Page 46 of Entangled in Them

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

Neither of us spoke for the moment, but I knew we couldn’t just stay here for the rest of the night, sitting on the floor. I didn’t want to say or do the wrong thing, worried I might offend him, and I did my best not to stare at the stump below his knee, and the twisted knotting of red and white scar tissues.

“It’s ugly, I know,” he said, catching me looking.

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine.”

He gave a small laugh. “You don’t have to lie, Rue. I’m not that emotionally unbalanced, I swear.”

“I don’t think that of you at all.” I looked back to the bed and then to the bathroom. That was where he’d been planning to go before he’d fallen. “Can I help you up?”

He glanced away again and then nodded.

I got to my feet.

“I’m going to pull you down with me,” he remarked.

“I’m stronger than I look.” I might have been small and skinny, but I’d handled a lot of men in my years.

He looked as though he didn’t believe me, and I guessed I couldn’t blame him, so I was going to have to show him instead. I got into a crouch and wedged my shoulder into his armpit. He used the side of the bed his left, and together we managed to get him up and onto the bed, where he perched on the edge.

“Look under the bed,” he said.

I crouched to peer under the item of furniture. Sure enough, there were a set of crutches. Beside them was the prosthetic limb. I’d noticed how he’d walked with a limp, but not for one second had I considered this might the reason.

“Just the crutches,” he said. “I only wear the limb during the day.”

I fished them out for him and handed them over, then stood, feeling awkward. I didn’t know what else to do.

“It’s okay, Rue. You can go now.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I asked tentatively.

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” He gestured to his leg. “Well, as fine as I’ll ever be now.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. I’ll get myself back to bed.” I turned and headed toward the bedroom door, intending to take myself back to Kodee’s room.

His voice stopped me. “And, Rue?”

I turned back to him.

He gave me a smile, dimples appearing in both cheeks. “Thanks.”

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