The wall of windows on the west side of the unit filled the room with so much natural light there wasn’t a need to turn the lights on. The stark white 12x12 porcelain tile and the equally white walls made the space even brighter. The foyer was small and at this time empty so Ozias only had to take about four steps to enter the open concept of the main living area. When I saw the speechless expression on his face, I suddenly remembered I don’t have any furniture and I saw a little bit of panic cross his face as he turned his head from side to side obviously trying to figure out where he could put me down. Embarrassment seemed to be the theme for the day so I swallowed hard before I started crying again and explained.
“My furniture won’t be delivered until Tuesday….I, I didn’t know the elevators couldn’t be used for moving on the weekends. I just have that bean bag chair and a sleeping bag until then.” I looked to my lap to escape his stare. God, would this day ever end? “Just put me down on the bean bag chair. It’s fine, really.”
He hesitated. You could see the wheels turning in his mind as he contemplated what to do. After a minute, he walked towards the middle of the living room where my zebra print bean bag chair and my wooden lap table sat. My laptop sat atop the table and when he was walking he was so careful not to drop me he didn’t see the cord traveling across the floor to the outlet on the far wall. Before I could warn him, I felt his shoe catch and we were toppling down to the floor. In an amazing display of strength, Ozias slightly hopped to untangle his foot and pulled me closer to his body as he strained to not land us both on the hard tile. I screamed from the pure adrenaline of the situation and Ozias grunted in my ear as I felt his arms tighten around me. In one swift move he spun around and landed on his knees hitting the bean bag chair. He lifted me as high as he could so I would not touch the ground. I could hear him breathing hard and see sweat across his brow.
“Are you kidding me!” I exclaimed. I felt his arms loosen and my body uncoiled. We were face to face, close enough I could feel his breath on my lips. If I moved even an inch we would be kissing.
“Damn it!” hissed Ozias. “I just keep fucking up today!” He sat back on his heels and slowly placed me on the bean bag chair. When he was content I was safely down, he pressed his palms to the floor and pushed himself up. As scary as that was, I was in awe of his strength. I can’t believe we didn’t fall. I was in shock.
“I can’t believe we didn’t fall. You’re…you…I mean…you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. You’re like Superman, although right now you look more like Clark Kent, but they’re the same person, so Clark Kent is just as strong. How often do you work out? I’m just. Wow. I’m just so impressed.”
The expression on his face made me realize I was rambling and I bit my lip to shut up. I felt my face flush and for the millionth time today I realized I had embarrassed myself in front of this stranger. I was feeling a rush of adrenaline but it was in a good way instead of the anxiety filled feelings I usually get. I liked this high. I need to find out how to feel this more often. I realized this is what moms who lift cars off their babies must feel. Even knowing my ankle was hurt, I felt like I could run a marathon, and I hate running! Ha! Ozias was staring at me and I realized I had said all of that out loud. Oh, God! This man is going to think I’m completely insane. Doc returned at exactly the right moment before I could make myself look anymore clinically insane. I heard him tap on the doorframe even though the door was still wide open.
“Hello? I’m back with the cast and crutches. I…..” He stopped midsentence when he surveyed my co-op and the lack of furniture. I felt myself flush with embarrassment again.
“What the hell? Where’s all the furniture?”
“It can’t be delivered until Tuesday. I didn’t know the elevators couldn’t be used for moving on the weekends.” I pointed down to my bean bag chair. “I just have this and a sleeping bag,” I explained. I could see Docs mind working and he looked just like Ozias in the moment even though the two men barely resembled to be father and son. I wondered if he was adopted or maybe he looks like his mother. I was brought back from my thoughts by Doc speaking to me.
“Well, this won’t do. You can’t sleep on the floor with your injury.” He paused thinking again. “Could you go to a hotel for the night?”
