hope we never go to the gym at the same time. Or, at least the sauna.

See, the bottle is mine.