Chapter 2

889 words

PART 2 — WHAT EACH PERSON SAW

—Mrs. Walker.

Robert came to my side and reached out for my arm. Before he could touch me, he stopped.

—Can you move your shoulder?

—It hurts. I’d rather you didn’t hold it.

He immediately lowered his hand and pulled a chair closer.

—Please sit down.

I sat down because I needed to. My legs weren’t as strong as I’d thought when I stood up. The waiter put down the tray and came back with water and some clean napkins.

I thanked him. When I placed one on my palm, I saw two small bloodstains.

Kristin spoke over my head.

—He tripped next to me. I was just trying to get by.

Robert looked at her and then looked at me.

—I didn’t see how it happened.

“I know,” I told him.

That answer seemed to baffle him.

—But I did feel it. She hit me on the side.

The club president approached. I had seen him frown while I remained on the ground, motionless.

from their site.

“We can talk about this inside,” he suggested.

She spoke in a low, careful voice, the same one used to ask for the music to be turned down.

“First I need to clean my hands,” I replied. “Then we can talk.”

-Of course.

—And I need it not to be assumed that I fell on my own.

Kristin let out a breath through her nose.

—Nobody’s taking anything for granted. But to accuse me of pushing her…

—That’s exactly what I’m saying.

Robert brought the water bottle closer so I could wet a napkin. My fingers trembled as I folded it. I was annoyed that Kristin saw it, though the burning sensation on my skin soon left me with no room to worry about that.

The president looked at those who were nearby.

Did anyone see what happened?

There was a brief silence, long enough to hear a waiter removing a plate from another table.

Kristin crossed her arms.

—Everyone saw that he lost his balance.

—I saw the blow.

The older woman had let go of her companion’s arm.

He didn’t raise his voice. He took the two steps he hadn’t finished taking before and stood by the chair.

—The lady was reaching for a dessert. You moved toward her and bumped her with your hip.

Kristin turned around immediately.

—It was happening.

The woman pressed her lips together before answering.

—There was space on the other side.

Her companion made a move towards her, but this time he did not touch her.

I felt my fingers loosen the napkin a little.

“Are you sure?” the president asked.

-Yeah.

The waiter cleared his throat.

—I was facing it. I saw the impact before the woman fell.

He was looking at the president, not Kristin.

—Did you see him push her?

The boy took a while to answer.

—I saw him hit her from the side. I didn’t see Mrs. Walker stumble before.

That

That was what he had observed, and that was all he knew. He didn’t add any intentions he couldn’t possibly know. That precision gave me more confidence than any speech I could have given in my defense.

Kristin adjusted a bracelet.

—I could have brushed against her without realizing it.

—You said a moment ago that I had tripped—I reminded him.

—Because that’s what it seemed like.

—And then you laughed.

He lowered his hand.

The president glanced at the other tables. There were guests seated again, but hardly anyone was eating.

“We’re going to collect the information of those who were nearby,” he said. “And document what happened.”

—I want what I said to be included—I replied—. That I felt a deliberate blow.

—It will be included.

Kristin leaned slightly towards me.

—If he got hurt, of course I’m sorry.

I waited. So did she.

—Tell me why you feel that way—I asked him.

Her mouth tightened.

—I’m trying to be nice.

—Then don’t ask me to make this easier for you.

Robert crouched down a little to be at my height.

—I’m going to accompany her to get it checked.

I nodded. My shoulder was already starting to feel heavy, and when I tried to adjust my bag, I had to switch it to the other side.

Before getting up, I looked at the president.

—Who is going to follow up with me?

He took out a card and wrote a number on the back.

—They.

I took the card with my less injured hand.

Kristin let out a short, joyless laugh.

—Are you really going to turn an accident into a board issue?

I looked at her from the chair.

—I will submit my version in writing.

For the first time since the fall, there was no immediate response.