Bruises blossomed on Aida’s shins in the days to come. But as the aches came and went and the bruises settled into a ripe yellowish-purple, she continued to ignore the daily knocks on her door from Elsie.
The first day following the wardrobe catastrophe, Elsie called out cheerily, ‘Hello, Aida, it’s only me!’ She tried the door handle, but it was locked. When Aida hadn’t answered in the morning, her neighbour had come back in the afternoon.
The second and third days also included two visits, mid-morning and mid-afternoon. On the third day, Elsie went around the back and even tried rattling the back door.
On the fourth day, it was only once, with Elsie calling, ‘Aida? Are you home? Are you all right?’
A week later, when Aida’s bruises were fading to dirty smudges and the door handle stopped rattling to the tune of Elsie’s voice, Aida cried dismayed tears.