'Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence' Vince Lombardi
By the time I pull into the Grill, Ric's car is already there. After pulling into a parking space, I get out and enter the Grill then look around to see if I can see him. There he is sitting at the bar making small talk with Rebekah, the bartender.
Rebekah can put the flirt on but she's happily engaged to Tyler Lockwood. She has a marvelous sense of humor and is a lot of fun. But don't cross her because I wouldn't want to be on her bad side. Bekah and I dated for a few months in high school. It was fun while it lasted but it didn't take long for the romance to fizzle out. Fortunately we didn't let that little try at romance destroy our friendship.
"Hey Bek, Ric," I say, taking a seat beside him.
"What'll it be, Damon?" she asks.
"Whatever you have on tap."
She grabs a glass, turns on the tap then slides it front of me with a smile. "Here you go."
"Thanks Beks," I tell her with a wink.
"So Damon. What are these big plans that you're conjuring up?" Ric asks me, a bit of sarcasm coloring his tone.
"What's with the attitude?"
"It's just that sometimes your plans go awry and you know what I'm talking about," Ric says with an eye roll.
"You could at least hear me out before you scoff at my ideas," I say with a hint of displeasure.
"Spill," he says before taking a gulp of beer.
"I drove Elena home from PT today when Jenna got tied up. I couldn't help but notice that their home has no ramps for Elena's wheelchair. That really got me thinking. I drove out to the mill to talk to dad. He's more than willing to donate the materials to build them if I take care of the labor. Of course, first we'll need to take some measurements and formulate a design so we'll know how much of everything we'll need. You with me buddy?"
His mouth is momentarily agape before he gives me a shoulder squeeze.
"That really is a phenomenal idea, Damon. I don't know why I didn't think of that? Jenna has been so busy with work. She wants the extra hours to help pay some of Elena's medical costs. We just haven't had time to think of such things yet. We both love Elena so much but her situation really does turn one's life upside down. Jenna is really at wit's end. She wants so much to help Elena but she's beside herself as to how to help her you know."
"As you know, I have PT with her. Bonnie is my therapist but I've seen her interact with Brady. It's not hard to miss how angry and depressed she is," I remark.
"When Matt broke their 'almost' engagement, it really threw her. As if being paralyzed from the waist down wasn't a hard enough pill to swallow, he pulled that crap on her. So much for in sickness and in health," he says before taking another big swallow from his mug.
"Her self esteem just plummeted after all that went down. When she woke up from her coma, not only did she have to make peace with the fact that she'll never walk again but also that her 'fiance', for all intents and purposes, had abandoned her. Because of that, she thinks that no man will ever want to be with her," Ric says pointedly.
Exhaling deeply, I turn to Ric. "I'm interested Ric. I really just want to get to know her and be her friend if nothing else. She's incredibly beautiful. I remember how she used to embrace life. I really would like to help her get back to that you know?"
He looks at me for a long moment before acknowledging what I just told him. "Well, Damon. If anyone can pull her out of her shell, it's you. However, if you hurt her, I'll kick your ass into next week. You hear me brother?" he warns.
"I don't want to hurt her Ric. I sincerely want to help her."
"Why don't you come to the house tomorrow morning so we can draw up some plans and take those measurements your dad wants?"
"What time?" I ask.
"Nine or so," he replies.
The next morning I'm up bright and early. I'm yawning as I walk into the kitchen to have some breakfast.
"Good morning son," my mom says, always with a smile on her face.
I walk up to her and place a kiss on her cheek as she hands me a cup of coffee. "Your dad told me you wanted to help Elena?"
Raising my eyes to her, I smile and nod.
"I'm proud of you Damon. As mad as I am at that Donovan kid for pulling that bull sh..., it was better that he did it now than after they'd taken those vows. She's a good girl and what she really needs right now is a friend," mom tells me sincerely.
"The word is bullshit, mom," I tell her laughing hysterically.
"Ow," I yell when she stands up and swats me upside the head.
"That's for swearing. We don't use that kind of language in this house," she warns while trying not to smile.
"Sorry mom," I utter trying not to roll my eyes. "And as far as Elena is concerned, I intend to be her friend."
My mind drifts for a moment. I don't know what it is about Elena that is pulling me in. Maybe it's her strength and how she managed to claw her way back from something that turned her whole world upside down in one fateful second.
"Damon? Where were you?" Mom asks, curiosity quite evident in her features.
"Look, I need to go so I can meet Ric at Elena's house. We need to sketch out some plans and figure out how much wood we'll need from dad."
Bending over, I give her another kiss before walking out the door, "I'll see you this evening."
"Good morning," I say with a wave as I pull into the driveway at Jenna's home. Ric and Jenna are outside surveying the area.
