The Kindness of a Stranger

Mr. Tobin was ordinary. He was quiet, a little odd, but he was ordinary. I remember thinking that every day on my way home. I waved just like always, the neighborly thing to do. Pulling slowly towards my driveway, I noticed he was watering his flowers. This is how I passed him most days, slowly working his way up and down the rows of his late wife’s garden. How long had she been gone now? Two… three years? I was pulled swiftly from my thoughts when I had finally reached my house and Ranger bounded around the front yard. I rushed out of the car quickly to keep his giant paws from tearing into my brand-new SUV. He was still a puppy and brought a whole new meaning to house training. I caught him mid-jump, catching his legs just above his paws. Ranger was only 6 months old, but already toward over my small five-foot frame. What was I thinking getting a Great Dane? He made me feel safe though. That is what I had wanted, needed. Despite his overzealous personality, he was doing wonderful in his training. Once in his work harness, he was all business. I slipped the harness over his head to begin our evening walk.

I pushed through, slowly, but determined down the driveway. I willed myself forward when we reached the place I had been attacked just five short months ago. I used to take runs after work to clear my head. One evening two blocks into the park by my home, I was hit over the head from behind. I remember blacking out slowly. I screamed, but the darkness overtook me. Mr. Tobin had found me. I remembered waking up in his front yard disoriented and petrified. When I woke up thrashing he calmed me. He had found me bleeding on his evening walk through the park and attempted to carry me home to reach his phone. The police arrived, and I did not remember a thing. I guess it was not enough to knock me out either, I had a limp to prove it. Now, I limped with Ranger who matched my pace. Every evening I could tell he was eager to move much faster, but he stayed by my side loyal and patient. Each person that passed us Ranger eyed carefully. That was his job, and he was good at it. I wondered silently if I would ever be able to run with him.

I sighed heavily and a voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Out for your run?” I jumped and Ranger growled. Turning around swiftly, my shoulders stiffened and my breathing hastened. Then I relaxed and took a deep breath. “Oh, Mr. Tobin, you scared me.” I signaled Ranger that all was safe, and he sat peacefully. I turned back to Mr. Tobin, “I don’t do much running anymore, how are you?” Mr. Tobin smiled softly, “I’m sorry I wasn’t even thinking. I am glad to see you are getting around okay. I didn’t want to overstep, but I saw you got a dog and had been leaving you house more.” I mustered up a smile at his kindness, “This is Ranger. He is helping me get around more.” Mr. Tobin looked Ranger up and down, “Seems to be a good fit. May be a little big for you though,” he chuckled. I peered at Ranger too, “All the better to protect me, I guess. He is specially trained to look out for me.” Mr. Tobin raised his eyebrows, “Is that so? Well, that makes sense why he growled then I suppose.” I nodded slowly, “Yes he knows to protect me unless I signal that I am safe.” Mr. Tobin smiled again, “It is really good to see you out and about. Please let me know if there is anything I can ever do…” he trailed off. He reached over and petted Ranger softly letting Ranger lick his hand. I smiled as we walked further into the park, “You have already done so much, thank you.”

Ranger and I finished our evening walk, and I took off my leg brace before slowly lowering myself in the bath. Ranger curled up by the door forever standing guard. It amazed me how loyal he had already become in just four short months. After the water became a little chilly, I gathered my strength to pull myself out of the tub. I dried off quickly and put on an extra-large t-shirt to get ready for bed. I curled up in the covers with Ranger taking up the entire foot of the bed and fell asleep somewhat restlessly. It had been so long, and I still had trouble shaking off the fear that came with closing my eyes.

The sunlight came through the window softly. I fluttered my eyes to take in the bright rays. I rolled to the side and picked up my phone. Shoot, I forgot to set an alarm again. I guess I will be starting this day a little later than intended. I shrugged my shoulders and got dressed quickly. I had a plan, and I was not putting it off any longer. Ranger and I headed out to the front yard and began our work. I had been planning to plant flowers for months now. I needed the therapy, the beauty, the peace. I knew it would never rival Mrs. Tobin’s garden, but it would be something. I worked most of the morning and stood up to admire my work. In doing so, my bad leg gave out and I fell to the ground with a soft thud. I knew I had twisted my knee. This is why I had waited, I scolded myself. Too much, too soon. I called to Ranger, but despite his best efforts I still did not have the strength to pull myself up even with his help. So, I signaled Ranger to go get help.

