“Didn’t you get enough of this place when you were staying here?” I patted Kai on the back as I walked past him to check on Dre.
“Absolutely, but I can’t leave a man down.” He laughed.
“I told them I didn’t need everyone standing guard.” Andre smiled over at me. “Will you tell them they can go, Major?”
“I can tell them, but you know they aren’t going to listen to me.” I pulled up his chart and went over the vitals.
“Damn right we aren’t.” Devon was sitting in one of the other chairs in the room. “This is our second home until you’re out of here.”
“Which should be very soon.” I informed them all.
“Really?” Andre’s smile grew. “You’re not fucking with me, are ya, Doc?”
“Nope.” I closed out of his chart and put my hands in my pockets. “I just talked to Captain Hollis, and she gave me the good news that you’re getting out of here.” The three guys cheered. “You’re not going home just yet.” I tempered their excitement. “You still have some time in rehab before you’ll be released, and maybe a little longer after that before you’re cleared to return to the unit.”
“But I’m on the way to getting my life back.” His smile didn’t waiver. “Thanks Doc. I don’t know where I would be if you hadn’t been there. You saved not just my life, but my leg.”
It didn’t feel right accepting his thanks. I knew I’d done all I could, but how much more could I have done if I hadn’t stayed in the truck? Would he still have had to have the same number of surgeries? We’d never know. Just like we’d never know if getting out might have made things worse. Sometimes you just had to live with what you did know and put the rest behind you.
I felt my chest start to tighten. I took a long breath and let it out slowly. The guilt eased as I did. I’d done the best in the fucked up situation we’d been in, and Andre would be fine. I couldn’t ask for more.
“I want you to get some rest.” I told him. “We still have a few tests to run over the next couple of days, but as long aseverything looks good, then we’ll have you out of here before the beginning of next week.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“That also means you guys should probably head out.” I looked over at Devon and Kai.
“Alright.” Devon stood. “Take it easy, man. We’ll see ya soon.”
“Thanks for coming by.” Andre shook hands with both of them before they walked out of the room.
“Relax, and if you need anything, Captain Hollis will be on call tonight.” I informed him.
“Thanks again, Major.”
“You’re welcome.” I patted his leg as I walked out, thankful that he still had it.
I didn’t expect Devon to have waited for me outside Andre’s room.
“What are you still doing here?”
“I wanted to find out what happened with your girl.” He pushed himself off the opposite wall.
“Nothing.” I turned to the elevator. “That didn’t work out.”
“What? Why?” He followed me.
“We weren’t in the same place.” I pushed the down button.
“Damn.” He shook his head. “Sorry, man.”
“Thanks.”
“Was it the going home with you, do you think?” He asked. “Was it too soon for her?”
“No. It was the way we met.” I shared. “She couldn’t get past it.”
“That sucks.” The elevator dinged, and the doors opened for us to step in. “Maybe if you give her some time?”
