Written By Brad Harness
Francine was not a big woman and when she collided - let herself collide - with her neighbour Mark, she more or less bounced off of him.
The library book she had been carrying - a ruse - fell to the ground beside Mark’s dog, Jocko.
Mark’s surprise showed.
“Oh my goodness…I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
Francine stood before him, smiling.
“Are you alright, Francine?” he asked her.
At that, she feigned an injury and let herself drop to the grass beside the sidewalk. She sat up and started massaging her ankle. Looking up at Mark she said. “This old sports injury flares up now and then…”
He squatted down and asked whether she was able to walk.
“Well, if you can help me up, we’ll find out, Mark…”
She turned onto all fours then - certain his gaze was upon her - she tried slowly to rise up.
Mark grabbed her arm and guided her to her feet. He looked worried. He had this great plan to put space in between himself and this annoying neighbour. But now here he was up close and personal with her.
Francine sighed, putting some weight on her ankle. “I think it’s alright…” she began, as she pretended to try to walk.
An anxious Mark had let go of her arm to see whether she would be able to walk alone. She noticed, and suddenly stumbled. “Oh!”
Mark grabbed her arm again to hold her up and told her he thought she should return home and rest her foot.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right, Mark…Can you come along with me to make sure I don’t fall?”
What could he say?
“Of course, Francine.”
And off they went, him holding her up as they slowly made their way down the block to her house.
From the window of his own house, his daughter Isabel called into the kitchen.
“Ma! Something’s going on with dad and that woman next door…look…”
Julia Bixby was at her daughter’s side in a flash. What the Heck is it now?
To Isabel she said, “Is your dad being a good Samaritan again?”
“He’s holding her hand.”
Julia frowned. “More like her arm…Francine is limping, she must have hurt herself and daddy is helping her out.”
Next Week: Part 7
