“Ha.Ha.”
“It’s right there, in the tone of your voice.You are anything but fine.”His look turned patient and understanding.“I get it.You don’t want to be helpless, but everyone needs help now and then.Let me help you, Wanda.”
She closed her eyes in defeat.“Go ahead.I’ll wait here.”
“I’ll be quick.We’ll get you out of the shade and into the warm sun.”
Struggling to straighten the sodden mess that was her hoodie, she took it off and set it on the boulder beside her.This whole situation was ridiculous.She was strong and capable.There was no way she was going to sit here all day.Glancing at the shore, maybe she could make it if she went carefully.
Hoodie in hand, she slid down into the freezing water.It wasn’t that deep here, not even up to her knees if she were standing.Crazy how the depth changed so quickly.
She couldn’t hop, but she could crawl across the rocky bottom to the shore.That way, Eric wouldn’t have to carry her.
After tying her hoodie around her waist, she lowered herself into the water.The current battered her ankle around, but it was tolerable.Gritting her teeth, she inched forward, carefully placing her hands and knees, making sure she was stable before moving again.She’d learned that during a wall climbing lesson.Three points stable at all times.She hated climbing; heights were definitely not her thing, but the three-point lesson stuck.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Wanda yipped.Her heart thudded in her ears.
“Eric.Hi.”She looked up at him.From this low, he was a giant.He wasn’t a huge man, nor was he small, but on her knees, wow.“I’m going to shore.”
“I said I’d help you.”He reached down.“Come on, let me help you up.”
“I can make it.It isn’t much further.”In truth, she was freezing, and her limbs didn’t want to move.Her ankle was shooting pains up to her hip, and every movement was agony.
“I know that you can make it.I’m offering assistance.”
Gritting her teeth against her own failure and needing to accept help, she raised one hand and let him help her to her feet.“Thanks.”
His laugh rang out across the river.“That was the least sincere thanks I’ve ever heard.Up you go.”
She was on her feet, trying not to slide on the slippery rocks.“How are we doing this?I can hop.”It would be agonizing, but she would do it.
“I’ll carry you again.You’re light, and it’s not far.Ready?”
She nodded, and he scooped her into his arms, and in ten quick, painful strides, they were ashore and up the hill.“Thank you.”Standing on one foot, she thanked God that the painful jostling had stopped.
“I found a stick.Try using it as a cane.There’s an animal trail that goes down the other side of the hill, and along the edge of the water, straight down to that sunny spot.”He handed her a branch with a curve at one end.“Just let me wring some water from my clothes and we’ll go.”
She twisted her sweater in her hands, squeezing water from it.She squished as much water from her shirt and shorts as she could.“Ready.”The path, barely more than a slight flattening of grass, stretched out in front of her.Careful not to jostle her leg or put too much weight on her ankle, she made her way down the path.
“Watch the roots.There are a couple that stick up.I nearly face planted.”
She smiled at the image but focused on where she was going.The makeshift cane helped, but each step made her leg hurt worse.Finally, she made it and managed to lower herself to the ground.
“My bag,” she grunted through gritted teeth.“Please.”
He brought her the dripping wet backpack.She rummaged inside until she found a plastic zip-lock bag and yanked it out.Its contents were blessedly dry.“Yes,” she cheered and poured two pain tablets into her hand.She swallowed them dry, wishing for water.
“I’m going to start a fire,” Eric said.“Sit tight for a few minutes while I gather kindling.”
Before she could respond, he had gone into the woods and came back with handfuls of dry leaves, some dry moss, and tiny sticks.He made a pile and went back several more times.On his sixth trip, he began hauling back bigger sticks, about the width of his thumbs.
He made a little pile of leaves and moss and dug into his bag.“Where is it?”he muttered, throwing clothing here and there.A pair of boxer briefs patterned with hearts and lip prints flew past.She tried not to stare at them.“Aha!”he held up something orange in triumph.“I knew I’d seen a lighter in here.Thank you, Mom.”
“Your mom packed you a lighter?”
“Yup.Ex-smoker.She never goes anywhere without one.She also sent hand lotion, a little package of tissue, and lip balm.She thought of everything.”He bent close to his stack and flicked the lighter.“Yes!”
