Fragments of Us

Chapter Nine: Tipsy

The rain fell softly outside, a light mist settling over the Portland neighborhood. Inside the cozy living room, Richard focused intently on his physical therapy exercises. Milo sat beside him, offering silent encouragement as the therapist gently guided Richard’s leg through a series of slow, controlled stretches. Each movement required Richard’s full attention, his brow furrowed in concentration. He’d come a long way, and Milo couldn’t help feeling a surge of pride seeing his father’s progress.

   “Doing great, Dad,” Milo said, keeping his voice calm and supportive. Richard managed a small smile, pausing to catch his breath.

   "Can’t give up on it now, can I?” Richard replied, his tone determined despite the strain of the exercise. He glanced at Milo, and in that shared moment, Milo felt the depth of his father’s gratitude.

The session continued for another twenty minutes, with Richard occasionally stealing a glance at Milo, as though drawing strength from his presence. When they finally wrapped up, Milo helped him settle back into the armchair with a comfortable blanket.

Richard let out a content sigh, relaxing back. “Thanks for being here, Milo. Means more than you know.”

   “Anytime, Dad,” Milo replied, giving his father’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before stepping into the hallway.

Just then, Lila breezed into the room, her backpack slung over one shoulder and her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. She was adjusting her jacket as she approached Milo, a hurried but affectionate grin on her face.

   “Heading out to class, huh?” Milo asked, smiling at the familiar scene of his sister’s routine.

   “Yep, another thrilling day in the world of academic grind,” she said, rolling her eyes with a smirk. “But don’t worry, I’ll be back in time to keep Dad company.”

Milo chuckled, watching her tie her scarf. “I’ll be here, too. Have a good day, alright?”

She gave him a quick hug. “I’ll survive. You should do something for yourself today, though. Call up Jason or something. Portland has a world outside our cozy living room, you know.”

As if on cue, Milo’s phone buzzed with a message. He glanced down, seeing Jason’s name pop up on the screen.

Hey! How about a little night out? Me, you, Atlas, and my girlfriend Chev. Let’s shake off the week with a few drinks?

Milo hesitated briefly. Spending the evening with Atlas would no doubt bring a mix of emotions, but he trusted Jason and appreciated his easygoing presence. Plus, meeting Chev sounded fun.

He typed a quick response, Sounds good. I’ll be there.

Later that evening, Milo found himself walking into a cozy bar where Jason, Chev, and Atlas were already settled at a table near the corner. Jason waved him over with a big grin, his arm slung around a woman with a playful sparkle in her eye.

   “Milo!” Jason called out, patting the seat next to him. “Finally!”

Chev leaned forward, sizing him up with a warm but mischievous smile. “So this is the legendary Milo, huh?” she teased, glancing at Jason. “He talks about you like some mythic hero.”

Jason laughed, his face slightly red. “Only when you’re in the right mood to believe him,” Milo replied, sliding into his seat with a grin.

Chev raised her glass with a playful grin. “Well, cheers to living up to the legend. Or completely shattering it. Either way, this is going to be fun.”

They all clinked glasses, and the laughter and stories started flowing effortlessly. Chev had a quick wit that kept everyone on their toes. At one point, she launched into a dramatic reenactment of an interaction she’d had with her boss earlier in the week, complete with exaggerated expressions and voices, making Jason shake his head with affectionate exasperation.