"Good morning, Damon," she says walking up to me and pulling me into a hug.
"Thank you so much Damon. Please thank your dad for all of us too. I don't know how we'd get this house Elena friendly without you guys," she says, wiping a tear from her eyes.
I pull her into a hug. "We really just want to help Jenna."
"There's fresh coffee in the kitchen. Help yourselves. I'm going to go to the grocery store. The least I can do is make some lunch for you guys. Even I can't ruin sandwiches," she says laughing, before running in the house, grabbing her purse, jumping into her car and driving away.
After pouring ourselves a cup of coffee, Ric and I sit down at the kitchen table to draw out some plans for the ramps.
"What if we take out the side of the porch rather than the front? Then we keep the esthetics of the place intact?" I offer.
"I think that's a great idea, Damon."
"Um, where is Elena's bedroom?" I ask.
"Upstairs. Why?" he asks raising his eyebrows at me.
"I just mean, how does she get up and down?"
"If Jeremy is home, he helps, if not, Jenna calls me. As a last resort, Mr. Kyle down the street offered, but he's kind of creepy and Elena would rather not have anything to do with him."
"What about one of those chair elevators that attach to a stairway? We should check into the price. If they're terribly expensive, we could organize a fundraiser," I mention casually.
"Aren't you just chock full of good ideas where Elena is concerned!" Ric chuckles.
"But seriously Damon, what are your intentions with Elena? I know very well that you're not the same jackass you were when you first came home. God, you were an asshole for awhile there. I don't know how your parents put up with your bullshit? You're my brother Damon but I will drop kick you into next week if you hurt her," he warns me a second time.
I raise my arms in surrender, "I don't know how they did either, Ric. I was just plain unlikeable for a while there. It didn't take very long before they read me the riot act. That and what happened to Elena really cleared the fog you know? And as far as Elena is concerned, I just really want to help her out Ric. I don't know where these feelings are coming from. Seeing her in PT, her depression is so tangible. I don't know if she even realizes how strong she really is. She is a lovely young woman and I'd like to get to know her better." I tell him honestly.
Just then, Ric's cell phone rings. "Hey Jeremy. Calm down, what's wrong? I can't yet Jeremy. Jenna isn't here so I need to stay here till Elena gets up. She's sleeping in this morning."
After getting Ric's attention, he says into his phone, "Jeremy, hold on a minute. Damon wants to tell me something."
"Something wrong?"
"He has a flat tire and his spare is also flat," Ric says with an eye roll.
"I can help Elena if she needs something. Go help the kid."
"Okay Jer. I'll be there in a little bit. Damon will stay here in case Elena needs anything."
Once he leaves, I start doing some calculations for my dad. Soon I hear her voice. I walk up the stairs and walk over to the door I hear her voice coming from.
"Elena?" I say with a gentle knock on the door.
Opening the door a crack, 'It's Damon Salvatore. Jenna went to get some groceries and Ric went to help Jer with a flat tire. Can I help you with something?" When I hear her voice, I pull the door open farther. Even with no makeup and bed mussed hair, she's still gorgeous.
"Um.. uh... I need to go into the bathroom. They taught us how to self catheterize at the rehab hospital. Do you think you could get my wheelchair then I could get into the bathroom myself?" she asks quietly.
"Sure, Elena. I'll be right back." I trot down the stairs, fold up her wheelchair and take it to her.
After unfolding it, I roll it over to her.
"Thank you," she whispers never raising her eyes.
"I'll be downstairs. If you need help getting down there, just holler," I tell her before giving her some privacy.
Once downstairs, I grab my tablet, returning to the task at hand. I'm trying to come up with a simple, esthetically pleasing yet safe ramp for Elena to use. Finally I think I've got the right design. I'll have to run it by Ric and Jenna though before letting my dad know. I'll also need to see if Stefan will give us a hand.
"Damon?" I hear softly.
Jumping up, I trot up the stairs to see what she needs. I knock softly. When I hear her say come in, I push her door open and step inside.
"Did you need some help, Elena?"
"Can you take me and then my wheelchair downstairs?"
Smiling widely, "Absolutely," I tell her before walking over to her. She raises her arms to wrap around my neck as I lift her bridal style to take her downstairs. I'm certain my goofy smile reaches ear to ear just being able to hold her in my arms, no matter how innocent it is.
Just as I'm about to deposit Elena on the couch, Jenna walks in, raising her eyebrows when she sees me with Elena in my arms.
"You don't waste any time do you Salvatore!"
Thank you Eva for all your help with this story. Thanks to all of you for the reviews and follows. Although I would like to know what those of you that just follow along think about the story too. My friend Morvamp updated her fabulous new story 'Changing Hearts and Spaces' today. Do give it a read. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Until next time...