Opposing Parties

Allie Goes Jogging

Weather-wise, it was the perfect day for a brisk jog in Central Park: the air held a bite of frost, the trees lifted up colorful leaves, and the sky hung heavy with sleet. I put in my headphones, listening to a recent podcast on the upcoming healthcare bill. I'd heard all of the points before, but it was a good way to warm up for my big presentation.

Balto looked regal in the morning light. I saluted him and his bravery. The opposition to our bill was made up of people who opposed the right to medicine and free healthcare. I was hoping my notes would help us crush them. My determined feet found their way on the smooth trail, just like Balto and his-

Weather-wise, it was the worst day to trip, and fall sideways onto the cold pavement. I groaned. Everything hurt in that stinging, pounding way that only cold injuries can. When I tried to stand, my right wrist and then my left ankle refused to help.

Great. Two sprains.

I managed to roll onto my right leg and kneel, stretching my left leg out behind me. My phone glowed in a nearby puddle. I splashed it out with a grimace and dialed Jenna's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jenna. Sorry for the early call. I was on a run and I sprained my ankle."

"Uh-oh. Where are you?"

"The last thing I passed was the Balto statue in Central Park. Jenna? Can you hear me? Jenna?"

My phone had died. Jenna might have heard me, but maybe not. And it was still early. Who knew when another jogger would come this way?

I should have told her where my healthcare bill notes were in the hotel room! They would need those for the morning meeting as they discussed the opposition. I usually preferred to play dead when it came to doing presentations, but this was one I really cared about. And now I was stuck in Central Park with two sprains.

"Hello? Can anyone hear me?"

The sounds of traffic through the trees greeted me.

I pulled myself into a semi standing position, trying to test my leg out. I wanted to cry, but was determined to make it out of the park with my dignity. I finagled my way onto my right leg again and hopped my slow, stinging way to a nearby bench. My left hand gripped the back of the bench as I elevated my already swelling ankle.

Minutes passed in painful silence. Wasn't Central Park famous for joggers and bikers, though? Where was everyone?

Maybe I could hop out of the park. This proved to be unsuccessful with two limbs out of commission. Every time I got somewhere I started to tip forward. I hopped back to the bench. So much for not crying.

Up the road, the sound of a bike approaching lit my heart with hope. A young man with a messenger bag drove around the corner. He slowed.

"Do you need some help?" His accent was as crisp as the morning air.

I wiped at my face, and then explained my situation as carefully as possible. He offered me his phone. It was 8:30. I'd been in the park for more than an hour. The meeting was at 9:00.

Jenna picked up. "Hello?"

"It's me."

"What happened, Allie?"

"I sprained my ankle and my wrist, I think."

"Shoot. Okay, how soon can you get back?"

"I'm not sure. I'm at least 15 minutes away by car. Can someone come get me?"

Voices chattered in the background. A door slammed.

"It's all hands on deck here, Allie. I don't think I can send someone. Can you get an Uber and try to make it back for the morning meeting?"