I’vealways known that there’s more to it than that forZoe, though, andIhad assumed that it’s because she’s so competitive and wants the win.Butif she is this upset thatIdidn’t finish it even without her, then maybeIdon’t understand her motivations as much asIthoughtIdid.
CHAPTER 23
TENDERNESS AND TURBULENCE
ZOE
Thehospital made me leave in a wheelchair.ItellLedgerthat if he values our partnership, this mission, and all of his limbs, he better not try to make me board the plane in a wheelchair.Hesuggests crutches.It’sonly been fifteen hours since my surgery, andI’mstill feeling every bit of that fall.Iknow my leg is bad, butIcan tell without even trying the crutches that it will be disastrous.Myhurt ribs won’t be able to take it.
Besides, the boot has my leg pretty protected.Mybody is exhausted, though, so when the attendant who drove us across the tarmac offers to take both mine andLedger’sbags up the ramp and into the plane,I’mgrateful.
I’malso grateful forLedger’scareful and steadying arms asIstruggle to make it up the ramp.Mybody is too weak for this, andIkeep wondering whyIturned down the stupid wheelchair.It’snot like stopping twice on theway up to catch my breath is making me look any less frail.
Whenwe step onto the plane,AmbassadorConnollyandEvanO’Brienturn to greet us.Imust look terrible becauseIcatch the micro-expression of shock that crosses the ambassador’s face before he schools it into a pleasant smile and welcomes us aboard.
“Thankyou so much for coming out of your way to get us,”Ledgersays. “Ifyou are ever in a position whereIcan possibly repay your kindness in any way, please reach out.”
Ithink back to howIpictured each of us would react if someone gave us both paragliding equipment, a target landing point in the distance, and ten minutes before jumping off a cliff.IfiguredLedgerwould spend that ten minutes making friends with whoever else was on the cliff instead of preparing to jump.
Ihave to admit that maybe his method isn’t all bad.
O’Brienis saying something about hurling thatIcan’t focus on whenAmbassadorConnollyinterrupts to say, “Butwe can catch up later.Ithink we better getMs.Steeleto a seat before she collapses.”
Igive him a grateful smile, even ifI’membarrassed to be seen looking so incapable.Ican’t put any weight on my leg with the boot, and honestly,I’mstruggling to keep my other knee from buckling.
Thenurse at the hospital said that even thoughI’dbe able to leave the hospital sometime tomorrow, it would be at least a week beforeIcould travel on a commercial flight, and theCIAcouldn’t get a jet to us anytimesoon.I’msureLedgerwould’ve had to fly back long before then.Apparently, he wasn’t okay leaving me injured, in need of care, and alone in an unfamiliar city whereIdon’t speak the language.Hetakes the maxim “leave no one behind” very seriously.
Wehead back to the same room that closes off from the rest of the plane that we traveled in on our way toDublin, andLedgerhelps me to get situated in the seat.Iam so tired, but my stomach starts grumbling loudly.Idon’t even remember whenIlast ate.Wasit that vending machine bag of nuts while on the train?
Ledgerhears my stomach, too, andgrins.Heleaves for a moment, then comes back with our bags.Heputs his on his seat, opens it, and pulls out a brown paper box before putting his bag on the floor.Thenhe put the box on the small table between us and opens it out wide, flattening it.
“Ididn’t want you to leaveTurkeywithout havingTurkishcheese.”Heglances at the window behind me. “Andwe haven’t taken off yet, so we are still inTurkey.”
Hegot me cheese?Iam too injured, too tired, and too hungry to handle all of the emotions welling up in my chest.It’seven making my eyes well up.
“This,” he says, holding up a small container, “isLor.It’skind of crumbly, but it’s got some herbs mixed in.It’shigh in protein and low in fat, soIfigured it’s perfect for eating post-surgery.
“Andthis,” he says, unwrapping a white cheese that is sliced, “isBeyazPeynirfromEzine.Iwanted to get you someDiveObrukPeyniri— it ripens for up to a year in a cave,while sewn into a dried goatskin.”Heshivers. “Itsmelled like the floor of a barn, so you would’ve loved it, butIdidn’t think bringing that stench onto the plane would be the best way to thank theAmbassadorfor his generosity.”
“Itdefinitely would’ve been offensive to bring something so tasty on board if you didn’t offer him any.”
Ledgergasps in mock horror. “ButIlikethe ambassador.Oh, andIalso got some berries, some nuts, and these cracker things that are supposed to be high in fiber.Allare supposed to help you recover.”
Heleaves for a moment to go get us some sparkling water fromSaoirse, andIjust gaze at the spread.Thisis not the mealLedgerwould have chosen for himself,Iam sure of it.Hechose every item here with me in mind.Idab at my lower lid with my knuckle.Thisis one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me, andIdon’t know how to respond.
Ledgerreturns with two bottles, and says, “Youmust be starving.Let’sdig in!”
SoIdo.Itry the crumbly, herbyLorcheese and revel at the taste and texture.It’smild, yet so full of flavor.Asif the herbs brought out all its best qualities.ThenItry theBeyazPeynir.It’sso deliciously creamy and has such a rich flavor thatImoan eating it.Itry each of the two cheeses with the crackers, each with berries.Eachwith nuts.AndItry them together.Somehow, they taste so different yet so perfect every wayItry them.
Inotice thatLedgeris doing more watching me than he is eating cheese. “It’sjust so good,”Isay. “Eatsome more.”
Eventually, my stomach is no longer growling, andIsit back, feeling more content thanIhave in a while.
“Howare you feeling?”Ledgerasks.
“Everythingstill hurts, but it hurts less with a belly full of delicious cheese.”
Helaughs, and it’s such a good laugh. “Youlook tired.Doyou need to sleep?”
