Bike?

Mahonri stood by her door for another minute. She wasn't being as cold anymore, but she wasn't really being open either. He wondered if her getting the job at Smith's was really for the best. If the pain in her leg was worse because of it, it would take longer than a few weeks to finish healing. He or Dale could always offer her a ride down, but likely she wouldn't take that either. Would she be open to the use of herbs? Where she had a splint now instead of a cast, they would be easier to use. Comfrey ointment would be the best herbal aid. She could use it on her wrist as well. Then she would be able to use two crutches and not just one.

He was getting excited as he thought and entered his apartment. Pulling out all the formulas he had made, that had worked well for himself and those he had given them to, he set them on the table. Then he sat and wrote out instructions on how to use them. He was still writing when he heard a door close, followed by two thuds and silence. Peaking out his door, he saw Rehabiah sitting at the head of the other staircase. She was leaning against the railing with her left leg straight. Her attention was focused on the clouds then moved to her wrist as she took off her splint.

"One, two, three, four, five colors," she said.

Mahonri stepped out of his apartment and walked over to where she sat. When he stopped behind her, Rehabiah looked back up at the sky.

"Perfect weather to go biking," she said.

"Because it's cloudy?" Mahonri asked.

"No, because it's going to rain."

"Doesn't that make it more dangerous?"

"Everyday is dangerous, but, yes, it could."

"Then why is it perfect?"

"Because of the waves that are created when the tires slice through the puddles."

"But wouldn't that be miserable? Biking all wet like that?"

"Most serious bikers don't get wet. They wear Gortex." Her attention went back to her wrist. Then she took the bandage she had and started to cover the multi colored bruise.

"Wait," Mahonri said, moving next to her.

"What?" she asked, pausing.

"Will you let me try something?"

"No." She finished wrapping her wrist and slid her brace back on with a wince.

"Does it...?"

"Goodnight, Mahonri," she interrupted. Standing, she hopped back into her apartment.

Okay. So, injuries are off limits, but she may try the herbs if I leave them for her.

Returning to his apartment, Mahonri finished writing his suggestions then put everything in a plastic bag to drop off in the morning before she left for work.

In the morning, he found an envelope taped to his door. His name written in a scrawly handwriting. He looked at it then took it down. Inside was thirty dollars. Did Rehabiah leave this for him? He knocked on her door and waited for a while. She didn't answer. Maybe she was at work already. Checking his watch, he would have enough time to stop by before he needed to go to work. It also gave him an excuse to pick up food for later.

He ran down the street to Smith's. Rehabiah was the only cashier at her register and the building was nearly empty. She was staring away, but turned to look at him as he approached.

"Good morning, Sir. Did you find everything you were looking for?" she asked with a smile.

"So far I have," he replied. Then holding up the envelope asked, "Did you leave this on my door this morning?"

"No," she replied, turning enough to pick up a water bottle.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

"Ask me again sometime." Her head turned and she greeted the next customer that was waiting to be rung up.

Mahonri moved to where a bagger usually stands and waited. She was quick and efficient and well versed in the art of small talk. After the customer left, she picked up her water bottle again.

"Are you fine? Are you in pain?"

"I'm working," she said.

He watched her for a moment before he nodded and left for work.

Mahonri was late because he had stopped to see Rehabiah. The ER was packed. Several men came in, wounded from motorcycle accidents, a young boy and his sister came in because of a biking accident. Neither the boy or his sister made it. Calls for his aid continued to come, but he was struggling to keep a level head. He stopped once for a cup of peppermint and skullcap tea to help calm his nerves. Why was he so uptight today? This was a typical day in the ER.

Rehabiah was fine, and there had been no unexpected calls from family members. By the end of his shift, he was so high strung that it took several co-workers to push him out the door so he could get some sleep. As he left the building, he noticed that the day was partially cloudy, much like it had been when Rehabiah was talking about the weather being perfect for biking. The boy and his sister came to mind and he ran home. She wouldn't do something like that, would she?

"Mahonri," Dale called, as he raced across the parking lot.

Mahonri didn't hear him; he had to see if Rehabiah was home. He pounded on the door, his anxiety building. Why did he feel this way? He had never felt this way about any of the other girls he had dated. She wasn't answering her door. His fist came up to knock again, but Dale caught his wrist.

