Balefire by Barrett Page A

and skin cleanser.
    Kirin stood quietly at the foot of the bed, holding the bag of ice.
    Silke opened her eyes up and shot a look at Kirin then turned to Diane. “You didn’t need to come over. I’m fine.”
    “Of course I did. You’re my dearest friend and my responsibility. Now let me do something useful for a change. Kirin would you get me a towel please?”
    Diane slipped the towel under Silke’s knee and gently washed the bright red abrasion. After patting it dry, she squeezed on some antibiotic ointment. She covered that with a large, fluffy bandage and taped it in place. The ice bag fit snugly next to her leg.
    “Do you want me to send Flora back with some food?”
    “That isn’t necessary,” Silke said. “We ate a huge lunch, and I have food in the refrigerator. But thank you.”
    Kirin walked Diane out the door and down the steps.
    Diane walked her several yards then stopped. “I’m not sure I should be saying anything, but it looks like you and Silke have become good friends . . . and she needs friends. Has she shared any information about her visual problems?”
    Kirin nodded, her interest piqued. “You mean about her partner?”
    Diane stopped and sighed. “Yes. My dear old friend is not someone who likes to complain or ask for help, but I’m sure you figured that out. She is self-reliant and a little bit stubborn.” She shifted uncomfortably. “Ever since she told me she was coming, I wanted to make sure to keep an eye on her. And I’ll admit . . . I didn’t plan to tell her. She’d have a fit, but after what happened today, you can see why.”
    Kirin thought about the accident in town and realized Diane was right—Silke wasn’t paying attention. “You’re right, she’s proud of being so self-sufficient. I wish I didn’t have to leave in a couple of days.”
    Diane rubbed her arm nervously. “I didn’t mean to unload on you. I just don’t talk about it and I worry about her. You know, when she was in high school, Silke was a decent competitive swimmer. Upper body strength had always been part of her build and it continued to be important for her work as an artist especially with wood carving. She’s not used to being disabled.” Her voiced cracked. “She’s like a sister to me but she doesn’t al ways listen to me. She thinks I worry too much. I guess I hoped you might provide a different perspective. Maybe she’d listen to you.”
    “What do you think I could tell her that would help?” Kirin had a feel ing she was missing something.
    “Maybe just that she needs more support, especially when she’s out public. I think she does all right in familiar spaces, but she isn’t used to the safety of having peripheral vision.”
    “I understand, and I think you’re right,” Kirin said. “She cruises around the condo without the cane as though she has memorized the locations of everything. It’s pretty amazing. But when we were walking on the beach, I had to keep pointing out objects that were right in front of her.”
    Diane nodded and smiled. “Exactly.”
    “I’ll give it a try, and let you know.”
    “Thanks.” Diane started down the path then turned around. “Oh, by the way. Mark suggested we talk tomorrow morning over breakfast. Would that work?”
    “Perfect. Name a time.”
    “Eight o’clock?”
    “See you then.” Kirin watched until Diane disappeared around the main building.
    Silke was lucky to have such a good friend. Kirin couldn’t think of anyone in her life who would be that concerned for her. A wave of sadness washed over her. She wondered how to frame a conversation about safety with her.
    Diane was right, and the bike accident was minor compared to what could’ve happened. She remembered the chaos at the airport. Silke had asked for her help. I wonder why. It didn’t matter. It turned out to be a good arrangement for both of them.
 
    SILKE MOVED THE ice bag a little higher. The throbbing in her knee was subsiding but it was still hard to bend.