“Colin, a lot of the behavior you’re describing can be attributed to his concussion. Plus the fact that he’s frustrated.”
“He’s not the only one.”
David gave a soft laugh. “Let’s go to the cabin for a long weekend. Not as many distractions there. Go for walks. Sit by the lake and listen to audio books.” He squinted at Colin. “It might help.”
“I’m certainly up for it. I’ll suggest it to him when I pick him up from Deena’s.”
“Colin, you should be seeing her too. You went through as much as he did.”
Colin nodded. “I will. But right now, I’ve got my hands full.” He glanced up at David who met his eyes without speaking. “Iwill, Davy.”
* * *
Joshua reportedthat his session with their therapist had gone well and he was excited about the prospect of a long weekend at the cabin. The moment they entered their home he took Colin’s hand and drew him to the couch. “Can we talk for a second?”
Colin nodded, but threw him a wary glance.
“Listen,” Joshua told him. “I want you to go return to work as soon as we get back from the cabin.”
Colin stared into Joshua’s eyes without uttering a sound, his expression blank.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Ofcourseyou will.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“Do youblameme?”
“No. But here’s the deal: If I do shit that I know I shouldn’t do and suffer the consequences, then that’s on me. Not on you. You have to let me man up and be responsible for my own recovery.”
“Am I supposed to stop caring? Is thatreallywhat you want, Joshua?”
“No. Of course not. But it’s not on you to make me behave. I have to be responsible for my own healing. I can’t dump it on you. You did enough. You saved my Jewish ass. Getting it better again is up to me.”
“Is that what Deena said?”
“That’s part of what she said. She reamed me out pretty good, truth to tell.”
He shot Colin a sheepish glance. “She pointed out that you had already been throughenoughwith regard to this situation and that I was a complete dick to put you through any more by throwing a self-indulgent pity party and refusing to behave properly.”
He looked up at Colin through his lashes. “She asked me if I stomped my feet and screamed: ‘I want it now!’”
“She accused you of beingVeruca Salt?!”Colin exclaimed, laughing.
Joshua said nothing, but arched his brows and shrugged.
“And if you behave stupidly and end up having a seizure?” Colin asked, his voice thin with anxiety.
“I won’t,” Joshua assured him. “I won’t overdo.” He shrugged. “And if I do, the consequences are on me. I won’t die from a seizure, but if I’m acting like a jackas it might give me a wake-up call.”
“And it might givemea heart attack!”
“Iwon’toverdo,” Joshua repeated, his fingers tightening on Colin’s.
Colin sat at his side, silent, but squirming with frustration. “It pisses me off that I don’t believe you.”
“And that’s on me too,” Joshua said. He leaned his head against Colin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, baby.”
