Murr set in the hospital waiting room, flipping the pages of a magazine without looking down.
Q and Sal had met him and Joe at the hospital thirty minutes ago. It was Joe's first day of physical therapy and his three friends could hear and feel his pain as they set right outside the door to the physical therapy room.
Sal's pulled his gaze away from the closed door, behind which he knew his best friend was going through pure hell.
"I don't think he's ready either, Murr, but it was his decision. He wants to walk. We can't blame him for that or try to keep him from doing this."
Q looked over at his friends.
"He's right, Murr. It's killing me listening to him scream. But, we have to let him try. The therapist will stop if he decides Joe's not ready."
Murr only nodded and closed his eyes as Joe's moan of agony shot through the door.
Five minutes later, Q's prediction came true as an older man pushed Joe out into the waiting room. Sweat pooled on Joe's pale face, his thinning hair was soaking wet.
"We did a little, but he is obviously not ready for this". The wheelchair was stopped in front of the three men as the therapist layed a reassuring hand on Joe's shoulder.
"We'll try again in three weeks, buddy. I know how bad you want to do this, but rushing it will do nothing but set you back. We have to give your bones time to mend more."
Joe nodded and looked down at his hands.
Once the therapist had handed Q the new appointment card and was gone, blue eyes, full of pain, looked up at his three friends in turn.
"You guys told me this would happen. I just wanted to try, I thought I could fight through it. I'm sorry".
Sal playfully and gently tapped the bag of Joe's head with two fingers.
"Don't be sorry, you goof. You tried, you gave it your all. You just aren't ready. We'll just wait and go at it again in three weeks like he said."
"Yea man, don't worry about it. You will get there, Joey. You will". Q looked over at his friend, his brown soulful eyes taking in the tired and strained appearance of his friend.
Murr's hand massaged his friend's tense shoulders, noticing how damp the white t-shirt was.
"I was going to suggest going to get breakfast, pal. If you are up to it, I think I have a few t-shirts in my car. We'll get this wet thing off before we go in."
Joe nodded and managed a grin.
"Are you trying to tell me that I stink, Murr?"
Murr laughed, along with Q and Sal.
"Yea, bud, that's what I'm saying. Really though, don't do this to yourself, you are soaking wet, Joey. There's no need torturing yourself. You WILL walk. Just be patient."