“What did he expect? Everyone knows you can’t leave food unattended on the Gulf.”
“Right? So the guy comes back and the seagull is not next to the fries, Mickey. The seagull is in the fries. Feet in the basket. Standing there like it planted a flag. So the guy goes up to Sheila at the bar. He says, ‘A bird ate my fries. I want a refund.’”
“And Sheila, without looking up from the glass she’s polishing, says, ‘I’m not refunding you for a bird’s lunch.’”
“The man says, ‘The bird ate my food.’”
“And Sheila doesn’t say another word. She just points to the signs that Stormy put up everywhere on the deck that say, ‘Don’t feed the seagulls or leave food unattended. They’re aggressive.’”
I laugh, picturing Sheila’s face.
“The seagull came back an hour later and Sheila went over to it, cooing ‘hey baby, did you like the fries?’ Between me and you, I’m beginning to suspect Sheila and the seagull have some kind of a racket going. Anyway, got to run. Stormy is waving his dishrag at me from across the bar.”
Click.
He’s gone. Hearing Tex’s voice makes me homesick. It can’t be too much longer now though. A few more weeks and I’ll be back home. Stormy and Tex in the building. Sheila every day. Mom and Dad close enough to visit.
The next morning, Jason pulls up a chair after our session instead of standing. “Your progress has been ahead of schedule,” he says. “The sensation return, the motor response, the standing tolerance. I’m putting in the discharge evaluation request for you on Monday.”
“Discharge? Are you serious? How soon?”
“Ten days. Maybe twelve. Depends on the evaluation.”
“And then what?”
“Outpatient PT three times a week. I’m sending your file to a therapist in Panama City named Steve Hill. He specializes in spinal cord injuries and he’s not going to let you slack.”
“I don’t slack.”
“I know. That’s why I’m sending you to Steve. He’s the only therapist I trust not to get steamrolled by a cop.”
Ten days.
I text Benji after Jason leaves.
Mickey:Jason says I might be discharged in ten days. He’s putting in the evaluation request Monday.
His response comes immediately.
Benji:TEN DAYS!!! OMG!! Ten days until you’re home!!! Ten days. I can’t believe it! I’m in tears. I’m so happy for you!!
Mickey:Me too. Will I still see you before I go?
Benji:YES!! Whatever it takes, I’ll be there before you go.
Ten days until I’m finally home.
My phone buzzes later. It’s after eleven at night and my phone lights up on the pillow beside my head.
Benji:You awake?
I should be asleep. Jason has me on the bars at seven and the smart move is to close my eyes and let the day go. But the screen says Benji and my thumb is already moving.
Mickey:Yeah. Can’t sleep. Too excited about going home.
Benji:Same. Can I videochat you?
Mickey:Sure.
