by Lydia Rose
“You’ve got a date?” Eileen asked grinning.
“No. I’m playing golf with Paige.”
“Is this another lesson?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No. She thinks I’m good enough to enter a tournament in August. Isn’t that a laugh?” Jules asked laughing and waited for her to laugh.
“She must think you’re good enough,” she said looking at her sister with pride.
Jules walked over to the refrigerator and removed what she needed to make a salad for lunch. “I think she is out of her mind,” she said with a shrug.
Eileen watched as Jules made her salad and wondered what was going on with her and Paige. Had they made up from the initial misunderstanding? She wanted to ask Jules, but then she thought it would be better to wait until she could speak with Paige instead. Eileen knew she’d never get a straight answer out of her sister.
*
Jules carried her clubs to the clubhouse and waited for Paige to show up. Before her clubs hit the ground, Paige was there with a golf cart. “Hi,” she said as she waited for Jules to load her clubs.
“Hi,” Jules said shyly as she sat down. “Are we playing nine or eighteen holes?”
“It depends on how well you play,” Paige answered as she stepped on the gas pedal.
“Fair enough, but are you going to help me or just kick my ass out there?” Jules asked trying to sound serious.
“I’ll give you some pointers and the rest is up to you. If you play as well as you did on Saturday, you won’t need much help. Just remember to keep your balance when you swing.” Paige came to a stop and Jules grabbed her club and ball. “Come on, let’s see what you’ve got.”
“I think you should hit first,” Jules said motioning Paige to the tee. “I might get some pointers from watching you.” Paige placed her tee in the ground and Jules couldn’t keep her eyes off her ass as she bent over. As Paige stood up, she couldn’t help notice that Jules was checking her out. Jules watched as Paige took a few practice swings before addressing the ball. Jules’s mouth dropped open as she watched Paige hit the ball with perfect form. She was so intent on watching Paige, she forgot to follow the ball. “How far did that go?”
Paige turned around and faced her. “It’s on the green.”
“Shit,” Jules said softly as she placed her ball on the tee. “I’m in deep trouble.”
Paige laughed. “You giving up already?” she asked, poking her with her club.
“Maybe,” Jules answered as she took her practice swings.
“Keep your body straight and follow through with your swing.” Jules nodded at Paige’s words and hit the ball. “Good shot. You aren’t far from me.”
“Thanks.” They now walked back to the cart. As they drove to their balls, Jules asked, “How come you aren’t on the tour anymore?”
“I’m not good enough anymore.” She tapped her artificial leg. “I can’t hit the ball as far as I did before these things and my arm doesn’t have the strength either.”
“I’m sorry,” she said emotionally because Paige not only had her career ruined, but she had to face the criticisms too. Even from people like her. If only she had met Paige a month later, her frame of mind might not have blown dating her.
“Hey, I could have been killed or lost my arms instead. I received a real nice settlement and I enjoy teaching now.”
“Did you enter the pro/amateur tournament last year?” Jules asked curious.
“No. I couldn’t find a partner good enough to enter with me.”
Jules now laughed. “And you think I might be. I hope you won’t be disappointed when I lose the amateur tournament?”
“You give up easily, don’t you?” Paige asked with a glare.
“I just don’t think I’m good enough.” I’ll probably choke playing in a tournament. This is what her mind screamed, but she didn’t voice her fears.
Paige laughed at her response. “Let’s see how the afternoon goes. Okay?”
“All right,” Jules answered, crossing her arms over her chest. She couldn’t help but notice how good Paige looked when she was playing. Her tan cotton pants fit her perfectly and the short sleeve red shirt showed off her curves. Her blond hair was pulled into a ponytail and she wore a pair of sunglasses on her face. She was still daydreaming when Paige waved her hand in front of her face.
“Are you bored?” Paige asked with her hand on her hip.
“No,” Jules answered, embarrassed that she had been caught daydreaming.
“Take your shot.”
Paige was encouraging with her coaching and even though Jules lost to her by ten strokes, Jules was proud of herself.
“I think we should play at least three times a week if you are going to do well in the tournament,” Paige insisted as they made their way back to the clubhouse.
“Paige, I start teaching summer school next week.” She wondered how she was going to grade papers and play golf.
“We can play in the evening. I’ll book us for five-thirty on Wednesday.”
“I have lesson plans and homework to check.” Jules’s hands were flying in the air as she was explaining.
Paige laughed. “You can do that after we finish our round or do it before we play.”
Jules threw up her hands in defeat. “I’ll meet you Wednesday evening,” she said before walking away.
“How did it go?” Eileen asked when Jules walked into the house.
“Your friend is a tyrant,” she said as she went to the refrigerator for a bottle of water. “We’re going to play three days a week.” Jules took a drink of water. “By the time I get to the tournament, I’ll be dead.”
Eileen laughed. “Or you are going to kick those women’s asses.” Jules finished the water. “Do you want something to eat?”
“No thanks. I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”
“Jules, it’s only eight-thirty.”
“I know, but I’m tired.” Jules disappeared upstairs.