“No!” I said louder than I meant to. A hotel meant leaving the co-op and riding the elevator again and then riding one in the hotel. Plus, I was coming off my adrenaline rush and I was feeling exhausted. My stomach growled at that moment to remind me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and that was just a blueberry muffin. I cleared my throat to speak again. “I’m fine here, really. With the cast and the crutches, I should be fine. I appreciate all you both have done for me, but if you don’t mind I’m feeling quite exhausted and I need to make something for dinner. Please just leave the cast and crutches near me and you can leave.”
The men looked at each other then back at me. Ozias spoke first.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. I know we’re practically strangers but I can’t in good conscience leave you in this furniture-less co-op with a sprained ankle and bruised leg. You are hurt because of my stupidity. Please, let me help you. My dad can get the cast on your ankle and I can order some food for dinner. I haven’t eaten either so you’re not inconveniencing me. We can eat at my place. It’s right next door.” He looked at his dad for support.
“I agree,” Doc said. “You can’t sleep on a floor tonight. You wouldn’t anyway. The pain would keep you up all night and elevation is important with this type of injury. You need to be in a bed with your ankle elevated, icing it in 15 minute increments a few times the rest of the day.” He kneeled down beside me and gave me a look asking for permission to touch my ankle to put the cast on me. I nodded but just barely. I felt like a child being chastised and I didn’t like it, but I really was too exhausted to fight anymore.
Doc slowly and quite expertly put my ankle in the black air cast and adjusted the Velcro straps where they put just the right amount of pressure on my ankle. He squeezed my toes a few times watching them. “It’s important to check for capillary refill when you’re wearing any type of casts. If it’s too tight you will lose blood flow to the area and that could lead to permanent damage and even loss of extremities. So I want you to make sure this isn’t too tight. You can take it off to bathe but other than that keep it on. Pinch your toes a few times and watch them turn from white to pink indicating the capillaries are receiving blood. If not adjust the tightness on the straps. No pressure on this ankle tonight either, although I’m sure if you tried to stand you’d quickly stop as much pain as you’ve seemed to be in.” I was trying to take everything he said in and memorize it. It was a little overwhelming so when I was silent he spoke again.
“Ok? Understand? Any questions for me before I leave?”
“Dad, give her a minute. That was a lot you threw at her. She’s had a lot to take in the last hour.”
Hour? Had all of this madness only happened an hour ago? God, that’s not good. Would it be really sad if I went to bed at 6:30, because I swear I can’t take anymore today? I blinked and answered Doc.
“Yes, I understand. I can take ibuprofen too, right? I’m not allergic. I can take up to four every 6 hours. Is that correct?”
Doc nodded and stood up. He turned towards Ozias obviously content with my understanding.
“Your mother asked that you stop by after you leave here but if you are going to have dinner with Ms. McLeod I’ll tell her you’ll stop by after.”
“Yes, just tell her that. I’ll call her if I don’t think I’ll make it at all.”
“Ozias, just go see her or I’ll never hear the end of it. I briefly told her what happened and now she’s worried. You know how she gets when she’s worried. For my sanity, just stop by for a few minutes. I’m tired myself after surgery today and I teach tomorrow so I need to eat and go to bed. She won’t sleep until she sees you.” Doc sounded exasperated with his wife. The more I knew of this
man, the less I liked him. He is helping me free of charge so I guess I should be thankful. Wait, I guess it’s free.
“Um, Doc?” I said to get his attention.
He turned to face me and Ozias moved next to him. With them standing side by side it was the first time I noticed the height difference. Doc was tall and lean, probably over 6 feet. Ozias only came to his shoulders and he had a broad chest with narrow hips. His skin was more tanned than Doc’s and where Doc’s hair was light blonde, Ozias’ was black. The adoption theory played in my mind again.
“Yes?” Doc asked when I didn’t speak right away.
“I hate to ask so bluntly, but, uh, will there be a charge for your services? Because if so, I have my insurance card right--- I reached for my purse on the floor beside me to retrieve my card as proof that I did have insurance. My lack of furniture and being a stranger, they could think I was in need or something. Of course, anyone who could afford to live in these co-ops couldn’t be financially burdened but they didn’t know how I came to live here. Then it struck me. They must know some part of that story because they live here and would have known the previous occupant, my Aunt Claire.
