Fingers picked absentmindedly at the thick, colorful blanket draped over his lap. It grazed the foot pedals on the wheelchair which were essentially a decoration in David's condition. Below the man's knees, the covering danced loosely with no lower extremities to warm. The nurse had bunched the top of the blanket around his waist, careful not to tuck it too tightly about his colostomy bag.
David had been an absolute asshole since his admission to the facility following his lengthy hospitalization. Surely karma had sunk its fangs gums deep in his ass by allowing him to continue to live in this pathetic vessel. How did one go from God-level status to….this?
As if losing both legs below the knee wasn't bad enough, he'd had to embrace something he hated most of all: depending on others for his basic needs. Whether it was transferring to his wheelchair, needing help with his colostomy bag, or washing up in the shower, he required the assistance of at least one other person. David was limited in what he was able to do on his own and what he was able to control.
Goddamn but life was a bitch. Yes, the universe had wholeheartedly served him a giant middle finger for his arrogance and viciousness.
The rain cooled air caressed his scarred face as the nurse pushed him along the damp pavement. He inhaled the fresh scent of wet earth; for the first time in a long time, he thought he might feel happy. Was that the right word?
David had not initially wanted to go anywhere today but the nurses wouldn't get off his ass until he had relented. They seemed to think it would do him some good. He'd been extra shitty lately for reasons he himself didn't even know.
When the door had tinkled open and the lithe grey-haired man in black framed glasses had bounded in with his dog, David had only glanced up absently. He wasn't one who really gave a fuck about people and unless they had something he wanted, he had zero interest in them.
He had been dimly aware of the man and dog standing at the counter; rain dripped from the black jacket he wore, and he carried a package under his arm. His still sharp hearing picked up snippets of conversation laced with other discussions going on around him. It sounded boring, with talk of chickens and plants.
His eyes lifted again to stare at the newcomer's back. Not a bad looking guy at all. Probably one of those hermits who communed with nature and lived off the land. He chuckled to himself.
I bet he'd be a demon in bed.
Turning his attention back to his lunch, David flicked the bread of the top and lifted a lip in disgust. Did they want him to eat or not? Because this shit was not going to cut it.
As he mulled over his miserable looking sandwich, a flash of movement caught his attention as the stranger passed his table to stand before Lucy and her friends. David felt a flash of sympathy for the poor fellow. Snotty Lucy was probably hands down the most insufferable, pigeon headed bitch he'd ever come across. And that included all dimensions.
David's discernable eye caught the barely detectable trace of a limp as the man walked by, hands fidgeting behind his back. He looked like a child being forced to come give his saggy baggy aunt a big kiss.
The man chuckled at the image. Although the image of a saggy Lucy made him want to retch.
Why did I just do that to myself?
Suddenly, a familiar, intoxicating smell enveloped him. It was wrapped in spring rain and wet, black earth but still powerful. Impossible!
David stared intently at the man now and slowly, key details became visible.
Under the neatly trimmed grey beard was a semicircular scar extending from the corner of his mouth up his cheek. Another scar near his right eye almost obscured by his glasses.
And the hazy blueish white left eye.
David's mouth hung open in stunned surprise. This had to be a coincidence.
Red had died on the Spectrum when it burned up in the solar star. He remembered his pet holding him and humming their special lullaby.
A lump formed in his throat as he continued to stare shamelessly.
"Ladies, I think Jamie is married to the land. He's not looking to settle down, right?" the store owner laughed as he rescued the man from Lucy's group.
Jamie, hmmm?
Rather a cute name. And he had really grown into this new look of his.
David found he didn't want 'Jamie' to leave. His pet was probably going to shit a brick when he found the universe had also flipped him the bird.
But like he'd told Red before they were always thrown together across all timelines. Nature was merely correcting this error in separation.
Now that his precious pet knew he still lived, he would be thrown into a mental tailspin. David had made sure to throw out enough information to make his pet curious. Hopefully curious enough to fall in line and be inclined to go along with what was needed.
David was in no condition to 're-educate' his Red or physically assert his will. He was in no danger of returning to his past identity as a human pet. He was deep in thought when the nurse leaned around and smiled cheerfully.
"How wonderful you were able to find your old friend!" she chirped. "How long has it been?"
"I'd say about 2 years," he answered honestly.
"Did he know about your accident? Its so sad no one was there to visit you or advocate for your care!"
"Oh yes, he knew what happened. But we'd had a pretty nasty falling out," David explained. "And he was actually more than a friend. He was my partner."
He laughed deep in his black soul. Red was going to come unglued if someone relayed this conversation to him.
