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Her sister smiled as she opened the door, allowing Heather’s Dalmatian puppy to trot inside. Heather sat her plate back on the nightstand and opened her arms. Her dog rushed over to her and raised his hind legs for her to pet his head. Heather picked him up and kissed his head. Scratching behind his ears, warmth spread through her chest.
“Feeling okay?” her sister asked, sitting at the foot of the bed.
Heather cuddled Tinsel. “I’ll be okay. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Are you going to let us help you?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Heather’s eyebrows furrowed.
“We know you. You don’t like help.”
“I don’t mind help. I just prefer—”
“Doing it yourself,” Sonia said completing her sentence.
How often did she say it? Obviously enough for her sister to repeat it. She could accept help. Her mother and sister meant well, so Heather could take it.
“I appreciate both of you.”
Sonia offered a light squeeze to her sister’s good leg. “Let me know if you need anything.”
Chapter 6
Two weeks later…
Heather petted Tinsel as he rested his head on her chest. Her eyes roamed her living room, staring at her windows framed by Seafoam curtains. Why did her mother talk her into those? Heather’s mouth twisted since she bought them thinking they added character.
She adjusted herself on the sofa, hearing her heating unit thump on. She could easily fall asleep in this position, but she itched more than normal. Was it the knee brace alone that was scratching at her skin? Tinsel didn’t budge as she moved her hand to reach for her trapped knee.
Settling her head back onto the pillow, Heather bit the inside of her cheek.
How was she going to survive weeks in a knee brace? Her lips pressed tightly together. At least she was home and not trapped inside her mother’s home. While she loved her mother, Heather couldn’t stand being waited on hand and foot. She was too independent for that.
The doorbell rang and Tinsel barked reactively, jumping to the floor and running to the door. Heather swung her good leg to the floor taking her time with her sprained knee. Grabbing her crutch, she walked to the door. If it was a solicitor, she wouldn’t answer. Looking through the peephole, she saw her dog walker, Carmen. She opened the door.
“I’m glad you’re back home,” Carmen said.
Heather forced a smile. “Thank you. Me too.” She grabbed Tinsel’s leash from the nearby table. “He’s ready for you.”
“Do you want me to bring this inside?” Carmen pointed to the wicker basket on the porch.
Heather’s eyes bugged. “What’s that?”
Carmen picked up the basket and brought it inside for her placing it on the coffee table. “Looks like a care basket.” She whistled for Tinsel who came over to her. She fastened his leash to his collar. “You need anything?”
Heather shook her head. “No, I got it. Thank you.”
“See you later.” Carmen closed the door behind her as Tinsel barked at her side.
Heather returned to the couch and grabbed the card sticking out from the basket. Towels, slippers, DVDs, a stuffed animal, a dog bone for Tinsel, books, and her favorite granola bars she kept for snacks at the gym. Opening the note, she read the typed message.
We hope you get well soon. We’ll miss you and can’t wait for you to get back.
Your Pilates students
Heather touched her fingers to her lips. She missed her students as well and couldn’t wait to get back to teaching her class. She loved the physical transformations but seeing them empowered from the inside out mattered more. She emphasized strongly on looking their best and not what society said.
Healthy was healthy no matter what size a person was. Looking through the goodies inside her basket, she saw a few Hershey’s Kisses. She popped a couple in her mouth, loving the euphoria of chocolate.
