"Let's roll!" she called, snagging her purse from the sofa and signaling me to come along.
The image of the old woman's tear-stained eyes haunted me.
Suddenly, I wasn't feeling it anymore.
Before I could get a word out, Mandy had already swung the door open and stepped out. Reluctantly, I followed.
To my astonishment, the old woman was now lying motionless right outside our door.
Mandy breezed right past her, unfazed.
How could she just step over someone lying there?
A wave of fear washed over me, but the urge to help prevailed.
I had questions for the old lady, so I didn't chase after Mandy. Instead, I dialed for an ambulance right there.
Mandy circled back, clearly annoyed, "Jess, what's the hold-up? Let's go!"
I couldn't respond in time.
The old lady's eyes suddenly snapped open, pinning me with a stare that turned her pupils into tiny specks.
She lunged at me with gnarled fingers, as if trying to pull me in.
Startled, I stumbled back, barely avoiding her grasp.
"Stop dragging your feet, let's move!"
Mandy yelled from not too far off, her tone steeped in impatience.
If this lady died on my doorstep, that'd be a nightmare to explain.
What's the rush, anyway?