Page 97 of Mr. B

“Just happened last night.”

“What did you do?”

“I stepped on a mossy rock and twisted it on the way down. Feels like the meniscus again.”

“Damn. You should still see a doctor.”

“I’ll see how it is tomorrow. I can’t really miss any more school.”

“If you don’t take care of it, you’ll end up missing more.”

Wes looked at him. “Thank you, Mother, but a doctor is just going to tell me to keep it elevated and put ice on it for the swelling.”

“Just trying to help. I need to go work a couple of hours at Rocco’s. Do you want me to make you something to eat before I go?”

“Will you just start a pot of coffee? I’ll rummage around and find something to eat in a bit. You left me some food, right?”

“Yes. I went to the store today, actually.”

“Thank you.”

Luke went to the kitchen and started the coffeemaker, then returned to the living room. “Alright. I’m out of here.”

“Thanks for watching the place and keeping Frank and…my plant is still alive too, right?”

“Yes.” Luke sat on the arm of the chair. “Actually, I need to hear more about you and Cassandra.”

“We’ve come to an understanding.”

“Which is?”

“We’re…dating.”

“Ah. Okay.” He stood. “No surprise.”

“How so?”

“We all saw it coming from the first day of school.”

“Bull.”

“It’s true, man. Let me know if you need anything tomorrow.”

“I’m just going to sit here and veg out.”

“And think about Cassandra?”

“I might.”

Luke grinned. “See you, big brother.”

Luke left, and Wes laid his head back and closed his eyes. “It was good to be home.” The smell of coffee drew his attention to the kitchen, and he reached for the crutches and got to his feet.

He hobbled to the kitchen, poured himself a cup of coffee, then looked in the refrigerator. There was half a rotisserie chicken, so he took it to the table and sat down with his coffee. That would hold him for a while.

He was almost done with the chicken when Frank came skulking out of the pantry and padded across the tile floor.

“Hey, buddy.”