Final Footsteps (Running Series Finale)

Chapter 16: Independence

Song for chapter is Friends by E^ST

Short little chapter!

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It was Friday afternoon. Tayte, Arlo and I had just left the hospital.

Guess who was cast free!

"Your glowing Keane,"

"Because I can walk again. I am free. I have two arms and one and a half legs now. No more wheelchair. No more wretched crutches. Bring on the independence," they laughed.  

  "Glad to see you happy bro. It looks good on you," Arlo said.

We hadn't spoken anymore about what Arlo had revealed. We'd just got on as if nothing was different. We just now knew what and why he was always writing.

"I feel like we need to go somewhere to celebrate" Tayte said,

"Keane. What would you like to do?" Arlo asked.

"Go for a long walk on the beach, followed by a seafood platter and a couple of beers,"

"Well then. A short walk, seafood platter and beers it is," Tayte said, I chuckled at his change in walk length.

"Skip the walk and just beers and seafood?" Arlo asked.

"Just beers?" I then said and we all chuckled. In the end we headed to Corrigan's minus the walk. There'd be plenty of that tomorrow. Rory bought us out a deluxe seafood platter on the house with bottomless beers, we were sat on the decking looking out at the ocean. It was bliss. To be sat here, almost injury free, with my boyfriend and my big brother. I didn't think I'd get to this point again. Especially when I was lying there in a coma not sure whether I was going to pull through or not.

"You good?" Tayte asked me,

"I'm great," I replied, "just great,"

The afternoon turned to the evening and we were still laughing and joking on the deck at Corrigan's,

"I think we should head home soon. We have an early flight tomorrow and a long day," Arlo said,

  "How early?" I asked downing the rest of my beer.

"5am flight,"

  "Great,"

Just great.

"Do you not know the ins and outs?" We shook our heads, "Well a 5am flight, 5 hours which will mean we'll get to DC getting at around 11ish. Check into the AKA White House hotel and shower, change, chill and have lunch. We at getting picked up from the hotel at 6pm for the ceremony to start at 7pm after nibbles and drinks. It'll last until 9pm then there is an after drinks party and food afterwards until midnight. The following day the parents are meeting with a few people and we are free to do as we please until our flight home at 5.20pm which means we should land at around 8.20pm." (It's still 5 hours just the time difference messes with things)

  "I feel tired with you just telling me about it," I laughed.

So we headed back after good nights to Rory and Piper.

...

"Wahey, look who's all independent in a fine looking boot," Noah grinned from his upside position on the sofa,

"I bet you're over moon," Auntie said,

"I am so happy," I told them, "Where's Angelo?"

"On a call, he won't be back until late, how was your day?" Noah answered,

"Lovely thanks and yours? How was college?"