Page 101 of Mr. B

He headed for the bedroom and stopped at the doorway. “Shit.” He leaned his crutches against the wall, then went to the unmade bed and straightened the sheet and comforter. His pajamas, track pants, and T-shirt lay on the floor. He hobbled over, picked them up, and tossed them into the hamper in the closet. His running shoes and a pair of boots were by the chair, and he put them away.

He looked around. “Not bad.” Bathroom. He went into the bathroom, put down the toilet seat, rinsed the toothpaste from the bottom of the sink, then put away the few things on the counter.

After giving the bedroom one last look, he went to his crutches and left the room. Cassandra, sitting on the couch with Frank purring on her lap, stopped him mid-step.

“What the hell?”

She looked up and smiled at him. “He seems pretty chill to me.”

He pointed at Frank. “That cat has never sat on my lap. Nor have I ever heard him purr.”

“I think he likes me.”

Wes moved closer, and Frank rubbed his face on Cassandra’s arm, then glared at him and jumped to the ground. She looked at Wes. “He thinks you don’t like him.”

“He’s right.”

“Poor baby.”

“Him or me?”

Cassandra stood and went to Wes. “I think you two need some family counseling.”

Wes took her hand. “Good thing I know a therapist.”

“I’ll see if I can fit you into my schedule.”

“You do that. But first, my bedroom is ready for visitors.”

They headed down the hallway and into his room, stopping beside the bed. Cassandra set the crutches beside the nightstand while Wes took off his shirt. She put her hands on his chest, then kissed him. “Let’s get you out of those pants.”

He smiled. “Now see, that’s the other and much more preferable meaning of that sentence.”

Cassandra snuggled into Wes’ neck and kissed his shoulder. “I hate to go.”

“Stay a little longer.”

“I can’t.” She kissed him again, then sat up. “I’ll be back in a few hours to pick you up for work.”

“I should be able to start driving soon.”

“I don’t mind coming to get you. Give it the rest of the week.”

He put a hand on her back. “Would you like to take your new best friend home with you?”

She turned to him. “Frank? No, you two are going to figure things out.”

“It’s been over a year.”

“There is always hope.”

“Hmm. We’ll see.”

She got out of bed, wrapped a small blanket around her shoulders, then picked up her clothes and headed to the bathroom. When she turned on the light, she glanced back at him. “Your mother trained you well.”

“How so?”

“The toilet seat is down.”