Read Rising for Free Online Page B

date.
    Ron didn’t say anything about dinner so she’d better feed herself before she went. She was ornery enough around Ron —add hunger to the mix and she might just have to kill him.
    She ate, showered, primped, applied makeup, and put on her favorite blouse. She exchanged the blanket for a long skirt. She’d have to be lifted from her chair into Ron’s car for this date. Spandex wrapped over her defect and worn under her skirt would have to be enough to keep people from seeing it. Spandex had always worked before, but she never felt completely safe with it. It was too darn easy to take it off.
    A heavy knock on her door came at 6:59 PM. She opened the door and Ron stepped in. Sara had to admit he looked amazing. His brown, gelled hair looked rumpled, in a very planned and precise way. He was dressed in washed-out jeans. Under his black, fitted t-shirt, his muscles bulged and tapered down to a narrow waist. His blue eyes shone bright against his tanned face.
    He stepped up and looked her over. “Is that what you’re wearing?” Just when he started to look good to her, he opened his mouth. Too bad the idiot wasn’t mute.
    “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? This blouse is awesome.”
    “No, not the blouse, the… wait a minute. You aren’t able to wear jeans, are you?”
    “Listen, if you’re going to hound me about my disability, I think you should just sell me your ticket and we can go separately.”
    “I don’t think so. Your disability is going to turn these tickets into front row seats. This band allows anyone in a wheelchair to sit in front with their dates.”
    “Really? I’ve never heard that.”
    “It’s true, according to Donna from the mailroom.”
    “So is that why you asked me on this date? So I can turn your tickets into front row seats?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t even like Indigo Spire. The front row seats are just a perk. No, I asked you because despite your being in a wheelchair, you’re beautiful, and I like being with beautiful women.” He winked, as if what he said should flatter her.
    It didn’t flatter her. It infuriated her. Despite your being in a wheelchair… Where in the world did he learn to be such an ignorant jerk?
    “ Well, it’s a lucky thing this crippled girl is beautiful enough to be asked out by you.” She smiled through gritted teeth.
    “ Yes, it is.” He grinned. “Well, sweetheart, let’s go to this concert.”
    This night threatened to be a long one.
    Half an hour later, Ron wrapped Sara in his arms. Donna was right about the handicapped seating, they were awesome seats. But Ron didn’t have handicapped tickets. His tickets were for regular seats fifty rows back. He had to carry Sara up a hundred steps.
    They left h er beloved chair with security—after she threw a huge fit when Ron tried to leave it at the entrance. She looked at his furrowed and sullen face. He must still be steamed at her for causing a scene. She wouldn’t have had to cause a scene if he’d been reasonable. That chair was her only way of getting from one place to another.
    “Wow, Sara, could you weigh any more?” he asked huffing, sweat beading on his brow.
    Her jaw dropped. He did not just say that . “I’m sorry, I’ve been meaning to lose a few pounds. I mean, a hundred and fifteen pounds makes me obese, right?”
    “I don’t know about obese, but you definitely look lighter than you are.”
    One, two, three… She counted to ten in her head in an attempt to cool her temper before she opened her mouth.
    “You’ll be worth the trouble, right?” He raised an eyebrow as he smiled.
    She clenched her teeth and smiled back, reining in the venom she so wanted to spew at him. … Eleven, twelve, thirteen … She would be counting to a thousand the way things were going.
    They reached their seats and Ron plopped her down just as the lights dimmed. A haunting melody billowed through the arena. Everyone around her stood, obscuring her view of the stage below.