Page 2 of Come Back to Me

Regardless of this revelation, nothing’s changed. Not really.

My goodbye will have to stand.

Even if she’s sitting so close to me, I could tangle my fingers in her hair and kiss her like I’ve wanted to for years.

Even though she smells like popcorn and I want to taste it on her tongue.

So many words I left unwritten…

…and I regret each and every one of them.

Cody

Past

“Shame the one son I had that was useful is now useless, but…” Clyde Korhonen glares at his manicured nails that haven’t seen a day’s manual work in his life. “…we adapt or die, I suppose.”

I stare at my father, my hand balling into a fist, the urge to pound into him so fierce that only my injuries glue me to the bed.

“Thanks, Pops.” Hatred seethes inside me for this asswipe whose DNA I unfortunately share. “Nice to know you’re still good at kicking a man when he’s down.”

Paralyzed.

One arm.

No more flying.

No more ambidexterity.

No more?—

With disdain etched into every line on his wrinkled ballsack of a face, he sniffs. “I’ll be back later, when you’re in a better mood.”

“That’s not going to happen.” I lock my eyes on his and, with all the loathing I’m feeling, order, “Just leave me alone.”

“You won’t be discharged for a while.”

“I’d prefer to be on my own than deal with your form of encouragement.” I sneer at him. “After all, I wouldn’t want to taint you with my uselessness.”

The doctors told me that my life wasn’t over when I woke up, but everything that was before this hospital bedisover.

Clyde’s known for his foot-in-mouth syndrome, so his idea of motivation is the last thing I need.

Adapting is how I’ve survived the Royal Canadian Air Force, and I will evolve.

I can train.

I can fight.

I can strive.

Physio will be my bitch.

Hell, if this is how I’ll be forever, you fucking watch me in the Paralympics going for gold to rival my little brother’s medals.

Nothing holds me back.

Nothing.

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