Summer was outside with her Glenda, a twentyfour year old unwed mother whose little boy Harley was a year older than Summer. Austin had found her. She was the daughter of one of his clients and he was impressed with how loving, thoughtful and
responsible she was with her own child. She needed the work. I agreed because I needed the help, at least for now: but it was always my hope that I would soon not. Austin thought it would be good for Summer to have a playmate, even at this young age. It all did seem to be working out well.
I wheeled myself out of the house and down the ramp to wait for Roy. Glenda and the children were under the large old oak tree about two hundred yards east of the driveway, where Austin had put in a sandbox and small outdoor gym under the shade of the tree. I waved to Glenda and shouted that I was waiting for someone, not to worry. She turned her attention back to the children.
My heart raced with expectation. It had been so long since I had seen Roy. Of course, I had
trepidations, too. After all, he had tried so hard to convince me we should become husband and wife.
He drove up in a rented car and got out slowly. I saw immediately that he was a good deal thinner than usual, but still held himself tall and confidently. When he saw me sitting there, waiting, he paused. I could just imagine how hard it was for him to confront me in a wheelchair.
He was dressed in civilian clothes, a light blue short sleeve shirt and jeans. His hair was a little longer than he customarily wore it, especially when he was in the service. I wheeled myself toward him. Still, he stood staring at me.
"Don't I at least get a hug?" I said
.
He smiled and moved quickly to hug and hold me.
"How you doing?" he asked.
"I'm fine, Roy. Really. I'm okay."
He nodded, skepticism bright in his eyes.
"Wow, this is a big place," he said, looking up at the house. "How do you manage?"
I laughed.
"I have lots of help," I said.
"I bet you do."
"What happened to you. Roy?"
He looked down and kicked a small stone with the toe of his sneaker.
"When I heard about your accident. I wanted to come right back, but because I had gone AWOL in London when I went to see you, they weren't charitable. My request was denied. I decided to go anyway and made it to the airport where the military police picked me up. They sentenced me to three years, but it got cut back and I was given a dishonorable discharge. That's the worst of it," he said.
"I'm sorry. I feel it was all because of me."
"It wasn't, no way. I made my own choices. Rain and I don't regret any of it. Only thing I regret is not getting to you."
"You're here now," I said. "That's all that matters."
" yeah."
We heard the kids laugh and Roy turned. His eyes narrowed and then he looked at me.
"Who's that?"
"That's my mother's helper. Glenda, and her little boy. Harley, playing with my daughter. Summer."
"Your daughter?"
He looked so shocked a strong breeze could knock him over. "Yes," I said. smiling. "I'm married. Roy."
"Married?"