“You do the same. You deserve a rest.”
Caleb poked his head back in through the doorway.
“It’s just a weekend.”
His mom let go, and he wheeled through the open door to follow his brother.
Out on the street,Caleb’sred pickup sat idling.
“You really weren’t expecting to stay long, were you?” Phoenix said. He rolled up to the side of the extended cab and pulled open the passenger door.
“You need a hand?” Caleb asked, looking up from the driver’s side, where he’d slid the suitcase into the tiny back seat, next to an oversized duffel bag.
“Literally, yes. But with getting into the car? No.”
Phoenix stood, pivoted and sat on the leather bench seat, pulling his legs after him. He grabbed the cushion off the wheelchair and yanked the fabric handle straight up, folding the chair so that it would lie flat.
Caleb came around to heft the chair into the bed of the truck, securing it to the ridged surface. He plopped into the driver’s seat and aimed the vehicle out of the city.
They sped down the highway with heavy metal pulsing from the speakers, amiable in their silence for miles along the turnpike.
“Heading south, I see,” Phoenix observed from the highway signs.
“You sure are curious,” Caleb said, his face splitting into a rare grin.
Phoenix smiled too. Beyond the mystery of their trip, trees radiated early fall glory against pale blue skies. An enormous maple tree bore orange-tipped leaves so warm he could taste the sun-kissed colors. A scarlet-tinged oak stood oblivious to the speeding cars.
Caleb tapped the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand, in syncopation with the percussive music.
Phoenix stretched, relaxing into the firm seat. “Bet you’re taking me wherever the unwanted get abandoned.”
“That shit isn’t going to work with me,” Caleb said.
“Good point. Save the pity card for Mom,” Phoenix countered, unperturbed. “With you, let me guess . . . pole dancing.”
“Hah, we could do that. Although I don’t know why we’d go to DC for strippers when we could just stay in New York.”
“Washington, as I suspected,” Phoenix said, proud of himself.
Caleb frowned over the unintended reveal, and merged the truck onto Interstate 95. “Technically, we’re going to Maryland.”
The sun shone directly overhead. They rode in silence for miles of highway, falling into the easy rhythm of the speeding traffic.
Phoenix’s thoughtswandered. He sometimes wondered what his father would say about his accident. Dad had always tried to justify circumstances. How would he find justice in this situation?The masterful son for whom he had high expectations was now rendered powerless. The rambunctious son over whom he and Mom had fretted through countless nights was now in charge. Dad wouldn’t be focused on the flip of power. More likely, he’d be the only one to see clearly how much this accident had taken away.He’d see my position.
Dad excelled at divining intentions. He’d understand that the nurses and therapists had an inherent motivation to exude optimism. That was their job, to get him up and functioning. They couldn’t afford to let him give up. Their job was to make him try, even when he resisted.
Dad would see through his sarcastic shield. He’d know that snug against his son’s sharpness was a world of hurt and disbelief. He’d know that if Phoenix’s shield of toughness slipped, he’d feel the full weight of his pain. He would not be able to survive. He’d howl until the force of the sound exploded through his body, blowing him up into more bits than the train had.
He pictured that look on Dad’s face when tragedy couldn’t be justified. His dad would be devastated over his son’s wasted potential.
“You know, I was thinking about Dad,” Phoenix said.
“God, I miss him,” Caleb responded, as if feeling the same sentiments as his twin. They were south of Baltimore and crossed over tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.
Phoenix shook away the lingering image of his father’s disappointment. He stared out the window, his thoughts turning to the other devastated parent.
“How do you think Mom’s holding up?” he asked.
