“I don’t need help, thank you,” she said.
She tried to rise and promptly fell back in the same spot again.
“Maybe not, but a bit of leverage never hurts,” I said.
“On the other hand,” I continued, nodding at the sidewalk.
A hint of a smile raised the corners of her full mouth. We’re all aware that it happens. But how and why? Was it some pheromone I breathed in? Was it the way she raised her eyebrows when she gave me that smile? How I did I suddenly become convinced that I would give everything I owned, fight hopeless battles, and suffer hardships just to see her smile like that once in a while for years to come.
She took my hands and I helped her to her feet. We both bent down to gather up the contents of her purse.
“Please, really. I don’t need your help,” she said.
I rose quickly.
“Thank you again.”
She turned and began walking away.
“It doesn’t snow much in Brazil either, does it?” I said to her back.
She turned around, staring at me with what I interpreted to be an expression of concern and confusion.
“Why would you say that about Brazil?”