Page 16

Eternity reached for my hand. She must have heard this news before I had. I knew my wife, and she damn sure knew me. This is the kind of shit that I had to hear from a doctor. I kept my eyes on the doctor and twisted my mouth in thought before asking the question that I honestly didn’t even want to know the answer to.

“So, I’m paralyzed?”

“That’s not a conclusion I’m prepared to make.”

That was the first thing he’d said that loosened some of the pressure building in my chest.

“What I can tell you is that you’re going to need physical rehabilitation. Based on your current presentation, you’ll essentially be working with your care team to regain strength, coordination, balance, and walking function as your body heals,” he added.

“Basically, I’m learning how to walk again.”

“In many ways, yes.”

I looked back down at my legs. I didn’t have shit to say. I could hear Eternity breathing beside me and feel her fingers tightening around mine, but my attention stayed on the shape of my legs beneath the blanket. I had walked into every situation I’d ever faced on my own two feet. Good or bad. I ran around in the streets on these two legs. I’d built MB’s Auto from the ground up. Raised my children. Protected my family. Handled shit other people couldn’t handle for themselves. Now I couldn’t even get out of this bed without somebody helping me.

“How long?”

One thing about me is that I was a fighter. I’ll take any situation head-on. I just needed a timeline on things.

“That varies from patient to patient. Your body has experienced significant trauma, and I don’t want to give you a timeline that may not apply to your recovery. What matters right now is allowing the swelling to decrease, monitoring your neurological function closely, and beginning rehabilitation when your surgical team feels you’re ready.”

Not having an answer irritated me, but I understood why he couldn’t give me one. I nodded slowly. Tahari stood from his chair.

“I’ma give y’all some privacy.”

My eyes moved toward him. For a second, neither of us said anything. Maliah didn’t waste any time telling me that he was the one there applying pressure to some of my wounds before the EMTs arrived on scene. I was grateful, and he knew it. I nodded, and he returned it before looking toward Eternity.

“I’m right outside if y’all need anything.”

“Thank you, baby.”

He left and quietly pulled the door closed behind him.

The doctor continued explaining what the next few days would look like. I had more monitoring, pain management, and assessments to look forward to, and eventually physical therapy. I listened to all of it, even when my mind wanted to drift back to the one part that mattered most. Learning how to walk again. When he finished, Eternity spoke before I could.

“I want him moved to a private suite.”

The doctor looked at her.

“As soon as one is available.”

“Mrs. Browne, I can certainly put in the request, but⁠—”

“Please do,” she cut him off.

I turned my head toward my wife. There was no attitude in her voice. It was just Eternity making it clear that she wasn’t asking twice. The doctor must’ve realized the same thing.

“I’ll put the request in and see what we have available as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.”

Once he left, I stared at her. She reached for my water as if nothing had happened.

“You want some more?”

A small smile tugged at my mouth.

“What?” she asked.