As always, when Lucy and I were on our midday walk through Shirlington, I scanned the sidewalk ahead of us to see who we might meet. My eyes landed on a woman perhaps a few years older than I and then flicked to see who was behind her. At that moment, she disappeared from my peripheral vision, and I looked down to find her sprawled on the uneven bricks ahead, her phone, keys, and purse strewn around her.
"Oh no," I said as we approached, "are you okay?"
She waved me off, and I made Lucy sit. We stood a couple yards away, and she got to her knees and then stood. I was unsure of what to do; it seemed clear that she did not want me to touch her or her stuff, but there was no one else near us. "How can I help?" I asked.
She slowly gathered her belongings and then limped forward. "I'll be okay," she grimaced.
I was relieved to see that her phone screen was intact. As she passed me, she paused to look at it, and I crossed my fingers that she would call someone.
"I hope your day improves," I offered as I continued on my way.
It was the best I could do.
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