Page 18 of Digging Deeper

“Hey, Gav.” Drix’s voice drifts over to me, and I snap my head around to him. He’s sitting in the chair instead of lying in bed.

“Hey.” I walk in and shut the door behind me. “I didn’t expect to see you out of bed.”

He smiles at me, that soft smile I’ve come to enjoy seeing on his face. “I was ready for a change and sick of laying around all day.”

I can’t help but smile. This is a big step. The fact he wants to be out of bed is half the battle. It’s like his attitude has done a one-eighty, and I can’t contain my excitement. “That’s awesome, Drix. What have you been up to today?”

He sighs. “More stupid puzzle books and watching a lot of boring TV.”

I can’t imagine how bored he must feel, especially for someone that’s used to being super active all day. Jameson told me how he and Drix used to go to the gym for hours every day. The poor guy is probably going out of his mind. Without much thought, I offer, “I could take you around the building on my breaks if you want. I could even walk you around outside on the grounds. It’s not much, but at least it’ll break up your day some.”

He perks up for a moment before frowning. “I couldn’t ask you to do that, Gavin. You don’t want to spend your breaks with a patient.”

“Well… you’re notonlya patient. You’re my… friend.” I stumble over the word a little, but I suppose it’s true even if we had a rocky start. We’re at least something friend-adjacent. “It would be nice to have someone to talk to, anyway.”

“Don’t you hang out with your coworkers or something?”

“Not really.” Not at all, actually. Everyone’s been nice, but I haven’t really clicked with any one person yet. “It’ll be fun.”

He eyes me for a moment. “Are you sure?”

I laugh. “Oh my god, yes. I’m coming to get you tomorrow on my break and there isn’t anything you can do about it.”

He glares a little, but he can’t hold the grumpy face long before he grins and rolls his eyes. “Fine.”

“Fine.” I nod and walk closer to him. “I wanted to thank you again about the dogs. I’m really excited and I really appreciate it.”

“Dude, I know. You’ve only thanked me at least once an hour since I texted you.”

“I’m sorry! I’m just so excited.” I’m bouncing on my toes, even as I reach down to adjust the chair he’s in.

Drix puts his hand on my forearm to stop me and says, “Could I have a real wheelchair?”

I blink at him for a few seconds. “I thought you hated them?”

He lifts one shoulder. “They’re not my favorite thing, but I want to practice getting around on my own, if that’s okay?”

He wants some independence back. Who could blame him for that? “Sure. Give me a minute. I’ll go grab one now.” I shoot him a smile, then zoom out of the room. When I return with the wheelchair in tow, I push it right over to him. “I’ll lift you in and you can try to wheel yourself to the gym.”

“Can I try getting into the chair myself?”

“Not yet. That’s something we’ll have to practice in the gym where there are mats, just in case.”

He nods and allows me to maneuver him into the chair, and after I show him where the wheel locks are and everything, we’re off. He makes it pretty easily into the gym, only bumping into the doorframe a couple of times.

Once we’re well into his routine, he asks, “Are you going to keep the names Nana and Brutus?”

I laugh. “I think I am even though they’re a little silly. I kind of like them.”

He chuckles. “I like them, too. When do you get to pick them up?”

“I called as soon as you texted me, so I can pick them up tonight as long as—oh, duh.” I reach into my back pocket.

“What?”

“I’m so glad you asked me or I would’ve been screwed. I need you to sign this paper saying I’m allowed to have two dogs on your property, and you have to initial that they’re both pit bulls and you’re still allowing it.”

“No problem.”

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