Page 101 of Salute, To Bravery
The evening air is crisp as Craig and I step out of the house, the soft glow of the porch light casting a welcoming hue. He’s dressed in a tailored navy blazer that complements his deep blue eyes, and his hair is neatly styled, a stark contrast to the rugged look he often sports. There’s a subtle tension in his posture, a mix of excitement and apprehension.
“Ready for this?” I ask, adjusting the collar of his jacket.
He smiles, though it’s tinged with uncertainty. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We head to the car, and I assist him into the passenger seat, making sure he’s comfortable before loading the wheelchair and then sliding into the driver’s side.
“Thank you for this, I know it can’t be easy for you.”
“Jane, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, plus it’s not like I can keep living in the cocoon of the Hospital complex either. I needed to get out of there.”
“I know, truly this means so much to me.”
Craig and I made our way to the cozy Italian bistro nestled on the corner of the street. Its rustic charm, with ivy creeping upthe stone walls and the soft glow of candlelight spilling from the windows, promised a warm and intimate dining experience.
As we approached, I noticed the hostess’s smile falter slightly upon seeing Craig in his wheelchair. She quickly masked her hesitation, leading us to a secluded table in the back. The restaurant buzzed with conversation, the clink of silverware, and the rich aroma of garlic and basil filling the air.
Settling into our seats, I couldn’t help but notice the subtle glances from other diners. Some were curious, others uncertain, but all were aware of our presence. Craig, ever the confident man, seemed to shrink into himself, his usual demeanor momentarily dimmed by the attention.
I reached across the table, squeezing his hand gently. “Ignore them,” I whispered. “We’re here for us.”
He met my gaze, offering an appreciative smile. “Thanks, Jane.”
The waiter comes, chipper and polite, and takes our orders—chicken Alfredo for me, steak and roasted vegetables for him. As we waited, the door swung open, and a familiar face entered. It was Evan Hawthorne, the star defenseman for the DC hockey team. He was with a beautiful woman with long auburn hair, his arm casually draped over her shoulder.
“Isn’t that the Evan guy that Rei had the biggest crush on?” I pointed toward the front.
“Oh shit, that’s him.” Craig’s voice held a note of recognition, his eyes following the pair as they made their way through the restaurant.
Sure enough, Evan locked eyes with Craig from across the room. His expression lit up with surprise and recognition, and before we could fully settle into the moment, he was walking over to our table.
“Craig, right?” Evan greeted, a wide smile crossing his face. “Mom told me you got injured overseas, but she didn’t say youwere in DC! Honestly, I’m surprised I haven’t seen you at any of the local warrior events. They’re a pretty big deal around here.”
Craig gave a polite smile as he nodded. “Yeah, I’ve been keeping a low profile, trying to get used to being back and adjusting to my new circumstances.” He gestured to his wheelchair and then his missing legs, his usual confidence flickering slightly at the reminder.
Evan’s eyes followed Craig’s gesture for a moment, his expression a mix of respect and understanding. “Man, I can’t even imagine what that’s been like.” He paused, his voice taking on a more empathetic tone. “But I gotta say, it’s really good to see you out and about again. Hey, why don’t you come out to one of our disabled sled hockey events sometime? It’s a great way to get involved, and trust me, you’d have a blast.”
Craig’s expression shifted to one of quiet interest. “I didn’t know there were things like that around here.” His tone was tentative, but there was a spark of curiosity in his eyes, something that hadn’t been there before. Silently cheering for this positive change.
Evan gave a hearty chuckle. “Yeah, man, it’s all about getting people back into the game. You’d be surprised at how much it helps—physically, mentally. A lot of people find it’s not just about the sport; it’s about the community, the support, you know? If you’re ever interested, I can get you the details.”
Before Craig could respond, Evan’s girlfriend, who had been standing quietly by his side, shot a quick, polite smile in our direction. But I noticed the faint hint of jealousy in her eyes, the way she shifted slightly closer to Evan, almost as if she wanted to ensure his attention didn’t stray too far. She remained silent, letting Evan take the lead in the conversation, but her discomfort was unmistakable.
Sensing the slight tension in the air, I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. “Hi, my name is Jane,” I said, offering my hand toward Evan’s girlfriend.
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Evan, and then she smiled, extending her hand. “Amanda,” she replied, her voice cordial, though there was still a hint of awkwardness in her smile.
“Oh, I’m such an ass,” Evan muttered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Jane, Craig, this is my girlfriend, Amanda.” He shot Amanda a look, as if apologizing for the earlier oversight, but she only offered a small, somewhat forced smile in return.
The tension between Amanda and me was palpable, and I couldn’t help but notice how she subtly repositioned herself closer to Evan, her body language even more guarded now. Craig seemed to notice it too, but he maintained his usual calm, nodding politely toward Amanda as if nothing were amiss.
“It’s nice to meet you, Amanda,” I said, trying to smooth over the brief moment of awkwardness. “I’ve heard a lot about Evan’s work with the local sports programs, especially making sure women’s hockey programs are protected. Our twins both play, but I think Bridget really wants to go for a career in professional hockey.”
The conversation felt momentarily stuck in limbo, but Evan seemed eager to steer it back on track. “That is amazing! Look, we’re actually about to head out,” he said, turning to Craig with a friendly grin. “But seriously, think about joining us for sled hockey practice. It’d be great to see you there. It’s not just about playing; it’s about making connections, getting out there, and doing something that’s… empowering.”
Craig’s expression softened, and I could see the appreciation in his eyes. “Yeah, I’ll think about it,” he replied, a smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks, Evan. I might take you up on that offer.”
“Here, put in your number, and I’ll send you the details when we get back from this next set of games.”
