“I have a question,” she said instead of waiting for him to answer.
“What’s that?”
“How did you know my name?Like I said, all we’ve ever said was hello.”
Out of all the questions she could have asked him, that wasn’t it.“It’s on your name badge, and Dr.Shane has mentioned you.”
“She talks about me to you?”June looked baffled by that.
“She’s mentioned you in passing.How did you know my name?”
“Oh…um…” June stared straight ahead avoiding his gaze.He noted a tinge of pink on her cheeks.Was she embarrassed to tell him?“Dr.Shane mentioned you,” she finally responded.
Rob knew she was lying, but he didn’t call her out on it.Maybe one day he’d get the truth from her.“So, are you going to tell me what your friends do?”
“They’re physical therapists as well.”
“At Dr.Shane’s office?”He didn’t know how many worked at the office.He’d never paid much attention.He only ever saw June in passing; Dr.Shane was the only person he really knew there.She’d helped him with implants to help with his hearing loss since an IED explosion had taken it several years ago.He didn’t have full hearing back in his left ear, but he had gained some back.
“No, different clinics.”The continued walking.“I’m sorry if I delayed you from seeing your friends,” June commented when they reached her car.She had unlocked it and had her hand on the door.
“You weren’t,” he assured her.“I wasn’t meeting anyone.”He had been in the area to scope someone out, but he couldn’t tell her that.
“Good.”June opened her car door and sat down in the seat but left the door open.
“Are you okay?”he asked when he noticed June’s face grimacing in pain as she sat down.Her hand went to her leg before she retracted it and placed it on the steering wheel.
“Yeah, it’s my…it’s nothing.I’m good.”She plastered on a smile.
Rob didn’t question her further about it; he had an idea what the problem was.Having friends with prosthetics, he knew the aches and pains that came with them after wearing them for too long.“Alright, well, have a good night.”
“You too, and don’t be a stranger and forget to say hi next time you’re in the office.”She smiled widely, and it took him back to the moment he’d first noticed her.
He had just left Dr.Shane’s office after she had made some modifications to his ear.June had been walking with a patient down the hallway.Her long blonde hair was braided and draped over the front of her shoulder.She was wearing a light blue shirt and khaki pants.He saw both of her legs were made of titanium.
She had one hand on the patient’s arm as she encouraged them as they took steps on their prosthetic leg.By the way they clung to her, Rob could tell they were still new to walking with it.
As if sensing he was looking at her, June glanced up at him.At first, her eyes widened in shock as if she hadn’t been expecting someone else to be walking the halls, and then her gaze softened, and a wide grin spit her face.
It was like a physical punch, and he felt himself stumbling from its impact.“Hello,” she greeted softly.
“Hi,” he replied, not knowing what else to say, and kept going.He shook off the experience as if nothing had happened.It could have been a lack of sleep or something.A trick of the brain.
He had asked Dr.Shane about her the next time he was in, and she’d told him about June.The first double amputee physical therapist in the building.She went on to praise how much everyone loved working with her and what an inspiration she was.
Rob could see that.She seemed pleasant and upbeat, and seeing someone with that kind of disability overcome it and make a career to showcase it was incredible.
“I won’t.”Rob stepped back so she could close the door, then she backed out of her spot and left.He stood there a moment, shaking his head.This night had certainly been interesting.One thing was for sure though.He planned on making a stop at Dr.Shane’s on Monday.Just to make sure June was alright, he told himself.
Shock could creep in when you least expected it.
Rob pulled out his phone when it started ringing.It was Drew, their newest recruit.He had been a POW in the Congo until an old teammate of his and their new team had come upon him and rescued him.
Drew had come here to help regain use of his hands, and Dr.Shane had suggested him for their team.She was the only civilian who knew of them and so helped equip them with prosthetics and upgrades to aid them in the field.
“Hey.”
“I’m here watching the target.Where are you?”Drew snapped.He wasn’t the friendliest guy or the most patient, but given his history, Rob couldn’t blame him.He wasn’t just an injured veteran who had been recruited; Drew had gone through unspeakable tortures for years that no one should ever have to go through, so they were all willing to give him a break on his attitude.
