“Sir.”
The old man looked up.
Gray hair.
Thin face.
Blue windbreaker.
His skin was pale.
Embarrassment appeared before fear.
“I’m fine.”
Caleb crouched.
“That does not look fine.”
“I just sat down.”
“On purpose?”
The man hesitated.
“Mostly.”
Caleb looked at the cane.
“Did you fall?”
“No.”
“I got dizzy.”
“Hit your head?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Caleb kept his hands visible.
“My name’s Caleb.”
“Samuel.”
“Samuel what?”
“Samuel Greene.”
“How old are you, Samuel?”
The old man gave him a tired look.
“That seems personal.”
Caleb almost laughed.
“Fair.”
Samuel tried to move again.
His arms shook.
Lumi placed one paw on his shoe.
Caleb said:
“Don’t stand yet.”
“I have to get home.”
“Where’s home?”
Samuel pointed vaguely toward the end of the alley.
“Three blocks.”
“You’re not walking three blocks like this.”
Samuel looked irritated.
“You a doctor?”
“Delivery driver.”
“Then deliver.”
Caleb stared at him.
Samuel tried to smile.
It failed halfway.
Lumi meowed.
Samuel looked down at her.
“There’s my supervisor.”
Caleb finally smiled.
“Apparently.”
He checked Samuel’s face.
Sweat at the temples despite the cool afternoon.
Breathing fast.
Hands trembling.
Caleb had seen similar symptoms before.
His father had diabetes.
“Did you eat today?”
Samuel looked away.
“That is not an answer.”
“Coffee.”
“Anything else?”
“Toast.”
“What time?”
“Morning.”
Caleb checked his watch.
Almost four.
“Diabetic?”
Samuel hesitated.
“Type two.”
Caleb felt his stomach tighten.
“Do you have a glucose meter?”
“At home.”
“Medication?”
“Yes.”
“Did you take it?”
Samuel looked embarrassed.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“I don’t remember.”
Caleb took out his phone.
“I’m calling an ambulance.”
“No.”
Samuel reached toward him.
The movement nearly tipped him sideways.
Caleb caught his shoulder gently.
“Easy.”
“No ambulance.”
“Why?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re sitting behind a garage because you cannot stand.”
“I can stand.”
“Show me.”
Samuel glared.
Caleb raised one eyebrow.
The old man sighed.
“No ambulance.”
“Give me one good reason.”
“Costs money.”
That answer changed Caleb’s expression.
He understood it.
Samuel continued.
“I just need a minute.”
Caleb looked toward the broken groceries.
Then at Lumi.
The cat had seated herself beside Samuel’s knee.
Her tail wrapped neatly around her front paws.
Caleb said:
“At least let me check if you can stand.”
Samuel nodded.
Caleb moved beside him.
“Do not pull on me.”
“Wasn’t planning to.”
“I hate when people yank old people around.”
“I also hate that.”
Caleb retrieved the cane.
He placed it within reach.
“Put your right hand here.”
Samuel did.
“Other hand on the fence.”
Caleb braced one arm near Samuel’s back without lifting yet.
“Slow.”
Samuel pushed.
His legs trembled immediately.
Caleb supported his elbow.
“Stop.”