CHAPTER 7
Jules taught summer school in the morning and played golf with Paige three days in the afternoon each week. Every day she played better and better and even Paige couldn’t help but compliment her. Jules was beginning to believe that she might have a chance to win the amateur contest that was coming closer and closer each day.
Jules and Paige were on the eighteenth hole one evening when Jules looked at Paige’s face. “Are you all right?” Her face showed pain even though she was trying to hide that fact.
“I’m fine,” Paige replied, but limped as she reached the green.
“You don’t look fine. Maybe you should sit down,” Jules asked as she was concerned, and took her arm.
“My legs are just sore. I’ll be fine,” she said caustically. Paige hated when she allowed her legs to defeat her and worse to have pity from friends.
Jules shrugged and let go of Paige’s arm. She now lined up her putt. She jumped in place as she made her putt. “If you don’t sink that putt, I’ll beat you.” Jules watched as Paige lined up her shot. There was a light sheen across Paige’s face and she knew the pain was bad. Paige took her shot and just missed the hole. “I beat you.” Jules jumped around the hole excited that it had only taken five weeks to beat Paige.
“You did,” Paige finally said, walking over to her ball. As she bent down to pick up the ball, she nearly fell over. If Jules wasn’t standing there, she would have ended up on her ass.
“Paige,” Jules screamed as she watched Paige nearly fall. She was at her side instantly. “Let me help you back to the cart.”
“I don’t need your help,” Paige insisted angrily and tried to pull away from her grasp.
“Too bad because I’m going to help you.” Jules put her arm around Paige’s waist and helped her back to the cart and put her in the passenger seat. Jules drove them back to the clubhouse. She put her clubs into the trunk of her car and now took Paige’s clubs. “Where is your car?” Paige nodded with her head.
“My keys
and wallet are in the pocket of the bag,” Paige said as she leaned against Jules’s car.
Jules returned to Paige after loading the clubs. “I’m going to drive you home.”
“I don’t need your help. Just help me to my car,” Paige said shaking her head.
“Tough.” Jules practically picked up Paige and deposited her into the passenger seat of her own car. As she slipped into the driver’s seat she asked, “I know you live by the club, but I’m not sure exactly where.” Paige gave Jules the directions. Once they arrived at Paige’s house, Jules began to open her car door and looked up at the house. It appeared the house was a newer ranch. Jules understood that a one floor house would be the only option for Paige. The first time she had been there she never noticed the house.
She grabbed Jules’s arm and said, “I’ll be fine, Jules.”
“I know,” she answered, but opened her car door anyway. Jules now opened the passenger door and helped Paige out of the car. “Give me your keys.” Paige handed Jules her keys. As they climbed the stairs, Jules kept a tight grip on Paige’s waist. She opened the door and dropped her into the nearest chair. “Where is your wheelchair?” Jules asked, remembering seeing one the last time she was here.
“In the bedroom,” Paige pointed with her hand.
As Jules walked toward the bedroom, she noticed how the main living area was completely open. There would be no barriers for her wheelchair if needed. Jules walked into the bedroom and returned with the chair. “Do you want an aspirin or do you take something stronger?” she asked as she deposited Paige into the wheelchair.
“On the counter in the kitchen.” Paige wanted to remove the legs, but she didn’t want to do it in front of Jules.
Jules handed the bottle of pills and a bottle of water to her when she returned. “Let me help you take your legs off,” Jules said reaching for Paige’s legs. Her hands were stopped instantly.
“I don’t need your help.” Paige knew she was being a bitch, but she didn’t want Jules to feel sorry for her or think she needed a nursemaid.
“I know you don’t, but I’m going to help you anyway,” Jules said standing over Paige with her arms crossed. Paige gave a slight nod and began to wheel herself toward the bedroom.
“Can you help me get my slacks off?” Paige asked as she unzipped them.
“Yes.” Jules removed her shoes, then pulled on the pant legs as Paige lifted herself up. Jules stood there a moment staring at her artificial legs.
“You can leave now, Jules. Thank you for your help,” Paige insisted as she began to wheel herself toward the bathroom.
“I’m not leaving you like this, Paige,” she said standing firmly in place.
“I’m just going to take a shower and then get into bed.”
Jules grinned. “If you remember, I’ve seen you naked already.”
“Not completely,” Paige answered turning her back.
“Do you think I’m going to freak out seeing you without legs?”
“Yes,” she answered softly.
“Too bad,” she said standing in front of Paige. “How do these things come off?” She asked reaching for the artificial legs and looked at Paige. “Please trust in me, Paige.”
“Just pull them off,” Paige answered, resigned to accept Jules’s help. She wasn’t sure she trust her completely, but she would give her the benefit of the doubt. Once the legs were off, Jules put them on the bed and began to take off the cloth caps that were on Paige’s knee. “I can do that,” Paige insisted as she brushed Jules hands away. She wheeled herself into the bathroom and closed the door.
Jules put the prosthetic legs against the night table as she had seen them the first time and sat on the bed waiting for Paige to return. She heard the shower come on and then off a short while later. Paige opened the bathroom door wearing a robe and was shocked to see Jules still there.
