Page 23 of Memphis

I’d heard about guys who’d wrecked and never bounced back, but I never thought it would happen to me. I was the guy who’d climb up on a roof and fix a leak without a second thought.I’d fight a man twice my size and live to tell about it. I took chances because I knew I could, and now, it felt like my body had betrayed me.

I felt broken.

Useless.

And it frustrated the hell out of me.

Every day was a fucking battle, and it was a battle I was losing. I felt like I was trapped in a broken body, and no matter how hard I tried, there was no way out. I was tired, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. Not today.

Or the next.

Or the next.

The days slowly started adding up, and I knew it was getting bad. I’d given up. I’d lost my drive, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever get it back.

And then, I heard her voice, and it was like a light had turned on.

At first, I thought it was just my imagination, then I looked up and saw her standing in the doorway. She looked as beautiful as ever, but there was a sadness in her eyes—a sadness that was directed at me. That pissed me the hell off, and I reacted instinctively. "What the hell are you doing here?"

“Well, hello to you, too.”

“Answer the question.”

“I came to see how you were doing.”

“Bullshit,” I snapped. “Try again.”

“What’s your problem? Why are you being this way?”

“Because there’s no reason for you to be here, and yet, here you stand.” I could see the hurt in her expression, but that didn’t stop me from saying, “So, tell me. What the hell are you doing here?”

“I already told you. I came to see how you were doing.”

"Well, now you've seen.”

“Wow.” I watched as the hurt in Antonia's eyes turned to anger. “Aren’t you just a ray of sunshine.”

“I don’t need this, Antonia.”

“Well, you need something, because from what I’ve heard, you aren’t doing so hot.”

“Well, you heard wrong.”

“So, you haven’t stopped going to physical therapy?”

“You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Okay, then explain it to me.” She crossed her arms as she sassed, “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re laid up in that bed feeling sorry for yourself instead of doing what you know you need to do.”

“Just like I thought. You don’t know shit.” I hated to admit it, but for the first time in days, I could feel my fight coming back. “You have no idea what I’ve gone through. What I’m still going through!”

“I’ve tried. I’ve called to check on you every day.”

“Well, aren’t you a fucking saint,” I scoffed.

“You don’t have to be such an asshole.”

“What can I say? You bring it out in me.”

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