The nurse put a hand to her heart as she stopped pushing the wheelchair.
"I had no idea! Did you guys make up? Is all forgiven?" she asked shocked.
"It's a work in progress but he's come around. And when we get back, I have a few things I need to discuss with the doctor and you as well."
"I see," she nodded, knowing what he was referring to. "Alright, I think its good we get that taken care of sooner rather than later due to your condition."
Red was really going to be unhappy with this new game, but David felt he should be thankful it wasn't going to be as painful as the previous one.
The rest of the afternoon was unusually calm where David was concerned. The staff at the assisted living facility couldn't believe how much the grouchy man's demeanor had improved since the lunch outing. He was even smiling and joking with the nurses and other residents. Before, he was prone to hateful commentary and verbally abusive diatribes.
Currently seated in the sunroom, the wheelchair-bound man smiled as he stared out at the grey sky that promised another rainfall. David sipped his icy lemonade and contemplated the various pencils and watercolor pastels that littered his tray. He hadn't felt up to creating art in such a long time but at long last, he'd been inspired.
Brisk sweeping strokes with the pencil slowly formed the outline of an interesting set of eyes framed by dark glasses. Strands of tousled grey hair tumbling over the forehead followed. David's tongue caressed his top lip as he lost touch with his surroundings, fully engrossed in the vivid memory of Jamie's beautiful features.
This new persona of Red's was quite interesting. Jamie lacked the authoritative bravado and commanding presence of Jason; if anything, he appeared quite a nervous and anxious fellow. There was no discernable trace of Red either as Jamie was fully alert and present to the outside world.
Jamie must be a new construct that his pet had been forced to create on his own following the cognitive death of Jason and the dismantling of Red's reality as Drakkon's dog. A new person born of necessity. He didn't ever recall Jason being interested in plants and animals or if he had even had any sort of green thumb at all. Highly doubtful though.
Most interesting of all was the faint trace of energy David detected on Jamie's person. Not quite the same as the Grid energy he was familiar with but close. He smelled of power, a Ranger power. Did that have anything to do with his survival? He felt a tingle picturing that lithely muscled body clad in tight Ranger armor.
Footsteps echoed on the tile floor behind him as a nurse approached with his medications.
"Well, I see you are actually out of your room for a change, David," she teased, hoping that what the previous shift reported was true and the man wasn't being an complete ass today.
He turned his head, a smile gracing his countenance.
"Yes, I thought a change of scenery might do me some good," he answered.
She handed him his pills and a small plastic cup of water. He deftly swallowed the lot of them and sighed.
"Dr. Waters wanted to talk to you today before he leaves," she added, hesitantly. Everyone knew that David was very antagonistic when it came to doctors diagnosing him.
To her surprise, he laughed.
"Well, that's good because I need to talk to him as well," he replied.
The nurse raised her eyebrows.
"Really," she couldn't help but stammer.
"Yes, really," David teased. "I'm sure you heard about the wonderful lunch outing I had today. To think that I was so adamant in my refusal to go. If I hadn't, I never would have run into a dear friend of mine."
The woman's eyes dropped to the portrait centered on David's lap tray.
"Oh, David! I didn't realize you were an artist! Is that your friend?" she breathed in amazement.
A trace of sadness passed over the man's face before he responded.
"Yes, that's Jamie. We had a very close, special relationship. Complicated but special."
He lowered his voice conspiratorially as the nurse knelt for a closer look.
"I've never told anyone this, but I believe Jamie was the great love of my life. I just couldn't get my head out of my ass, as they say. Too selfish and 'career-oriented.' We clashed over it many times," he admitted. "Both of us were such stubborn asses."
"Awww, that's too bad," she commiserated. "How did you two meet?"
David grinned again.
"We met on the job," he stated simply.
Pulling herself back to a standing position, the nurse straightened her uniform.
"Is it alright if the Doc comes to talk to you now? Before you start getting ready for dinner?"
David waved his hand dismissively.
"I suppose we ought to get it out of the way. I am more than familiar with what he is trying to express to me. Even if I don't necessarily agree with his diagnosis."
Nodding her hand, the nurse carefully put a hand on the man's shoulder.
"There's nothing to be ashamed about, David. I understand it's scary but we're going to take good care of you here. Do you think your friend might start coming by?" she offered, kindly. "Does he know?"
David bristled slightly.
"I still disagree with the good doctor but I'll hear him out. As for Jamie, I'm feeling pretty confident he'll turn up sooner or later."
David knew Jamie was going to need time to process this new information. His curiosity would ache to be satisfied so he would have no choice but to come visit.