Color Blind (Able to Love) Read Online Free PDF Page B

front to unlock the door. Her heart hammered as she moved towards the sound, unsure of what she might see.
    She saw the open refrigerator door—correction, the empty, open refrigerator door. With tentative steps, she approached. She closed the door and looked around in shock. The counters were bare. Broken glass was everywhere. In the midst of all that squalor sat Saul—looking lost and scared.
    Her feet crunched on the broken glass.
    His head swung upwards, “Annie, is that you? How did you know to come?”
    Saul spoke as if he didn’t expect an answer, almost as if he really didn’t believe she was there.
    “Yes, it’s me. I don’t know why I came. I know from experience how difficult the first night home can be for many patients and I decided to check on you,” she said. Yeah right. She wasn’t crazy enough to share her Jane Eyre moment.
    “You’re here? I’ve never been so happy to hear someone’s voice in all my life,” He exaggerated as he reached for her.
    Annie’s heart skipped a beat. She bent to cup his hand into hers understanding his need to make human contact. When their hands joined, it felt right. She looked into his unseeing eyes and said, “I’m here.” And, I’m not going anywhere, she added to herself.
     
    ***
     
    “What’s Saul Sweeterman doing here?” Sari whispered, pointing to the large man asleep on their couch. She slurred his name as if she were referencing a contagious disease.
    Annie paused from packing the reusable grocery bag and greeted her friend with a sheepish smile. Sari had just ended her shift. Annie replied, “I gave him his pain meds which knocked him out. Don’t worry, he’s not staying. I just needed to grab my clothes and some food to hold us over until tomorrow.”
    Sari put her hands on her hips and looked at Annie as if she were crazy. “Are you listening to yourself? When’s the wedding? Because at the rate you’re going, you two will be married in a month.”
    “I know this all seems crazy, but I’m not cuckoo,” she defended. “And he has a girlfriend.”
    Saul stirred on the couch, but didn’t awaken. Annie placed a finger over her lips and tilted her head towards her bedroom. Sari nodded and stomped inside.
    “I promise you that I’m in my right mind,” Annie began again, “But, I’m going with the flow and helping someone in need.”
    “He’s rich and wants for nothing in this world. What could he possibly need?”
    “A friend,” Annie supplied. “He needs one of those.”
    Sari grunted. She marched over to the nightstand to get a post-it note and a pen. “Write the address here and all of his phone numbers. I want to be sure that if my black friend goes missing, I know where to send the police.”
    Annie popped her hand over her mouth before saying, “Oh my goodness, what do you think he’s going to do to me? I assure you, I’m safe with him. ”
    “I watch Criminal Minds … I’m just saying be careful. It’s always the handsome ones.” When she pulled out her cell phone and left the room, Annie trailed behind.
    She watched with something akin to horror as Sari snapped a few pictures of him before shoving her phone in her pocket. She patted her pants, “Evidence.”
    Annie chuckled at her friend’s paranoia. “Whatever.” She couldn’t expect Sari to understand something she herself didn’t understand. Her attraction to Saul Sweeterman had been unexpected, but…oddly welcomed. She was glad that she found Saul when she had. After she’d helped him to the restroom, Annie cleaned up the mess in the kitchen. He had been so vulnerable and clung to her. She used that opportunity to pray for him.
    Annie was glad that Saul finally listened to her and would be consulting with a vision teacher. He needed to learn how to adapt to living without his sight. She sighed. What he really needed was a psychiatrist—and God.
    Her eyes gravitated towards his sleeping frame. Though he’d been grateful for her prayers, Annie’s