The stair challenge ended badly for the men. But a day later, the outcome was good.
“And I have been stupid. I could have helped her more.”
“Well. You didn’t know. You weren’t responsible. Now you know. Now you are responsible.”
“Well. Let me start out with this. Could I call you again if? I mean if I have questions.”
“Sure. But try this. Ask her. You have an expert there. You said she was smart. And hit those meetings.”
“I will. I want to be the best for her. I probably can’t.”
“Take this from a woman who had a husband that was great. If you get half way there it will be great for her.”
“I understand but I don’t want half way.”
“Shoot for it.”
“Do you know something that would really help Janice?”
“Well. I have no experience with a family member who is an amputee so what I will give you comes out of a book and out of watching others.”
“That is more than I have now.”
“Am I free to be honest?”
“Sure.”
“Carl Jr. could really help by not berating her and treating her like a problem.”
He started to chuckle. “I have to tell you about him. Yesterday he ran into a couple guys at college who saw him at the mall. He tried to pass it off at first then one of them told him his mom is in a wheelchair with MS. The guy told him that he spent a day in a wheelchair and learned a lot to help his mom. He even found things that they could change at the house to make it easier. He thought it was great that Carl was learning to help his sister. Carl actually tried to brag about it. The guy is a freshman and wants to meet Janice.”
Carol laughed. “Well. Maybe this will be good for Carl.”
“I think so. And I have a confession. I told the guys at work. I even told them two women beat me on the stairs, one of them with one leg. I figured it would get out so I just told them. They laughed about it. When I told them the one gal climbs towers they wanted to see the program she was on. I have the DVD of it and am going to let them see it. The one guy saw you on TV and said you were hot. They told me the stupid thing I did was challenging you. Both of you are lighter than me and you are used to being on one leg and the other gal is used to climbing. They asked me where I checked my brains.”
“He said I was hot. Gee. Thanks.”
“He wants your phone number.”
“I’m not sure I am ready for that.”
“Well. He is a nice guy. He has been on my back for drinking for over a year. He lost his wife about three years ago to breast cancer.”
“Maybe some day. I have kids in school.”
“Fine. But I think you are missing a real opportunity. He isn’t like me. He is a good father and was a good husband.”
“I think you are a good one too. You can just have some improvement. Let’s call it revision. One thing you need to remember. Your wife and daughter have faced death at least a couple times. They will look at life differently now than before. You may have no basis for understanding that. You just have to try.”
He laughed. “Thanks. I have to get off here. I have a beautiful woman who has a sexy leg that needs some attention.”
“Your wife has my e-mail and I have hers. Call me or send me a note from time to time and if I can help you with the surgery for them, let me know. I will send her a list of the names of doctors in the area. I think there are four now.”
“Thanks. Thanks so much.”
Karen: Chapter One – The Attack
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