"Thanks," she mumbled at me while I passed her the steaming tea I had in my hands. I pressed a clammy hand to her forehead for enough time to take her temperature before she pulled away, annoyed.
"I'm fine!" she snapped, eyes fierce for a moment.
"I apologize," I said, "I'm just worried."
"There's no need to be. Like I said, I'm fine. I don't need people fretting about my well being. I've been through worse. So stop your damn worrying. It's pointless." She glared up at me through the steam coming off her tea, and I fought the urge to laugh.
"I suppose you're here for your thanks, then, eh? Well here it is. Thank you, kind sir, for your actions today. They were truly remarkable." The sarcasm that laced her voice was full of bitterness.
"I'm sorry," I said, "had I known you had a death wish, I wouldn't have interfered." Her eyes softened for a moment,
"No, you misunderstand me, I do not have a death wish, sir. And I apologize, I don't believe I got your name?"
"It's Gordon," I said, "and yours is?" She looked at me incredulously, and I grinned impishly back. We both knew her name was in plain sight on the hospital band she had around her wrist.
"I'm Nadine," she said, "and I really am thankful. You didn't have to do what you did, and I appreciate your bravery."
"It's not a problem," I replied, and she looked at me with her eyebrow raised. "No, really, it's not a problem. I couldn't have you drown."
"Yes, probably one of my stupider moments in life. I can't swim very well, and if I hadn't worn the life jacket I would have drowned moments after I cracked my head on that rock."
Incredulous, I looked at her.
"You can't swim! What on earth persuaded you to go white water rafting!"
"Well, I'm not from here. I've never gone before so I figured I might try it out. You only live once, right?"
"Yes but I don't think a death wish really qualifies as living." I