Page 38 of The Road Home
"Really?"
Jared nodded. "I can't tell you why. I just know I thought a lot about you. Wondered how you were doing. I was excited when I ran into you outside a few weeks later so I could follow up on your recovery. I can probably count the patients who I think about later on one hand, but there was something about you that wouldn't let me go."
"You felt sorry for me." Orson shrugged.
"Maybe a bit. I sure as hell didn't like what happened to you, but it wasn't just pity." He didn't want to say too much and let on that he felt a connection with Orson. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Orson away. "I don't know why I think about one patient and not the other, but it happens."
"You were the first doctor who didn't treat me like I was something disgusting." Orson glanced over at him.
That pissed Jared off. Doctors were supposed to be professional and treat all patients like they were important. "That's not right."
"I'm homeless. To most that means something is wrong with me."
"There is nothing wrong with you."
Orson laughed. "There's a lot wrong with me, but not in the way most people think."
"I think we can all say that about ourselves." Jared smiled. "We all have issues."
"You don't seem to."
Jared wrinkled his brows. "Did you forget our conversation about me hiding?"
"That's not an issue. I mean in a way, but not like mine. They think I'm dirty and diseased. They assume that because I'm on the streets I have a mental issue or drug addiction. Not once did you even ask if I used drugs or had a diagnosis of a mental issue."
"I could see you weren't there seeking drugs. Your injuries spoke for themselves." Jared would never forget his first look at Orson. The dark bruises and cuts would stay with him forever. "I guess I figured if there was more I needed to know, you'd tell me. I was there to treat whatever was bothering you, not to dig into your history and make something else out of your visit."
"Well, it helped. I was so scared to walk into that clinic. I thought for sure they'd kick me out, thinking I was just looking for pills. If Harry hadn't talked me into going to the clinic for help, I never would have."
Jared glanced at Orson's arm. He still wore the blue brace over his hand and lower arm. "I don't doubt that. You've broken your arm before, and even your ribs and didn't get them set. I could see that on the x-rays. I'm glad you came in this time."
"I didn't want to. You know, it's kind of odd I did. I never go in. I hate clinics, doctors, and all that stuff. No offense." Orson grinned.
"None taken." Jared laughed. "Still, I'm glad this time was different."
"So am I." Orson's cheeks heated. "I met you."
Jared liked the blush on Orson's face. "I'm glad we met too." He ignored the way his stomach fluttered for a moment. "You know, I'm not really tired. I think I'll head to the shop and work a bit. Do you want to join me?"
Orson looked up. "I won't be in your way?"
"Not at all. I'm excited to show you what I do and maybe teach you a few things." He stood and headed out the back door toward the shop, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Orson was following. "But, promise me if you don't enjoy it, you won't suffer through it."
"I promise, but it looks fun. I took wood shop in high school, but we never made anything like you do."
"It's the same process, just on a larger scale." He flipped on the light in the shop as the smell of the wood hit him. He inhaled deeply, letting the scent relax him.
"Honestly, I think I'm most interested in how you carve the designs on those stools." Orson leaned against one of the workbenches.
Jared laughed. "Um, well, I cheat." He held up a plastic stencil. "I trace them on, then slowly work the image into the wood. I'm no artist. I'd mess up the most basic thing if I didn't have a way to guide me."
"It still can't be that easy. I mean you're cutting into the wood."
"Or burning it in. It depends on the look I want." Jared pulled out a stool that was finished. "Want to try?"
"Oh, no. I'd mess it up."
"No, you won't. Come here." He set the stool down on a low desk and pulled a chair up beside it. "Sit."
