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.

problem," Sylvia replied, shifting herself into the neighboring stall, hopping a

moment later, she heard the electric wheelchair whirring

she noticed a crisp $20 bill

single pad? That was

the money, but a cramp twisted through her stomach, making her double over.

okay? Mr. Rupert asked me to bring

cartoon-printed bag she was handed-and found several different brands of pads

He noticed?

you," Sylvia murmured, then hurried back into the stall to

finally emerged, Rupert was waiting for her

do you look so

shooting Sylvia a look that said, "You don't have

felt her cheeks

had draped his coat over her shoulders

to get your

carrying her off

they left, Sylvia glanced

are you looking

replied quickly, tucking the $20

together, just as the electric

the doctor's office.

passed

asked in

me,