Escort To A New Life

By Peggy Buxton

Aaron stands in line at the movies. As the wind blows his hat, he notices a woman in line missing a leg. He struggles with his feelings for days and work suffers. Mattie, his boss, has a discussion with him about what might be wrong. He insists it is too personal, but promises to focus again. A few days later, she introduces him to an old friend that needs an escort to a political fundraiser.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peggy Buxton
• Release date: May 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458020123

Peggy Buxton

Author, wife, lover, and amputee. I have been missing my left leg for years. Growing up I felt that it should not be there, and it is has been a blessing to have it gone. Today's term for this condition is BIID and in the past simply referred to as being a 'wannabe'. I am a full-time crutch user. Like my husband, I find amputees fascinating. 'Devotee' is the frequently used term. My stories have characters that mirror my life in some manner - wanted/needed to be an amputee or want to live with an amputee. I make no apology for my descriptions of these people and there is no intent to take away from the suffering of some amputees. I love feedback on the stories, but I cannot promise to reply.

Book preview

Escort To A New Life

Peggy Buxton

Copyright 2011 by Peggy Buxton

Smashwords Edition

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Aaron stands in the long line to buy a ticket to the four o'clock movie. The cool wind picks up tossing people's hair about and almost blowing his baseball cap away. He grabs it just before it leaves his head. In the midst of the gust, he happens to look down and discovers one of the two women in front of him has a prosthetic leg extending from the jean pants leg that is rolled up several turns. His heart races at the discovery. He curses under his breath causing the older of the two women to shoot him a look that makes it clear she heard him.

He spends the next several minutes studying the younger woman. The women chat about something he does not hear well enough to understand, but heads lean close taking turns.

In the refreshment line, they happen to be in front of him. He again looks at her then at the metal pipe of the prosthesis. There are several inches exposed, and he ponders why not leave the pants leg un-cuffed.

The older woman walks off towards the bathroom. At the condiment table, the other guards the popcorn and large drink cup. He takes his popcorn there and casually sprinkles salt while trying to not be obvious he is staring at her. She has great features and a face that would be nice to wake up to.

You noticed, she quips, tossing a piece into her mouth and chewing.

Sorry. I didn't mean to stare.

Mom will be back, but I just wanted to say hello.

If we....

She laughs and drags a card from her pants pocket. Call me. She laughs. Oh, I don't live at home.

The older woman returns before the card is in his hand, giving him a nasty glare. Come on, Erin, she huffs.

Following dutifully, Erin glances over her shoulder flashing him a seductive smile while pocketing the card. He grumbles under his breath how she should have dropped it so he could pick it up, but instead he has only memories.

He tries to follow them into the auditorium, but the usher points down the hall explaining the ticket is for a different movie. A crowd forms making it difficult to just stand in the hall with hopes to see her after the movie. Frustrated, he asks the usher how long their movie will last then checks his watch to be back in time. Of course, they might leave through other exits.

Loren sits across from Erin at the sidewalk cafe a few days after the incident at the movie theater. She blows though the steam pouring off the fresh cup of coffee before sipping. There is a chuckle as Erin attempts to cross her legs before remembering she is not wearing her prosthetic leg.