Claire went straight to the shower when she arrived home. After getting out, she threw on her robe and walked over to the vanity to touch up on her make-up. As she was leaning over the vanity to apply her blusher, the sleeve of her robe caught the small wooden box that she used to store her toiletries and it came crashing off and landed painfully hard on her right foot. Shit! Owwww God that hurts!
She hobbled to her bed to assess the damage. Her big toe was now bleeding profusely. She grabbed some tissue and held it against her toe until it looked as if the blood flow was slowing. Upon inspection, she was dismayed to see that her toenail had been cut. She hobbled back to the bathroom for her trusty first aid box and located a band-aid and antiseptic spray. Soon, she had an ugly but functional white bandage around her toe. With a sigh, she thought she should really start avoiding the bathroom since most of her accidents seemed to occur there.
Claire planned to wear a long blue sundress she’d purchased on a whim several years ago and a pair of flat, white sandals. The dress might still be possible; the shoes, however, weren’t since the toe openings were too small for the bandage. Almost ready to admit defeat, Claire spotted a pair of flip flops she kept to wear on the beach. After sliding on her dress, Claire then gingerly tried on the flip flops. It wasn’t as bad as she feared.
The shoes gave the dress a more casual appearance and of course there was no missing the huge bandage on her toe but from the ankles up she looked fine. If she could arrive at the restaurant first and be seated before Jason he might never notice her toe. After quickly finishing her makeup and locking up her apartment, Claire made her way to her car. Oh great, instead of looking sexy, I’m waddling like a duck.
~~~
The restaurant was only a few minutes from her apartment, and she arrived fifteen minutes early. The parking lot was already crowded and Claire was forced to park almost at the end of the lot. Walking so far was going to be painful, and she grimaced as she got out of her car and locked her door. She was so intent on making her way to the front of the restaurant as gently as possible that she didn’t notice another car entering the lot. Claire jumped as she felt a hand cup her elbow. “Owwww! Ouch!” cried Claire.
Jason peered down at her foot in concern. “I’m sorry I startled you; I thought you heard me. What happened?” asked Jason.
Claire replied, “I knocked something on my foot and the toenail is… well, you don’t want to hear the details, but I hurt my toe,” finished Claire.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?” asked Jason.
“No, it will be fine; it’s just a little sore now.”
“Would you rather I just take you home Claire? I can’t stand the thought of causing you further pain.”
She looked up into Jason’s beautiful blue eyes so filled with concern for her and knew that she would not give up this time with him for anything; much less a little toe pain. “It’s fine, really; it already feels better.”
He continued to study her for a few moments and then tightened his arm around her. “Lean on me and let’s walk slowly. Let me know if you need to stop.” Maybe it was Jason’s nearness and the feel of his arm holding her close but Claire didn’t feel any pain as they made their way into the restaurant.
Jason walked up to the host and smiled. “Carlo, it's so good to see you again.”
“Mr. Danvers, what a pleasure, and you brought such a beautiful companion tonight,” said a beaming Carlo. “I’ve the perfect table; it has a lot of privacy for you and your lady.”
Not bothering to correct him, Jason said a sincere thank you, and they were led to a secluded table in the corner. Claire was grateful when Jason pulled out a chair for her and carefully assisted her into the seat. After he was seated Jason asked Claire if she had any preferences in wine, but she was happy to leave the decision to him. Soon, Carlo had departed after leaving their menus and promising to return with the wine that Jason had selected.
“Are you doing ok Claire?”
“I’m fine Jason, really,” replied Claire.
“Let me know if you’re feeling any discomfort. Would you like a chair to elevate your foot?”
“Er… no, that’s ok, thanks.” Claire could just imagine her bandaged foot complete with flip flop sticking out in a chair for Jason and the other customers to see. That was not going to happen.
Carlo returned with their wine and poured them both a glass before taking their orders. Claire decided on a simple meal of lasagna and surprisingly Jason indicated that he would have the same. “You must come here often if they know you by name,” Claire said.
“I usually dine here at least once a week, I love Italian food,” replied Jason.
“Is this on your way home, then?” asked Claire.