Page 63 of Here With Me

David stopped the ball with his foot and then kicked it to another teen. She really should learn the teens’ names, but with no teen volunteers in the store, she hadn’t needed to. But if David stayed around, she could help out with him. Be a team, not just at the store, but in life. In service. David ran forward, and then the kid passed the ball back to David, but David slid, his leg going out from under him, and he rammed into Otis.

Sadie’s breath caught. That had to hurt.

“Oh dear.” Her mom brought her hand to her mouth.

Sadie waited for David to jump up, shake it off. But instead, the boys ran over and knelt in front of him. Lottie jumped off the swing and ran over to David, too.

“Honey, why don’t you go check on him.” Her mom propelled her toward the door. “I’ll watch the store. If you think you need to take David to the doctor, send Lottie back here, and I’ll get her to ballet and have your dad close up shop. Now go!”

“Thanks, Mom.” Having support made such a difference. The bell jingled as Sadie pushed open the door and crossed the street. The teen boys backed up as she jogged closer and knelt next to David. His brows crinkled even though he laughed at something one of the guys said. His face had lost its usual color, and his shoulders were rigid.

Lottie sat next to him and patted his shoulder. “It’s gonna be okay, Mr. Williams. Otis is fine. See? He doesn’t even look sore.”

Be still her heart. That might be the sweetest and craziest thing Lottie had ever said.

Lottie stood up and Sadie gripped her hand. “It’s time to get ready for ballet. Oma is in the store—can you run see her?”

Her daughter kissed her on her cheek and skipped off to the store.

She lowered her voice and leaned in close so the teen guys wouldn’t hear—since he was putting on such a casual face in front of them. “You okay?”

He shook his head slightly, but his resolve was clear. “Can you help me stand up?”

She nodded as she stood and offered him a hand. She pulled him up as he balanced on one leg. He turned to the guys and offered his fists. Several of the boys bumped knuckles, or whatever they called it, and David waved them off, telling them he was fine and that he’d just sit out the rest of the game. All while balancing on one leg.

The guys ran back to the game, and David’s entire demeanor changed. His shoulders fell, and the pain he’d been hiding from the guys etched across his brow. Sadie slid her arm around his waist to support him as he hobbled off the field.

Sadie got him to her car, which she’d left on the street earlier. “Let me take you to the doctor and get that checked.”

David shook his head. “If I take some time, maybe some pain meds, it will be fine.”

“Don’t be like that. It hurts bad enough you needed me to help you cross the street.”

“Lottie—”

“Mom’s in the store, and she’ll take care of Lottie. Dad’s going to close up tonight.” Sadie knew the moment he decided to go along with her request because he relaxed and gave a single, short nod. She opened the passenger door for him. “Let me go grab my purse. I’ll be right back.”

When Sadie returned to the car, David sat with the door open. His face was even more pale than before.

She closed the passenger door and jogged around to the front of the car. A short while later, she pulled into the ER parking lot, thankfully finding a spot right next to the door. She looked over at David sleeping. She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed.

He inhaled as his eyes fluttered open. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

Sadie brushed his hair off his forehead. “You needed it. We’re here now. Do you want me to go get a wheelchair to get you in?”

David shook his head. “No. I’ll walk.”

To say he was stubborn would be an understatement. Sadie tucked herself under his arm, and with her help, they managed to make it into the ER. Thankfully, the afternoon was slow, and they were seen quickly.

David sat on the exam table in the room they’d been placed in after he’d been taken for X-rays. She pulled the hard, plastic chair next to him and sat down. He offered her his hand, and she quickly interlaced their fingers.

Warmth radiated up her arm as his thumb circled the back of her hand. He’d held on to her since they got here, except during the X-rays, giving Sadie as much comfort as she hoped she could offer him.

“Hey, now.” David tugged her to standing and guided her in front of him. She stepped between his knees and his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her a little closer. “Thank you for bringing me to the ER and staying with me.”

Sadie relaxed in his embrace, his warmth seeping into her frozen body. ER rooms always ran so cold. She inhaled David’s clean, soapy scent, happy to block out the sterile fumes.

“I’m sorry, David.” His hand ran down her spine and back up, stopping between her shoulder blades, pressing her close.

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