What Disability by Peter

What Disability
by: Peter

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Chapter 4

The next day I went to Joe's office to pick up Conner's clip board. My heart was in my throat when I walked in; I was fully expecting an angry tirade and a firing. I got neither.

"I've read your evaluations, but tell me, how's our boy doing? Really"

"He's doing great," I said, trying not to sound relieved. "He's really getting around on his good leg, almost like he doesn’t know he's missing the other one. I've stopped calling it his good leg, because his other leg is in such great shape, too. He's anxious to get his new one."

"I'm talking to the doctors about that," Joe said.

"Has he had any complaints about me?" I asked.

"No. Should he?"

"Well, we've locked horns a couple of times," I said.

He chuckled. "That's going to happen with him, but apparently it's not been anything serious."

Things were apparently okay so I decided to approach Joe with something I'd been thinking about.

"Listen, Joe, I would like to take him out," I said.

"Out where?"

"Out of here, out in public. To the beach maybe."

Joe thought for a moment then nodded. "All right. I was thinking about doing something like that myself, but since you've been working with him….he probably won't go, though."

"We'll see."

I wasn't all that sure he would go either. I wasn't even sure he would want me to keep working with him. He was sitting up in bed, shirtless, reading, when I went into his room. I tapped lightly on the door as I went in and he laid the book down.

"Are you ready to go to work?" I asked cheerfully.

He didn’t say anything. He scooted over to the edge of the bed and got his wheelchair.

"I said I wouldn't apologize for what happened, but I will if you want me to. But thanks for not turning me in."

"I didn't turn you in because you're good at your job," he said.

"Thanks. You're easy to work with, finally."

"I had to trust you first," he said.

"Do you still trust me? After yesterday?"

"That took me by surprise. But it had nothing to do with how you do your job."

He was talking but he wasn't friendly; he sounded sullen.

"No 'don't-try-it-again' or 'keep-your-hands-to-yourself' warnings?" I asked.

"I mulled it over in my head for a long time last night," he said. "You were right. I needed it. Really bad. It felt good. I don't think I ever came so hard in my life. But don't try it again. I'm strong enough to deck you if you do."

"I don't want to tangle with you, not that way," I said. "Listen, I've asked for permission to sign you out if you're interested in getting out of here for a day," I announced.

"To go where and do what?"

"To the beach, to check out the women."

"I don't think so. Thanks anyway," he said.

"Joe said you wouldn't go."

"He said that?"

"Yeah. He said you weren't ready, might not ever be," I lied, pointing to my head.

"Well, maybe he's right."

I thought he was giving in too easily. I smiled a tight smile. "For a minute there, I thought I saw some defiance in your attitude."

"For a minute, maybe there was. But he's right. I'm not ready, at least not for the beach."

"When do you think you will be? What has to change? If you're waiting for your leg to grow back, they probably told you that's not gonna happen," I said dryly.

The way he turned away from me, he completely shut me down and I was sorry I'd said it.

"Hey, I'm sorry. That was out of line."

"That's okay, I hear shit like that all the time from Joe. But I told him I had pretty much scratched wearing shorts off my list, I'm sure as hell not going to appear on the beach in a swim suit."

"Okay, instead of the beach, how about we just go for a drive along the beach, maybe end up at my place for a couple of beers."

"You've got a place?" he asked, surprised.

"Actually, it's my parents beach house, that's the reason I suggested the beach. They're traveling in Europe for the summer so I've got it to myself."

"Neat. Bet you're having a great time," he said.

"I try. So how about it? You would be at the beach but not on the beach. There's a good view from the deck."

"Well, I wouldn't mind getting out of here for a while," he said.

"Okay, I'll push it with Joe for this Saturday."

Joe had already talked to the shrinks and they thought it was a great idea to take Conner out. They weren't overjoyed about me taking him, but Joe convinced them I was the most logical one. Conner wasn't as excited as I thought he would be but he agreed to go.

"I'll be here to pick you up tomorrow, right after lunch."

To be continued...

Posted: 01/30/15 rp