Heights and falling. Two great phobias, and they tend to come as a packaged set.
Cathy avoided elevators, especially the popular new ones that were built into the outer wall of very tall buildings. Some people raved over the view, exclaiming at how beautiful and exciting it was.
One time, she couldn’t avoid it. She trembled the moment the doors slid closed, sweating and cold, jaw clenched, eyes squeezed shut. The man beside her laughed at first, not realizing she wasn’t faking. Her terror was real. He whispered, “We can take the stairs when we leave.”
Just Writing! 
The man beside her turned that to his advantage skillfully
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Yes he did 🙂
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The beginning of a new romance?
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Possibly. At least he had empathy.
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He said “we.” He has plans….
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Yes. Good catch. I didn’t do that on purpose 🙂
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Or, even better, he could shield her from the view… (depending on just how many floors they have to travel!)
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What do you want him to do, Dale? Open his trench coat?
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Haha! That, or just stand in front of her so she doesn’t look outside 🙂
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Very well-written.
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Thank you, Ain 🙂
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Well done. Her traveling companion is quick on his feet.
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Linda,
I can sympathize with this one. I am never comfortable in an elevator. Thankfully, her companion is empathetic where so many can be dismissive.
pax,
dora
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I don’t like heights at all. Scare me to death. I know it’s a phobia, and I can’t trace it back to anything specific. It just.. .is.
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Same. I get tense just driving down a mountain road with one side a precipice, something my husband takes in stride.
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I have all sorts of irrational fears too. At least he was a gentleman
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I think most of us do, Larry. For me? Snakes, and heights. Both give me the shivers.
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Those elevators on the outside of buildings always struck me as an unnecessary ordeal! hope you are well Linda.
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Me too. Good way to put it 🙂
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Dear Linda,
As one who’s always had a fear of heights, I felt for her. I’m still not a big fan of lengthy escalators. I hope the man is on the up and up. (Yeah, I just had to. 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Yeah, Rochelle gets dizzy just climbing into a dental chair.
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🤣🤣🤣
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They can take the stairs – if they make it! Nice one.
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Ohhhh no. Poor Cathy
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You describe her terror so well. And the empathic man at her side is a lovely touch. He’s a keeper.
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Sure seems that way, if readers’ responses are any clue 🙂
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A true gentleman! At least, I hope so!
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I think so. He never sneered or mocked her fear.
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There’s one mall we used to go to that had a glass wall elevator. Terrified the skivvies off of me, yet it was the only way I could get to the second level where, wouldn’t you know, all the stores I like to shop at were. I couldn’t manage the escalators with my canes and odd gait, so it was the only choice. I would go in, turn and face the door, and fight the urge to scream for the whole one minute transport. My hubby would often joke with others and say I was terrified of heights. But, he’d stand behind me and block the view should I turn around anyway. It was horrible. Now, the store I loved is gone so I don’t go there anymore.
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Reminds me of a trip I took to England many years ago with my oldest son. We had climbed a steep, curving staircase in the Salisbury Cathedral for the purpose of seeing and touching glass that was 700+ years old. You could actually see how much it had run over all that time. Anyway, I knew I was going to regret it, because going back down would be terrifying. My son, knowing me well, got in front of me and blocked my view. I hung on to his nice, broad shoulders all the way down 🙂
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he sounded like the ax murderer. hope he wasn’t. 🙂
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I don’t think he was. He showed a true concern for her.
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I think it freaked Connie (my wife) out when we went up in the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. I’m not sure how to describe the little pod we rode in, but it made some weird noises like it could use some grease. I’m just thankful she didn’t throw up. 🙂
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I’ve never been in an external lift, I suspect I may have the same reaction.
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What an observant and sympathetic man. I wonder how Cathy will respond; she might be too tense to appreciate his kindness.
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Awwww he’s a sensitive man. Stairs are a LOT easier to go down than up, so they should be fine. I like your story this week. I think there are more than a few who fear elevators and heights.
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Yes, I agree. acrophobia being one of the most common fears. I don’t know the “official” name for fear of snakes, but that also seems to be right up at the top of the list. So, of course, I had to look it up–and in doing so was subject to a few horrifying pictures which I quickly scrolled out sight-ophidiophobia.
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Interesting name for it as I don’t connect snake to ophidio… My biggest phobia is of bears. I was out back one day a few years ago and heard something crashing through the woods and imagined it was a bear. I ran as fast as I could back to the house. Never found out what it was but I realized how danged slow and easy to catch I’d be if I was chased by one. lol
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I didn’t, either–which is why I looked up the etymology, and where I discovered that “ophis” is Greek for “serpent.” Didn’t know that.
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PS–from the Greek “ophis” for “serpent.”
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Ah! That’s funny, I just commented and wondered about the connection of ophidian to snake. Now I know 🙂
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And I just commented back to you without finishing looking at the comments, and forgetting I had already posted that info. Sorry. Getting old 🙂
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🙂 >3
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I’m glad he realised in the end. I too hate the elevators on the outside of a building! Why o why?
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I suppose, if you must take an elevator, it would be exciting to face outward and enjoy the sights. I think I’d just close my eyes and pray for a rapid ascent!
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That sort of elevator gives me the shivers. I couldn’t do it, though I don’t care for stairs. The stranger seemed kind of creepy to me if she didn’t know him. Nicely written story, Linda!
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I didn’t intend for him to be creepy, so I’m a bit surprised at how many of you saw that in him. And I can see it too, when I consider how many real “creepy” guys there are these days. Many of them troll people–including me–on Facebook. Big clue: Look them up, they’re divorced, widowed, or just “single.” Ick.
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A great description of the terror from a phobia, Linda. And I’m choosing to think that the ordeal has brought a new – and kind – possibility into Cathy’s life.
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Me too 🙂
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Great story. I vote with those who think he is being kind as opposed to setting her up.
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