Five Feet or Less

by Erik Schubach

  I got to the bottom landing and grinned. “It's OK, Ezekiel. This is my friend Sarah. Sarah this is my blowhard landlord, Ezekiel Underman.” They shook hands and Mr. Underman walked us to the door and opened it for us.

  I waved at him and got a nod back. She looked at me then back at a compact car I assumed was her's. She looked at the chair. But I could tell she wasn't judging or anything, she was only trying to figure out the logistics in her head. Usually I just sit in the back seat of Gwen or Marcie's cars with my wheelchair beside me. But I want to sit beside Sarah for some reason.

  I spoke up, “I'd normally just sit in the back seat, but I wanna converse with you without talking to the back of your head. Let's take mine.” I nodded toward my van.

  I unlocked it and she hopped into the passenger seat then I went around to the driver's side and performed my practiced choreographed mounting. She was watching but not with pity or anything, she looked genuinely curious and amazed. She grinned cheesily at me when I caught her looking. I almost snorted. Her comical facial expressions never fail to amuse me.

  We buckled up and I started the van and checked the hand controls. As we pulled away from the curb I heard her quietly say, “Coooooool.”

  I turned and grinned at her equally silly grin. “Yes, Bessie is cool. She's my favorite thing in the whole world since she gives me some freedom.”

  She looked out the passenger side window as we started down the street. I shyly asked, “Ummm... so where are we going?” She just kept looking out the window. Was she ignoring me? “Sarah?” I said a little louder.

  She turned back to me. “Yeah?”

  I repeated. “I asked where we were going to.”

  She looked embarrassed, scrunching up her face. “Oh sorry, I don't catch everything all the time.” She pointed at her ears. Shit. I forgot about the hearing loss. Now I felt extremely bad that I just assumed she was ignoring me. Well, you know what they say about assumptions.

  I think she was reading my thought process. “Don't sweat it, you'll get used to me if we start hang out and junk.” Yes please.

  I grinned sheepishly. I'm a dumb-ass. I hate when people make assumptions about me yet here I was doing it to someone else. I widened my eyes in question again to prompt her.

  She blurted, “Oh. I don't know. Want to hit the ferry boats or maybe Pike Place or the MAC?”

  I shrugged. “I haven't been to any of those since I was a kid. I don't get out much anymore. Groups of people make me nervous.”

  She squinted then shot me a comical, lopsided smile. “Too bad. All of the above it is. To the MAC, good woman!” She pointed ahead.

  I was terrified, but I couldn't help giggling at her playfulness. I started driving us downtown.

  We arrived and pulled into a pay parking lot. I went to the far back where I found a parking spot next to the sidewalk. I saw her looking at me as we passed the handicapped spots. I explained as we dismounted from Bessie. “I'm far more mobile than some people who really need the spots. I only use them if there is no other option... like here, I got all this space at the sidewalk.”

  She grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze then rested a hand on my shoulder as we moved over to the pay station. Oh neat, it takes cards. We had a Star Trek death battle, fighting over getting our debit cards out to pay first. I won! Eat improvised bamboo cannon Sarah gorn!

  I swear her left eyeball was twitching. She placed her hand back on my shoulder as we made our way to the front of the museum. I noticed she never removed it. I secretly liked the warmth that was spreading from the contact. Nobody really touches me anymore unless it is like shaking hands. Even Gwen only touches my legs.

  I felt like I was the USS Constellation slowly being pulled inside the planet eating Doomsday Machine as my anxiety about being around strangers resurfaced. I steeled myself as we entered, Sarah must have like ESP or something because she gave my shoulder a little squeeze as we went to the ticket counter. I slapped my debit card that I was still palming in my hand from earlier onto the counter as she started for her purse. “Two, please.”

  I looked at her and mocked a silent laugh until our eyes met. I could feel my pulse quicken. Wait... why do I feel like she just won? She looked smug as we went to the turnstiles. The man taking tickets swung open a little gate for me to wheel through. The place was packed! Tourists and art lovers were everywhere. I automatically started moving toward a wall like I always do but my chair didn't budge.

