All the while I can feel Patton staying close to my side. I expect him to insist we leave several times, especially when I help one of the women veterans with her gloves since she’s lost the use of her right hand. It takes a while, and I use that time to evaluate the woman and her needs. Her name is Carol, and she promises to call or come in and schedule an appointment with me before she leaves my side.
I make sure I’ve helped everyone I can under that bridge, which is the last one I’d planned to visit for the day before I turn to Patton. “I’m finished here.”
“My car is parked off to the side just before the bridge, and there’s a pathway this way,” he says, putting his hand at the small of my back to lead me. I can feel the heat from his hand even through the thin shirt I have on.
I allow him to lead me up the somewhat steep incline. I jog up the side of the hill, not wanting him to feel my body tremble from the contact. Once at the top, I tell him, “I usually take the bus since I can usually find a few of the homeless riding the city transport.”
Patton’s jaw appears to tighten, but then as he looks at my empty bag, it relaxes. “You’re out of supplies. Next time, I’ll plan to ride the bus with you.”
I can’t argue with that logic since I’m out of supplies.
Once we are in his car and on our way back to our offices, Patton breaks the silence. “It’s an admirable thing that you’re doing. But I need you to promise that you won’t go without me again.”
Maybe he isn’t just fulfilling my brother’s wish. Maybe he really does care about me.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” I tell him.
“You’re not asking me. I want to do it. I am a doctor, Cora, and veterans are important to me too. I’d like to help.”
I nod without comment. His voice gets thick as he talks about veterans, and I know it’s hard for him to talk about. I can only imagine everything he has seen or gone through. I can’t help but wonder if he’s ever talked to anyone about it. “I’d like your help, but if at any time you want to back out, you can. I know your hours at the hospital have to be crazy, and well, I know this has to be hard for you.”
PATTON
She doesn’t even realize how hard it is. Yes, working with veterans after everything I’ve been through is hard, but it’s my passion and my way of giving back. What’s going to be hard is working close to Cora. The days of keeping an eye on her from afar are over. There’s no way I can just go on knowing she’s endangering herself with her Bridge Project. What else has she been up to that I know nothing about? And it’s not only because of my promise to her brother, it’s so much more than that. I need to be there, and I need to keep her safe, if for only my own selfish reasons. I need to be the one that is there for her.
I drive us back to the hospital, and even though neither of us say anything, at least it’s not awkward. “I can see you’re doing good things with the Bridge Project. I’m proud of you, Cora. Jason would be too.”
She leans her head back on the seat and looks out the window. “Thanks, Patton.”
She sighs and looks over at me. “He would be proud of you too, you know. He looked up to you and loved you like a brother. I know he asked you to take care of me, but he didn’t mean you had to pick up your whole life and move it here. I don’t want to be your responsibility.”
I clench the steering wheel in my hands. I’m quiet as we pull back into the parking lot and park next to her car. I wait for her to ask me how I knew which car was hers, but I don’t even think she’s noticed. Her eyes are still laser focused on me. I don’t know what to say to her but the truth. “I wanted to come here. This feels like home to me.” I leave out the part where I have a strong desire to be close to her.
I finally look at her, and her eyes are searching mine, seeking answers, and I know if I sit here staring at her, she’s going to know exactly what I’m thinking. I open my door and get out to walk around the car. She’s opening the door and out before I can get to it. She walks to her car without looking at me. I know I’ve hurt her in some way. “Cora-“