«You know what they say, you have to keep a positive outlook on things. I'm sure your ankle will heal perfectly and you won't even think about it at this time next year» he tells me. God, I hope he's right! The judge takes her place on the bench and we are once again ready to proceed. I call Ferguson's accountant and I warn the judge that he will probably an hostile witness, giving his relationship with the accused. «Mr. Summers, what can you tell us about Mr. Ferguson's company and its financial state before the murder?».

«I don't know how this is...» the man starts saying.

«Just answer the question, Mr. Campbell» the judge warns him. He explains about the enormous debts and how the company was about to go down. I plant this seed in the jury's mind about the money Ferguson needed to save his company and how «convenient» that his wife dies just in time for him to inherit thousands of dollars from her life insurance. Little that I know then that money wasn't the only issue...

The day after the doctor's visit, I decide it's about time to drive my Miata again. To celebrate this little «event», I choose my most beautiful skirt from the closet and on my right foot, I wear a pump with a three inch heel.

«Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous honey» Tom says as soon as he sees me crutching out the bedroom, wearing my navy skirt and matching jacket. «Thanks honey». I hobble to my car and with Tom's help, I get in my Miata. I lean my crutches against the passenger seat and I'm ready to go. On the highway, I feel so alive with the wind in my hair.

At the courthouse, Sid is waiting for me in the parking lot. «Well, look who's hidding behind the wheel? I'll be darn, it is prosecutor Bailey herself» he teases me.

«You have no idea how good it feels to be driving again, Sid» I say with a big grin on my face. To be honest, I would give anything to spend the rest of the day driving around, listenning to the radio. But there is work to be done...

The next two days go very fast. We have to wrap up our case before Thursday, July 4th. Since we have the day off, the judge decided that the defense would call their first witness on Monday morning instead of Friday. That means that Tom and I will have four glorious days to ourselves.

At 4 o'clock Wednesday, our last witness steps down. I think we did a good job, but I still have this uneasy feeling that a big piece of the puzzle is missing. Oh well, I'll think about it next week when the trial resume.

I wave goodbye to Sid as I head for the road. I can't wait to get back to my husband and see what he has in store for us for Independance Day. I'm cruising along on Higway 51 when my car suddenly dies on me. Just like that! Never saw it coming!

Luckily, I can pull over without any problem. I stay in the car for a few minutes, trying to assess the situation. I don't know anything about motors, but I might as well take a look before I call someone. I don't need this, I say angrily to myself as I grab my crutches and open the door. I painfully get out and hobble toward the front of my Miata. I lift the hood, lean my crutches against the bumper and balancing myself on my good foot, I examine the motor carefully. What am I suppose to look for? What am I doing? I think it would be wiser to call for help...

Reaching into my purse, I take my cell phone to find out that my battery is dead. Great! What else can go wrong? At this moment, a big blue Camaro pulls over right in front of me and a big bald guy, with two earrings in each ears, gets out. It's a good thing I'm on a busy highway in the daytime and not in some dark alley late at night. «Hey little lady. Something wrong with your car?».

No, I'm just taking a break, I think to myself. «Yeah, I don't know what's the matter. It just died on me a few minutes ago. Do you know anything about cars?».

«Sure do». But instead of looking under the hood, he keeps staring at my casted leg.

«Wow, that is quite some cast you got there lady. What happened to you ?» he wants to know.

«Broke my leg in a few places. Now, can we get back to my car?». «Is it heavy? By the way, I like the polish on your toes. Real sexy...».

This guy is now creeping me out. «Look, do you want to help me with my car or not because if you...»

«Is there a problem here?». Bald guy and I look up to see Officer Mike Bailey smiling at us.

«Hello, Officer Bailey. I'm so glad to see you» I tell him winking at him. The policeman gets my drift and walks toward the big bald guy. «Thanks for stopping mister, but I'll take it from here» he says to him. The man doesn't seem too happy about leaving and with one more glance at my toes, he gets back into his car and drives away.

«Thank God you stopped to help me Officer Bailey. This guy was giving me the creep. He kept asking about my cast. I thought that was a bit weird».

«So, what's happening with your car?».

«I have no idea. It was fine one minute and then it just died». «Sounds like the alternator to me. Tell you what, I'll call the garage I do business with and ask for a tow truck. It's against the rules, but I'll give you a ride home. Anyway, who will blame me for dropping a prosecutor to her house?» he says with a big smile.

I'm so grateful to him. I crutch toward his patrol car and Officer Bailey helps me get in.

«I wouldn't sound like that guy, but how's your leg?».

«Well, it's getting better, but my ankle could be a problem» I tell him all about my visit to the doctor. «By the way, how's Julia?» I ask him, remembering the sprained ankle his partner suffered a while back.

«She's doing great. Her ankle is still bothering her though, so the Chief has her doing paper work until Monday. She was just talking about you the other day, wondering how you were doing».

«I wish I was back on my owm two feet like her, I can tell you that much. At least, I'm keeping in shape using those crutches».

Officer Bailey pulls into the driveway. Tom looks worried as he steps out of the house.

«Honey, are you all right? What happened to your car? Did you have an accident?».

I quickly reassure him about my condition. Tom thanks Officer Bailey profusly for giving me a ride home.

«Just doing my job. Take care of your leg, Miss Bailey».

«Thanks. And please, tell Julia I say hi».

«I'll do that. Bye».

Once in the house, Tom calls the garage and the mechanic informs him that my car will be ready Friday afternoon. My husband has taken care of dinner and we enjoy a good meal listenning to soft music on the radio. After we eat, Tom turns on the television to watch the ball game. I sit on the couch next to him and Tom puts my casted leg on his lap. He gently strokes my toes and rubs the bottom of my foot. I try to read, but something is bothering me. Since my accident, I've noticed that men are fascinated with my cast. They also keep staring at my toes.

I'm not naive, I know that a lot of men have foot fetish, but I never thought I would have my doubts about my husband. Every time I sit down, Tom insists that I put my foot in his lap. He's always touching my toes and he has this strange look in his eyes when he looks at my cast. I vaguely remember a conversation I had with Renee when she broke her leg. At the time, she was going out with Nic and she told me about his fetish. She said that he couldn't get enough of her casted toes, whatever that meant.

It's funny when you think you know someone really well and then bang, you discover something that you never saw before...

«Tom, can I ask you a question?».

«Sure honey. What is it?».

«I don't quite know how to put this but... Do you have a foot fetish?».

Tom looks like he's been shot. «What?».

I'm already sorry I asked. I should have waited until he brought it up. But now, it's too late...

«If you don't want to talk...».

«No, it's not that. I just don't know where to begin».

«Take your time baby. I'm not going anywhere» I tell him in a soft voice.