  I looked back and Sarah had a hand firmly on a push-handle. I glanced up at her. She was shaking her head. “No you don't Ree. We're here to have fun, not hide.”

  “Now in with you!” She propelled me into the masses and let go of the chair and put her hand back on my shoulder.

  Wait a minute. Why the hell am I smiling at her? She's like, making me do things that make me uncomfortable. I felt flush as she locked eyes with me. Oh yeah... that's why. My smile doubled at the sprite.

  The exhibits were amazing. I totally forgot about everything but Sarah and the art. We must have gone through the entire museum twice. I was having a blast, she was so much fun!

  Then reluctantly she literally dragged me out of the wondrous place by my chair, saying, “I'm getting hungry, let's hit Pike Place Market for lunch.”

  We slipped back into the easy camaraderie from last night and discussed anything and everything except my childhood and my accident as we made our way down to Pike Place and into the parking structure. We drove every level twice, it was packed. Well duh, a Saturday during the summer tourist season. I surrendered and picked a handicap spot, but at the lowest sub level away from the market.

  We got to the elevator then took it up to street level. We got out and started to the main market. I stopped, trying to remember something Crystal had told me once. “Just a sec,” I told Sarah as I pulled out my wireless hotspot and iPod. I turned on the hotspot then dialed Crystal McKay.

  Sarah was looking at me with a goofy grin while I was on the phone and she slowly walked in circles while holding my chair and dragging me around with her. I tried not to laugh as Crystal answered. I replied to her greeting. “Hello Crystal? Yeah hi. This is Reese Qualls from Qualltech. Yes... nice to speak with you too... yeah. I was just wondering, the last time we spoke you mentioned a good place to eat at Pike Place, it... yeah? Yes... I'm out in the world. God, you are as bad as Sarah, and I don't hide in my apartment. So what was... Yes, that was it. In the Post Alley buildings? Cool thanks! Have a great day! Bye.”

  I hung up and was a little dizzy. Sarah fell on her butt giggling. I guess she was dizzy too. I couldn't have stopped smiling if you had paid me to. She got up and I pointed over by the triangle building. “There's a place that Crystal McKay is always raving about. It is a little bakery slash cafe called The Pike. We're supposed to tell Mrs. Z that Crystal sent us.”

  She tilted her head. “Crystal McKay of Crystal McKay party planning? The iFork Festival Crystal McKay?”

  I nodded. “She's one of my best clients.”

  Now Sarah was shaking her head in disbelief. “Holy crap Ree! You're connected!”

  I slapped her arm then grabbed her hand and put it firmly on my shoulder where the warmth of her touch was missing and started wheeling to the Alley through the throngs of people. I suddenly didn't care how many people saw me as long as Sarah didn't remove her hand.

  I can't describe the aroma that struck us when we found The Pike and opened the doors, wheeling into the smell of fresh baked bread. I swear I died and went to heaven. I glanced up and Sarah looked to be drooling too.

  An nice looking older lady came walking over with paper menus and a welcoming smile on her face. “Two?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Yes. Are you Mrs. Zatta?”

  She nodded back. “Yes I am.”

  I grinned. “Crystal McKay made me promise to tell you that she sent us and she says hi. I'm Reese and this is Sarah.”

  Her smile tripled. “Right this way ladies.” Then she led us to one of the little
expanded metal lawn tables in the bakery and she pulled one chair away like she did it every day. Then she scurried off with the menus still in her hand.

  Sarah and I were just looking at each other wondering what was up. She was shrugging as I was mumbling, “Ummm.” We couldn't stop from giggling at the silly looks on each others faces.

  We were silent for a minute just watching Mrs. Z behind the counter. Then she came out with a large tray. But... we didn't order anything...

  She set the tray down on the table and simply said, “Enjoy.” We looked at her then to the tray. The smell was making my mouth water. It appeared to be two fresh baked bread bowls full of eggs, cheese, ham and white gravy. A carafe of orange juice and a pot of fresh coffee.

