Chapter 3 – …to paragliding strangers

“I’m sorry. I’m usually more professional than that. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. I haven’t actually been doing this a long time.” Embarrassed, I ran a hand through my curly red hair in an attempt to cover, if only briefly, the red spots I felt appearing on my cheeks. “I’m a new pharmacist at the Sunshine Pharmacy on the main square. I’m here to deliver some meds,” I continued, holding up the package with one hand and pointing at it like some kind of idiot with the other one. “You don’t, by any chance, know who ordered this, do you? I can’t find the customer’s name down here.” Still chuckling, she leaned over the balcony a bit further. And that’s when I saw it. The cast. Or rather, two casts. On both her legs. Poking through the sea of green on the balcony. “Uh, yes. My granny pestered me to order them. Sorry for the confusion. I’ve just come back from uni. This is her flat, but I’m staying with her over the summer break. That’s why my name’s not down there. Thank goodness, I made it to the balcony in time. The intercom is broken. As are my legs, unfortunately. And my granny is not that fast on her feet any more either.” She grimaced uncomfortably, giving me an apologetic look. “Sorry to hear that. I know it’s none of my business, but how’d you manage to break your legs?” She sighed deeply, almost a bit melancholically. “Paragliding. And before you ask – because everyone does – yes, it was totally worth it. It was really fun. Except for the breaking my legs part.” “Oh really? That wasn’t the fun part?” I chuckled, even though it probably would have been more appropriate to tell her something positive instead of teasing her. “Don’t!” she said harshly. “Don’t what?” I shot her a confused look while her gaze was now so intense it felt like it was piercing my soul. “I saw that look.” “What look?” “The Oh my God, I’m an asshole for making fun of this situation. I need to reassure her that everything’s going to be okay look. It’s annoying and far too many people have already given me that look. Accompanied by a side of pity and the classic I’m sure you’ll get well soon comment. If I have to hear that one more time, I’ll throw up. Which would be bad for you, because you’re in the firing line right now.” Well… if she put it like that… “Alright. Then I probably should just say…..” I had absolutely no clue what to say. “Nothing.” “Nothing. Alright, that I can say.” And as soon as I had said that, her face lit up again. I guess I had passed the vibe check. “I know this might sound weird, …” she started. “But since I can’t really get down to you right now… could you throw the package up onto the balcony? Preferably without hitting me in the face?” It took about one million tries, but I eventually managed to get it up there. Thank goodness, I was only delivering meds and not glass or any other kind of fragile goods. She threw her hands into the air in a triumphant gesture, while I just chuckled to myself again and shook my head, trying to look at least a little professional while looking down at my clipboard. “It says here that you’ll be receiving a package every week now. Correct?” “Correct.” “Then I’ll see you next week?” “Sure. I’m Ava, by the way.” A second after introducing herself it dawned on her. “But you already knew that because it’s on your list thingy.” She face-palmed, visibly trying to shake off the embarrassment. I just gave her a quick smile before I waved and turned. It had felt good to laugh again. That’s what I had needed. A little silly in my life to shake things up. “Nice to meet you, Ava. I’m Henry.”