Maddie digs around her purse, and I ignore her attempts to hand her debit card over to me.
continues to nudge my arm with it when Wyatt returns with the prescription and the requested electrolytes. I hand him my unused health spending account debit card, which I’ve been told will remain active through the end of the year.
Wyatt takes the card and disappears to the register. Maddie hisses, “Ewan, don’t spend your money on me. I have money saved for emergencies like this.”
“You’re on my insurance.”
“What do you mean?”
“Once again, I must remind you that you’re my wife. I for damn sure put you on my insurance when I got a job after my four years on active duty.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“You’re welcome.”
Wyatt runs my purchase through, and finally, we’re on our way home.
Home.
No place has ever felt like home since I left 11 years ago. The closest I came was when I moved into the house across the street last month.
Watching her every day, working up the nerve to talk to her again. Just knowing that she was safe, thriving, and happy made me feel human again.
When we climb the stairs to her front porch, she accepts my offered arm.
I can tell she’s weak, but it still feels good to have her right there next to me.
As we reach the top step, another car pulls up behind mine in the driveway. I look over my shoulder and see that it’s Rowdy’s truck. He opens the cab and the dog runs up to both of us.
“Oh my goodness!” Maddie squeaks.
“Thanks, Rowdy,” I say, leaning down to pet my canine friend.
“He’s the real hero, in case you were wondering,” I say to Maddie.
My wife is all excited now. “He’s adorable!”
I explain, “He’s the one who found you face down on your carpet,” I tell her.
“What a good boy!” Maddie exclaims, reaching down and scratching Pascal behind the ears. He gives her arm a big doggy lick, and she laughs. It’s a tired laugh, but it still makes me happyto hear it. Rowdy heads up the porch stairs ahead of us and holds the door open as I help Maddie over the threshold.
Pascal runs inside like he owns the place.
“I’m okay to walk,” she says. “I’m not going to pass out again.”
“If you do, then I’m here,” I say.
“So, what happened?” Rowdy asks. “Were you gonna tell me that you were still in town?”
“It’s a long story,” I say.
Rowdy closes the door, and we watch Pascal and my wife bond. “I’ll fill you in after I get my wife settled.”
Rowdy watches us through the railing as I carry my wife up to her room. Or what used to be our room.
“That dog ran all the way into town. It’s a good thing I recognized Pascal. What the hell are you doing letting your dog run around loose like that?”
“Sorry, buddy,” I reply. “I lost my head a little bit after I found Maddie unconscious.”