Doc stepped forward stopping me from getting my card out of my wallet.
“No, there’s no charge. Sadly, I’m used to paying for my son’s mistakes. Although, I will say this is the most interesting one to date. But again, no. There’s no charge. I’ll arrange for you to get an x-ray tomorrow at my clinic at the hospital near here and as long as no surgery is involved-“He stopped when he saw my eyebrows raise in reference to surgery. “And I don’t anticipate surgery will be required, then there will be no charge. Take Ozias up on his offer of dinner and rethink your sleeping arrangements. You’re my patient now so as your doctor I’m telling you my advice is not to sleep on the floor.” He started to turn to leave but when he reached the foyer he turned to me again.
“You’re related to the previous tenant of this unit, aren’t you? You know, there’s only three units on each floor. I don’t recall being notified by the board who they selected to buy Claire’s.” I noticed Ozias shift his weight from foot to foot nervously and cross his arms across his chest. I turned to answer Doc but I was trying to decide how much information to give. Ozias looked nervous at his father’s question and these men were strangers. I never remember Aunt Claire mentioning them but then again she was an eclectic person who was just not one to talk much unless she was sharing pertinent information.
“Yes, she was my aunt.” I decided on sharing just the basics at first. Doc gave me a serious look and rose one of his eyebrows. Ozias jerked his head in his dad’s direction then back at me. Ok, not sure why Claire being my aunt garnered such a reaction. “She was my mother’s sister, they were twins actually. Fraternal, not identical.” I don’t know why I told them more but I strangely felt the need to explain myself. “She left me her home in her will. I’m sorry the board didn’t inform you and honestly I wasn’t aware they had to.”
“I thought you were related. You share the same features and hair color, along with that southern accent.” He smiled sadly. “Did you go through the normal procedure with the board? The interviews?”
Ozias looked more nervous now and he stared at his father with intensity. “Dad, let’s not worry Adira with 20 questions tonight. As you said you have a busy day tomorrow and she’s had an exhausting one. I’ll make sure she eats and doesn’t sleep on the floor tonight.” He turned towards me. “I have two extra bedrooms in my co-op. You are welcome to stay in one.” He held his hands up to stop me when he saw my mouth open to object. “I know we’re strangers and I know that under normal circumstances for me to even ask that of a woman I just met would be completely unorthodox, but I knew your aunt, quite well actually. My mom and dad did too. You will be safe with me. Claire was like family to me. Knowing you are her family, I would never do anything to harm you or make you feel unsafe. Each bedroom has a lock and I’ll even give you the emergency keys to each if that made you feel safer. Better yet, I could just stay at my parents and you could stay at my place. Either way, you really need to eat and rest so the most logical solution is for you to do both at my place.”
“My condolences to your family. Claire was a one of a kind woman. She’ll be greatly missed.” Doc said softly his brash demeanor softening. “She already is.” He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Another trait that Ozias shared. “Son, just let your mom know what you’re going to do tonight. I’ll see you in the morning, Ms. McLeod.” He walked out of the co-op with a heaviness on his shoulders.
“I’m sorry about that. Dad and Claire, well, they were good friends.” Ozias said.
“I didn’t know she had any good friends here. She hadn’t shared much of her life with us in years. She moved here right after high school. I only saw her on holidays, weddings and funerals. Thank you for your offer. I am very hungry and tired so I will take you up on both, food and a bed. I can’t think about how insane a decision it is to stay with a strange man but right now my stomach and my body don’t care.”
He seemed surprised I agreed without a fight. “Great. Then how do you feel about Chinese? I can order delivery. There’s a great place close by.”
“Chinese sounds amazing.”
He smiled that electric smile at me and I noticed a dimple on his left cheek and it made me warm all over. I smiled back as he came to help me with the crutches so we could go to his place.
