PART 2 Alex Rivera checked his watch for the third…

PART 2

Alex Rivera checked his watch for the third time in as many minutes. 9:47 a.m. His interview at Meridian Consulting was scheduled for 10, and traffic was heavier than he’d anticipated. The job would change everything. Triple his current salary as a freelance IT technician. Provide health insurance for himself and his daughter Emma.

Maybe even let them move out of the cramped studio apartment they’d been sharing since the divorce. He was cutting it close, but he’d make it. He had to. That’s when he saw her fall. The woman in the red blazer stumbled off the curb between parked cars, her heel catching on the pavement edge. She went down hard, papers scattering from her briefcase across the street.

A car was approaching fast, the driver on their phone, not seeing her trying to gather her documents. Alex didn’t think. He swerved his old sedan to the curb, threw it in park, and sprinted into the street. He grabbed the woman’s arm, pulling her back between parked cars just as the distracted driver blew past, horn blaring belatedly.

“Are you okay?” Alex knelt beside her, assessing quickly. “She was blonde, maybe late 30s, dressed expensively, and her ankle was already swelling.” “My ankle, I think I twisted it.” She winced, trying to stand. and my papers there. Don’t move. Let me check it first. Alex gently examined her ankle with practiced hands. He’d been a combat medic in the army before Emma was born.

Probably sprained, not broken. You need ice and elevation. Can you call someone? I have a meeting in 15 minutes. A critical meeting. I can’t miss it. Alex looked at his watch. 9:51. His interview was starting in 9 minutes. If he left now, drove aggressively, he might still make it. Where’s your meeting? He asked instead.

Meridian Consulting. Three blocks that way. She gestured, her face tight with pain. The same building, the same company. The universe was either very cruel or very strange. Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to gather your papers, help you into my car and drive you to your meeting. Then I’m going to find you ice and get you situated somewhere you can elevate that ankle. You don’t have to.

You can’t walk on that. And you said the meeting was critical. Let me help. Alex collected her scattered documents, helped her to his car, and drove the three blocks while she made frantic calls rescheduling her morning. He learned her name was Vanessa, that she worked in corporate strategy, that she was late for something important, but wouldn’t elaborate.

At Meridian’s building, Alex helped her to the lobby, found her ice from the coffee bar, and settled her in a chair with her ankle elevated on her briefcase. “Thank you,” Vanessa said, genuine gratitude in her voice. “You’ve been incredibly kind. Can I get your name? I’d like to.” Alex Rivera, and you don’t need to thank me.

Just take care of that ankle, okay? He checked his watch. 103. His interview had started 3 minutes ago. I need to go feel better. He made it to the 14th floor reception area at 10:08, knowing he’d already lost the opportunity. The receptionist’s expression confirmed it. Mr. Rivera, your interview was scheduled for 10:00. Miss Castellano doesn’t tolerate tardiness. I’m afraid. I understand.

I apologize. There was an emergency. Is there any possibility of rescheduling? I’ll ask, but the receptionist’s sympathetic look said everything. Alex sat in the waiting area, filling out the visitor log while the receptionist made a call. He thought about Emma waiting at his sister’s house, excited about the possibility of her own bedroom if daddy got the big job.