  She was looking at us expectantly. Sarah grabbed a fork and I grabbed the other, we both shoveled a bite into our mouths and stopped. I moaned in pleasure. By all that was holy this is good! Sara comically spoke with the fork still in her mouth. “Oh my God! This is heaven!”

  This appeared to be what Mrs. Z was waiting for and she marched away with a look of pride and satisfaction on her face.

  We scarfed our food, washing it down with juice and coffee. We were so engrossed in the nirvana that was Mrs. Z's cooking that we forgot to talk. While we were tearing the gravy soaked, empty bread bowls apart and eating them we finally realized we had made pigs of ourselves. We shared a quiet snicker then she broke the food induced trance. “Tell Crystal when you speak with her next that I need to have her babies for showing us this place.”

  I snorted. “You are assuming I want to share you.” I slapped my hands over my mouth. Where the hell did that come from. “I mean, you are my newest and only-est friend.” Oh look my shoes are extremely fascinating!

  She was quiet for a few seconds then cheerily started another conversation on a tangent so I didn't feel uncomfortable. We spoke for a few minutes about her job as we finished our coffee. Then we decided to tour the marketplace. Right on cue Mrs. Z arrived to clear off the table. I set my Debit Card on the table and stuck my tongue out at slowpoke Sarah who rolled her eyes at me.

  Mrs. Z slid the card right back at me. “Your money is no good here. Say hi to Crystal for me. She is such a sweet woman.” Then she wandered off leaving me in shock and Sarah sticking her tongue out at me and pointing at it and nodding to make sure I didn't miss it. She's such a goofball!

  I reached over and slapped her arm then she stood and walked behind me and grabbed the push-handles and started steering me toward the door. I normally hate people touching my chair but I seem to let Sarah do just about anything she wants. I looked back and called out, “Thank you, Mrs. Zatta. It was nice meeting you!”

  She waved from behind the counter. “It was nice meeting you girls, too. Drop by any time!”

  I started quietly mock screaming in helplessness as Sarah pushed me back outside. She giggled as she let go and placed her hand on my shoulder where it belonged. “Drama queen much Ree?”

  We had a blast going through the various levels of the Market. I was amazed at how little had really changed since I had last been here when I was twelve. It felt familiar but also new at the same time. It may have been my new perspective.

  As I was starting to dwell on what it was I grabbed both handrims and stopped the chair suddenly with a huge grin on my face, staring straight ahead blankly. Sarah looked down the corridor then back at me. “What?”

  It was my turn to act goofy. I looked up at her then without looking away from her amazing eyes I turned ninety degrees and started moving forward while grinning at her. She tore her eyes away from mine with what looked like a great effort and looked up at the store I was moving toward. I swear the astronauts on the space station could hear her snort when she saw the alter that all geeks like me pray at. The Golden Age Collectibles comic shop.

  She mocked me endlessly as we went through. I snagged a few comics to fill in holes in my collection. To me, she looked embarrassed as she grabbed a couple to read too. This got playful eyebrow waggling from me. Suddenly I was tilted back with my front caster wheels off the ground and rolling back toward the registers. A laughing Sarah was saying, “That's it lady. Your geek-ness shall infect me no more!”

  I watched some new graphic novels pass by as I was dragged past. Ooooo I didn't know they did a Leather and Heels comic book! I playfully reached out, feigning that I wanted stuff passing by and repeating “But... but... but...” as she dragged me up to the registers then she spun me around and tipped me back up, facing the register. We put our stuff on the counter and she was going for her purse.

  Heh... good luck with that lady! I thought as I twisted the chair and let it hit the back of her knees causing her to fall back and sit in my lap. I leaned forward with my debit card for the cashier. He handed it back with our bag of booty.

  Sarah never made an effort to stand. I handed her the bag with a grin and started wheeling us out of the store. Holy crap is she fun! She just sat across my lap then laid her head on my shoulder and pointed down the corridor! “To the docks!” I still can't believe I'm letting her touch my chair and drag me around all the time. I really don't mind it with her.

  We stopped at the van first to drop off our various purchases from the Market where she reluctantly got off my lap. I kind of missed her there. That faint chocolate smell she left behind was driving me crazy.

