The lingering accident

The new years party

The small New Years reception of the company seemed to be a success. Everyone was talking, laughing and generally having a good time. Steve stood a little aside, watching the group and smiling. The co-worker he had just been talking to had excused himself to go to the bathroom, so Steve took this time to just observe for a moment. The cheerful mood almost touchable and it made him feel glad to have decided to join the party. It was good to just be able to stand there and watch for a moment.

A sudden flash of pain in his legs made him cringe, but he soon straightened his back, grinding his teeth in order to deal with it. He slowly let go of his breath and took another deep breath in. The muscles in his leg cramped up. He made a painful grimace as he was just trying to keep standing. It happened occasionally, ever since the accident. Most of the times it went away after a few minutes.

His breath was going faster and more shallow as the pain continued shooting through his legs. He was trembling, just fighting to stand. It didn't seem to go away this time and he closed his eyes when a new shot of pain moved through his leg. He knew he had to move to rid his legs of the cramp, but he could hardly do so and he was afraid he would fall if he tried to take just a single step.

Steve opened his mouth to ask for help, but was unable to let out a sound.

Please...anyone...help me...

He looked at the group of people, hoping, praying, someone would notice.

Suddenly Pete looked up, as if he had noticed the silent cry for help. It took him a few second to realize what was going on and a few seconds more to push his glass in the hands of one of the co-workers he had been talking with and walk over to Steve.

Pete grabbed Steve's arm and lay it over his shoulders, his other arm went over Steve's back and under his shoulder, supporting him. He was one of the few people that knew what Steve suffered from.

"Come on, Steve. The doctor said you had to walk it out."

"I...know..." Steve managed to say, hanging heavily on Pete. The room had fell silent, but Steve didn't notice and Pete didn't pay attention to it. He walked with Steve towards to door and into the hallway, where they could freely walk on a straight path.

The first few painful steps were agony, but as the muscles in his legs started to relax, the pain started to leave. After a few minutes of walking, supported by Pete, the pain was gone but his legs felt weak, as if he had run a marathon.

"Thanks," Steve said to Pete, letting him go.

"That's what friends are for, right?" Pete answered as he smiled. "Do you want me to bring you home?"

Steve nodded slowly and Pete pointed towards a bench a few feet away. "Why don't you wait there, and I'll go get our coats."

"They'll wonder why I'm suddenly leaving."

"I'll explain it."

Steve watched Pete for a moment. "Only if they ask."

"Of course," Pete reassured his friend. "I haven't told anyone so far. I'll just say you don't feel well. The boss should know though."

Steve nodded as he walked to the bench, grateful he could sit for a moment and gives his legs some rest. "I'll explain it to him Monday, before I'll start working."

"Alright, I'll be right back."

Pete quickly returned to the room where the new years party was being held and Steve placed his elbows on his knees and supported his head, cursing this weakness he had to live with, but grateful for a friend like Pete.