Page 17 of Hiding In the Dark (The Righteous 4)
Ashley slowly stood as Dennis disappeared, and as she tried to take a step, her leg didn’t pull forward properly, and she caught herself on the chair to hold herself upright. With a shove, she got herself back onto the seat.
“You pushed yourself too hard, that’s all it is,” she said softly, but it did nothing to convince the panic forming in her chest.
Ashley rubbed at her arms, but this cold was deeper, something she couldn’t rub at. She turned and looked around the room to the coat rack, and sure enough, there was an old wooden cane. She just needed to get across the room, but it felt like it was ten football fields away.
She could drag herself across the floor, but then what if she couldn’t stand? Ashley’s bottom lip shook, and she bit it as she held back the waterworks.
No, I’m not giving up.
Ready this time, she pushed herself up and tested out her steadiness. Her feet still had the odd numbing sensation, but her legs seemed to be working as she took a tentative step forward. Each step toward her goal was a small victory.
Reaching the coat rack, she gripped the knobby end of the cane, which looked more like a small wizard’s staff, and leaned on it for support.
You can do this.
It was slow going, and Ashley figured Dennis would be back for morning by the time she made it out of the church. She cringed at hearing Charlie whistling his usual tune in the front foyer. The door was thankfully open and she stepped out, earning a gasp from the older man.
Ashley held up her hand to stop him from rushing over. “I twisted my ankle, but I’m okay.” She winced a little with her next step.
“Do you want someone to take you to the hospital?” Charlie made his way over, and how pitiful did she feel that this arthritic man that was more than twice her age was asking if she needed help.
“No, I’m all good. I just need to ice it and I’ve got some pain meds at home.”
Charlie offered, “Are you sure? I could go with you.”
“Positive, but could you see me to the bus stop? Would be nice to have the company.”
He pointed a finger at her. “You are one stubborn lady.”
“That is something you and my mother would certainly agree on,” She laughed, but Charlie didn’t seem to be as amused by her joke.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, and she hated to admit it, but it was much easier to walk with his help, and as luck would have it, the bus was pulling up just as they arrived.
“Thank you, Charlie, you have a good night and don’t work too hard.”
“Don’t you worry about me.” He gave her shoulder a little squeeze as she stepped up into the bus.
Thankfully, a little more of her mobility had returned, and what she’d assumed would feel like climbing Mount Everest she tackled with minimal issue. It was the sudden lurch of the bus’s motion before she was seated that almost had her face-first in the aisle. She glared at the driver in his rear-view mirror as she got herself situated in a seat.
By the time she got home and inside she was ready to collapse. It was amazing what she’d taken for granted all these years—it was eye opening and emotionally draining.
She was toweling off her hair when her cell rang. Grabbing it, she smiled at the silly picture of her best friend, Trish, that came up on the screen. She had eventually learned the name of the girl who had been paralyzed by fear that first day of her freshman year. Mind you, as good of a friend as Trish was, she was terrible at helping her with anything to do with Kes and his friends. Trish would turn and walk the other way if she saw them coming in school and leave her to fend for herself. What did that say? Not much, other than Trish was not the person she’d pick as backup in a zombie apocalypse.
Ashley answered, not able to keep the grin off her face. “Hey stranger. How’s Africa?”
“Stunning, amazing, hot as hell and heart breaking all at the same time. I am getting stunning photos though, and the locals are the best now that they have gotten to know me. How about you, how’s my bestie?”
Ashley was tempted to tell Trish about her diagnosis, but Trish would want to fly home—it was in her nature—and there was no way in hell that was happening. “Good, but it looks like Salvation Place will have to close. I just got in from an all-day fundraiser, and we’re not even close to having enough money.”
“That does sound bad. Can I do anything to help?”
“I don’t think so, unless you have magic money-fairy dust up your sleeve?”
“Noooo, but I can donate one of my photos to sell. They catch a good price, and don’t you dare say no.” A horn blew in the background, and Ashley could hear a group of people yelling to ‘look at the giraffes.’
“Well, in that case, how can a girl say no?”
“What else is new? I’ve been gone two months. There has to be more than that going on.” A heavy sigh followed, and Ashley couldn’t help but laugh.
