Page 21 of Captivated with Them

“Hopefully, he’ll be able to see me,” Ryan said as he headed to the reception desk. Other people sat around the waiting room.

I stayed back, giving Ryan space to explain to the middle-aged woman behind the desk that it was an emergency and to see if he could be squeezed in for an appointment. She frowned but turned her attention to her computer. After a moment, she picked up the phone and placed a call. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but finally she put the phone down, and gestured for Ryan to take a seat.

Ryan gave me a nod, and I joined him. We sat side by side with all the other people waiting to be seen.

I wanted to take Ryan’s hand, but I knew he wouldn’t appreciate the extra attention that might get us.

Eventually, a man in his forties, in a shirt and tie, emerged from one of the rooms. Both his shoulders and his gut strained against the material of the shirt, as though he might burst out of it, Incredible Hulk style, at any moment. He spotted Ryan and lifted a hand to signal him.

“That’s our guy,” Ryan said, and I helped him stand.

“Hello, Ryan,” the prosthetist said. “Come on through. I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon.”

The man’s gaze flicked to me, questions in his eyes.

“This is a friend of mine, Kodee,” Ryan introduced.

The prosthetist put his hand out to me. “Gordon Little. Good to make your acquaintance.”

I shook it. “Yours, too.”

We followed him to his office, and he gestured for us both to take a seat. Ryan got to work, unstrapping his leg and removing the sleeve with the pin attached.

Gordon dropped to one knee in front of him and proceeded to inspect the stump.

He sucked air in over his teeth. “What have you been doing, Ryan? The swelling is pronounced, and those few sore areas we spoke about last time are far worse. I thought I told you to rest it.”

Ryan shook his head. “I know. I’m sorry. Certain... situations... didn’t allow me to.”

“You’re going to need to not wear your prosthetic for a while. I did warn you that not resting might mean you’d end up back in a wheelchair.”

Ryan’s lips thinned, and he shook his head. “No, I can’t be back in the wheelchair.”

“You’re lucky you’re not back in the hospital. You know any infection might spread, even to the point where you might have to have more of the leg amputated.”

Gordon’s words shocked me. Further amputation? How would Ryan cope with that when he didn’t even want to be in a wheelchair? I wasn’t sure he’d get through it, especially considering our current situation. What would he have to keep him going? I felt sure I’d lose him to depression and PTSD.

“Ryan,” I tried, keeping my voice calm, “if you need to go back in a chair for a while, there’s no shame in it. Surely, that’s better than if you end up in hospital for more surgeries.”

Ryan put his head in his hands and exhaled a long, deep sigh, but he nodded. “Okay, fine.”

“I’m sorry, Ryan,” Gordon said. “I know it isn’t what you wanted, but I’m afraid it’s what needs to happen. Did you think any more about the newer version of your prosthetic? The one we discussed last time? I know the cost is an issue, but it would get you back on your feet quicker.”

“Do it,” I said immediately. “Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll make sure it gets paid for.”

“Kodee,” Ryan protested.

But I lifted my hand to silence him. “We need to start making some good choices.”

His eyes slipped shut, and he shook his head again. “Does it even matter? It’s not like we know our future. We might not even have one.”

I sensed Gordon Little looking between us, trying to decipher our conversation. There was a slight frown across his forehead and concern in his eyes. Did he wonder what the relationship was between us? And if so, did he wonder who the man was Ryan had come in here with last time? He didn’t ask any questions, so I guessed he figured it was none of his business.

“Your friend here is right,” Gordon agreed. “If you can find the money, it’s your best option in the long run.”

“Okay,” Ryan relented. “I guess we’re doing it, then.” He reached for his current prosthetic, but Gordon put his hand on it.

“Uh-huh. You’re not putting that back on. I’m afraid you’re being wheeled out of here.”

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