"Mahonri, I haven't ever seen you run like that. Is something wrong?"

"Have you seen Rehabiah today?"

"Yes. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just...," he stopped and looked at the floor. He needed to calm down. Taking a deep breath only helped a little. "How is she?"

"Fine, as far as I could tell. She sat on the steps for a while before going up to her apartment. And she asked that you leave her alone for a bit."

Mahonri bit back the questions he had. She was just an acquaintance—a neighbor—but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had known her for longer than a few days.

"Is something wrong, Mahonri?" his sister, Marci asked.

"No. I've... It's just been a long day. Thanks, Dale."

"For what?"

He didn't respond and went into his apartment.

His anxiety was still running high. The tea didn't help. Digging through his cupboards, he threw together a shock tea, that a few midwives he knew used in their practice, and downed it. It was a definite wake up call, but he still lie down on his couch and fell asleep.

When he woke, the sun was shining brightly through his window. He was glad to have the weekend off. Perhaps he had been working too hard and that's what made him anxious about Rehabiah. It was rare to feel that way. Mahonri sat up. Then he reached for the Book of Mormon sitting on the coffee table and read until he heard voices outside his door. The laughter came from Cassie, the girl in the apartment directly across from his. Then he heard a laugh he didn't recognize. He went to the door and opened it. Rehabiah was chatting with Cassie.

"Oh. Morning, Mahonri," Cassie said.

"Good morning, Cassie. Good morning, Rehabiah."

"Mahonri," she replied, not looking at him. "Cass, I've got to go now."

"Alright, Biah. Talk to you later." Cassie closed her door and Rehabiah hopped towards the stairs.

"Biah?" Mahonri asked with a raised eyebrow.

Rehabiah shook her head and sat on the top step before sliding down them one by one.

"Would you like some help?"

"No."

"Would you like any help with your errands?"

"No."

She reached the bottom step then hopped her way across the parking lot towards Smith's.

Mahonri chatted with Cassie for a little while before going over to Dale and Marci's. They had some errands to run, but Mahonri stayed to answer the phone. He answered several calls. But then he received one he wasn't expecting.

"Aspen Grove Apartments. Mahonri speaking," he answered.

"Is Dale available?" Rehabiah asked.

"He is not. Is there something I can help you with?"

"No." She hung up.

When Dale and Marci returned, Mahonri went to his apartment to do a little cleaning. He left a little later to go on a walk while the weather was nice. But as he left, he noticed that Rehabiah's door was open. He approached and heard Dale's voice. He entered the entryway and leaned against the wall.

"I don't think so, but I can't afford to have it checked out either."

"Why not? Don't you have insurance?"

"Nope."

"Maybe I can help," Mahonri said. He was leaning against the wall by the door.

"I don't want your help."

"And why not?"

Rehabiah turned back to Dale. "Thanks for bringing my bike up."

"Bike?" Mahonri asked.

Rehabiah didn't respond.

"You're welcome," Dale said. Then he turned to Mahonri. "Let's go."

The floor creaked under their feet as they left.

"Bike?" Mahonri asked Dale, once the door was closed. "Her leg isn't healed yet."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about, Mahonri. Rehabiah seems like a very level headed woman." Dale patted Mahonri's shoulder then left.

Mahonri returned to his apartment. He reviewed the instructions he had written for Rehabiah. He clarified a few lines before going over to Dale and Marci's. He lifted the key for Rehabiah's apartment. Then he took the herbal preparations and quietly entered her apartment. She was asleep on the couch. Mahonri knelt by the couch

He gently lifted her sprained wrist and unwrapped it. He did his best to pull the ointment out of the bag without making too much noise. He unscrewed the lid then spread the cool ointment over the bruised area. Her fingers jerked slightly, but she didn't wake. Mahonri was gentle. These bruises were deep. When he was done, he waited several minutes—keeping the arm off the couch. Then he opened a second ointment container and spread this over the first. It had Cayenne and Wintergreen in it to help drive the pain relieving properties deeper.

He wrapped the ace bandage around her wrist once more, a little tighter than she had had it. He slid the brace back into place. Rehabiah moved and rubbed her eyes. Mahonri froze. She buried her face into the couch. It was several minutes before he dared repeat the process for her lower calf and ankle. When the splint was back in place, Mahonri left the plastic bag on the floor by the couch. He locked the handle and left.