Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

She didn't want to say it outright. Setting her mug of coffee down, she mumbled, "I'm done. I think I'll head home."

To her surprise, Rupert put down his own cup and stood up too.

"Come on, I'll walk you back."

"That's okay, really. I'm feeling much better now," Sylvia insisted.

While speaking, Sylvia tugged unconsciously at her jeans. The moment she'd stood up, she'd felt that unmistakable, dam-burst sensation. Great-her period had decided to make an entrance.

Rupert glanced at her. “I'll call a nurse to bring a wheelchair and take you to the restroom."

"Okay."

Silently, Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't picked up on anything unusual.

Once she was seated in the wheelchair, she insisted on going alone-nurses were busy enough without babysitting her. She borrowed a pad and wheeled herself to the restroom.

To be safe, she headed straight for the accessible stall. But, to her surprise, someone was already inside.

She was about to move to another stall when a gentle voice called out, "Excuse me, do you have a pad? My legs aren't great, and I forgot mine."

Sylvia could hear the embarrassment in the woman's voice. Peeking under the stall door, she saw the wheels of a powered wheelchair-clearly, this was someone who genuinely needed help.

She glanced down at the pad in her hand. Usually, her flow was light on the first day; she could probably make it home. So she slid the pad under the partition. "Here you go."

"Oh my god, thank you. You're a lifesaver. I would've died of embarrassment," the woman said gratefully.noveldrama

"No problem," Sylvia replied, shifting herself into the neighboring stall, hopping a bit as she went.

A moment later, she heard the electric wheelchair whirring away.

When Sylvia came out, she noticed a crisp $20 bill left on her wheelchair seat. Whoa.

All that for a single pad? That was way too much.

She debated trying to return the money, but a cramp twisted through her stomach, making her double over. She clung to the wheelchair for support as a young nurse hurried in.

"Are you okay? Mr. Rupert asked me to bring you these," the nurse said.

Sylvia opened the cartoon-printed bag she was handed-and found several different brands of pads inside.

He noticed?

"Thank you," Sylvia murmured, then hurried back into the stall to take care of things.

When she finally emerged, Rupert was waiting for her in the hallway.

"Why do you look so pale?"

"She probably has cramps," the nurse replied, shooting Sylvia a look that said, "You don't have to thank me."

Sylvia felt her cheeks burn.

Before she knew it, Rupert had draped his coat over her shoulders and scooped her up.

She wriggled. "You're going to get your coat dirty."

"It's just a coat," Rupert said, carrying her off without a second thought.

As they left, Sylvia glanced around.

"What are you looking for?" Rupert asked.

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, tucking the $20 into her bag.

They took the elevator down together, just as the electric wheelchair rolled out of

the doctor's office.

As the woman passed by the nurse

from earlier, she asked in a low

voice, Excuse me, did you see

Woman in a wheelchair

come out of the restroom?"

The nurse thought for a second. "She already left."

The woman nodded, saying nothing more. She'd gotten a call that her ride was waiting, so she hadn't had time to thank her helper in person. Oh well, maybe their paths would cross again someday.

Apartment.

As soon as they got inside, Sylvia suddenly remembered something and spun around, blocking Rupert's way.

"Uncle Rupert, I'm really tired. You don't have to stay. I'm going to rest now."

Rupert grinned. "You're getting

better and better at kicking me out after I've been useful. Or is there something here I'm not allowed to see?"

Sylvia froze. Was he some kind of mind reader?

He squinted at her. "Am I not allowed to see?"

She opened her mouth to explain, but it was too late. His eagle eyes had already

spotted what was on the couch.

"Don't look!" she yelped, diving to cover it.

???