Schmidt
“Youknow,Iwatchedcountless videos of your accident, but I don’t think I realize how lucky you were to get out of this car.”I eye the crumpled-up SUV and silently say a prayer of thanks.I'm lucky to have both of my girls.“How did the airbag not go off?”
“I don’t know,” she says softly.
I'm sure seeing her car like this is making it difficult for her.The events of that terrible day are probably playing on repeat in her head.
I offered to come and clean out her car by myself, but she insisted on coming.I don’t really understand why, but I wasn’t about to argue with her.
“Is there a lot you need to get?”I lead her over to the passenger’s front door and open it.
“Not really.I didn’t keep much in my car and the cops got my purse to take to the hospital.”
“The car seat is trash too.”
I lean over the front seat and open the center console.I grab everything inside of it and stuff it into the bag I brought.Then I move to the glove compartment and do the same.
When I'm finished, I shut the door and move to the back seat.There’s less glass back here and it’s generally less affected by the accident.
I grab a small gift bag and hand it to Winnie.I don’t know what’s inside, but if I stick it in my bag, it’s going to get crushed.I climb onto the seat and search the back to see if there’s anything else I missed.Then I open the trunk and grab an umbrella and an ice scraper.
“I think you might have the cleanest car I’ve ever seen.”I chuckle as I hold up the small bag of things I collected from the front of the car.
“I don’t like clutter.”She shrugs, her gaze still on the small bag in her hands.
“What is that?”I nod towards the gift bag.
“Um… It was for you.”
“Was?Am I not allowed it anymore?”
“I'm not sure.”Her brows furrow together as she nibbles on her bottom lip.
“Winnie, what’s going on?”I take a step closer to her and she shakes her head.
“Can you take me somewhere this afternoon?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll tell you after that.”
“Ok.”I watch her carefully, unsure of what she’s hiding, but I'm not pushing her.
“Would it be ok if Liliana watches Tali and you come with me?”
“Yeah, where are we going?”
“I have a doctor’s appointment.And I'm really scared to go.”
We’re led to a small exam room and Winnie climbs onto the table.She keeps nibbling on her bottom lip, making me more than anxious.I’ve never seen her look so scared.
“I'm here for you no matter what, you know that, right?”I take her hand in mine and squeeze it.Then brush my thumb over her engagement ring, reminding her I want to marry her.
She nods her head as her eyes water.I want to pull her into my arms and demand she tells me what’s going on, but I don’t think that will help right now.
There’s a knock on the door and a man walks in with a smile on his face.
“Hey, Winnie.”
