The Christmas Quilt. Patricia Davids
“I think so,” he whispered.
“Booker?”
“Yes.”
She slipped her hand beneath his elbow. “You poor man. Let me help you.”
“Thanks.” He accepted her assistance as he rose to his feet and dusted the snow from his clothes.
“Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”
“I’ve got a pretty hard head.”
“You shouldn’t rush on these slippery walks. What were you thinking? Where were you going in such a hurry?”
It wasn’t the first time he’d been chided for his lack of common sense by this woman. He’d missed her occasional scolding as much as he’d missed her tenderhearted sweetness.
“I was hurrying to save you from walking into some snow-laden branches hanging over the walkway.”
Her frown changed to the smile he adored. “Bless you for your concern, Booker. I would not enjoy getting a face full of snow.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
“Now that I have been warned, I will be fine. Thank you for your concern.”
“Where are you off to on such a cold day?”
“To the fabric shop.”
“I was going that way. Do you mind if I walk along with you?”
She arched one eyebrow. “You are going to the fabric shop?”
“I didn’t say I was going to the fabric shop. I said I was going that way. Two different things. If you would rather walk alone I understand.”
She shook her head and started walking. “I don’t mind the company, but you must promise not to continually try to help me.”
“Why shouldn’t I offer my help?”
She swung the cane from side to side, tapped it briefly on the sidewalk in front of her. “Because unless I ask for it, I don’t really need it.”
“All right, but three steps ahead of you are those low branches.”
She moved closer to the building. “Am I clear if I walk over here?”
“Yeah. Are there any other rules I should know?” For a few words his voice came out strong and normal before breaking again. He froze, wondering if she would recognize him now.
“You should not grab a blind person. It’s rude. You should not shout at someone who is blind because most of us can hear quite well.”
“Can I ask questions or is that rude, too?” He kept his voice to a whisper. It might be best to stay silent but he didn’t want to give up this opportunity to spend time with her.
“Questions are okay.”
“Is it true that your hearing becomes more acute?”
“No. A blind person’s hearing does not change. We simply pay more attention to what we hear.”
He glanced down the walkway ahead of them. “I guess that makes sense. How will you know when you have reached the fabric shop?”
“Because I have been here many times.” She stopped in front of a store called Needles and Pins.
“You counted your steps.”
“I often do, but that’s hard when I’m carrying on a conversation.”
“I don’t understand how you did it, then.”
“The answer is right under your feet.” She tapped the sidewalk through the layer of snow that hadn’t yet been removed.
“I still don’t get it.”
“Listen.” She took a step back and tapped again.
He listened intently, wanting to learn all that she was willing to teach. She stepped forward and tapped twice more. This time he heard the difference in the sound. Crouching down, he swept the snow aside. “It’s brick, not concrete.”
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