Ian
Present
“So, the rumors were true.” I enter the rehabilitation room where Jamie is taking his first steps at getting himself back into shape.
“You’ve really decided to stop your whining and move your arse?”
“Good one…” Jamie says with a grin, while Steve, one of our physical therapists, laughs quietly.
“How’s the progress, doctor?” I ask with fake worry.
“He’ll survive,” Steve says, playing down the situation. “Two weeks, maximum three, then he’ll be back to training.”
“Fantastic news.”
“Sure is for you.” Good to see that Jamie has already got back his God complex.
I shake my head and grab a stool near them.
“Hey, don’t you have anything better to do than sit here and watch my physio session?”
“I’m taking a ten-minute break before heading to the pool for some laps.”
“What about my sister?” he asks, scrutinising my expression.
“Don’t start.”
Jamie sighs heavily, then asks “Steve, would you mind giving us five minutes, please?”
“No problemo.” Steve dries his hands on a towel and leaves the room.
“What’s up, are you worried about something?” I ask Jamie who has an uncharacteristically serious expression on his face.
“My one and only worry.”
“Jamie…”
“Were you at her house?”
“Yes, I took her home the other day.”
“And she let you in?”
“Not exactly, I kind of invited myself.”
Jamie nods. “I haven’t been able to set foot in there for three months. Last time I did, I made some comments she didn’t appreciate.”
“I understand.”
“I didn’t want to invade her privacy, I just wanted to help out.”
“Have you ever considered that maybe she doesn’t want your help?”
“She doesn’t want anyone’s help,” he says, getting off his stomach and walking around the room before stopping in front of the main glass doorway where the other guys are doing their weightlifting. “Have youseenthat shithole she lives in? I understand she doesn’t want to live with me, we’re adults, we have our own lives, but Jesus!” he says, raising his voice. “I don’t want her to get worse again.”
“Worse?”
“You see, my sister puts on this facade that she’s strong and independent, but I recognise it for what it is.”
