Learning to Walk, a City Hospital Novel Page 9

  “Basic entry level... oh God, that was bad.” Neil half-groaned, half laughed.

  “You didn’t like that?” Kit grinned. “I have a lot more bad jokes.”

  Neil groaned again, then winked at him.

  That was a positive sign. “Anyway, no. I’m not into that stuff. I can’t see you being into anything super fancy, either; you seem more the nice dinner, a little music and dancing, let me whisper something in your ear kind of guy. Am I dead wrong?”

  “No, you’re not wrong at all.” Neil’s cheeks reddened a bit. “I’m a big time snuggler.”

  That was even more positive. “Nothing better than movies at home and a couch for two.” Kit nodded.

  “Exactly. Picnics and walks in the park are nice, too.” A snuggler and a romantic.

  “Reading books out loud?” Kit loved doing that but hadn’t found a partner who would read back to him.

  Neil sat upright at that. “Seriously? You’re not teasing me, right?”

  “Um.” Kit blinked. “Is reading out loud a bad thing?”

  “Well, I don’t think so. It’s been a bit of a bone of contention in the past for me, though...”

  Kit’s eyes narrowed. “Did you get the ‘that’s what audiobooks are for’ speech?”

  “No. I’m thinking none of them were bright enough to make that kind of connection.” Neil gave him a wry grin. “I’d come to think it made me a bit of a weirdo, though.”

  “I think that some stories are just meant to be heard out loud. Not all of them, but some of them just need a real voice.” Kit shrugged. “Tolkien. A lot of the classics. And even stuff like Stephen King is awesome read out loud. Plus, it’s a great bonding thing, sharing a book that way.” That’s where he’d had trouble -- finding someone to bond over a story and a shared experience.

  “Oh, God, I love reading scary stories out loud. Turn out all the lights, use a little book-light for the actual being able to read part.” Neil laughed. “That’s like the best.”

  “Well, then. It’s time I bought a new book or two, maybe.” Cool. Very, very cool.

  “Yeah. Sounds good.” Neil gave him a small grin. “Something friends might do...”

  Kit did not roll his eyes. “Friends might. You and I might.” He fully intended to carry that over to the part where they were more than friends, if that ever happened. Time was moving very slowly, he found.

  Still, Neil had given him something they could do together outside of therapy and before he was done with it.

  “We might. I’d like it if we did.”

  “Me, too.” Kit smiled. “I’d like that a lot. And we’ve got climbing, too, right?”

  “Yep.” Neil smiled. “We have a lot. And you’re improving by leaps and bounds.”

  “I’m finally starting to feel that way. Did you know I have X-rays this week? And one of those ultrasound things on my back.” He was hoping that the internal swelling and fluid was low enough that they’d be able to confirm healing.

  “Yeah, I got a memo to that effect.”

  His doctors were staying in touch with each other.

  “You did? Okay, cool. Do you know how long it’ll be before there’s any results?” He was figuring on a couple of days, at least.

  “Probably at least a week. These aren’t going to be rush results -- which is a good thing, you know?”

  “I suppose.” Kit nodded. “Will you get them, too?”

  “As long as you tick off the box for it to come to me, I will.”

  “There’s a...” Kit frowned. “Oh. My dad’s been doing all the form filling. I’ll tell him, or I’ll do these ones. Assuming you want the results, I mean. Will it change my therapy?”

  “It could. It would at least give me a solid view of where you are, how far you can push things. It would be good, man.”

  “Okay.” Kit nodded. “I want to be on my feet.” He did, more than anything. He wanted to be able to take care of himself again. “Stay for pizza and beer? I don’t have a great book to start reading, but we can watch a couple of movies.”

  Neil nodded. “I’d like that.”

  “Fabulous.” Kit gestured to him. “But if you want to keep practicing restraint you might want to put your shirt on. My control won’t last forever.” He allowed himself one good, long, leer.

  Neil’s cheeks went red again, and he dove for his T-shirt, dragging it on.

  “So fast to cover up. I should have kept my mouth shut.” Kit loved making Neil blush.

  “Shut up.” Neil stuck out his tongue, and then blushed harder.