  We exited at the lower viaduct street level and went over to the ferries. I got two round trip tickets for pedestrians. And we had fun joking and laughing until the boat arrived. I looked at the steep, narrow steps up to the indoor seating and observation decks. There is absolutely no way I could navigate those. I glanced around and saw a sign for an elevator. Whew.

  We used the elevator and made our way out to the observation deck. I locked the wheels with my brakes at the railing and just looked out over the water as we started moving. A hot hand was in mine, our fingers lacing as we just silently watched the water and land seemingly growing on the horizon, side by side.

  I was hoping for whales following us but was disappointed. I don't know why neither of us spoke on the whole ride across the Sound, but it was so comfortable. I caught myself remembering riding the ferries as a little girl.

  When we were docked and waiting for the turnaround. Sarah finally broke our silence. “What were you thinking about on the ride over? I could see it in your face.”

  I shrugged. “I was just remembering the last time I rode a ferry with my mom when I was little. I was hoping for whales. She always told me that when the whales escort you, you know that everything in life is going to be OK.”

  She looked down at me. “That is the first time you have mentioned your mother to me. Are you two close?” I subconsciously looked down at my legs and my wheelchair, remembering things I didn't want to. She squeezed my hand. “I didn't know. I won't ask again.”

  She didn't say, “I'm sorry.” like everyone else, why are they sorry? They didn't do it. I looked at her and studied her face as she looked back toward Seattle. She really is incredibly pretty to me. And an amazing person.

  We started moving again and she stroked the back of my hand with her thumb. A couple minutes into the trip an orca whale crested... playing with the ship. I just stared at it as another one crested and Sarah leaned down and whispered softly into my ear, “There they are... now you know everything in life is going to be OK, Ree.”

  I suddenly broke down. The whales are here mom. Sarah was hugging me tight as I bawled into her shoulder. I haven't cried in nine years. I refused to let myself. God, I miss you mom.

  When I was all cried out, I actually felt better. I pulled back from Sarah. “I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me.”

  She was just shaking her head. She wiped the tears from my cheeks with her thumbs. She smiled softly and stood back up beside me and took my hand again, lacing our fingers and silently watching the whales safely guide the ferry to port.

  She got me joking and laughing again as we made our way back to Be
ssie. I looked at the time. It was a little past five. We loaded up and started back toward my place while talking about her childhood. Things were pretty rough for her in school after she came out. That sort of drove her to the punk rock scene where she could work out all the aggression from the mistreatment. She would never let her mother know how bad things got in school.

  She has bad tinnitus from the damage to her hearing. The ringing in her ears sometimes gets unbearable. The more she tries to ignore it, the more she fixates on it. But the harmonic vibrations from classical music can drown it out for her. That's what got her to relax and actually listen to the music. She learned to play the violin and it helps on bad days.

  My iPod started ringing. I grabbed the bluetooth headset from the dash and put it over my ear and accepted the call. “Hello? Yeah, hi Gwen... no, I'm on my way now. Yeah with Sarah. What? Of course. OK. See you soon.”

  I hung up then rolled my eyes at Sarah. “She's all overprotective again. Wanted to make sure I was OK and coming home soon. Don't know what's gotten into them lately. Marcie has gone all hate monger on me recently and is fighting with Gwen all the time. It feels like Gwen has been mothering me the past few days. You have no idea how creepy that is if you knew Gwen. She gives the word bitch a good name normally.”

  Sarah thought for a second. “Is she like this when you are out with your other friends?”

  I snorted. “What other friends?”

  She nodded with a little smile. “There you have it then. This is something new and different than she is used to with you, and she's probably just trying to understand. She just doesn’t know how to react.”

  I thought about this. “You're way too smart for your own good lady. You're probably right,” I said as we pulled up to the Browns. After dismounting and joining her on the sidewalk I rolled with her to her car.

  She wouldn't let me pull my eyes off of hers. I smiled and said, “Thanks for today Sarah. It was seriously the most fun I have had in years. Sorry for the meltdown though.” I finally pried my eyes away to look down.