Free When Our Worlds Collide by Lindsey Iler Page A

and wince at the pain that it causes. I carefully slide
the tank top over my head to avoid the pain that lifting my arms causes.
Grabbing my crutches I make my way back to my bed where comfort awaits me.
    I grab a DVD off of the bookcase and slide it in the player
before throwing myself on top of my bed. Studying is the last thing I really
want to do considering the embarrassment I caused for myself this afternoon
with Graham. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?
    I’m not sure what I expect or want Graham to say to me.
Believing that he owes me something is ridiculous, even I know that. He doesn’t
owe me anything. Maybe I am looking for some sort of remorse. Some sign that he
is who I think he was. In the small amount of times that I have talked to him
and the glances that we have exchanged I thought I saw something in his eyes
that is worth knowing. I’ve been wrong all along apparently.
    Watching movies the entire night is the only thing on my
agenda besides taking a break for dinner and snacks. I jump on one foot to make
it to the kitchen to grab something to drink from the refrigerator. This time I
escape falling on my face. Maybe I’m getting the hang of being immobile.
    “Mom, do we have any coke?” I yell to her from the kitchen
where she is sitting on the couch with my father having a serious conversation
that I have clearly interrupted.
    “Look in the bottom drawer. I just put a few in there
yesterday, so unless you drank them all there should still be some,” she yells
back to me before turning her attention back to their conversation. Debating on
sticking close by to eaves drop or getting out of dodge, I decide heading back
to my room is clearly the better option. Anything that they argue about usually
entails me and I’m not in the mood to hear how I am complicating their lives
these days.
    I grab Pretty Woman from the pile of movies I intend on
watching tonight and pop it into the player. Readjusting my body to get
comfortable is becoming quite the task. It takes me through the opening credits
to get situated. I have three pillows propped under my leg, two pillows behind
my back and an extra one on my right side to lean against for support. I look
ridiculous being swallowed up by all the pillows around me.
    The movie is just getting to the good part where Richard
Gere picks up Julia Robert’s character on the strip when I hear our doorbell
ring. I look over at my alarm clock to see that it is almost nine. There is a
knock on my door shortly after.
    “Come in,” I push pause refusing to miss any part of the
movie.
     My door swings open and my mom stands in the doorway. “You
have someone here to see you, honey,” she speaks softly. The look on her face
is one of amusement and maybe annoyance. I can’t really tell.
    “Who is it?” I didn’t expect anyone to stop by. Maybe it is
Violet, but if it was, my mom wouldn’t have that look on her face that she has
right now. Violet hasn’t rung our door bell in almost three years, so odds are
it isn’t her.
    “He said his name is Graham. He has something to ask you
about a homework assignment. It’s kind of late, Ken,” she says in warning. She
moves to the side and ushers him into my room with a raised eyebrow. He steps
into my room and thanks my mother for allowing him to come in and assures her
that it shouldn’t take too long. This would be a good time for me to protest,
but I am in shock at seeing him standing in my bedroom. He takes up too much
space making me feel uneasy and on edge.
    My mother steps out and shuts the door behind her, but not
before checking Graham out. Oh yeah, she definitely allows her eyes to linger
on him for a little bit too long. Even grown woman are struck stupid by his
gorgeous face and obvious toned body that is badly hidden under his tight
t-shirt and form hugging jeans. I may not have any experience with guys, but I
can appreciate a good looking one when I see one.
    “Umm…Hey,” Graham fidgets near my