“I wish there was more we could do, baby. Why don’t you move in with us? That will relieve rent for you, since you didn’t qualify for housing.”
“I’ll think about it, Mama. My lease is up in a couple of months.”
“Okay. Be careful on the road, baby.”
“I will.”
I carefully turned and made my way down the steps slowly. There was only three of them; otherwise, I would have neverattempted to climb them. Once I got to the car and got inside, my mama waved and went inside. She always made sure I got to the car. When I first started walking again, I fell quite a bit. She got used to making sure I was good. I honked my horn and headed to school.
When I got there, I huffed, trying to mentally prepare myself for my journey to class. I had two classes before my business class. I was really wishing I would have put that damn wheelchair in my trunk. That would have been so much easier. I called it a wheelchair, but it was a motorized scooter-like thing. I was trying to get used to this fucking leg, but I knew without medical consults, I would have to resort to that.
After getting out and adjusting my cane, I took one last sip from my thermos, then grabbed my bookbag. As I started walking, I could feel the pain shooting through my leg. There was no way I would make it through the day like this.
“What’s up, Azari? You good?”
I looked up to see Chozen. I didn’t usually see him this early. Well, technically, I was earlier than usual. He had probably gotten to wherever he was going by the time I got here. “Hey. You have an eight o’clock class?”
“Naw. I have a nine thirty class, but I came to get in a workout at the gym. You need help? You look like you’re in pain.”
“If you don’t mind. My leg is killing me. I don’t have too far to walk, but one less thing weighing me down will help.”
“Okay.”
He stooped and gently scooped me up as I pulled my bag in front of me. “No, no, no! Chozen, what are you doing?”
I could feel my leg shift, and I knew he felt it too. “I’m giving you some relief, Azari. Hold on to your things and just tell me where your first class is.”
“No. Put me down.”
“Stop being stubborn. Tell me where to go.”
I huffed and allowed a tear to slide down my cheek. “It’s in the building before the one our business course is in. This is so embarrassing.”
“Why? I don’t mind helping you. I’m actually liking this.”
I buried my face in his chest. “I’m heavy.”
“Girl, please. I lift three sixty-five. You lightwork. Now why you hurting so badly today?”
I took a deep breath and shook my head against him.
“I already know you have a prosthetic leg, Azari. Now just tell me.”
“I need more cushion. It feels like it’s digging into my skin.”
He remained quiet, so I glanced up at him. He looked to be thinking. “We gon’ have to do something about that then.”
“That’s a definite no. You’re already going against my wishes by carrying me all over this campus.”
He looked down at me and smiled. “You know how interested I am in you. Why would I tuck tail and run the other way because you don’t wanna let me help you? I’m just gon’ help you anyway and dare you to turn the shit down. At the least, we’re developing somewhat of a friendship, right?”
“I never agreed to that, Chozen, but I guess it won’t be a bad thing.”
“Damn, girl. I thought you was finna let me down easy.”
I chuckled. He stopped walking, and I realized we’d already gotten to the building my class was in. This shit would have taken way longer had I walked. I directed him to the classroom. Once we got there, I looked up at him and said, “Thank you so much.”
“Anytime.”
