Best of Women

Lin

I'd just made the kids go to bed when my phone buzzed with a call. I pulled it out of my sweats pocket and saw that it was Pippa. I smiled as I swiped to answer it.

"Hey, Pip," I answered. "Miss me already?"

"Lin-" she sobbed. I could immediately tell something was terribly wrong. I'd never heard her like this.

"Pippa, what's wrong?" I asked, stopping where I stood.

"I was attacked..." she sobbed, breathing heavily. "Right outside the subway."

"Where?" I asked her, rushing to the living room to find my keys.

"Just down the street from you," she cried.

"I'll be right there," I told her, then hung up. I ran out, quickly locking the door behind me. I ran all the way down the stairs and out into the street. As I approached the subway station, I could see her sitting on the ground, her head in her hands. I reached her and got on my knees.

"Pip!" I said, my heart pounding. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. Her lip was bleeding and her face was scratched up. "Oh my God. Are you okay?"

"I...I think so," she said, but seemed really confused.

"Should I take you to the hospital?" I asked her, holding her hand as she started to push herself up.

"No, it's not that bad," she brushed it off. "Just some scrapes. They got my purse. Dammit."

She stumbled in pain as she tried to stand. I got her elbow and did my best to steady her.

"Are you sure?" I looked her up and down. Her jeans were a little ripped. She nodded and winced.

"Can you just get me inside?"

"Of course," I said, wrapping her arm around my neck. I helped walk her back to my apartment building. She didn't say anything as I pushed the elevator button and waited for it. I helped her hobble back to my apartment and led her straight to the couch. In the light, I could see her better. The assholes must have pushed her to the ground. Her knees were scraped up, along with her hands. I helped lay her down and then gently took off her shoes. Her left ankle was definitely swollen.

"I'll get some ice," I told her. I walked to the fridge quickly and got an ice pack out, along with a paper towel. I wrapped it up and then gently set it on her ankle. She breathed in a little at the cold, but then relaxed. Then, I went to get the first aid kit. I sat on the couch as I scanned her face. I got out a wipe and warned her it might sting. She breathed in a little bit as I gently wiped at her scratches on her cheek.

After I'd taken care of her cheek and lip, I gently coaxed her hands to face up so I could see her palms. I tried to be as gentle as possible wiping them with the anti-septic. I watched her face to gauge her level of tolerance. It broke my heart to see her in pain. Why had I let her leave this time of night? I felt incredibly guilty. I should have insisted she stay.

I took a glance down at her knees. "We should get your knees too," I told her. "Do you wanna take a quick shower?"

She nodded and I helped her sit up. I helped her walk down the hallway to my bedroom. I found a fresh towel and then turned on the shower for her. I gave her elbow a supportive squeeze.

"I'll be right outside," I told her softly. She nodded and I left, closing the door behind me. I sat on my bed, just tapping my heel up and down. I had a rage inside me. No one hurt Pippa. If those guys were in front of me, I'd be creaming them. Pippa was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. She didn't deserve this.