Page 10 of Confined Space

"Coral, I'm not going to leave you. I want to help. I want to be your friend. I don't know what others did to disappoint you because you don't share, but I'm here when you are ready to talk. You can't hold it all in or you'll shatter, just like you are right now." She leans back on the sofa next to me. "What else hurts? I see the wound on your forehead."

The motion is automatic as I lean my head on her shoulder. I take comfort from another for just a moment.

"I have a concussion. Broken arm. Broken wrist. They glued my temple back together after I hit the driver's window. My neck and back hurt from the impact. But the firefighters were so very careful with me."

"Yeah, we have a pretty good department here."

I smile as the tears dry up and think about Rowdy and how sweet he was to me. How he stayed with me until the end, and it felt like he wanted to go with me in the ambulance. His mom, who helped with Archer, was so sweet too.

"They were amazing." I think of Rowdy’s eyes as they looked back at me through the windshield.

"Good."

Archer drifts off to sleep, and I carefully carry him to his bassinet. I then take the ice pack Georgia makes up for me and let her out of the apartment with a promise to text if I need her during the night.

I climb into bed, thinking about the way Rowdy held my hand and talked to me. It was the closest I've had to a date, which most people would think is weird considering I'm a mother. I've had sex, but I didn't date. Well, I went on one date with Davis. He and I met at a dorm party, and I thought he was different. I was so wrong about him. I'd never dated before because my parents hadn’t let me. I’d never kissed a man before either. I was so sheltered that it wasn't until it was too late before I realized I had become a victim. I try to push those thoughts away because all they'll do is break me more. I've cried enough today. I need to be strong for my son, so I bury those memories back where they belong, to never be unpacked and gone through.

I fall asleep dreaming about hazel eyes and a scruffy jaw. I wish I could have seen more of him. I only got the one good glimpse of him when he leaned over me while I was on the gurney.

* * *

I slept like crap. Every part of my body hurts. My wrist is swollen down into my fingers, and I've tried icing it through the cast. I have a prescription for Tylenol 3. It’s marginally safe to take while nursing. Until I fill my prescription, I’ll take regular Tylenol. I only took the pain meds the doctor gave me when absolutely necessary during the night.

As soon as Archer finishes his first nursing, I get dressed and wait for Georgia. She’s offered to take us to the pharmacy. I can get my meds and pick up a few things I'll need through the coming days. Bruises are starting to pop up all over my body. The worst of the discoloration is primarily on my left side. I feel like one giant bruise though.

Seeing as my car is totaled and I won’t be buying a new one anytime soon, there’s no need to replace Archer’s car seat right now. I can use my chest carrier for a while and save my money, especially since I'll be losing a week of pay. I'll take the bus to and from work when I return to duty. To top it off, I've already been contacted by the towing company. I don't have towing on my insurance, and since the other driver fled the scene, there is no one else to bill but me. My savings is running out real fast. I should receive a deposit soon from the trust to help my meager account.

We pull up to the local drugstore, and Georgia offers to stay in the car with Archer. I make my way inside, dressed in a pair of shredded blue jeans and a loose wide strapped tank top. I have on a pair of flip-flops today because it was easier than slipping on my boots. Making my way down the aisles, I drop off my prescription and grab a pack of diapers, a reusable ice pack, and a cast cover so I can shower. I washed my face as best as I could, and with Georgia’s help, I put my hair up in a low ponytail.

I'm staring down at my phone, waiting for my prescription to be ready. I’m using the store’s free Wi-Fi to access my trust while sitting in the waiting area. It appears my account has been locked, and I don’t know why. My brow furrows as I try to think past the dull headache I have from the concussion.

"Coral, is that you?" a soft voice I don’t recognize says.

I look up to see a beautiful woman with dark-brown hair and red highlights. She’s wearing dark-rimmed glasses and dressed in a pantsuit. Something about her is familiar, but I can't place her. She smiles at me, and I see kindness in her eyes.

"Yes. But I'm sorry I don't remember you." I stand up and apologize.

"Oh, sweetie, you were so focused on Archer. I'm JoAnna. We met yesterday during your accident. My son is Rowdy."

The memories flow back, and it hits me. I remember her helping, but I didn't look at her very carefully. I was focused on Archer and Rowdy. I had dreams about Rowdy most of the night when I was able to sleep.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you."

"It's okay, sweetie. How are you feeling?" She moves closer to me and carefully pulls me into her arms. I stiffen, unaccustomed to being hugged much. I hold the cringe in, not wanting to hurt her feelings. My parents never showed affection. They said it wasn't written in the Bible to do that, so why should they. I didn't understand that because I could find many passages where affection was written about. It was just more of my father's twisted beliefs.

"Thank you for all your help with Archer yesterday," I say as I step back from her.

"Honey, it was nothing." She looks around me. "Where is the little guy?"

"Oh, he's out in the car with a friend."

"Coral Pierce," the pharmacist calls my name.

I step up to the counter with the rest of my purchases. After I pay, I expect to turn around and JoAnna be gone, but she is waiting for me. She smiles again and tips her head to the side as she shrugs.

"I hope you don't mind, but I want to see the precious little guy if I could."

"Oh, sure." My smile is tight and tentative as I slowly pull in the side of my lip. Since I've moved to this town, more people have shown me kindness than I can ever remember.

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