A Little Secret between Friends

That had been the last in a series of arguments that had convinced her she could not spend a lifetime with the man she’d married so rashly. She’d moved out the next week. Drawn up a separation agreement that Neil had never signed…

“Must have been a hell of a fall, Sally. Did you burn your hand, then lose your balance?”

She closed her eyes, remembering the vile sneer on Neil’s face just before he’d given her that second shove. The ice-man smile.

She doubted if any of Neil’s colleagues would believe that the polished, urbane man who was one of the city’s most accomplished criminal lawyers had this darker side.

Besides, even if Colin did believe her, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know.

“That must be what happened. It’s all kind of blurry right now.”

Blurry was the right word. Her vision still wasn’t quite right. And her understanding of the situation was equally out of focus. Neil had lost his temper hundreds of times before, but he’d never laid a hand on her before. What was so different this time? Did he resent her possible judicial appointment that much?

“You look like you’re in a lot of pain.”

“I’m actually starting to feel a little better.”

“You’ll need stitches for that cut, I’m guessing.”

He was probably right.

“Should I call an ambulance?”

“I’m not that badly off. But maybe you could drop me at the Rockyview Emergency? Unless you have plans?”

Colin’s laugh was bitter. “I never have plans these days. Not that it would matter if I did. Come on, sweetheart, we’ve got to get you up off that floor.”

He started to put his arms under her then paused.

“You smell good,” she murmured.

“What?”

She couldn’t believe she’d said that. It was just the contrast from Neil, she supposed. “Don’t mind me. I’m delirious.”

“Before I move you I’d better make sure you don’t have any other injuries. Back? Neck?”

“Fine. Nothing hurts but my head and my hand.” And those were enough. “You know, a few painkillers would go down real nice about now.”

“Let’s get you up, first. Here goes.” Colin put his arms under her back, helping her to a sitting position. “Okay?”

“A little dizzy,” she admitted.

“Think you can make it to the car?”

“But all this blood will stain your seats.” There was a pool of the stuff in the kitchen. It was on her shirt and Colin’s socks. He must have removed his shoes at the door.

“I’ll take care of it,” Colin promised. “What about the dog?”

“Could you put him in the laundry room, please?”

Colin pulled off his socks so he wouldn’t track blood all over her house, then settled the dog. Next he grabbed a throw blanket from the family room and wrapped it around her shoulders. As gently as possible, he helped her up. Slowly they crossed to the back door where he slipped his shoes back onto his feet, then swung her up into his arms and carried her out to his car.

The round trip to the emergency room took under four hours, which wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Colin stuck with her the whole time, except when she was in the examining room.

“How many stitches?” he asked on the drive home.

She fingered the raw spot on the side of her head. “Four. You know, I’ve never had stitches before. If you don’t count childbirth.”

“Why would you…?” Colin began to ask. Then, “Oh…” as he figured the answer out on his own. “That must really hurt.”

“It’s not the worst part,” she assured him, then smiled at his grimace.

It was peaceful riding in the car with Colin, which was strange. She wasn’t used to being in his vicinity without a good argument brewing between them. Usually legal in nature, but sometimes political or economic. In truth, their world views weren’t that different, but from the first time they’d butted heads in law school, they’d seemed to take pleasure in picking fights with each other.

Back at her house, Colin surprised her by producing a key to her front door, then helping her inside. When she looked at him questioningly, he said, “It’s Beth’s.” He started to work it off the chain, but she stopped him.

“Keep it. If I ever lock myself out, I’ll be glad you have the spare.”

Trailing her hand along the hallway wall, to keep herself steady, Sally headed for the laundry room. As soon as she opened the door, Armani tumbled out, barking excitedly.

“I’ll take care of him. You should get some rest.” Colin crouched beside the puppy. “I’ll bet you need to go outside, don’t you, fella?”

“Thank you, Colin.” Sally couldn’t wait to get off her feet. It was almost midnight now and all she wanted was sleep. In the hospital Colin had told her he would stay the night to keep an eye on her. Otherwise, the doctor would have insisted on admitting her.

Sally tossed her bloodied clothing into the hamper and put on flannel pajamas. She managed to brush her teeth then, with relief, crawled under the covers.

Within a minute, she heard Armani and Colin return to the house. There were some noises in the laundry room. She presumed Colin was making sure the puppy had food and water for the night.

Then Colin came to her room. She’d left the door open, but he stood out in the hall.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine.” The painkillers were blessedly effective.

“How long were you there? Lying on the floor before I got here.”

“I’m not sure. Lucky for me you showed up when you did.” Then she realized how strange that was. Colin never dropped by, and certainly wouldn’t do so without phoning first. “How was it you came for a visit tonight, anyway?”

Colin looked surprised. “Don’t you remember phoning?” He disappeared down the hall, returning a few minutes later with her cell phone. He’d wiped off the blood and now he pressed a button to show her the last number dialed.

She vaguely recalled fumbling with her cell phone, then dropping it. “I must have hit one of the speed-dial buttons.”

“When I answered you asked for Beth.”

“Oh.” Now that he said that, she recalled thinking of her friend in those first painful and confusing moments. Beth had always been the person she turned to during an emergency.

But how awful for him, to get a call like that. “I’m sorry, Colin. I guess it must have been instinct or something. I wasn’t thinking straight.”