“Yes… and well, no. It’s a good pain, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes. I do. Ok, let’s take a quick break before we do that again.”
Mrs. Green nods.
“Everyone, I think that’s it for today. I’m going to have to cut the class short. I promise to make it up to you all. Now if you can all kindly see your way out, we’re going to give Mrs. Green some privacy here.”
There’s some grumbling, but everyone complies.
“Oh, Mrs. Gibbons. Can you hold back for a bit? I didn’t bring my car, and Mrs. Green may need a ride back.”
“Sure, thing. I’ll just wait out front.”
“Thank you.”
When we’re alone, I lift Mrs. Green’s leg a little higher and repeat the stretch.
“You didn’t have to kick everyone out on my account. After you have kids and your legs wide open for several doctors and nurses, you lose the ability to feel embarrassed. At least I did.”
“Noted.” I smile. “But I think it’s best if you take your time with this. How long have you had this pain?”
“Oh, it’s been a few months at least. But it’s never gotten this bad.”
“Did you have any water today?”
She shakes her head.
“How about a banana?”
“Can’t say I care for that fruit.”
“Well, you should start caring. Water is important for muscles and so are bananas.”
I set her leg down and move my hands over her left leg. I can’t feel the knot anymore, and the spasms I felt earlier are gone.
“How does that feel?”
Mrs. Green opens her eyes and looks around. She tentatively shakes her leg.
“I feel a tiny tinge of pain, but nothing like before.”
“Good.”
I stand up to grab my note pad and pen from my bag. I always carry it with me. “I’m going to write out a stretch routine I’d like you to follow along with some nutrition tips. It’s important you follow them, Mrs. Green.”
“I know, I know.”
She slowly sits up and inhales deeply. I feel her gaze on me and I look up. “It’s a real shame, you know.”
“What is?”
“That he had to leave so soon.”
I don’t pretend I misunderstand her meaning. “He’s a baseball player. Not the right guy for me.”
She huffs. “Ball player or not, he shouldn’t have let you go.”
I don’t ask her how she knows about us. I’m certain she was the first person Mrs. Gibbons called.