  “Next time I will. Then I can enjoy the view longer.” Kit pushed himself over to the shelf of DVDs. “Something brainy or something with a lot of explosions?”

  “Do you have brainy with explosions?”

  “I have The Matrix. Does that count?”

  “You know, it just might. You haven’t got the next two, have you? I know they’re crap, but I’m a bit of a complete-ist...”

  “Of course I do.” He grinned to himself as he loaded the DVD. Over six hours of movies, pizza, and beer. That was quite a way to lose a bet.

  Chapter Seven

  Neil helped Kit change back into street clothes after their first climbing session. He felt great, adrenalin pumping through him, making him feel like he was ready to take on anything. He hoped Kit was feeling the same exhilaration he was.

  “Well?” he finally asked as they started heading out.

  “When can we come back?” Kit asked. “And can they reconfigure the wall? That was amazing.”

  Neil laughed, pleased as punch at Kit’s reaction.

  “Yeah, yeah, we can come back. Reconfiguring you’re going to have to talk to them about.” He pushed the button for the automatic door. “Hey, you feel like grabbing a bite to eat and a beer somewhere?” It wasn’t a date, he told himself.

  “Yep.” Kit nodded. “For sure. Burgers?”

  “Sure. There’s a pub around the corner here that’s got good food and local brews on draught.”

  “Fantastic.” Kit beamed at him. “Like a date, and don’t you dare deny it and make me pout. I’m not in a pouting mood. I’m in a drinking beer and eating burgers mood. So there.”

  “It’s not a date.” He didn’t care if it made Kit pout. “You’re getting burgers and beer after a tough work-out.”

  Kit rolled his eyes and pouted. “No goodnight kiss?”

  “Not appropriate, man.” Neil didn’t want to compromise Kit’s recovery. He wouldn’t. Not to mention he had to protect his own heart; he could fall really, really hard for Kit, and if it turned out that Kit’s feelings were fueled by the fact that Neil was helping him get better... well, they could both get hurt here.

  Kit didn’t argue, but he did roll his eyes again. “One of these days I’m going to show you the nice side of inappropriate. Which way to the burgers?”

  “Soon as you’re out of my care, I’m holding you to that.” He pointed across the street and down the road a bit.

  Kit turned his chair and they headed that way. “I totally will. So, aside from an amazing wall climb, how was your day? Man, I want to do that again. For sure.”

  “I had a good day. Said goodbye to a patient today. I mean, it was sad that I won’t be seeing them anymore, but they’re moving forward and that’s a fantastic thing.”

  “Jesus, I thought for a second one had died.” Kit looked up at him. “I’m glad you meant the other kind of goodbye.”

  “Oh God, that would not have been a good day for sure.”

  “Right, that’s what I’m saying.” They got to the corner and waited to cross. “Another few weeks and you can say goodbye to me. Then hello.”

  Neil nodded. Not going out with Kit was proving to be as big an incentive as anything else for the man to get up on his feet again. “If you still want to, that is.” He needed to be sure Kit was still interested when he wasn’t the physical therapist, when Kit could go out there and get any man he wanted.

  “You really need to n
ot be insecure,” Kit said as they crossed the road. “Do you think I’d read books out loud with just anyone?”

  “Anyone who’d let you?” Neil suggested. He gave Kit a grin, let the man know he was teasing.

  “Oh, you’re funny. You get to buy the beer for that.”

  “Okay, but then you have to pick up the burgers.” Because this was not a date. Not.

  “I’m gonna drink a lot of beer,” Kit warned. “Can you get the door for me, please?”

  He opened the door for Kit, following the man in. “There’s a good spot in the corner by the window over there.”

  Kit nodded and headed that way, only having to pause once for someone to move out of his way. “Do they do their own fries here?” he asked when Neil was sitting across from him. “Remind me to get Dad to make you fries sometime. They’re amazing.”

  “I have no clue. I usually get the salad with mine.” Neil looked around, smiling as he saw the waitress heading toward him.

  “Live on the edge. Have the fries.” Kit smiled at the waitress. “He’ll have everything with extra flavor, please.”

