Chapter Three #3
Owen liked a lot of things about small-town America.
How individuals rallied to help during tough times and the sense of community were two of them.
But today he missed the big city. There people might glance at him twice because of the scars dotting his scalp and his slower gait, but they wouldn’t expect to know the details of his condition.
He now understood life from the specimen side of the microscope, and frankly he could’ve done without that insight.
He smiled and nodded at Virginia Oswald, figuring that was a safe bet even though he had no idea what she’d said.
As the party and afternoon wore on, he used that strategy more often.
Sorting out a voice from the background noise made his head hurt too damn much and concentrating proved useless since it only helped him pick up half of what someone said.
He glanced again at the woman who’d bought whatever he’d peddled as a kid from Boy Scout popcorn to school gift wrap.
From her furrowed brows and slight frown, he guessed a smile and nod hadn’t been the right response.
Probably should’ve gone with his thoughtful and concerned one, he realized as he asked her to repeat what she’d said.
“I said I can’t imagine how hard this is for you here without Landon. Why that would be like me suddenly being without Dorothy.”
Knowing today’s top three topics he should’ve figured she’d picked how are you holding up without Landon theme.
He’d have preferred she ask about his health.
People meant well, and wanted to offer comfort, but instead most comments picked away at the scab covering his wound.
Before he could respond, his mother appeared again. A while ago she’d started “checking in” with him around every fifteen minutes. He peeked at his watch. Yup, pretty much as regular as a grandfather clock.
“Excuse me for barging in. I just wanted to check and see how Owen was doing.” She placed her hand on his back and smiled at the ladies around him before zeroing in on him.
“I noticed you haven’t made it into the dining room for food.
Are you hungry? Thirsty? Can I bring you a sandwich and some water? ”
Jumping on the excuse to leave, he said, “No need. I’ll head there myself.”
After mumbling a polite goodbye to the ladies, he worked his way across the living room.
His movements slower than when he arrived, he had to concentrate harder on putting one foot in front of the other to maintain his balance.
He’d barely gotten halfway to the dining room when a dull headache formed at his temples.
“Are you sure you’re not too tired? Maybe you should rest.” Until his mother spoke, he hadn’t realized she’d followed him. “I can make your excuses to anyone who asks.”
He stopped and faced her. Warning bells clanged on opposite beats to the pounding in his temples. “What’s with the escort to the dining room and the questions about being tired?”
She smiled. A little too brightly and big, maybe? Then she softly pushed at his shoulder and laughed. “Nothing. Can’t a mom wander by her son, say hello, and ask a simple question about how he’s feeling?”
“Everything okay?” his father asked.
If Owen hadn’t suspected something was up, he sure as hell would have now. His stoic father, impossible to read unless he was big-time pissed, stood beside Owen, his eyes narrow and his forehead lined with obvious concern.
“Out with it. What’s got you two hovering over me like mama bears?” Silence. “Have you read something on the internet?”
“We haven’t had time for that,” his mother blurted out.
Owen crossed his arms over his chest. “I know something’s got you concerned. You might as well tell me.”
“Carly spoke to your mother. She warned her how social situations can be difficult—”
He couldn’t understand the rest of what his father said because of the anger hammering in his ears.
Carly, who’d received his application for therapy services at Horses for Heroes and knew details of his medical history no one else knew, had spoken to his parents.
Pair that with her knowledge on brain injuries and her work experience…
Damn.
How dare Carly stick her nose into his business by going to his mother?
“Now Owen, I recognize that look,” his mom said, as she gave him the you’d-better-listen-to-me-good mom stare. “And even if I didn’t, I can practically see the smoke rolling from your ears, but don’t be too mad at Carly. She only said something because she cares about you.”
He slid closer to his parents to keep from being overheard.
“Let me make this clear. I’m fine. If I’m hungry, I’ll eat.
If I’m tired, I’ll make an excuse and rest. I don’t need my mommy and daddy taking care of me.
” He refused to be treated like an invalid, and his parents better realize the fact right quick.
“Is that clear?” His parents nodded. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a certain nosy know-it-all woman to set straight too. ”
Then he turned and stalked away with as much pride and speed as his physical limitations allowed.
Ten minutes later as he stood surrounded by friends from his high school football team and their spouses or girlfriends, frustration over not finding Carly simmered in his gut. Had she left after dropping her little bomb with his parents?
“What’s new with all of you since I saw you last?” Owen asked as his gaze swept the house again.
“We’re having a baby in September.” A proud, silly father-to-be grin spilled across Caleb Riggs’s face as he placed his palm on his wife Melissa’s slightly rounded stomach. “I got a feeling we’re having a boy, and I can’t wait until he’s old enough to take him deer hunting.”
Owen chuckled and shook his head. “You and a mini me in the woods with rifles? The world’s not ready for that.”
“You’re right there,” Josh Culver said. “Last season he mistook me for a deer and damned near took a shot at me.”
“That wasn’t my fault. I was wearing old glasses because I broke my good ones.”
From there his friends were off and running, joking with each other, and swapping stories. At least that was what Owen figured from the pieces of conversation he understood.
“What’re your plans, Owen? You plan on staying in Service?” Caleb asked, dragging Owen away from his thoughts.
“I’m only here until I can return to duty.”
“Your injuries can’t be too bad if the Army didn’t discharge you outright,” Josh said as he looked Owen over from head to toe.
His friends didn’t have a clue. Did they think because he could walk, talk, and remember his name, his injuries weren’t a problem?
They didn’t know how much effort he spent processing half of what they said.
Five minutes after his arrival, he’d quit hoping to understand more than that.
They didn’t realize sheer willpower and his stubborn refusal to collapse in front of everyone was all that kept him upright.
Damn he hated the microscope inspection.
The only good thing about people believing he wasn’t too bad off was it would keep him from having to deal with questions about what he’d do if he couldn’t return to the Army.
It also meant less rumors swirling to worry his parents.
Or it would have if Carly hadn’t undermined him by talking to them.
He remembered his father beaming at his commissioning when his bio mentioned a family member had served in the Armed Forces going back to the Revolutionary War.
What would he say to his dad if he couldn’t continue serving his country?
“Then we’ll have to make the most of time while you’re here,” Josh said, pulling Owen from his thoughts.
“We go bowling the first Friday night of every month. You should join us,” Melissa added.
“Sounds fun,” Owen said.
“Good. We’ll see you there at seven,” Melissa said.