"Shouldn’t I be comforting you?" Dani asked as she hugged her.
"You are." She pulled away and sat back down. "Enough tears and sadness for one day. How about a change of subject?"
"Agreed." Dani pulled her chair over beside the window and sat down. She looked at Alex speculatively.
"What?" She saw the questions in her friend's eyes and knew she wasn’t going to like where this was headed.
"You confuse me." Dani smiled as Alex sat quietly and waited, squirming slightly. "Tell me something." She paused and watched her closely as she asked, "Are you straight or are you a lesbian?"
Alex sat back and thought about her life. There was a time when she’d been so far into the closet it was perpetually dark. She’d worked hard for years to fit the image of a straight female athlete, and avoided anything that could cause people to potentially label her a lesbian. Then, unable to deny her feelings any longer, she’d walked away from everything she’d worked so hard to achieve in order to be true to herself. While she was no longer truly closeted, she chose to live her life quietly. After living in the public eye for so many years, she valued her privacy, and learned a long time ago how to deflect the questions she didn’t want to answer.
She looked at Dani with a twinkle in her eye. "You can’t tell?" Dani slowly shook her head. "Well then, I suppose you’ll just have to keep wondering won’t you?" She chuckled at her exaggerated pout. "You’ll get over it, besides I’ve already warned you that I am a very private person."
"Even with me?"
Alex sighed. "With everyone, even Emily who I’ve known since I was sixteen years old. Don’t take it personally." She looked over at Dani and saw the look of understanding on her face.
"Who hurt you, Alex?"
Angry with herself for revealing as much as she did, she turned away. As she rolled towards the door she said, "The better question, Dani, is who hasn’t?" She stopped just inside the door and looked over her shoulder. "Please excuse me for a moment, I need some air." Without waiting for a response, she rolled out the door and into the hallway.
Dani sat in stunned silence as she watched her leave the room. She didn’t think Alex was aware of it, but the pain rolled off of her in waves. She knew she had to convince Rachel to help this woman they knew so little about, but who, with one selfless act, had become an important part of their lives. She was pulled from her thoughts when the door opened and Nikki walked in, followed closely by a doctor she didn’t recognize. Before she could explain where Alex was, the door opened again.
Alex rolled into the room and stopped when she saw she had additional company. Perspiration dotted her brow and upper lip. She grabbed her notebook from the bed and began to fan herself. "I didn’t expect to see you today, Dr. Jones."
Dr. Jones watched her closely. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked.
"I’m okay. I just took several quick spins around the tower in an effort to work off some excess energy." She dropped the notebook back on the bed, and reached for the hem of her shirt. She quickly pulled it over her head and used it to wipe her face.
Nikki watched as the doctor’s eyes raked over the well-defined muscles in Alex’s arms and shoulders, and the soft curves revealed by the tight shirt.
"I’ve cancelled your afternoon appointment with the physical therapist. I can see their assessment is accurate." Dr. Jones walked over and stood in front of her as her eyes once again traveled over the skin the tight tank top revealed. "You're in exceptional shape, Alex. You're not just the simple jogger you'd like us to believe. You're an athlete. This has helped you heal faster than average, though you still have a long way to go." She watched as Alex nodded. "You should be able to begin placing weight on that leg much sooner than initially expected, possibly in another week or so. In the meantime, I would like to recommend the rehabilitation facility across the street. We can transfer you over today."
"I’ll take your recommendation under advisement Doctor, however, I will not be entering the rehab facility." She stopped Dr. Jones before she could interrupt. "I appreciate your concern, but I know what I’m doing. As a former athlete, I know a physical therapist or two that make house calls. I just need a copy of all of my medical records please."
Dr. Jones crouched beside the chair, placed her hand on the bare skin just below the hem of Alex’s shorts, and looked into her eyes. "Are you sure I can’t change your mind?"
"I’m sure, but thank you."
"Very well then." She slowly stood, and grabbed the notebook from the bed. She opened it and wrote her phone number inside. "If you need anything, please call me." She handed the notebook to Alex and headed for the door. "I’ll make sure your medical records are included with your release paperwork." She paused with her hand on the door. "It’s been a pleasure, Alex." With one last smile, she left the room.
Alex tossed the notebook back onto the bed and wheeled over to pull her clothes from the drawer beside the bed. She stopped when she heard Nikki ask, "Would you like some help?"
"Yes, please." She moved out of the way to allow Nikki access.
Dani walked over and leaned against the bed. "Will you consider staying with us for the first week? I’ll worry about you if you don’t."
"There’s no need to worry, I’ll be fine. I really just want to be in my own home, but thank you."
Nikki turned from her task and faced the two women. "If you won’t come stay with us, will you let me stay with you?" She saw Alex stiffen
