Chapter 12: Side Slit Caught On Rug
I stepped toward door. Rug edge lifted. Side slit caught. Fabric jerked tight against thigh.
Momentum stopped. I stumbled half-step forward then back. White dress pulled. Tie at waist tugged. Chain strap of bag slid down right shoulder. I caught it with right hand.
I looked down. Hem snagged on frayed corner of rug near door. Wood floor showed underneath where rug had curled up. Flag still hung vertical on wall upper right behind me. Lamp still glowed on side table. Apartment held breath.
Man stayed seated. Blue button-down still rolled at sleeves. Khaki pants, brown belt. He hadn't moved since pause. Eyes fixed on snag, not on me. Hands flat on knees. He breathed slow.
I knelt. Slow. Knees hit rug. Dress slit pulled tighter as I lowered. Fabric strained around tie. Silver pendant swung forward, tapped collarbone. Bag settled against hip, chain clinked soft.
Kneeling felt vulnerable. Back exposed to room. Door two feet ahead now unreachable. I felt his gaze stay level, not hovering. I heard his inhale, held it.
Fingers found snag. Rug fibers wound through dress edge. White floral fabric bunched. I pinched hem, tried to lift. Snag held. I twisted fabric gently. Threads resisted.
"I can help, if you want," he said.
Voice low. One short sentence. Ask, not reach. He stayed seated. Didn't lean forward. Palms stayed on knees. Brow furrowed slight, eyes asked permission.
I shook head once. Small. Kept eyes on fabric.
"Okay," he said.
Silence returned. His breathing stayed even. Mine quickened then slowed. I focused on fibers. Fingernail worked under loop. I felt rug roughness against fingertips. Dress fabric smooth, thin. Side slit tie loosened a bit as I shifted.
Second try. I pulled rug corner flat with left hand, eased dress with right. Fabric slid half inch, caught again. I adjusted angle. Knee pressed harder into rug. Bag strap slipped again, I pushed it back onto shoulder without standing.
He didn't move. That mattered. Earlier he would have crossed room, hands already on fabric, on waist, pulling. Now he watched. Jaw tight, but hands still. Respect held distance.
I breathed out. Slowed fingers. Found exact thread loop hooked on rug tuft. Lifted tuft, not dress. Loop released. Fabric came free with soft snap. Hem fell loose around leg. Slit hung open again, tie still knotted.
I stayed kneeling second longer. Checked hem. No tear. Just stretched wrinkle where snag had been. I smoothed it with palm. Silver pendant settled back against chest. I pushed hair behind ear. Slow eye movement, not quick.
I stood. Used knees, not hands on floor for leverage. Bag lifted with me. Dress settled. I looked toward man. He met gaze. Eyes soft, not pleading now. Serious, restrained.
I nodded. Once. Thanks for not touching. Thanks for asking. Small nod carried weight.
He nodded back. Same small motion. Lips closed. No words needed. He exhaled, shoulders dropped fraction. Hands still on knees, but fingers loosened.
May you like
Rug corner still curled up. I nudged it flat with toe of shoe, gentle. Didn't fix fully, just pressed down. Lamp light caught chain strap, glinted. Flag shadow fell across rug edge where snag had been. Door waited ahead, keys ready in bag, path clear now.
I took breath. Stepped past snag point, deliberately wide this time. Fabric swayed free around legs. Distance between us held. Permission had held too.