  “Hey!” He poked Kit in the arm. “I’ll have a Keith’s Pale Cream Ale, and the maple burger with the side salad, please.”

  “By which he means fries with gravy.” Kit laughed at the look on Neil’s face. “Fine, give him what he wants. But I want fries and gravy with mine, and I’ll take a Stella. Thank you.”

  She laughed. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

  Neil shook his head at Kit. “I eat fries and gravy, and I’ll have tummy troubles. Besides, if I don’t have them, I can have something nummy for dessert.”

  “Can I make dessert suggestions?” Kit wiggles his eyebrows. “Cheesecake? Chocolate sauce? Whipped cream?”

  “I like apple crumble. Maybe with some ice cream.” He wasn’t trying to be difficult... much.

  “Mmm.” Kit gave him a hard look. “I suppose trying to make you eat pasta with a buttery sauce is right out, huh?”

  “Buttery sauces in moderation, I enjoy a good pasta.” He ate a lot of it with vegetables and pesto and tomato sauce.

  “Everything in moderation.” Kit nodded. “Except the really good stuff, of course.” His wink left no doubt what he was talking about. “During off hours only, of course.”

  Shaking his head, Neil chuckled. “You’ve got a one-track mind.”

  “And I’m stubborn.” Kit nodded. “Or, as a boss once put it, a bulldog. But I’m not sure he meant it in a good way.”

  “Well, that tenacity is what’s getting you back on your feet -- so it’s a good thing.”

  “Here’s hoping.” The drinks arrived, and Kit lifted his glass. “To me being a stubborn bulldog with a one-track mind.”

  That surprised another laugh out of him. “I can drink to that.”

  Kit smiled and drank. “So. Dad ordered the cane.”

  “All right. We should give you a goal date to start using it. Unless of course, you’ve already tried it out alone in your bedroom.”

  “Would I do that? Holding onto the dresser? Making sure the phone was handy in case I had a repeat of the Roast Beef Incident?”

  Neil shook his head. “You really should have waited until your next physio appointment. It would have been safer.”

  “I didn’t fall. I’ll bring it in, though.”

  “You could have, though. We definitely don’t want a repeat of the Roast Beef Incident. Not when you’re doing so well.”

  “You’re a worry wart. Drink your beer.” But Kit didn’t deny the possibility of damaging himself; he probably didn’t want a lecture over burgers and beer.

  Neil decided to let it go for now. He went ahead and drank his beer, enjoying the cold draught.

  “Do you think I’ll actually be able to do it, soon?” Kit asked, looking out the window.

  “Don’t you?” Kit was making amazing progress.

  “I’ve learned not to get my hopes up too high. I try to be realistic.”

  “You’re doing better than anyone could have predicted, Kit. You’ll be walking in no time.” Kit was one of his star patients.

  Kit nodded slowly. “Okay. If you say so, I’ll believe it.” He looked up as their food arrived. “See how much better it looks with fries and gravy? When I walk, I want you to eat it my way.”

  “What if I don’t like fries and gravy?” Frankly, he preferred his potatoes mashed or scalloped -- either way with lots of cheesiness.

  “Okay. Something rich and fattening and slightly greasy.” Kit dug into his fries with a moan.

  “Which frankly, sounds kind of gross.” Burgers were his only concession to fattening and greasy. He liked vegetables and salads.

  Kit just smiled at him.

  He added pepper to his burger and pulled off the pickles, then he bit into it happily.

  “Are you going to eat those?” Kit gestured to the pickles.

  Grinning, he put them on the edge of Kit’s plate. “You could have them with your fries.”

  “Yum.” Kit grinned and put them on his burger. “Pickles and gravy. That’d be interesting.”

  “That’d be gross with a capital G, man.” Just the thought of it made his stomach cringe.

  “Yeah, probably. I won’t do that.” Kit ate happily for a moment and drank from his beer glass. “You know, I’ve been getting my appetite back, these last few weeks.”

  “You’ve been looking better.” Neil held up his hands. “Not that you looked awful or anything, just you’ve been more... robust in the last while.”

