I hung up the phone and handed it back to the man I had borrowed it from. I realized I didn’t know the name of my savior or his wife. As I was about to ask, I was told their names were Harriet and George Wallace.

“Thank you both,” I said as I attempted to stand up, only to quickly fall back down again. I must have been hit much harder than I thought.

“Oh, dear, don’t try to move, just lie there and rest for a while until you’re able to go home.” Harriet told me in a motherly tone.

I complied, and leaned against my car’s bumper wearily. I thought about quickly napping, but dismissed the idea. Although I was very tired, this was not the time or place to lose consciousness. Again. The Wallaces, especially Harriet, might have thought I’d had a concussion and was going into shock. The last thing I needed was an unnecessary ride in an ambulance when I was perfectly fine waiting for James in this parking lot.

I started as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I must have drifted off, because when I looked at the time, it was almost twenty minutes later. The number was restricted, so I turned the ringer off and slid the cell back into its spot in my jeans. I was in no mood to talk to strangers, most likely telemarketers. Almost as soon as the phone was returned to its place, it buzzed again. Again, it was a restricted number, but still I did not answer. This time I turned my phone off completely. As I put the phone back a second time, I saw James’ car enter the almost empty lot.

“Is that who you were waiting for?” Harriet asked.

“Yes, that’s James.” As I said it, I could almost hear the relieved and loving tone in my own voice.

“Liz!” James shouted as he ran towards me. “Are you ok? Are you hurt? What happened?” he asked, as he became more and more agitated and frenetic.

“James, I’m fine, I just had a bump on the head, nothing to worry about.” I soothed him, not wanting him to become more upset than he already was.

“You’re staying at my place tonight. No buts.” he added as I began to protest.

“You’re right,” I surrendered. Staying with James was what I had wanted anyways before my childish stubbornness kicked in. Once more I began to get up, and this time James lifted me with one arm around my waist, the other slinging my arm around his neck. Although I didn’t really need him to, he helped me to his car and into the front passenger seat. He was about to buckle my seatbelt for me when I had enough. “James, thank you, but I really am alright, I can handle this.” I stated calmly as I buckled myself in.

“You’re right Liz, I was just worried.” he said in a very concerned tone. “Let’s go home now.”