Then There Was You

Chapter 20: Off Road

   Theo

   My whole life, I've been in awe of those who can let things go. Take Josh, for example. While I sat stiff as a fallen acorn on the drive to the rehab center, he was jamming to our old favorites, occasionally glancing at me and inviting me to sing along. I...couldn't. Tongue-tied by guilt and well-deserved shame over my behavior back home, I had to fight against the narrative forming in my brain. He made it look so easy.

Before the accident, I was known to hold grudges. Nowadays, it seems that's all I do—whether I'm at fault or not.

Like now, as I lingered in the doorway, watching Josh and Frank hug and laugh. Two old friends engaging in playful "long time no see" banter. Josh's explosive laughter refocused my attention on the words being exchanged.

"Yeah, Kenny couldn't wait to leave this place. I'm surprised you two stay in touch. I barely hear from him, and he's my brother," Frank said.

Josh shook his head with a tsk. "You can't call that staying in touch. I keep getting ghosted by that kid."

Frank nodded before his gaze landed on me. "Theo! Long time no see. You're so quiet I almost missed you there."

I shrugged in annoyance. "Maybe if you were actually doing your job, you'd notice the cripple in the doorway," I spat bitterly, uneasy under their gazes.

I was being a brat, but I couldn't help it. They bothered me—mockingly.

"Well, I see you're in a good mood today," Frank quipped sarcastically as he approached.

I unbuckled my seat belt with an exasperated sigh. "Let's just get this over with," I grumbled as he paused, arms extended to help.

"What's up his ass?" he asked Josh, who shrugged.

"Couldn't say. I thought he couldn't feel anything up there."

I shot him a dirty look. "You think you're so funny."

"Come on. That was clever," Josh whined.

I clenched my teeth and refocused on the task at hand: getting up from this stupid chair.

Frank moved to help me onto the examination table.

"All right, smart guy. Help me with him," he said to Josh.

"Don't let him near me," I protested, but Josh crossed the room in a couple of strides, mouthing, "Too late," before scooping me into his arms and placing me on the table.

This session was a mess, and we hadn't even started.

   There's nothing like physical rehab to humble one's soul and crush one's spirit. One moment, you feel like you're making progress; the next, it's gone. One step forward, ten steps back. In my condition, it was safe to say I wasn't going anywhere.

After fifteen minutes of probing questions, we moved on to stretches.

"Can I..." I motioned to my sweatshirt.

"Sure," Frank waved me off as he stored my X-rays.

While I got dressed, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, excused himself, and stepped out to take the call.

Now alone, I distinctly felt Josh's eyes on me.

"You got something to say?" I asked, meeting his gaze.

He lowered his eyes, the smugness replaced with shame.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Stunned, I could only stare as he dragged a plastic stool closer and perched on it. Shoulders slumped, he took a deep breath before speaking.