I hold my breath as he moves his frame to the edge, and picks up one of his legs. The grimace tells me he’s still working on accepting them. Still, he places them on the ground, scoots to the edge, and makes the shaky transfer.
“Great job, J.”
“I’m not a dog,” he snarls as he throws the transfer sheet back into the car and I flinch.
“Never said you were,” I whisper, hurt. Don’t take it personally. But don’t be his punching bag. “I’m here to help and encourage, that’s it.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting this. To see them all so soon.”
“It’s overdue.” I unlock the breaks, move him back and close the door before I push him across the yard and up the ramp. “Remember they love you and they’re excited to see you. You set the tone, and they’ll follow your lead.” I set the breaks, unlock the door.
A cheer goes up through the crowded space, and I pray he makes it through the next couple of hours.
“Look what the little B drug in,” Stone booms.
I lock the door behind me and wait to see if he’ll take over. When he doesn’t, I push him down to where they’re all waiting and slowly retreat to give him time with the men coming up one by one to speak with him.
“Hey you, long time no see,” Dixie Rose says.
“I know, how the hell are you?” I ask as we hug.
“I’m doing good. How are you?”
“Exhausted, but so glad to have him home,” I say softly.
“I bet.”
Blue comes over with a grin and a chatty eight-month-old. She kisses my cheek. “It’s good to see you.”
“Same. Hey, Miss Delphine,” I say playing with her tiny hands. I adore the dimpled cutie pie.
“How’s he doing?” Blue asks nodding toward the circular wall surrounding him.
“He has his good days and bad days.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Blue whispers.
“It’s a lot of adjustment, and it’s all still fresh. I’m glad he has so much support.”
“Shadow wanted to stop by and see him, but Stone said he wasn’t up to visitors?”
“He needed the time to wrap his head around everything I think.”
“Thank God he has you,” Dixie Rose says.
I hope she’s right.
I grab a coke and continue to mingle. I catch up with Nevada when I hear the beeping alarm. I swiftly make my way over to the cluster of men. I catch J’s gaze, and the worry in his eyes fades.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to borrow my Old Man for a minute,” I say with a wink. I push him off to our room and the connecting bathroom. It’s important for his bathroom habits he sticks to a schedule. That means draining the urine bag strapped to his leg and hidden by pants regularly, so it doesn’t overflow. I pull the box of rubber gloves from under the sink, and he unbuckles his pants and lifts up. I help him ease his pants and boxers down, and he retreats inside himself.
“J, this is a part of you, and it’s okay.”
“How can you say that when you’re handling my piss?”
“Well, why don’t you do it?”
He gives a quick shake of his head. “And get it all over myself with everyone here?”