“Nothing happened. This is just what it is now.” I tried to shift, to find a position that didn’t hurt. There wasn’t one.
She was quiet, watching me.
“This is why you’re retiring,” she said softly.
“Yeah, somewhat.”
“Vinny.” She reached out and gently touched my face.
I leaned into her hand, closed my eyes. “It’s time, baby, and I’m okay with that. I want my body back,” I laughed. I was never planning to play forever.
She smiled, reached for her bag, and pulled out several small amber jars.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Halo’s Remedy.” She unscrewed one of the lids, and the smell got stronger—lavender, arnica, something minty. “When I started roller derby, I was getting banged up every week. Bruises, muscle pain, and inflammation. The stuff they sold at the store wasn’t cutting it, so I started making my own balms and salves.”
“You made these?”
“Yeah. I researched ingredients and studied what actually worked for muscle recovery and pain management. Started tinkering in my kitchen until I got the ratios right.” She held up one jar. “This one’s for deep muscle pain and inflammation. This one,” she grabbed another, “is for joint pain specifically. And this,” she showed me a darker colored balm, “is my heavy hitter Big Bertha. For when shit is really bad.”
I stared at her. “You just casually make healing balms in your spare time?”
“I like helping people. And I like being resourceful,” she shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.
“You are a special woman, Halo.”
“Honestly, I can see why you stalked me,” she snorted, making me laugh and turn my lips up.
“Oh, you got jokes,” I said, pulling her into my lap. I didn’t care about the pain; I wanted her close.
She looked at me with soft eyes and murmured, “I want you because you’re you. Not because you can put a ball in a hoop.” She smiled a little. “Although watching you play is sexy as hell. All things end, my love.”
I laughed, and even that hurt. I gripped her chin and brought her eyes to mine, “Not all things have to end.”
She pulled away and stood. “Come on. Where’s your bathroom?”
“Upstairs bedroom. First door on the right. Why?”
“I’m running you a bath with Epsom salt and my eucalyptus blend. Then I’m working this balm into every sore spot you've got until you feel like a new man. Halo to the rescue.” She joked, hands on her hips like a superhero.
“Corny,” I scoffed with a laugh.
“Whatever, I know I’ll have you singing my praises soon.”
“You don’t have to do all this.”
“I know. But I watched you play through pain tonight, and now I’m gonna help you recover from it.”
I watched her walk away with her bags and head upstairs. I could hear the water running as she hummed. “I love your bathroom,” she screamed from upstairs. “The tub is so big. I’d never leave.”
“Shit, say less. The bath is yours.”
Halo appeared before me with a smile on her face and an extended hand.
“Let’s go.”
I took her hand and let her pull me up. It took everything in me not to cry out when my knee straightened. She wrapped my arm around her shoulders, and even though she was small, she was strong. We made it up the stairs slowly, one step at a time.