  “Robust. Is that polite for ‘filling out’? Or do you mean that a strong wind won’t knock me over anymore?” Kit grinned at him. “I know I’m not getting fat, despite the gravy on my fries.”

  “Robust means healthy. If I’d said glowing, you’d have accused me of calling you pregnant.”

  “Now that would be a trick. If I’m having babies I at least want to score once.”

  Neil tilted his head. Surely Kit wasn’t saying he was a virgin... “You mean, you’ve never...”

  “Good Lord. I mean in the span of baby making.” Kit rolled his eyes. “Long, long dry spell.”

  “Oh!” Neil chuckled. “Okay, I get you now.”

  “It only feels like never.”

  “Things still work, though, right?”

  Kit nodded and drank again, his fork full of fries. “Oh, yeah. They checked that out pretty soon after the accident, and I’ve been real careful to check again, frequently.”

  “How come that doesn’t surprise me in the least?”

  “Because I have a one-track mind?” Kit laughed. “And because I tend to do everything I can to make you think about me as something other than a patient?”

  He pointed his fork at Kit. “That just might be it.”

  “Is it working? At all?”

  “You are straining my professionalism greatly, yes.” He needed Kit to get better and be off his patient list. Soon.

  “Oh, thank goodness. I worry about it sometimes.” Kit finished off his burger and dragged more fries through gravy.

  “That you’re not torturing me enough?”

  “Heh. No, that you’re not really into me.” Kit shrugged and chewed. “You have remarkable restraint. All the time, not just when you’re being good, like me.”

  “I have to -- you understand that, don’t you? You’re my patient. I’m a vital link in the chain of your recovery.” And it would break his heart a little if once Kit was no longer a patient the man’s interest waned, but Neil knew it could happen; he would not take advantage now.

  “I get it, I do. And I haven’t transferred my care to another therapist because I trust you and I like how you work. But it does make me impatient and vaguely cranky. Crankier.”

  “Thank you for amending that, because no way am I taking any of the blame for the cranky -- you arrived with a full quota of that all on your own.”

  “Who me?” Giving him another sunny grin, Kit drained his beer. “I’m havi
ng another one of these, for the record.”

  “I’m the one driving, so that works out fine.” He was only having the one. With food. And he’d have a bunch of water once he was done with it.

  It was good, seeing Kit so much happier than he’d been in the first weeks of their time together.

  “All right.” Kit nodded. “Have you ever had the urge to ride a motorcycle?”

  “No, I can’t say I have. Those are like, organ donor machines.”

  Kit raised an eyebrow. “Okay, ow. My accident was not my fault, nor my bike’s.”

  Neil shook his head. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. But you did ask. And I’m not saying that the bike or biker are ever at fault, only that accidents on motorcycles are far more fatal than in cars.”

  “Can’t deny that.” Kit nodded. “Anyway, I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, if I want to ride again, given what happened to me.”

  “And what conclusions have you come to?” Neil had to admit -- he wanted Kit to say he’d never ride on a motorcycle again.

  “I haven’t decided. I love the way it feels. I like leaning into turns.” Kit shrugged. “I miss it, but not as much as I’d thought I would. I’m unsure, as of yet.”

  “Well, I hope you decide it’s not for you. I know you don’t like hearing it, but you got really lucky this time around.”

  Kit looked at the ceiling but he nodded, despite appearing exasperated. “Wasn’t the bike’s fault, though. It was the drunk driver. See?”

  “Still.” Neil shrugged and started on his salad. “It’s a concern.”

  “So is climbing up sheer walls and walking on a sidewalk.” Kit signaled to their waitress for his second beer. “There are many, many ways that we can get ourselves in trouble every day.”

  “Of course there are, but some ways are more dangerous than others. Swimming is safer than climbing; walking is safer than riding a motorcycle. Eating a burger is safer than puffer fish.” He didn’t expect Kit to stop living, didn’t want that at all, but there were far safer modes of transportation than a motorcycle and there was no rule against hedging your bets.

  “Puffer fish. Now there’s an idea. Remind me to be careful about our next few meals.” Kit grinned at him and shrugged. “I hear you. I do. And like I said, I haven’t made any decisions. I need to walk before I ride anyway, as far as I know.”