I might not have much experience with preteens, but I was one myself. So I know the short answers andstandoffish tone are normal when they’re with someone they don’t know very well.
“Not a problem,” I reply calmly as I pull out onto the road. “So, ice skating, huh? I used to skate at that rink.”
That earns me the reaction I’d hoped for, a shocked look on his face when his head whips around to look at me. “You went skating? But your leg.”
I shrug, keeping my eyes forward. “Why should that stop me? Your missing arm hasn’t stopped you from joining Little League, has it?”
“No.”
I let him sit with that for a second. Isla mentioned to me once that Charlie doesn’t have an arm prosthesis yet because he hated the feeling and look of one. He’drather have no arm than a plastic robot armwere his words, if I remember correctly.
Can’t say I blame the kid. When I was younger, prosthetic legs were hideous things that looked like overgrown doll legs. They’ve come a long way in appearance and technology, just as I’ve come to realize I don’t give a fuck what it looks like, as long as my prosthesis lets me do what I want to do. But that anxiety about physical appearance is hard to let go of. Especially when you’re young.
“Trust me, skating with my leg wasn’t easy. I fell alot. I only went a few times before I got tired of being covered in bruises from hitting the ice.”
Charlie snorts, then looks away quickly. He’s still staring out the window when he speaks again. “I asked my mom if we could talk to a prosthetist about getting an arm. There’s a guy here in town, apparently.”
“Yeah, Doc is awesome. He’s been my prosthetist for years.” Once again, my casual demeanor pays off and Charlie turns to stare at me again. “Tom Shivari? He’s not a doctor, though.”
I laugh this time. “True. I’ve always called him Doc. It’s kind of a joke between us. He’s cool, though, and knows his stuff.”
“Do you still see him?”
“Yup. Any time I need something adjusted. Which isn’t that often anymore. Did your mom tell you what I did before I bought the baseball team?”
“No.”
My lips turn up. I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s hero, but damn it, I’m allowed to be proud of what I’ve done. And if it can help a kid like Charlie, then I’m going to share it.
“I designed a microchip that analyzes gait patterns in amputees in real time. It can help them adjust things quickly so less appointments and prosthetic adjustments are needed.”
“That’s so freaking cool.” The awe in his voice makes my smile grow.
“Thanks. Doc, I mean Tom, was the guy who helped me test it out on myself. Like I said, he knows his stuff.”
“Would you…would you come to my appointment with him?”
I try to hide the flare of surprise at his question. Before I can respond, he continues.
“It’s just, my mom is super nervous about it. I think because I was such a pain about prosthetics when I was younger, so she’s worried this is gonna be bad. It wouldbe cool to have someone who gets it to come with us so, like, you can ask the questions we might not think of. But I get it if you’re busy.” He looks down at his lap, having mumbled the last part.
“If you want me there, and your mom’s okay with it, I’ll be there.”
“Cool.”
I’m honoured Charlie trusts me enough to ask that of me. But also scared as anything. What if I let him down? What if I’m not the guy he needs? Sure, it’s just an appointment, but it means a hell of a lot more.
“So, you and my mom. What’s that about?”
I am in no way prepared for that question, but I manage to hide my shock fairly well, I think. “What makes you ask that?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him shrug. “I dunno, exactly. But ever since we moved here, she’s been happy. More happy than I’ve seen her. And you guys are, like,alwaystogether. And I know you text each other. She thinks I don’t know it’s you, but I’m not stupid. And she left her phone unlocked one time and I saw your name. She smiles when she texts, and I think it’s you.”
I blow out a slow breath. Fuck, I wish I knew what Isla would want me to say. Or what—if anything—she’s told Charlie. But from the way he’s phrasing things, I’m going to assume she still hasn’t talked to him.
“Your mom is a wonderful woman. She’s doing great work at the Thunder.”
Charlie scoffs. “Dude. I’m not talking about her work.”
