Read Online The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1) by D.M. Chisolm - Free Book Online
Authors: D.M. Chisolm
Ads: Link
left the room. “Ms. McLeod, you’re right about one thing. Life isn’t fair. It truly isn’t.”
Chapter Seven
Here I am again, staring at the elevator doors waiting to take me to the 40 th floor and trying my best to just get on and ride up like any normal person. That’s just it though, I’m not any normal person. I’m an anxiety ridden shell of the person I used to be and right now I hate this version of myself. I’m doing my breathing exercise and I have my earbuds in listening to my music—all tactics taught to me by my therapist, Dr. May. This is how I convinced myself to get on for the trip down when I went to see Doc. That and the fear of seeing Ozias after our awkward evening. It still was a horrible trip, but at least I did it. I’m telling myself that now as I see the circular, red lights highlighting the floor numbers slowly descend and I brace myself for the door to open as it reaches the lobby. Ding. I hear the signal that it’s reached its destination.
“Adira!” Ozias is standing in front of me with a worried expression on his face. I took my earbuds out so I can hear him. “Where have you been? You didn’t answer your cell so I’ve been worried!”
“I went to see Doc, to get my x-ray.” I felt a to– the-point explanation was all he needed and I really didn’t want to have another stressful day, so I avoided the real question in his eyes.
“You could have woken me. I would have taken you.” He seemed really hurt and I silently cursed myself again.
“You had done enough for me, and besides, I’m capable of taking care of myself.” I crossed my arms across my chest and held my head up. I really doubted the words I said but that was why I was here, to prove just that.
“Are you on your way up?”
“Yes, I’m tired. I think I’ll lie down.”
“Have you eaten? If not, I could get you something or take you somewhere?”
I started to oppose but the truth was I hadn’t eaten and I was starving so, I figured this was a peace offering. “Ok. Where do you want to go?” Ozias’ startled expression told me he thought I’d say no.
“There’s a coffee shop around the corner that has a small breakfast and lunch menu. Would that be ok?”
“Yes, that’s just fine.” I turned on my crutches and followed him to the coffee shop.
It was a quaint little shop with only enough table and chairs to sit about twenty people. The smell of coffee hit me and I breathed in the wonderful scent. I smiled, coffee always made me smile.
“Here we can sit in the corner by the window. That will give you the most room.” He escorted me to the table and his hand lightly touched the small of my back. It was an intimate gesture and his touch made me shiver. Why does this affect me so? It was starting to annoy me in a way because I really had no intention of dating or really looking for a man while I was here. I had to focus or I’d lose sight of my goals, to be an independent woman, and that was very important to me.
I sat down and Ozias went to the counter and pointed to me as he spoke to the man behind the counter. I saw the man shake his head indicating a “yes” and grab a pen and pad and came to our table.
“I asked Charles, the manager, to take your order at our table so you don’t have to stand up.” He motioned to Charles as he sat down across from me.
I appreciated the gesture but I really didn’t want to be treated like an invalid, but I was trying to make peace between us so I smiled and looked to Charles.
Chapter Seven
Here I am again, staring at the elevator doors waiting to take me to the 40 th floor and trying my best to just get on and ride up like any normal person. That’s just it though, I’m not any normal person. I’m an anxiety ridden shell of the person I used to be and right now I hate this version of myself. I’m doing my breathing exercise and I have my earbuds in listening to my music—all tactics taught to me by my therapist, Dr. May. This is how I convinced myself to get on for the trip down when I went to see Doc. That and the fear of seeing Ozias after our awkward evening. It still was a horrible trip, but at least I did it. I’m telling myself that now as I see the circular, red lights highlighting the floor numbers slowly descend and I brace myself for the door to open as it reaches the lobby. Ding. I hear the signal that it’s reached its destination.
“Adira!” Ozias is standing in front of me with a worried expression on his face. I took my earbuds out so I can hear him. “Where have you been? You didn’t answer your cell so I’ve been worried!”
“I went to see Doc, to get my x-ray.” I felt a to– the-point explanation was all he needed and I really didn’t want to have another stressful day, so I avoided the real question in his eyes.
“You could have woken me. I would have taken you.” He seemed really hurt and I silently cursed myself again.
“You had done enough for me, and besides, I’m capable of taking care of myself.” I crossed my arms across my chest and held my head up. I really doubted the words I said but that was why I was here, to prove just that.
“Are you on your way up?”
“Yes, I’m tired. I think I’ll lie down.”
“Have you eaten? If not, I could get you something or take you somewhere?”
I started to oppose but the truth was I hadn’t eaten and I was starving so, I figured this was a peace offering. “Ok. Where do you want to go?” Ozias’ startled expression told me he thought I’d say no.
“There’s a coffee shop around the corner that has a small breakfast and lunch menu. Would that be ok?”
“Yes, that’s just fine.” I turned on my crutches and followed him to the coffee shop.
It was a quaint little shop with only enough table and chairs to sit about twenty people. The smell of coffee hit me and I breathed in the wonderful scent. I smiled, coffee always made me smile.
“Here we can sit in the corner by the window. That will give you the most room.” He escorted me to the table and his hand lightly touched the small of my back. It was an intimate gesture and his touch made me shiver. Why does this affect me so? It was starting to annoy me in a way because I really had no intention of dating or really looking for a man while I was here. I had to focus or I’d lose sight of my goals, to be an independent woman, and that was very important to me.
I sat down and Ozias went to the counter and pointed to me as he spoke to the man behind the counter. I saw the man shake his head indicating a “yes” and grab a pen and pad and came to our table.
“I asked Charles, the manager, to take your order at our table so you don’t have to stand up.” He motioned to Charles as he sat down across from me.
I appreciated the gesture but I really didn’t want to be treated like an invalid, but I was trying to make peace between us so I smiled and looked to Charles.
Similar Books
