I was going to wait to update this till tomorrow. This is for you Charlotte...
'The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection' Thomas Paine
After dropping Elena off at her home, I begin the drive to my dad's lumber mill. It's about 40 miles away from Mystic Falls. It's so pretty in that area. My dad is really good about conservation, replanting trees to replenish the forest and that type of thing.
As I'm driving my thoughts turn to Elena. Mystic Falls is a small town so everyone pretty much knows everyone else but other than that, we've had no relationship. However, I did notice her intoxicating laugh and the fact that she always had a smile on her face. There was one time when I built some plant boxes for Mrs. Flower's home. She's an elderly lady and she told me that Elena had promised to come over and plant the bulbs for her.
Her then boyfriend, Matt was a friend of my brother. I can remember noticing them when Ric and I would chum around, having a few beers and playing a few games of pool. Their whole clique would hang out together in the Grill. Just a bunch of kids having fun. There really is no place else to hang out in town. Elena is Stefan's age. I graduated from high school when they were eighth graders.
I spread my wings a little bit after graduation having spent a couple of years in California and then a couple of years in Florida before coming back here to work for my dad. Truth be told, I was homesick and I missed my family so I packed up my belongings and came crawling back home. I did need a bit of an attitude adjustment once I got home, one dad 'happily' provided. I can't help but chuckle a bit when I think back to those days.
Dad and mom welcomed me home with open arms. My dad went on to tell me that he also went through a rebellious stage when he was a young 'whipper-snapper' like me. He says that's how he met my mom. He got on his Harley and took off down the highway. He met mom at the annual 'Sturgis Motorcycle Rally' held every August in Sturgis, South Dakota. It was love at first sight. Mom said she was completely smitten with my dad so she packed her belongings and left her family in South Dakota to join my dad in Mystic Falls. They've been together ever since. We used to spend a couple weeks in the Black Hills every summer till my Grandparents passed away. Mom and dad still make the trek once in awhile as mom's brothers and sister still live there.
After Elena was shot, she became the talk of the whole town. She had a rough go of it during her initial hospitalization. Ric and Jenna brought her back here when she was stable enough to be transferred from the D.C. hospital. She also spent some time at the 'Craig Institute' in Denver, Colorado.
Although I felt bad about the tragedy that befell her, everyone did, I really didn't think about her all that much as I had no real connection to her. It was when we started having PT together that I really took notice of how the 'ugly duckling' had matured into the beautiful swan. Not that Elena was ever hard to look at, but she really has matured into a strikingly beautiful woman. I'm a guy, we notice such things. I always knew she was pretty but she was always on Matt's arm so I didn't give it much thought.
Stefan told me how Matt broke up with her because he couldn't bear the thought of being with a 'cripple' who couldn't fulfill his 'needs'. All I could think of was how shallow of a guy he must be. A wheelchair doesn't define someone, it's what's inside that counts. Her despair and obvious depression is really what punched me in the gut though. She doesn't think anyone wants her and that's so not true. I do want to get to know her and I intend to do just that.
I'm so deep in thought that before I know it, I'm pulling into the mill's driveway. After parking my car next to Stefan's, I jump out and walk into the mill office.
"Hi Rose. Is dad available?" I ask her.
"You come over here and give me a hug young man. I haven't seen you in ages," she says smiling.
Rose is my dad's office manager and Ric's mom. She's a year or so older than my dad. They've known each other their whole lives. Rose says that she and dad even dated for a short time but they decided they were better off as friends than as lovers. She told me once that kissing my dad was like kissing her brother. No 'spark' at all she always says with a wink. Although I tease my dad about it sometimes, I'm glad there was no spark or there would be no yours truly.
"Can't breathe, Rose," I mutter because she's hugging me so tight.
"What are you, two?" she scoffs.
Unable to contain a laugh when she finally releases me, I press a light kiss to her cheek.
"Rose, you know you're my best girl," I tease.
"Damon, what are you doing here? I thought you had physical therapy this afternoon?" dad asks as he steps out of his office.
"I did have PT. I'm done with it for today. I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Oh okay. Come on in. I'll be right back. I'm going to grab a soda. Do you want one?" he asks looking at me curiously.
I nod then walk into his office to take a seat and elevate my knee for a little bit. I've been given the okay to lift weight as long as I have my brace on but it still bites a little.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" dad asks while handing me a soda.
"I gave Elena Gilbert a ride home from physical therapy today. Her aunt was tied up and couldn't get her for a couple of hours so I helped her out. Anyway, Jenna's home has no ramps for her wheelchair. Elena said that Jenna can't afford them right now. They're saddled with Elena's medical bills. So I was thinking that if you'd consider donating the materials, the guys and I could build them for her."
"Damon, that's a wonderful idea. I'm proud of you son. Of course, we'll donate the materials. You're going to have to go over to the house, take some measurements and draw up some plans so we'll know how much wood and other supplies that you'll need. Can you do that?" he asks.
"Absolutely I will. I'll give Ric a call and we'll get right to it. Thank you, Dad."
"You're welcome. You better go rest that knee a bit. I'm going to put you to work once the Dr. completely clears you," he says, smiling.
"No worries dad. I'm anxious to get back to work myself. I'm going to head out now. I'll see you at home."
He comes around his desk to where I'm sitting offering me his hand when I stumble a bit standing up. He gives me a guy hug before sending me on my way. After I get back to my pickup, I grab my cellphone and dial Ric's number.
"Ric, meet me at the Grill in an hour. I've got big plans for us buddy. I'll fill you in when I get there."
Yes, I'm a proud South Dakota native. Big thanks to Eva. Thank you all for the reviews, follows and favorites. I do appreciate them but it's especially nice to read the reviews so don't forget to hit that button just below. Be sure to check out any of my other stories. I just got home from work and have to go back to the hospital again in a few hours. I'm going to bed now. Hope you all have a very wonderful weekend.