“How tall are you?” He asked me.
“5’8”,” I said. This was the first time we were both standing and I realized we were the exact same height. I chuckled.
“Hey, no laughing at the short guy. I make up for it in other ways.” He glanced at me and turned red when he realized his remark could be taken in the wrong way.
“I didn’t mean---“
“Stop” I held my hand out. “I know you didn’t, but it was funny. I won’t judge you on your height if you won’t judge me on my looks. I can’t hold a candle to these supermodel women around here.” I waved my hand up and down my body to indicate I was referring to my curviness.
Ozias raised an eyebrow to that remark. “I don’t know what you see when you look in the mirror but I see only perfection in front of me now.” He clicked the crutches to the right height and handed them to me to try. “Keep your right foot off the ground. Place the crutches in front of you then step. Ok?”
I was too stunned by his perfection remark to care about the crutches. I took them anyway and robotically put them in front of me and then took a step with only my left foot. I was happy to notice the air cast was already relieving some of the throbbing of my right ankle. The pain wasn’t gone completely but the pressure of the cast helped considerably.
“Thank you for the complement. It was rude of me to fish one out of you like that. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“You didn’t. I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true. Kind of a fault of mine. I’m too honest most of the time. I don’t mean to be rude but it comes across that way. My dad hates it.”
We started towards the door when I realized I’d need my clothes for the night.
“Would you mind getting my suitcase? It’s in the first bedroom on the right.”
“Sure.” He left me to retrieve it and I wondered what had happened in his life that he and his father didn’t get along. He came back wheeling my large brown leather suitcase.
“Sorry. I seem to be a lot of work for you today. Here, let me try to pull it.” I reached for the handle but he grabbed my hand. Again, heat filled me and when he looked in my eyes I froze.
“Adira, stop apologizing. You are no trouble at all. This is the most excitement I’ve had in a really long time. Plus, you said on the elevator you trusted me. Did you mean that? Do you? Trust me?” He held my hand tighter then slowly let it go.
“Yes, I trust you.” And for the second time in two hours I found myself amazed that I trusted this man that I barely knew, but God help me I did, I trusted him-co
mpletely.
Chapter Three
“Taste this and tell me it’s not the best crab and cream cheese wonton you’ve ever eaten?” Ozias was pushing a wonton towards me while I was trying to recline on the couch to give my full belly more room for digestion. I pushed the wonton away.
“I can’t! I’m stuffed! I don’t know if it’s because I was starving or if that was the best coconut shrimp and fried rice I’ve ever had. It all tasted so fresh, like the shrimp were caught this morning.” I rubbed my belly and without warning I burped—loudly. “Oh! I’m so sorry! Please excuse me.” I covered my mouth with my napkin and looked away. Again, embarrassment is the word of the day!
Ozias was trying not to laugh but he couldn’t hold it in. Before I knew it we were both laughing, small at first but then we were laughing so hard tears started to roll down our faces. When I get this tickled my laugh changes to this deep chested laugh and the more I try to stop the more I laugh. It was happening right now and it was apparent that Ozias was no longer laughing at the burp but at the sound of my laughter. Finally, I took a few deep breaths and the laughter stops. My cheeks actually hurt from laughing so hard. I looked at Ozias to try and gage his feelings about my rudeness and obnoxious laughter. He still had a huge grin on his face.
“You didn’t know what you were getting yourself into bumping into me this afternoon, did you? Had you known my Southern drawl was just a cover for a down to earth, small town girl with deplorable manners, you would have just left me on the floor and kept on running.”
Ozias’ smile faded and he got a serious look on his face. “No, I wouldn’t have run away. Bumping into you was the best thing that happened to me today, and in fact, the best thing in a very long time. I’ve enjoyed this meal with you. I eat alone almost all the time. I forgot how nice it is to share a meal with someone, especially someone who appears to love food as much as I do.” He started laughing again and I could tell he was trying to lighten the mood.
The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1) Page 3
