Disclaimer: See chapter 1
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"Linda," Reid called out after hearing her cry of pain. He'd reached Jimmy just ahead of his older brother and handed the wayward child off to the teen and hurried back to Linda. She was on the sidewalk on her left side. The children's parents were bent over her asking if she was alright.
"I think I'm okay," she said, "a little stunned there for a moment."
"Let me help you up," Reid said as he gently pulled Linda almost to her feet like she weighed nothing more than a rag doll.
Linda attempted to stand on her feet. "Ow, ow, ow," she lifted her left foot off the ground. "I can't put any weight on that foot. I think I may have sprained it."
"What if it's broken?" Reid said still holding her up.
"I don't think it is. I can move my toes. It's painful but I can do it."
"I'm taking you to the ER anyway." Reid said as he picked Linda up in his arms and began walking toward the parking lot.
Jimmy's parents and the teen, whose name the couple learned was Jason, followed alongside apologizing profusely. Linda was gracious although Reid could see she was in pain. They handed Linda her purse and keys.
Linda clicked her remote to unlock her car and Reid deposited her as gently as he could in the front passenger seat. He moved the seat back, whipped off his jacket and folded it into a little pillow for under Linda's foot. "Man, that thing is swelling up big time," he said as he ran around to the driver's side. He adjusted the seat and the rear view mirror to his height and took the keys from Linda.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Uh huh," she smiled at him but he knew she was lying.
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After fifteen minutes of maneuvering Linda's car through Washington traffic he pulled into the ER at George Washington University Hospital. Reid saw a wheelchair just inside the first set of doors and ran to retrieve it. He opened the passenger door and held Linda tightly in his arms as she pivoted into the wheelchair. I've longed to have her in my arms but did it have to be like this?
They headed into the ER through the electronic doors that parted for them like the Red Sea. There were several people sitting in the rather uncomfortable looking chairs of the waiting room but none of their ailments looked particularly serious. A heavy set black woman almost as tall as Reid came bustling over. She wore blue scrubs and her hair fell down her back in cornrow braids. "What seems to be the problem here?" she asked.
"She fell," Reid supplied. "She can't put any weight on her left ankle and, as you can see, it's very swollen.
"Yes, I see, I'll get her into an examination room right away." Reid began to follow the woman wheeling Linda when she turned, "You'll have to stay out here now sir," said the nurse whose name tag Reid now noticed identified her as Rachael.
"I'll be right out here okay?" He smiled at Linda and squeezed her hand. She grimaced slightly as her hand was scraped from trying to break her fall. I've wanted so much to hold hands with him but this wasn't quite what I had in mind.
It had seemed like Reid had been sitting in the ER for hours but the clock on the wall proclaimed it was only 12:30 am when Rachael came and said Linda was free to go. She came out of the examination room on crutches, her ankle bandaged tightly with an ace bandage. Her feet were now bare, her high heeled stilettos carried by Rachael who handed them to him. "I'll go get the car," he said as he ran out of the ER.
Yep, you sure got him running the other way in a hurry. Linda sat on the chair and waited for Reid to bring the car around. She'd imagined this date a thousand times but never in her wildest dreams had it turned out like this.
Reid hurried to the parking lot to retrieve Linda's car. Why had he run after that kid? He should have stayed with Linda. She was his date. He should have protected her. One date with you and she's on crutches. No wonder you can't get a date.
Reid pulled the car up to the ER entrance and Linda hobbled out to the vehicle on crutches using her own steam. She got awkwardly into the front passenger seat. Reid once again rested her foot on his jacket. Reid closed the door, stored the crutches in the back seat and got into the driver's seat. They sat quietly for a few moments until Reid said awkwardly, "I don't know where you live."
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Reid pulled into the driveway of Linda's condo at 1 am. He helped her out of the car and she managed to get from the car to the steps that led to her front door. She refused Reid's offer of help on the steps but teetered so far backward on the first one and would have fallen if Reid hadn't caught her. "How about I just carry you in?" he said as he scooped her into his arms once again. Linda unlocked the door, turned off her alarm switching on the light.
The two story high entryway was bathed in light from a decorative hanging fixture. A round table sat to the right of the door next to a small powder room and a closet was to the left. He carried Linda down the hall where it broke off on one side to an open kitchen with stainless steel appliances and rich oak cabinets with a dining room beyond the kitchen island. A winding staircase to the upper level led off from the other side of the hallway.
The living room was just beyond that and it was here that Reid took Linda. She flicked the light switch as they passed and the room lit up. A sofa with a chaise at one end commanded center stage in the room. He set Linda down gently on the soft gold velvet and put one of the throw pillows under her foot. "You could have put me down once we were inside," Linda scolded. "I could have walked here with the crutches."
"I know but I was afraid that I might hurt you when I put you down so I just decided to carry you in. You're on your own now, I promise," he said as he surveyed the rest of the room. A fireplace in rust, black and tan slate faced the sofa. The far side of the room featured a bay window and the French doors that led out back. In front of the bay window sat two chairs upholstered in a rust, gold and tan paisley separated by a round table. Next to the fireplace an entertainment center was built into the wall featuring a huge plasma screen that could be comfortably watched from either the couch or the chairs. Soft beige silk draperies contrasted with grass blinds. On the wall next to the staircase was Linda's tokonoma containing her flower arrangement, incense and a candle. "Nice place."
"Thank you, I like it," Linda replied.
"Do you need anything? You'll want to change," Reid asked.
"All my stuff is upstairs…" Linda began.
"Well considering what happened outside, I don't think going upstairs is a good idea for you. Tell me what you need and where to find it and I'll get it for you."
She looked unsure at first but then relented, "Behind the door in my ensuite bathroom there are sleep pants and a tee shirt." So much for looking sexy for him. That went out the window when you landed on the cement. Now comfort was the only goal.
Reid returned about a minute later with the items and looked relieved when she said she didn't need help. "I'll go in the kitchen and make an ice pack for your ankle."
Linda heard him opening drawers and banging ice on the counter as she struggled to get her clothes off and her sleepwear on. It didn't bother her that he was going through her kitchen. She stood on her right leg with the help of one crutch to pull her pants up one handed and sat down quickly throwing her tee shirt over her head. She was sitting back in her place on the chaise when Reid cleared his throat, "Is it okay to come in?"
"Yes," Linda called.
Reid entered with a freezer bag full of ice and a thick fluffy towel from upstairs. "I brought a towel in case it melts and leaks. I don't want it to get on your couch." He stopped dead. How can she be dressed in her old sleep clothes with her ankle bandaged up and still look so beautiful?
"Spencer, thank you so much. I'm so sorry that this happened and spoiled the evening. You can take my car since yours is still at the restaurant. Maybe one of the team can help you pick it up tomorrow," she laughed, "I guess I mean later today."
"First of all, you're welcome; secondly, you have nothing to be sorry for; thirdly, you didn't spoil the evening at all and fourthly, I'm not going anywhere!"