Wes
I’mworkingwithMarkJohnson, the quarterback, who broke his fibula and tibia during practice earlier in the season.
With my hand on his foot and his leg bent as he lies down, I have him push against me. My foot is behind me to add extra pressure on him and keep me from falling backward. He’s strong as hell, even with healing fractures.
“How does that feel, Mark?”
“Okay, I guess. It’s hard.”
“I know, but you’ll get your strength back soon enough.”
I time a five-minute break on my phone, and we’re back at it.
“Do you think I’ll get to play this year?”
“Sorry, champ. Don’t think so.”
He groans and stares at the ceiling. “Dammit. This is really going to fuck up my career. I want to go pro, but who wants a quarterback prone to injuries?”
“You never know. You still have one more season in you before you graduate.”
I look over at Don as I’m pushing back against Mark’s foot again. “Hey, can you grab me an exercise band?”
“What color?”
“Let’s do black. I think Mark can take it.”
Don returns with the band and hands it to me.
“How’s the aquatic therapy?” I ask Mark.
“Actually, it’s pretty good. It takes that pain and pressure off, but it’s not easy either.”
“The more you exercise, the faster you’ll recover,” I explain, handing him the band.
He nods, accepting it. “What do I do with this?”
“Several things, but you can replicate what I’m doing to you, but at home. You just put the band on the arch of your foot, pull back your leg, and push as hard as you can, stretching the band.”
We practice several times, and I show him some other things he can do at home.
When our hour is up, he shuffles home on his crutches.
I head back to my workstation and check my phone, finding a slew of messages from Jett. I smile and swipe it open.
Whiplash:Hey, I was wondering if you
want to come with me to my sister’s
place for Halloween this weekend.
Whiplash:It falls on a Saturday.
Whiplash:The kids dress up. It’s kind of
fun.
Whiplash:I do it every year.
