Tucker
I knew the reason why Ryan had cut it short. I could tell he had been a bit on edge. I knew I was guilty for putting him in that state, and honestly, I put myself in that same state too. It was hard being around my family when all I wanted to do was make that fantasy call with Ryan a reality.
“You two have plans?” Mom asked. I think she suspected our later date.
“Yes. We’re meeting at Ryan’s house later this afternoon. It’ll be my first time going over there.”
“Ah,” she said knowingly and smiled.
Pops said, “Son, we’re so happy to see you up and about. We’ve been so worried about you.”
I lowered my head. “I’m sorry I made you all worry like that. I know I haven’t been myself since the accident. You guys did good bringing Ryan back into my life. Just how did that happen, anyway?”
My folks looked at each other, then at my brothers. Mom replied, “Well, Ryan called us after seeing another news report about you. He was inquiring about your well-being. He had always stayed in touch with us, even when you two broke up. Anyhow, he then suggested you could use a dog. A therapy dog. He volunteered. And then I invited him to brunch. And the rest… Well, you were there for it.”
“I was a little mad that first meeting, I admit. I felt like I was being ambushed.”
My mom nodded. “I know. I’m sorry, but something needed to be done. And now look at you.” She waved an arm at me in a sweeping motion.
I chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. I know. Mama knows best.”
My brothers started laughing.
Jack asked, “So tell us about Morgan. What’s her story?”
Eric added, “Yeah, man. This dog is crazy cool. Why would anyone give her up at a shelter?” He was sitting next to me, so he reached out and pet Morgan’s head. Her eyes closed in pleasure.
“Well, according to her paperwork, her owner had died, and she refused to leave his side when emergency services showed up. Then when they took him away, she became despondent. There was no family to take her in, so she became a ward of the shelter. She was in a bad state when we saw her there. Ryan almost passed her up. But I felt something, a connection to her, like we were kindred spirits. She’s made me happy, and I think I’ve made her happy.”
Mom shook her head. “That’s so sad what happened to her. Poor thing. What a loyal dog.”
I nodded. “Whoever her owner was, he trained her well. She’s only eight months old.”
“Wow, that’s incredible,” Pops said.
“Ryan has been great too. He made sure Morgan knew the basic commands and now he’s teaching her how to help me with my balance too, so I don’t have to rely on my cane all the time.”
My mom said, “That’s a great idea. Will you be allowed to take her everywhere?”
“Ryan said she has to get certified, then she’ll get a special vest to wear when we go out in public.”
“Do you think you’ll need a therapy dog for the rest of your life?”
“It’s hard to say. My therapist believes I may eventually be able to do away with a cane. Which I would like. And Morgan has helped me so much with my anxiety. I’d like to think that eventually she’ll be able to retire as my therapy dog and just be my companion. But I do like the idea of her being with me wherever I go.”
“Was she trained to talk like that?” Eric asked.
“I don’t think so. She’s just a natural. Sometimes she’ll just keep talking and talking. If only I knew what she was trying to say.”
“That’s adorable.” Mom looked at Morgan with wide eyes, amazed.
“So how’s your therapy coming along?” Jack asked. “How often do you go?”
“My therapist has been coming over three times a week, but now that I can drive, he wants me to go to his building since he has all the equipment there. All I have is my basic gym. He’s been kicking my ass.”
“I bet. Does it hurt still? You seem to be doing better.”
“It still hurts. Not all the time, like before. I refrain from pain medication unless I really need them. So after my therapy sessions, I usually take them. He said it was important so my muscles don’t tighten up. But you all know how much I hate pills. I’ve seen other players ruin their careers over pain meds.”
“We understand your concerns,” my dad said. “We’re just glad things are looking up for you now.”
“They are, Pops. They really are. I’m starting to think that I’m okay with what happened. As long as Ryan, Morgan, and you guys are in my life, I can handle it.”
“Well, we’re all here for you, Tucker,” Mom said. “We always have been. We love you.”
“I know, Ma. I owe you guys so much. And I’m relieved to have your support with Ryan. His family doesn’t accept him, so things are strained. It’s good that he has you guys too.”
“We love you both,” Mom said as she wiped a few tears from her eyes.
“Well, this is all the sentimental stuff I can handle, so I’m going to go.” I stood up.
Everyone stood up with me and the hugs began. I gave Mom a kiss on her cheek and whispered in her ear, “Love you, Ma. You’re the best.”
She hugged me tighter. “I love you too. Be happy.”
Everyone took turns saying goodbye to Morgan and then we left.
We first headed home since we had a couple of hours to kill before going over to Ryan’s. I needed that time to rest up so that I would be as pain-free as possible.
My mind was filled with thoughts of Ryan. I couldn’t believe we did what we did on the phone the other day. I blushed thinking about it.
I blushed even more when I realized that today might just be the day we finally finish where we left off in high school.