Page 54 of Warrior's Walk
“No, probably not.”
“I guess you could say the same about jumping headfirst into a relationship. Moderation is key.”
“All that for that? Really?”
Brewer chuckles. Setting down his fork, he leans back in his chair, regarding me thoughtfully. “Let’s try a different approach, a non-food related approach. As a therapist, when your patient comes to you with an injury, usually they’re in pain and hurting, and probably afraid to start therapy. Correct?”
“Now you’re in my wheelhouse. And yes, usually they are afraid. I have to gain their trust before I can see any real progress with them.”
He nods. “They have to trust that you’re going to protect their vulnerabilities, and that if you push them past what they think they can handle, that it won’t turn out badly. Correct?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly right.”
“Imagine you’re the patient, that it’s Rhett who you have to trust with your vulnerabilities, and that if you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, it’s not going to hurt you and cause further injury.”
Christ, I hate it when he’s smarter than me. “And if it all blows up in my face?”
Brewer rubs his hands together. “Well, at least your best friend is a therapist.”
I hate his smirk.
I hate that he’s right.
I hate that I have to push myself out of my comfort zone now and make the first move.
No, Rhett made the first move. He’s made it twenty fucking times. The ball is in my court now.
Brewer leans forward, bracing his elbows on the table. “I just want what’s best for you.”
“And you think this is what’s best for me? Honestly?”
“Would I have wasted my lunch hour if I didn’t?”
On my way out of the cafeteria, I drop the candy bar on Dylan’s table and ruffle the kid’s hair. “Not one bite until you finish all your spaghetti.”
Knowing what I have to do and wanting to do it are two completely different things.
Searching through my contacts, I find Loretta’s name and hit send.
“Hello,” she answers.
From what Rhett has told me about his mother, I’ve imagined Scarlett O’Hara’s doppelgänger, and her voice doesn’t disappoint. It’s pure southern.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m looking for Loretta Marsh?”
“This is she.”
“My name is Riggs. Navarro Riggs. I’m Rhett’s?—”
“Riggs!” she exclaims. “I know exactly who you are. Rhett has told me so much about you. Is my little pecan okay?”
Little pecan? Oh, I can’t wait to use that.“Mostly. He’s doing well with his recovery, working really hard in the gym and pushing himself a little too hard sometimes. I’m calling because I think he might be feeling down. Really down. He needs a boost, and I think you’re just the face he needs to see.”
She pauses before asking, “What happened to him?”
“His unit came home from deployment. They visited him and he was so happy to see them, but when they left, well, he’s been down ever since.” Down is an understatement. He’s still hiding under the damn covers.
“What can I do? My poor, sweet boy, he needs his mama. He’s been through so much. If only I could just get there, wrap him in my arms, and cheer him up.”