Free The Riches of Mercy by C. E. Case

twitched. The instinct to cross herself ran through her, but the strength wasn't there.
    She gripped the wheelchair arms.
    Jake parked her out on the sidewalk under the awning. She got her first view of Tarpley.
    The world in front of her wasn't remarkable--a parking lot, a ring of trees beyond it. Pavement. Sidewalks. The awning itself was dark green. The hospital signs were grim.
    She breathed deeply. Her chest burned in protest.
    She'd never been a fan of the outdoors. She'd only been camping once in Girl Scouts and she'd gone home crying in the middle of the night.
    Here she was in the wilderness.
    "How far is the beach?" she asked.
    Jake stood beside her. He had one hand on the handlebar, just behind her shoulder, and he was slouching companionably. She was glad he was there. Even having met him only a few times, he'd healed her--she could feel herself healing in his presence--and now she looked forward to his easy, friendly smile as if he were a drug.
    "It's about an hour by car that way." He pointed in a direction she assumed was east. "But by wheels..." He looked her up and down. "Better start rolling."
    "Maybe I could hitchhike."
    Jake giggled. "I just pictured you, chair and all, strapped into the back of a pick-up truck, like some old rocking chair."
    She rolled her eyes.
    "Want me to do your makeup?"
    "Makeup?"
    "It's just--This is your first big day out. You're a little pale. And blotchy. I don't know if you've looked at yourself recently."
    "Recently. You mean since--"
    "I mean since," he said.
    She’d seen in the mirror in the bathroom. She'd looked sixty years old, stooped, and feeble.
    "Do I look haggard?" she asked.
    "Sort of like a zombie. But--You're clean, your clothes look okay. Sometimes women like to 'put their face on.'" He made air quotes. "A right of passage. Makes them feel whole again. I'm speaking as a therapist here, not as Mr. Black."
    She glanced down at her leg.
    "Forget I said anything."
    "Jake, I didn't mean it like--" From emotional leech to depressed drama queen already. This was a slippery slope.
    A horn honked.
    A van with a handicap access symbol painted on its side rolled up. A driver got out. He yanked open the bay doors, and began to lower the ramp.
    "Only one in the county," Jake said. "Cost your insurance $200 every time you use it. Though I don't expect you will much, except for coming back for your surgery. Be right back." Jake darted inside.
    Natalie glanced at the driver. He unlocked the brake on her wheelchair and pushed her onto the ramp.
    "Is this safe?" she asked.
    He snorted and pushed her in. The tilt of her chair made her wince, but she managed not to yelp. Once inside the van, he locked her wheels.
    "Over here," Jake said.
    Natalie glanced back toward the van door. The hospital entrance lay before her. Demure concrete and brick with a red cross on a white background near the sliding glass doors. Her home for two weeks. And in front of her home stood Jake, who was holding a gift basket.
    Natalie raised her eyebrows.
    "For you, my dear," Jake said.
    He stood at chest-height. So the terrifying ramp hadn't taken her as high as she thought. She snorted and took the basket. There was soap and body oil and chocolate and Tylenol-3.
    "The chocolate's for Merry, for putting up with your white ass."
    "What do I get?" The driver asked.
    Jake stepped out of Natalie's line of sight. She cautiously leaned forward to see around the van door just in time to see Jake tuck a ten dollar bill into the driver's shirt pocket.
    "Drive slowly," Jake said. "She's never been to Tarpley."
    "Absolutely true," Natalie said.
    The driver frowned at Jake. "What's with the accent?"
    "She's from Charlotte."
    The driver looked askance at her. Natalie retreated back into the van. Jake appeared in the doorway again. He leaned in and took her hands. "See you soon, Nat."
    "Thank you, Jake." His name caught in her throat. Tears stung her eyes.
    Jake winked.
    The driver got into his seat. "What was that? You