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him more closely. She was propped up in one of the beds with several pillows behind her head. Her new jeans were ripped at the knee and her shirt was almost a complete loss. He’d given her the light jacked he’d been wearing to cover the lacy bra he’d glimpsed.
     
    “I don’t know, like you’re trying to figure me out. Mitch, I’ve already explained why I went to meet my cousin.”
     
    “I know.”
     
    “I’m just thankful Mrs. Bernstein is okay. If anything had happened to her...”
     
    “Don’t. Don’t do that to yourself. You heard what the cops said. She’s fine and going to stay with her son for a while. She was just happy to hear that you were okay.”
     
    “I know. It’s sad. I didn’t even know that much about her. I had lived there three years and talked to her almost every day, but I didn’t know she had a son.”
     
    He could see her frowning and got up to cross the room. Taking her hand, he waited until she looked at him.
     
    “Sandi, I’ve lived in my building for over ten years. The only people I talk to on a regular basis are John and Matt, the two doormen. Neighbors have come and gone. I’m courteous to them, but short of saying a few words in the elevator, I don’t know much about them.”
     
    She looked down at their joined hands.
     
    “You risked too much for someone else. I’m trying to understand why you would do something like that.”
     
    “Mrs. Bernstein was the first person I knew outside of the people who helped me settle here. She was my first friend. She always cared about me. Where I was going, what I was doing. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever known. You would have done the same thing.”
     
    He looked down at her and could see tears forming in her eyes. “You’re right. It doesn’t mean I am condoning you doing something so risky. But I can understand.”
     
    Just then the nurse walked in with a wheelchair to take her to get her x-ray. He sat in the small room and thought about her. There really was more to her than even she thought. This was New York. People tended to stick to their own business here. No one really stood up for their neighbors that much, anymore. Yet here she was, bruised all because she had thought her little old neighbor lady was in danger.
     
    Two hours later, they walked in the front door of his building. Matt was on duty tonight and he was shocked to see Sandi hobbling in the front door, leaning on Mitch for support. Thank goodness she hadn’t broken any bones. She’d been very lucky. She was having a hard time walking and when they finally made it in the door, he swooped her up and carried her the rest of the way into his place and gently set her down on the couch. He could tell she was tired. Her eyes were dull and when he’d carried her, she had rested her head on his shoulder.
     
    Then he remembered that she’d spent the entire night painting. She must be exhausted.
     
    “I can carry you upstairs if you want?” He stood over her as she adjusted her legs on the couch. She shook her head, no.
     
    “No, I think I’ll stay down here for a while. What are your plans?” He thought about it.
     
    “Well, there’s a game on tonight. I suppose if you’re game, we could watch it down here. I could make us some sandwiches and popcorn?”
     
    “That sounds wonderful.” She adjusted her legs a little more. He realized she was trying to get comfortable and walked over to retrieve the pillows from one of the chairs. Propping it behind her, he handed her the blanket off the back of the couch. She was still wearing her torn jeans and his jacket, but acted like she was cold. Could it be that she was still in shock? He didn’t want to take any chances. He helped her lay the blanket over her gently.
     
    “Thank you.” She straightened the blanket over her lap. He turned to walk into the kitchen. “Mitch?” He turned back to her. “I mean it, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t know what I would