Page 11 of War

Joey headed out the front door.

“Are you about ready?” I asked her.

“Yeah, let me shut down my computer here.” She focused on the monitor and her mouse clicked rapidly as she shut down.

“Do you want to get something to eat when we leave? I can drive there, then we can come back for your car,” I said.

“Sure.” She smiled at me.

I went to the door to wait for her.

She grabbed her purse out of a drawer and put the short handle over her arm, then glanced at her computer screen. Satisfied the computer was off, her seat propelled backward.

Instead of standing like I expected, Amantha wheeled herself around the desk in a wheelchair.

Surprise shot through my system. Did she hurt herself?

“Are you okay? What happened?” I blurted anxiously.

Did I need to hurt someone? I didn't see any bruises or broken bones. I'd go to battle for her if she needed it. That protective instinct blazed through my body.

“You don't know? I figured Joey already told you.” Amantha wheeled toward me. She wore a simple blouse, jeans, and tennis shoes.

“Joey said nothing.” For which I would kill him later. “What's going on?” Wait, I shouldn't ask that. I was being rude. “I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me anything. But if I need to hurt someone, you need to point me in the right direction.”

She laughed. “It’s okay. I don't mind telling you. I was in a car accident about six months ago. The reason for the wheelchair is that the accident shattered my ankle. My foot was on the brake pedal and the impact drove it into my ankle. There's a lot of metal in there. I’ve been doing physical therapy, but I can't walk far on it yet. Mostly, I'm wheelchair-bound, for now anyway. The therapist says I'll be on a cane for a while once I can walk more.”

What? This wasn't new? “You've been in a wheelchair the whole time you've worked here?”

She nodded. “I have.”

“I didn't notice at all.”

“Good. I try not to let it limit me.” She gestured at the chair. “This doesn't define who I am. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

I sighed and nodded. My hand ran through my hair. “Sorry. I'm just shocked. I didn't notice.”

She smiled. “Well, I’ve only been here for three days. Don't beat yourself up too much.”

I smiled sadly and raised my hands in surrender. “I’m moving on, I promise. Ready for dinner?”

“Yes. Your treat.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Well, of course. I am a gentleman.”

She laughed in surprise. “Gentleman. Riiiiiight. In your dreams.”

I smirked. “Hey, it could be true.”

“Sure. The same way you can guess my name.”

“Oh, I'm getting your name. That’s 100% the truth.” I opened the glass door and pulled out my keys.

Amantha steered her chair forward. She flicked off the light switch by the door and wheeled outside.

I closed the door and used a key to lock it behind us.

It was mid-summer, and the sun hadn't set yet.