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Lucas
The familiar ache in my left deltoid twitches in sympathy.
Or maybe the sensation is just defiance as I glide the ultrasound transducer head over the gel on Carl’s left shoulder.
I ignore the dull pain in my shoulder and focus on breaking up the scar tissue in Carl’s muscles—scar tissue that was the result of shrapnel while he was deployed with the Navy SEALs. The smell of disinfectant and determination lingers in the air.
“So, how are things goin’ with the outdoor program you and your brothers are planning?” Carl asks.
A smile as real as the local mountains stretches on my face. “Good. We put in an offer on Robert and Tuuli’s plot of land that’s for sale. Just waiting to see if they accept it.” Or if they go with one of the other bids: a lodge that promises romantic mountain getaways, a logging company, and an environmental group.
“I hope they do. There aren’t many outdoor rec programs like the one you’re planning.”
“I know that all too well from experience and from talking to other military vets,” I say, moving the transducer head over his posterior deltoid. “I just want a place for vets of all different skill levels to enjoy what our mountains have to offer.”
“Yeah. And one that doesn’t give a damn if its visitors are dealin’ with a disability or not.”
He’s right about that. It’s one of the reasons my brothers and I decided to create the program. Besides, what’s the point of living in the mountainous region of Oregon if you can’t enjoy what nature has provided?
If my best friend, Aiden, were still alive, he would’ve loved the idea. He’d always thrived on the adventure of the great outdoors. We both had.
Or at least he’d thrived on the adventure before the crippling effects of PTSD destroyed him.
I turn off the thermal ultrasound equipment and wipe the gel from Carl’s shoulder with a clean towel.
“Any idea when they’re making the decision?”
“The last I heard, October fourth.” In four months and three weeks.
“That’s good. And as soon as the program’s up and runnin’, I’ll be the first to sign up for it. Well, Sheldon and I will be the first to sign up for it.”
“I get the impression Sheldon’s excited about it. He went over to the Wakefields’ the other day to make a case to them about selling the land to my brothers and me.”
If Carl’s grin is anything to go by, this isn’t news to him.
His smile fades. “Heard you and your crew found those two missing hikers last weekend.”
“That’s right. They were lucky. One of them sprained their ankle, and they were both scratched up, but they’ll survive.”
“Damn city folk. They’re always underestimating their abilities when it comes to our mountains.” He shakes his head. His brother, Sheldon, is also a member of the Maple Ridge Search and Rescue group, so Carl has heard all kinds of stories about the trouble people get into.
“How’s Sheldon doing?” I ask. “We were on different crews this weekend.”
Carl’s grin returns. “I’m gonna be an uncle. He and Sue announced the big news last weekend.”
“Congrats, man.”
“Thanks. I’m looking at doing some payback on my big brother. I’m gonna corrupt that little kid.” He laughs, but I can tell he’s excited about becoming an uncle. He’s probably almost as excited about that as Sheldon is about being a father.
I finish up with Carl’s shoulder and give him instructions for what to do until his next PT appointment with me.
After he leaves, I return to my office and tackle the two proposals waiting for me to finish them. One is due next week for a research grant. The other is for some new equipment for the clinic. The late afternoon sunlight streams through the slats in the blinds, casting diagonal shadows on my desk and the latest issue of Physical Therapy.
Beyond the windows, the lush mountain peaks, jagged against the pale May sky, beckon. But unlike the Sirens from Aiden’s beloved Greek mythology, they won’t be luring me to my death. I know how to deal with the hazards and unpredictability of the terrain. They’re nothing compared to the hazards I faced in Afghanistan.
I open my inbox and read the reply to an email I sent to my old captain, Drew, two days ago:
