A Modern Love Story

Chapter 26 - Thanksgiving

Criticism spot! :)

I know this is being published right after thanksgiving, I actually didn't mean for them to line up so close, which is why. 

Crutchie's POV

Jack and I spent the entire following day doing nothing, as I was in pain and he was preparing himself for dinner with his Dad. Eventually, it was time, and we swiftly got in the car and drove to whatever restaurant his Dad had picked. Before getting out of the car, he looked at me, smiling kindly.

"If he says shit about your wheelchair, just ignore him, okay?" I nodded and sighed as I looked down, feeling awful. "Hey, look at me," I did as he said, my eyes burning. "You'll be out of it soon and back to your crutch soon, okay?" I nodded a second time, trying to smile. 

We went inside and met up with the group, both Jack's Dad and his girlfriend not hiding their shock when they saw me. Despite their reactions, I smiled kindly at them, my chest tight from nerves. 

"Hey, Crutchie!" Tyler said, smiling. "How've you been?"

"I'm good, how about you?" I could see Jack's Dad seem surprised by my answer, making my skin crawl. 

"Good! I haven't seen you guys in forever," he added, also noticing the behavior from Jack's Dad and wanting to ignore it. "What about you, Jack?"

"I'm doing good too, thanks," he smiled, happily ignoring his Dad.

"Charlie, sweetie," his girlfriend said, bending down to talk to me as if I was a toddler. "Do you need a special table?" I immediately grew angry as she used a child-like tone with me, clearly thinking it was necessary. 

"He just needs one that's wheelchair accessible," Jack answered for me, knowing I was fuming.

"Excuse me," the hostess said, looking at me with a smile. "Will you be transferring to a seat?"

"No, I won't-"

"That's quite rude," the girlfriend cut me off, only making me angrier.

"No, it's not," I corrected, catching her off guard. "It's a very normal question. She's wondering so they can either keep a chair for me or remove it. She's being helpful." I looked back to the hostess, feeling awful. "I won't need a seat, thank you."

Jack had a smile on his face as we went to the table, clearly proud of me. As usual, I stayed quiet as his Dad talked to the two, as did Tyler. Of course, in the middle of the meal, I did get hit with a bit of pain, as my medication was wearing off. Jack noticed how I tensed up suddenly, ignoring the conversation and looking at me.

"You good?" He asked quietly, trying not to disrupt the others.

"Mhm, just need a second," I answered, and we unfortunately grabbed the attention of his Dad.

"What's going on?" He asked, sounding almost angry.

"Nothing," Jack said, the pain in my leg beginning to subside.

"Don't lie to me," he added, immediately reminding me of my Dad. Not wanting to have a panic attack, I turned my head and looked Jack in the eyes, trying to communicate what was close to happening. 

"He just has some pain in his leg right now, nothing more. He's alright now," he clarified, trying to move on.

"You know, I got a solo in orchestra," his sister suddenly said, distracting his Dad immediately.

"You okay?" Jack whispered, checking one more time.

"Yeah, I'm good now," I answered, trying to smile at him. "I just need to take my meds when we get home."