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Sweat beaded across his forehead as he attempted to breathe through the pain. He should have taken pain medication an hour ago but had stubbornly skipped the dose. A puff of air escaped his lungs as he dragged himself back onto the mattress. His hands gripped his leg to ensure it wouldn’t bounce.
Stars danced against his closed eyelids. Why did the pain have to be so intense?
Not worth it, Walker. Stick to the doctor’s plan.
His chest heaved from the exertion. Slowly his breathing returned to normal while despair loomed. It was over. Kaput. Finished. Done for. He no longer had a football career.
Don’t think like that. Wait until Ryan assesses you.But it was hard to look for the bright side when his knee throbbed this much.
The sound of the front door reverberated through the old walls, and he tensed. His parents were home already? He glanced at his cell phone.Wow. Service sure had ended quickly. He thought his father enjoyed pontificating in the pulpit for hours on end. Maybe the parishioners of His House Fellowship had finally revolted against long service times.
He sat still, waiting for his mother to come in and ask if he was hungry. He would lose muscle and gain fat if she kept it up. Especially since she kept offering all the mouthwatering meals of his childhood. Those shrimp and grits were still imprinted on his mind. Was that still Bebe’s favorite meal?
His brow furrowed. Why was he even thinking of her? Their relationship had lasted the last half of their senior year and ended right before college. His scholarship to the University of Texas and her acceptance to Georgia Tech pulled them in different directions. Ending their romance had only made sense to him. He’d done the right thing, leaving and severingall contact. There was no way they would’ve survived the long distance ...right?
Not that he had pined for Bebe. Sure, the memory of her soulful eyes sometimes tugged at him, but then he’d remind himself he’d done the right thing in breaking up. The statistics of high school sweethearts making it were pretty low. Obviously the fact that she had a kid meant she hadn’t pined for him either.
She’s probably married, proving your point further.
“Jay?” his mother called through the door. “You decent?”
“Yes, Mama.” He ran a hand over his face. Had she knocked while he’d been thinking?
She opened the door, peeking her face through the opening. “We’ve got company. Make yourself presentable and come say hello.”
“Company?”
“Yes. We always invite some people over after church. Surely you smelled that pot roast in the slow cooker?”
He could now that his door was open. His stomach rumbled in appreciation. “Could you bring me some food? I don’t think I can walk.”
“That’s why you have crutches.” She frowned. “You weren’t walking without them, were you?”
He swallowed.
“Jahleel Hardheaded Walker.”
“Could you please hand me the crutches?” He avoided her eyes, praying she’d ignore the need to lecture.
“Sure, baby.” She grabbed them and brought them to him. “Brush your teeth and wipe your face. Then you’ll be good as new.” She beamed.
“I’m not a kid.”
Her smile fell. “You’re my kid.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll be right out.”
“Good. Because Bebe’s waiting.”
The door shut, and his stomach dropped. How could he go out and face her, knowing he had made a fool of himself yesterday? Knowing she had a kid and probably a husband?
Suck it up, Walker. You’re tougher than this.Except the crutches he held questioned that theory.I could really use some divine intervention, Lord.Hopefully his many prayers asking for forgiveness meant the Lord would hear his plea.
His exhale whistled as he made his way to the living room. Each step made him wince as he struggled to lean on the crutches and keep his weight off his injured knee. Served him right for trying to stand without aid in the first place.
Conversation reached his ears as he stopped in the doorway leading to the living room. A couple of people sat on the maroon sofa set, but most of the people stood in small groups around the open area. A nativity scene had been set up on one of the end tables flanking the couch. An angel graced the other. Not to mention the lit Christmas tree and garland hanging throughout the home.
His mother flitted from group to group, holding a tray of drinks, as soft strands of gospel holiday music filled the room. Jahleel scanned the room, noting the new faces and old. He stopped when he spotted Bebe talking to...
