Cora

CHAPTER 3: ONE YEAR AGO

I finally peeled my hands off of my face and decided to try and take a bath. I slowly sat up, grabbed my crutches, and pulled myself up from the couch. The rush of blood to my ankle caused it to throb in pain so I quickly crutched into the bathroom and opened the closet door. Fortunately, I unpacked the bathroom yesterday when I moved in.

I grabbed the bandage roll and leaned the crutches on the side of the counter while lowering myself onto the floor. I carefully rolled the bandage around my ankle but flinched each time I had to go underneath my foot. Once I was finished, I took a deep breath and found a plastic bag and duck-tape at the bottom of the closet. I was able to cover my foot with it, while taping an air tight seal to make sure no water would get inside while I took a bath.

I turned on the faucet and the tub began filling with water. I slowly maneuvered my clothes off my body and then eased myself into the tub with my leg hanging over the side. I leaned back against the cold porcelain frame and closed my eyes. I breathed deeply with the effort. I was able to wash the sweat away and I finally felt clean.

After allowing my muscles to ease and the stress of the day wash down the drain, I eventually had to pry myself out of the tub and find a towel.

Realizing how difficult it would be to use crutches and hold my towel at the same time, I got on my knees, gripped my towel around me, and opened the bathroom door. I shuffled on my knees while holding my ankle up and made my way to my bedroom. I grabbed onto one of the boxes with clothes in it and slowly tried to put them on.

After what felt like forever, I was finally dressed, hair combed, and pants successfully on over the bandage. I grabbed my crutches and used them to make my way back into the living room and plop back down on the couch. I laid my head back and slowly felt the dull throb of a headache return. Screw you, caffeine addiction! But I do love you so much...I thought.

I made my way into the kitchen and turned the coffee maker on. While I waited for it to finish, I threw some bread in the toaster and grabbed the butter from the fridge.

I looked back over at the window and realized that I had not watered my new plant since my mom brought it over a couple days ago. I hopped over to the sink, grabbed the plant, and put it under the faucet while turning the handle for cold water.

Nothing happened.

I tried turning it off and back on again, but still, nothing happened. "Really?" I mentally cringed to myself realizing that I was talking to a sink. "You were just working this morning..." I grunted and smacked the neck of the faucet, trying again. Nothing.

I put the plant back on the window-sill and frowned. My coffee was finished, so I grabbed my mug and plate of toast and brought it to the table. I sat down and put my leg up on the chair next to me. I sulked back and took a sip of my coffee, burning the roof of my mouth in the process.

Things were just not working out for me today.

I stared down at the table, contemplating what to do, and noticed Ben's business card sitting at the edge of the table. I reached for it and the Plumbing company's logo stared back at me.

I flipped the card around in my hand deciding whether or not to call him. I did want to see him again... he was very generous in helping me out, despite the fact that we had just met.

I shook my head and decided against it. Asking for two favors in one day was just pushing it. I put the card back down on the table and pushed it away from me. I took a bite of my toast and reached for my phone, dialing my mom's number. She picked up on the first ring.