Page 12 of 21 Years of Jane

“Thanks, Mom.”

I took a look at myself in the full length mirror after she slid my sandals onto my feet, and then I rolled out behind her.

Nolan was sitting in his original spot with Liam on his lap again. They were both listening to Stella going on and on about our sleepover.

“...and I told her that I’m her friend too and she said she was happy that I am,” Stella was saying proudly.

“I’m your friend too, right?” Liam asked me as I entered the room, looking dangerously close to tears.

“Of course you are, Nugget!” I called him Nugget because of how small he was.

He stuck his tongue out at Stella and she opened her mouth to respond, but Mom quickly ushered them out of the room.

“Have a good day, you two!” she called out as she left us alone.

Nolan glanced over at me when Mom disappeared. “Ready?”

“Yeah. Listen, I’m sorry about that… earlier...in my room,” I mumbled.

“Oh, it’s no big deal,” he replied with a smile. “I mean, it’s not like I was standing there ogling you or anything. I saw your predicament so I grabbed Liam and split.”

Huh.

“So what are we doing today?” I asked, changing the subject and rolling toward the front door.

“I kind of like the zoo idea, if you’re still up for it,” he said following me out.

“Yeah, but that’s a long walk from here. Unless you want to sit on my lap,” I said with a laugh.

Nolan threw his head back and laughed. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of keys.

“We’re driving there today. But maybe we can do that another day,” he teased.

I giggled and went toward the stairs. Once again, Nolan stood behind me, tilted me back, and bumped me down the stairs. Only this time, I wasn’t afraid.

I trusted him not to drop me.

I looked up at his face as he carefully lowered me down the stairs and felt that strange flutter I felt when he kissed my cheek.

Go away, I told my feelings.

Nolan settled me onto the sidewalk and pushed me toward a sleek, black, brand new Explorer.

“Um, I thought you said that my wheelchair was nicer than your car!” I exclaimed incredulously.

He grinned. “It is. You can take it anywhere. This thing has to stay outside. Can you imagine me driving it through the mall or something?”

He opened the passenger door for me and leaned down, hoisting me up into his arms. Nolan held me firmly against him as he assessed the situation.

“How...?” he asked sheepishly.

“Ass first,” I replied with a smile.

He grinned and leaned into the truck with me, placing me on the seat. I leaned down and grabbed my scarred legs, hoisting them in.

Nolan put one foot on the passenger-side floor as he shifted my legs so that they would rest naturally, before closing the door and folding my chair. I glanced in the passenger side mirror as he opened the back of the truck and carefully slid my chair in. Once he was satisfied that it was secure, he closed the door and came around the driver’s side.

He opened the door, hopped in, and grinned at me again as he fastened his seatbelt. I returned his grin and fastened mine as well.