I chuckle. “Yep. It’s fine. My hands are clean.”
“But I, like, just had surgery two days ago.”
“Trust me, I know what I’m doing. You’re okay, as long as it doesn’t hurt.”
“It feels weirdly good.”
I give him a bright smile, gently place his hand on a towel on the table, and pat his forearm. “PT isn’t all pain,” I say.
He watches me intently as I gather some things to make a contraption for him.
“What’s that?”
“I’m going to put it on your hand. It has a rubber band to keep the finger pulled back. You’ll keep it on and use both your flexor and extensor tendons to exercise with.”
“Does it hurt?”
I chuckle again. “It shouldn’t.”
As I set up the device on his hand, he asks, “Shouldn’t you wrap up my hand again? My stitches are hanging out.”
“It’s fine. Just keep the area clean. You’re healing nicely already. Other PTs may do things differently, but this is my way. Your finger will be working in no time.”
Right when I’m wrapping it up, Justin walks in with his hands shoved into his pants pockets.
“What’s up, bro?” I say. “Give me a second.”
He nods and sits stiffly on one of the therapy beds.
After I check out my patient, I put everything away. In the bathroom, I swap out my work shirt for a navy-blue V-neck sweater with the sleeves pushed up.
“You sleeping, dude?” I ask Justin, who’s just lying there with his eyes closed.
“I hate mornings.”
I laugh and offer him my hand. He takes it, and I help him up. “The price of being a teacher.”
“Psh, you’re the morning person, not me.”
“Years of having to run before dawn will do that. Hey, at least you can sleep in tomorrow.”
“Barely. I have tests I need to grade.”
I pat his back as we walk out. Don is sitting behind the check-in desk. I offer him my hand, and he shakes it. “You sure you can’t make it out with us?”
Don pretends to think. “Hmm, going out with some dudes, or going on a date with my girl, who I haven’t seen since this summer. Tough one, man.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle. “Bro, anowould’ve sufficed.”
“Next time. Promise. Have fun.”
“Night, Don.”
We step inside Jeremy’s Junction for happy hour. Justin and I make our way to the bar and order ourselves a beer. The place isn’t quite crowded yet, but it will be soon enough.
I scan the place, but this time I’m not scanning for cute ladies. It’s the tall, dark, and broody one that I’m seeking. Since he’s not here yet, I shoot him a text.
Me:Yo, where are you?
