Page 42 of Words Unspoken

“No, it is just scraped pretty badly,” Piaget pressed the pads against his knee and set to securing them with the tape.

Max handed Michael a dry sweatshirt. “I think your clothes look better on me.”

Michael snorted. He pulled on the hoodie over the dry tee that he now donned.

Finished with his knee, Piaget gathered her supplies. “That was a very brave thing you did today. Thank you, Michael.”

Michael shook his head and jerked a thumb to Max.

“Yes, I would have done what you did but we both know you are the faster runner and better swimmer, even if you are an old man,” Max said. “We all saw that wave. I would not have made it on time.”

He shrugged. “FedEx. Barking.”

Max put a hand on his shoulder, “Let’s finish getting changed and then we will check on the dog.”

Piaget left them to it and within a few minutes, Max was directing Michael along the hall to the living room. Michael felt drained but needed to check on FedEx. He gave both Evan and Ethan a hug, received one from Elle who was still wiping tears and then sat down on the rug by FedEx. Noah was roughing up the boxer mix with a fluffy towel in front of the fireplace. FedEx rolled onto her back to get a belly rub, none the worse for the adventure. Spotting Michael, she wriggled over and licked his hand happily. Michael shook his head and petted the dog, the worry in his chest easing.

“I guess she is going to be fine,” said Noah. “Does the mutt have a name?”

“FedEx,” repeated Michael. He wondered if they would finally understand or just not get it. He pointed to the dog. “FedEx.”

Max began laughing. “Did you seriously name the dog FedEx?”

Michael gave a sheepish smile and nodded. It was about time they figured it out.

“That thing with the commercial? That was about the dog!” Max sat and wiped his eyes, still chuckling. “That FedEx commercial. Remember, he kept pointing from the television to the dog?”

“Why would you name a dog FedEx?” Noah looked at him incredulously.

Michael sighed. There was no way he was going to be able to explain that.

Max slapped Noah on the back. “Hey, it is all good. At least we now know the dog is name.”

“FedEx gets a full turkey dinner today. No bones,” Elle sniffed.

Michael turned and had a look at the kitchen. Nothing smelled burnt. He would not have been surprised if another pan had been destroyed while they were outside. With luck the pans would be okay and FenLei would not be angry. He was not sure if he would survive another tongue lashing from the little housekeeper.

Elle and Piaget continued to finish the meal. FedEx got up and started trailing the boys around.

“I just don’t understand how he got out of the house,” Noah said as he watched Ethan babble and chase a ball. “All the doors and windows are shut with the cold outside and he hasn’t figured out how to open knobs yet.”

Michael used a chair to help himself stand. His knee was really smarting now, and the ankle was slightly swollen. Limping, he went to the back door and grimaced at the newly installed doggie door. He had a feeling that was the escape hatch. Noah followed him. “Well, I will be. Perfect for dogs and toddlers.”

Michael motioned to an old sea chest that was full of books. He pointed to the door and raised an eyebrow.

“Max, help me move this,” Noah called to his brother.

Michael gave his arm a small shove and gestured as if to ask why? He went to the sea chest ready to grab a handle, but Max nudged him good naturedly out of the way. “Stand aside old man. You have got a hurt leg. Go sit down and wait for dinner. You have done enough heroics today.”

Old man? Was this some sort of nickname from Max? Michael was not sure he liked it. He was not that old. He watched Noah and Max set the chest in front of the doggie door, preventing any further escapes for the day. Max wrapped an arm around Michael’s shoulders. “Come on. The recliner is comfortable. I will get you some ice for the knee.”

Michael was beginning to feel that they were coddling him just a little too much. After all, his head was completely healed. However, he was tired. He settled into the recliner and a moment later, FedEx joined him, snuggling in at the side in her usual spot. Max came with a bag of ice wrapped in a towel and put it on Michael’s knee. Michael sat up and put it on his ankle then leaned down in the chair.

“Why didn’t you say something?” asked Max with a frown. He sat on a nearby chair and took the ice away to examine the swollen ankle.

Michael rolled his eyes, petting a happily panting FedEx.

“Well, excuse me Mr. Attitude. What did that nurse call you? Cranky pants?” Max poked at the ankle and Michael twitched. “It’s not broken.”