“You could have gone home.” She wheeled into the room. “I’m fine now.”
“What about something to eat? I could order a pizza.”
“Jules, I’m just going to go to bed,” she said, feeling self-conscious even though she had placed a towel over her lower half.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
Paige looked at Jules face looking for any sign that she wasn’t sincere. “The number for the pizza place is by the phone.” Jules nodded and left the room. While Jules was gone, Paige put on a t-shirt and a pair of sweats that would cover the missing legs. She now wheeled herself into the living room.
Jules came back laughing. “You’ve got every take out menu in the area. Don’t you ever cook?”
“Why should I? I hate to cook for myself,” Paige answered glaring at Jules.
“Me too,” Jules said softly. While Paige was getting dressed, she called her sister and let her know she wouldn’t be home for dinner. Of course Eileen wanted to know if she was taking Paige out to dinner. Jules took a seat on the sofa near Paige.
“I’m sorry. I know this is the last thing you need right now,” Paige sighed. “You don’t need another person to play nursemaid to.”
Jules turned Paige’s wheelchair so she could look into her eyes. “Listen, Paige, I do not feel like a nursemaid. I am helping out a friend.” She now grinned. “Unless you still don’t consider me a friend?” Jules giggled. “I did beat you today.”
“You beat me by one stroke and I was injured.”
“I know. There is no way I would have beat you if you were a hundred percent.” Jules leaned closer to her. “Is that why you quit the tour?”
“That’s one of the reasons. I had a lot of clients this week taking lessons and then we played golf.”
“Hey, it was your idea to play three times a week.”
Paige smiled. “You needed it,” she insisted, but the smile remained on her face.
“How about next week, I play and you teach?” Jules asked just as the doorbell rang. She opened the door and paid the delivery guy.
“Jules, I want to pay for half that.”
“You can pay the next time,” Jules said with a wink and carried the box into the kitchen. She returned with two plates holding a slice of pizza. “What do you want to drink?” Jules asked as she laid the plates on the coffee table.
“Water, please,” Paige answered and watched Jules go back to the kitchen. She looks comfortable here.
“Here you go,” Jules said handing a bottle to Paige. Before Jules took a bite of her pizza she asked, “You never answered my question.”
“What question?” Paige asked through a full mouth.
“Do you consider us friends?” She asked her question and took a bite of the pizza.
“I thought we were still teacher and pupil,” she said with a slight grin and then began to laugh looking at the disappointed look on Jules’s face. “Yes, Jules, I consider us friends.”
“Good.” Jules took another bite of her slice. “How are your legs feeling?”
“Better, thanks. The pills are starting to take effect.”
“I’m sorry about what happened to you. Life just isn’t fair,” she said sadly thinking of her sister.
“Eileen is feeling better, isn’t she?” Paige asked, suddenly concerned.
Jules nodded. “Yeah, she is. I hope the cancer is gone forever. I don’t think her body could go through that again.” Neither could Alice or herself.
“We do what we have to, Jules, to survive.”
“I know, but it took such a toll on Alice.” The fear in Alice’s eyes was heart wrenching and she never wanted to see that again.
“And you,” Paige added.
Jules nodded again. “Yeah.” She picked up another slice of pizza. “Are you off this weekend?”
“No. I have clients all weekend, but I’m off Monday.”
“What time do you start tomorrow?” Jules asked, finishing off the slice without looking at her.
“Ten.”
“I’ll pick you up at nine-thirty.”
“It’s not necessary. I’ll
call a cab.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll take you,” Jules said before picking up the box.
Paige’s phone began to ring. “Hey, Lori.”
“How are you, Paige?” Lori asked her friend.
“My legs are bothering me. What about you and Rita?” Paige asked glancing at the kitchen.
“We’re fine. We’re going to the club tomorrow night. We want you to come with us.”
“No thanks.”
“Paige, you have to get out and meet someone. You can’t spend the rest of your life alone.”
“I’m working Sunday.” Paige tried to keep her voice down, but she was losing her patience.
“We won’t stay too late. Promise,” Lori added.
“No,” Paige insisted. The last thing she wanted to do was sit in a club watching everyone having a good time while she sat at a table by herself.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. We will pick you up at eight o’clock.” Then she was gone.
Jules came out of the kitchen. “I wrapped up the leftover pizza.” She walked further into the room. “So I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Paige nodded. “Thanks for bringing me home, Jules.”
“Thanks for keeping me company this evening.” She walked toward the front door. “Good night.”
CHAPTER 8
Jules dropped Paige off at work the following morning and went back home. She walked into the house and walked toward the kitchen. “Where did you go so early?”
“I dropped Paige off at the club. We left her car there yesterday.”
“So you two are what? Dating?” Eileen asked looking at her sister as she took a seat at the table.
“Friends, Eileen. Just friends.”
Eileen smiled. “Good. She could use some friends.”
“She has friends,” Jules insisted.
“I know she does. Sometimes they forget Paige is handicapped. They insist on taking her places that are hard for her.”