Read Online A Soldier’s Family by Cheryl Wyatt - Free Book Online

better. But in truth, he wasn’t so sure. This could prove to be more of a challenge than he’d anticipated. The tension in the room when he’d walked in had been nearly suffocating.
    Joel pushed the wheelchair behind them, which Manny only used when his hip could take no more after therapy.
    He hated that Celia’s face had pinched as he’d first passed by. Like she couldn’t stand the sight of him. Maybe his injuries weakened him in her eyes, made him seem less of a man.
    Who cared what she thought, anyway?
    Unfortunately, he did.
    He’d beat this. He would. He’d conquer those seventeen stairs, too. Eventually. For now, they conquered him. He’d soon learned that PT didn’t stand for Physical Therapy, but Pain and Torture.
    He was improving by leaps and bounds because he’d been in top physical condition prior to the accident. That bent things in his favor, according to the doctors. Granted, these were the people responsible for his three-day-a-week sessions of Pain and Torture. Not to mention the Pain and Torture they expected him to inflict upon himself during non-in-facility PT days.
    Amber mumbled something about boxing up the toiletry kits and slipped out. Joel and Bradley gave Manny a tour of the rest of the house.
    “Yo!”
    Manny turned to find Javier grinning from the doorway of the family room, just off the dining room. The cartoon barbell logo on Javier’s long-sleeved T-shirt reminded Manny of his offer to be a workout buddy. That would provide the accountability he needed to push himself to the max with rehab instead of sitting in front of the Montgomerys’ flat-screen TV inhaling big bowls of popcorn.
    Javier stepped inside, basketball in hand. “Thought I heard your voice in here.” Javier looked from Manny to Amber. “Mom here?”
    “You just missed her. She ran home,” Amber answered.
    “Was she coming back?”
    “In a bit.” Amber’s voice held a measure of doubt.
    Full attention transferred to Manny, Javier flashed a genuine smile. “Good to see you semiwalking. You score a place to stay?”
    “You could say that.” Manny grinned at Joel then Amber who helped Bradley on with his coat.
    Joel chuckled. “We’re hooking Manny up. He’ll be living here for a few months. Listen, Amber and I have a routine meeting with Bradley’s oncologist to follow up on his bone-marrow transplant. We’re running late so Celia’s gonna give you a lift to rehab, Péna. Catch you guys later.” Joel waved goodbye and slipped out the door with Amber and Bradley.
    No wonder Celia had looked so sour when he’d walked in. They’d roped her into giving him a ride. Well, he’d let her off the hook. The rehab had a caravan program. He’d just call them for a ride so he wouldn’t inconvenience Celia.
    Javier’s grin took over his face. “Dude! Cool that you’re living here! I’m right down the street.” Javier dribbled the ball on the wood floor a few times before apparently remembering he was in someone else’s house. His face grew contrite and he snatched the ball up. He eyed the window, where Joel and Amber’s white Expedition pulled out of the garage. “Guess I forgot my manners. Mom would have a cow if she saw that.”
    “Having a cow sounds painful.” Manny laughed.
    The doorbell rang. Javier looked at Manny and shrugged. “Guess we should answer it, huh?”
    Manny chuckled and followed Javier to the door. “Guess so.”
    An elderly white-haired woman stepped in. “Amber home?”
    “She just left.” Manny closed the door behind her.
    Mild confusion darted across the woman’s weathered face. “I was supposed to pick something up.”
    Manny eyed the table items. “Are you from the shelter, by chance?”
    A ready grin lifted her cheeks. “Why I sure am, young man. Just how did you know that?”
    “Good guess. I think what you’re looking for is in here.” Manny ambled to the table, hating that he couldn’t carry the box of satchels out for the woman. Chivalry was important