Page 29 of Westbound Awakening

Oh God. "It's been seven days."

"What?" He started to push to a seated position when she dashed to the bed and pushed him down.

"Don't John! You'll make yourself sick to your stomach. I'll help you up in a few minutes. First take your time and get your bearings."

Alarm filled eyes met hers, before he closed them. "I've been here for a week?"

"Yes."

"What about my son? How is he?"

"He's great, probably in the kitchen charming extra flapjacks out of Elma again."

He brought his arm up over his face and covered his eyes with it. "Mae, I have to speak to you. I have a favor to ask of you. I need you to watch after Wesley for me. I have to get my leg taken care of."

"John," Mae interrupted him moving his arm away from his face. "Look at me."

He did, and this time she could see the old John. An eyebrow cocked, daring her to interrupt him again. "You look tired. You've been caring for your father and me. Probably watching after Wesley too."

"My father died a week ago. And it’s not a very flattering observation John McClain." Mae smiled down at him. "Come on let me help you sit up."

"I'm sorry for your loss." John allowed her to help him sit up.

"Don't be, we knew it would happen." She pushed pillows behind his back while he adjusted to sitting, and held her breath knowing any moment now he'd realize the bottom part of his left leg was gone.

"Mae?"

"Yes John."

"It's done?"

"Yes."

He didn't say anything for a long time, and Mae felt at a loss for what she should say to him. Instead she fumbled and pulled at the blankets straightening them to keep her hands busy. Next she went to the basin and filled it with cooled water from the pitcher. After dipping a cloth in to soak it, she wrung it and went back to the bed.

With slow deliberate strokes, she passed the cloth over his face, the entire time his serious eyes remained locked to hers. "I'm not married Mae."

Not sure why he made the statement now, she only nodded.

"Wesley's mother and I met when I was stationed near her home. We began a relationship. I was sent to a remote assignment, so I didn't know she was pregnant, not at first. She contacted my parents, but they didn't tell me anything about it when she refused to meet with them or come to live with them." He took a breath. "They thought she was just looking to get money. In Carla's case it was probably true."

"Where is she now?"

He watched as she ran the cloth down his arms. "Probably headed west to California. She's married now, or so she says. They didn't want to take Wesley along." John cleared his throat, and his brows drew together. "Thank you for caring for him."

Approaching with caution, Mae leaned over him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "That's what friends do John, we care for one another. Besides, I've fallen in love with Wesley and well... he with me. We were waiting for you to wake up, so we can let you know we're running off together. Into the sunset"

His smile lightened the mood in the room. "He's a lucky man."

17

"How does it feel?" Doctor Kennedy reclined into the chair and waited, his eyes on the leg as John tried to get his balance.

For the first time in many weeks, John stood on two legs and a surge of relief flooded him. It was the first of many steps towards regaining his independence. "It'll take some getting used to." He took a wobbly step with his arms out for balance. "The sooner I can get around, the better so I can help around here."

"Don't get in too much of a hurry," the doctor chuckled. "Mae and Elma both begged me to hold off another week before bringing the prosthetic leg for you. They figured you'd not be patient about getting out and around."

"I appreciate you not listening to them. It's already been almost two months. I'm healed well enough," John replied and took another step. He looked over his shoulder to the open door of the bedroom. "You may as well come in here. I know you're standing there."