I was in agony. I laid in the yard helpless. I wondered if I had messed up the pins. The doctor had told me how many times bending would strain his work. Frustrated and embarrassed I managed to roll over and sit up slightly. I looked over my leg. As I had feared, my leg was bruising rapidly and swelling too. I might have dislodged the pins; I was not sure. Now, I just hoped Ranger would find help. I knew Mr. Tobin’s house was only a mile or so away, but Ranger was still learning. I had no idea if he would be able to find help let alone lead them back to me. To my surprise and delight, I heard tires turning on my gravel drive. Thank God! I thought. Sure enough, Mr. Tobin’s truck came barreling up the driveway. “I am so sorry,” I partially squealed as Mr. Tobin picked me up and placed me in the passenger seat of the truck. I was shocked at his strength. I knew I was small, but he had to be sixty something years old and seemed to pick me up with ease. As if he could read my thoughts Mr. Tobin said, “Bailed hay my whole life, you don’t even weigh half a bale.” I smiled and laughed softly. “I am sorry this keeps happening, I promise I am not always so tragic.” Mr. Tobin smiled knowingly, “It is no trouble at all, happy to help.”

We traveled slowly down the gravel drive and all sudden I remembered Ranger. “Where is Ranger?” I blurted. Mr. Tobin was peering intently on the road, “I locked him up in the house so he would not run off. I figured if he was running loose you needed help.” I looked at him nervously, “He is still just a puppy I would really hate for him to destroy something in your house. Can we take him home really quick before we go to the hospital?” Mr. Tobin’s demeanor changed rather swiftly, “He is fine where he is, we need to worry about you.” His tone was harsh and quick. I was a little stunned, Mr. Tobin had never ben anything but reserved and calm before. “Okay,” I said hesitantly. I sat quietly for a few awkward minutes as we continued to bounce down my gravel road. Then, we turned onto the main drag and passed Mr. Tobin’s house on the way out of the dead-end road. Suddenly, Mr. Tobin made a sharp left into a grassy field. “Where are we going? The road to town is the other way,” I stammered. Mr. Tobin drove on through the grass to reveal a small dirt path just big enough for his truck. “This is a short cut through my back property it will get us to the hospital more quickly,” he said. I bounced around on the truck seat and tried to fight the pit in my stomach that was becoming bigger and bigger. I looked at my leg that was now completely purple. The pins were dislodged, and I was bleeding. I looked at Mr. Tobin, “I don’t think we have a lot of time. I’m not feeling too good.” I looked out the window to the seemingly endless field we were in and blacked out.

I slowly came to and was taking in my surroundings. I looked down and my leg was still purple but elevated on a soft pillow. I tried to lift my arm but stopped when I felt the soft tug of my IV. Hearing the soft beating of my heart on the monitor, I breathed a sigh of relief. Why I had such a sinking feeling about Mr. Tobin I will never know. He had gotten me to the hospital, and I was going to be okay. Peering at the white sheet that separated me from the rest of the room, I tried to determine where the bathroom was. I did not see a door or opening in the curtain. I looked around for a call light or phone but found none. What kind of hospital did not have a way to call your nurse? I tried to signal some help. “Nurse?! Hello?” Nothing, no response. It was so dark I could not see anything except for the white sheets of my bed and the white sheets hanging around me. I swung my feet of the bed and grabbed the bag of fluids off the IV pole attached to the bed to find the bathroom myself. When my feet touched the floor, it was not solid. Something must be on the floor, I thought. I looked closer and saw my hospital bed was sitting on a dirt floor. I was so confused. Why is it so dark?! I limped slowly to the white sheet to pull it to the side. I took another step and walked into a solid stack of hay bales. “What in the world?” I said aloud. The light flickered on, and I had to shade my eyes to adjust. Peering though my fingers to see, Mr. Tobin glared at me with a darkness in his eyes, “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Where am I?” Mr. Tobin inched closer, “You escaped my grasp once before, you won’t be so lucky this time.” I stared at him puzzled when a realization chilled me to the bone. “You hit me in the park? Why?” I stammered with my back pressed as far as I could against the bales trying to escape his reach. Mr. Tobin chuckled softly, sadistically. “I have been watching you since you moved in, knowing one day I’d have you here. I have been so lonely since my wife passed. Now, I need a new player for my game.” I took in a shaking breath and tried to inch my way away from him on my throbbing leg. Mr. Tobin seemingly stared into my soul, “Welcome to your new home, you’ll never know a life outside this rundown barn ever again.”