Gina debates asking for help.

Gina’s thoughts raced as she remained pressed against the wall, her body aching from the awkward position. The cold breeze and the slight twinge of discomfort in her bladder were starting to make her feel more exposed than she would’ve liked.

She glanced at the open window again, the faint light from inside casting a soft glow across the fire escape. Her heart thumped in her chest as she considered her options.

Should I just ask Susan for help? The thought popped into her head almost before she could stop it. It was tempting—she could slip inside, ask to use the bathroom, maybe even get a towel to wrap around herself. It would be simple. She could get out of this uncomfortable situation in a heartbeat.

But then reality came crashing in. The embarrassment of being caught in this state, in front of her neighbor. Gina could almost hear the questions, the awkward silence that would follow. What would Susan think? Why is this woman, my neighbor, standing on a fire escape naked, late at night? The idea of the conversation made her stomach twist in knots.

And then there was the matter of the door. What would Susan think when Gina had no real explanation for why she was there, outside her window, in such an... awkward position?

Gina opened her mouth, her voice barely a whisper, as if the words themselves could give away too much: “Susan…”

But just as quickly as the words had come, they died in her throat. A voice from inside the apartment interrupted her, clear and familiar.

“Hey, Susan! You coming in to watch the concert?” Gordon’s voice rang out, casual, like a lifeline.

Susan hesitated, turning her head toward the sound of Gordon’s call. She set the watering can down, her movements slow as she glanced out the window one more time, no longer focused on the plants but instead on the conversation waiting for her indoors.

“Be right there!” she called back, stepping away from the window. The light inside the apartment dimmed slightly as she turned and left the room.

Gina stayed perfectly still for a few moments, her breath steadying as she watched the window darken. It felt like a tiny eternity.

The chance had passed.

Note: This chapter composed with the help of ChatGPT, and then edited with the help of Gemini.