Natalie unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping aside so her dad could roll in. Bill was still annoyed that Jake insisted on stopping at the store on the way home for chips and beer. He did not want to be seen in public like an invalid and had stayed in the car. He easily pushed over the threshold but banged the door with his wheelchair and muttered. “Damn it! I can’t wait until I’m done with this damn thing!”
“SURPRISE!
“HI, BILL!”
“HOW THE HELL YA DOING?”
“WELCOME HOME!”
Bill was startled then playfully growled at Natalie. “I suppose this was your idea.”
“Gotcha,” said Natalie. “Welcome home, Dad!”
Several of his teammates, drinks in hand, were stepping in from the patio. Eric was charging at him from the hallway, followed by his parents, Caroline and David, who were carrying a child. That must be Eric’s little brother.
“Hi Bill! I’m all better,” said Eric, holding up his hand to exchange a quick high five with Bill.
“That’s what I heard. That is so great!” Bill replied with a smile.
It was mass confusion. He saw teammates Frank, Matt and Giovanni coming from the bedroom area, and several of their wives. Emilio and Adam had gone back to the patio and were returning with a cooler headed for the kitchen.
“Hi, Bill.”
Hearing Megan’s voice, Bill wheeled around in time to receive a brief hug, enjoying the smell of her hair next to his face.
“I invited her, Bill, now that you are not a patient,” said Jake. “I figured that’s okay with you.”
“So the stop at the store gave Megan time to beat me here?”
Jake smiled, leaned down and said quietly. “There might be hope for you yet.”
“I invited Eric and his family. I hope that is okay,” Megan said.
“Absolutely. He looks great.”
Megan looked wonderful out of her uniform, Bill thought, admiring the white, form-fitting jeans combined with a light red blouse, the freckles of her face complimenting her hair. Bill noticed she was wearing cowboy boots, adding a couple inches to her height. Noticing his lingering gaze Megan shot him a dazzling smile before their space was invaded by big men with beer cans.
Natalie turned the oven on for the pizzas, and Jake started to get out paper plates and napkins.
“What can I do?” asked Megan, joining them in the kitchen.
Jake handed her several bags of chips. “How about taking these out and seeing what everyone wants to drink,” answered Jake.
Bill was seated on one of the dining table chairs, with an extra pad that Jake had placed there earlier. It was obvious that he was uncomfortable by the fidgeting and sharp twitching when pain hit his body. But he wanted to appear normal and was not ready to give up and go lie down.
“Bill, we can move you to the couch, so you can stretch out a little bit, or better yet, maybe that La-Z-Boy. You can lay out and take some pressure off your hip,” said Megan. “And maybe it’s time for a pain pill. Where’s your medication?”
“In the bag on the counter. Jake picked it up this morning at the hospital pharmacy.”
The strain in his voice was noticeable. Two players close to him heard the exchange and paused for a couple seconds before going back to what they had been doing. Megan helped Bill from the table to the chair and Natalie brought over a glass of water and the pill bottle.
After Bill settled in Jake handed him a beer, earning a frown from Megan.
“What? It’s just one beer!” said Jake with a lop-sided grin, which slowly faded in the face of her silence and stoic stare.
Bill took a long pull from the bottle and made sure it was in the hand farthest away from her.
Megan relented somewhat and said in an even tone. “Jake, do not do that again. Bill, you’re an idiot. Natalie, I’m sorry you are going to have to be around these two yahoos.”
“Right? Dad, can I have one?” asked Natalie sweetly.
“Soda pop,” replied Bill.
“Root beer,” added Jake.
“Orange juice,” said Megan.
“NOT funny,” retorted Natalie, stalking off.
Bill’s teammates were some of the best people on earth. They didn’t dodge the wheelchair issue but didn’t dwell on it either. Bill noticed the lack of discussion about future plans. It was a little uncomfortable but soon the discussion moved to past conquests, and everyone relaxed.
Settling into the cushion he was pleasantly puzzled. He didn’t need painkillers like he had two days ago.
This is good, he thought.