[Elle grunted in frustration. She didn't want to see Howie: she knew what he'd say, and she didn't want to hear it. Plus, she'd have to walk to the door, and she wasn't quite used to the idea of walking not being excruciatingly painful.

After a moment of annoyed debate with herself, she stumbled to her feet, limping out of habit until her leg relaxed and she could walk, more or less steadily, to the door.]

"Five minutes," [she snapped, pushing the door open for him.]