Annie moved as fast as her crutches and unstable legs would allow. Between her injuries and her trembling sweaty hands, she could barely manage to stay upright let alone maneuver to the unmoving form that lay a few headstones into the cemetery. Her eyes never moving from where she was trying so desperately to get to she missed the wilted bouquet of flowers before her. Spearing it with a crutch, she lurched forward landing with all of her weight on her leg. The hot flash of pain ravaged it's way up her leg and to her mouth where it exploded out in the form of a yell of sheer agony.

Before she knew it she was on the ground slowly scooting herself towards him on her backside, her legs trailing as they made their way slowly and awkwardly slithering across the ground like a wounded soldier in so many war movies. She didn't get far when Sarah arrived at her side pulling Annie by the arms and leaning her against a tall white marker.

"Stay put. I can do this." The look in Annie's eyes told Sarah she meant business.

Annie placed the crutches under her arms and slowly, deliberately picked her way across the remaining distance between her and her worst fears.

It didn't take long for Annie to recognize the distinct smell wafting on the cool breeze. Her stomach churned with the anger that was starting to boil.


"James?" His name was bittersweet on her lips.

James stirred and groaned.

"James. Wake up. Please wake up."

The groaning grew louder as if James was coming out of a tunnel and slowly seeing the light at the end. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing a pair of mismatched feet in front of him. He looked up, ending on a pair of sad green piercing eyes. The effort it took to look up caused the bottle to roll out of his hand. It finally stopped rolling when it rested against the same headstone he leaned on.

James squinted trying to focus on the shadow that loomed over him. Realizing just who it was, the last person on the Earth he wanted to every see him like this was standing over him.

"What in the hell are you doing?" Annie was screaming despite her best efforts to calm herself.

"I... I..." James stuttered, unable to find the words as they were blocked by embarrasment and booze. Only making matters worse and the shame he felt burn that much hotter, he felt tears slithering down his face mocking him in the slow departure.

Annie felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on Annie. Let's get him to the car." Sarah's eyes studied the marker James was leaning on. Smooth black stone proclaiming two dates, one of which matched the date on her calendar for today. Realizing exactly what James was doing crumpled and slowly drowning his misery, her heart broke.




It took some serious effort for Sarah to get James to her car and even greater effort to get him into it. Once James was settled, Sarah helped Annie in, ensuring she was comfortable before swinging herself in and starting the engine, heading out of town, away from the shampoo and pampering Annie so desperately needed.