Posted on August 30, 2009 - by pcmccullough

My Sister’s Keeper

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Helping Hands

Grateful hurricane Daniel had finally left Connecticut and about to jump out of my skin with cabin fever, I decided to go for a run.  I was minding my own business and working on some good inspiration for my current novel, when I saw a woman staggering in the middle of the road about 200 yards ahead.  It was 12:30 (PM not AM) and I wondered what could be wrong.  You see, about a year ago, I fell literally on my face while walking and a complete stranger driving by stopped her car and rushed to my rescue. I was so grateful for her help and today she is one of my dearest friends.  

I drew closer and the woman ahead tumbled and rolled to the curb. Her sunglasses flew off her face onto the sidewalk. She raised her hands over her head and babbled something to no one, then reached for her glasses, placed them … sort of … onto her face, stood and took three steps to nowhere when, once again, she and her glasses separated and bounced on the blacktop.   

By this time, I was at the scene. I leaned over, picked up her glasses, handed them to her and extended my arm. She half-cocked them onto her face and accepted the help. I’m sure no one has ever held my wrist that tightly. “You don’t understand,” she said, and I immediately did. We walked slowly. She sauntered back and forth, steadying herself with every step, explaining that she had suffered a back injury recently and had left the house without her cane and that the pain was excruciating and it was very hard to walk. She had obviously self medicated with large doses of alcohol. Within steps she stumbled backward. I braced my body behind her and caught her before she hit the ground for the third time in minutes.

 Unable to walk further, she sat on a nearby stoop.  I offered to take her to her home which she had indicated was “right there up the street” wherever that was. She refused the offer and said she would be all right. I stayed with her for a bit and tried to change her mind. To no avail, I ran on and immediately took my cell phone and called the police, who apparently are not readily available on Sunday in my town unless it’s an emergency, when I saw an off-duty ambulance ahead.  I explained the situation and they promised to call their dispatcher immediately. I waited while they did and returned to my run.

Are we our sister’s keeper? What would you have done?