Page 124 of Mr. B

Wes was back to using the cane, and he picked it up off the floor before getting to his feet. He grumbled all the way to the bathroom, but once he was standing under the hot water, it felt good, and he wished Justin had given him a little more time.

As he was sitting on the side of the bed and putting on his shoes, Justin appeared in the bedroom doorway. “You actually did it.”

“Please don’t tell me you told me that to get me off the couch.”

“I didn’t. Are you ready to go?”

“After I feed Frank. Where are we going?”

“I thought we’d start out with some pizza.”

Wes stood. “You could’ve just brought some pizza.”

“That wouldn’t have gotten you out of the house.”

They left the bedroom and went to the kitchen. Wes prepared Frank’s food, then set it on the floor. “Bon appétit, Frank.”

“That cat is spoiled.”

“Don’t tell him that.” They left the house and headed for town.

The parking lot in front of Rocco’s and the adjoining storefronts was full of cars, and Wes leaned forward in his seat. “What the hell is going on here?”

Justin whistled. “Wow. Gentry said there was a big turnout, but this is much more than I expected.”

“Turnout for what?”

Justin pulled into a handicapped parking space. “For you, brother.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Just get out of the truck.”

They left the truck and headed down the sidewalk toward Rocco’s. Ten long folding tables were set up in the parking lot in front of the restaurant, and they were all occupied by students and their parents. More families stood on the sidewalk in small groups. Almost everyone had a pizza in front of them or a drink in hand. They all turned toward Wes and Justin as they approached.

Wes leaned in toward Justin’s ear. “What the hell?”

“They’re here to support you.”

The crowd converged on Wes, shaking his hand, hugging him, and offering their support. He slowly made his way through them until he reached the front door, which stood open. Inside, every table was filled with more teachers and families from the high school. More pizza, more drinks, and warm, friendly chatter. A few moments into another round of support, Cassandra made her way to Wes.

She hugged him. “Hi.”

“You totally lied to me.”

“It couldn’t be helped.”

“Did you do this?”

“Not by myself.”

Bailey came up to him. “What do you think, Mr. B?”

“I think I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

“The whole senior class is here, even Aaron.”

Cassandra took his arm. “Let’s get you to the table. You look like you need to sit down.”