Love Heals

Chapter 10

The doctor turned his ankle this way and that, studied the X-RAY intently and then swiveled his foot, watching Emilio’s face intently for any sign of pain.

“It seems to be better. You’ll need to wear a brace for a while but I can absolutely clear you to practice with the team.”

“Yess” Emilio hissed fist pumping the air, “Finally.”

“Yeah,” the doctor said straightening up, “You’ve been very good about attending all your therapy sessions and your ankle is grateful.”

“Well it wasn’t exactly a hardship,” Emilio said with a laugh.

“Speaking of, how is the fiancé?” the doc said turning away to write in his file.

“Hitting it off way too well with my brother. The way those two are always going off together you’d think she was marrying him, not me.” Emilio couldn’t quite keep the sulk out of his voice. The doctor laughed.

“You should be glad. My wife and my brother don’t get along at all. It’s a pain in the ass.”

Emilio grinned, “Yeah well; Rachel is just likable like that.” He said smugly.

The doctor smiled handing him a slip of paper, “Well, it’s good to see you happy Emilio. You can take this to Arena – it’s a clean bill of health.”

“Thanks doc,” Emilio said standing up. It felt good to walk without a cane. His phone beeped in his pocket.

From Rachel; 16:19

Hey. How’d it go?

Emilio smiled clicking the reply button.

To Rachel: 16:21

Great. I’m good to go.

As he put his phone back in his pocket he felt it vibrate.

From Rachel: 16:22

Yay!

Emilio smiled at his phone as he walked to his car. He took out his wallet, extracting a hundred dollar bill and held it out to Geoff, his driver, who was holding the door open for him.

“Hey kid, take a taxi home. You get the day off,” he told Geoff as he held his hands out for the keys. He’d missed driving his Lexus and now he could. Geoff held out the keys looking surprised and took the cash.

“Okay Mr. Da Costa. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. No. Not tomorrow. You’re back in the general pool for a while I’m afraid G. But expect a big bonus with your next paycheck. You’ve been great.”

“Thank you Mr. Da Costa. And I’m glad you’re better.”

“Thanks G. See you,” Emilio said as he sauntered to the driver’s door and slid in, whistling happily the whole time. He would pass by the clinic, see if Rachel was done for the day. Maybe they could grab some drinks before dinner. Or he could drive her to her errands. Or they could just hang out wherever she wanted. Emilio was bubbling over with happiness and he just wanted everyone else to be as happy as he was.

He drew up to the clinic and practically bounced inside. The receptionist looked up to see who had come in and smiled wide to see him practically glowing.

“Hello Mr. Da Costa, did you have an appointment with us today?” she asked tongue in cheek.

His booming laugh reverberated around the room as he shook his head, “Nah. Just here for the ball and chain to be. Is she finished with her clients?”

Fran leaned in to whisper to him, “Yeah, I think she’s playing angry birds right now.”

Emilio grinned at her, “Wouldn’t want to interrupt that. Would you tell her I’m waiting in the car and she can join me at her convenience?”

“Sure,” she said with a grin of her own, as she picked up the intercom.

Emilio bounced back to the car and got in, turning on the radio to a soft rock station and caressing the wheel lovingly.

“I’ve missed you baby,” he told his Lexus and he could have sworn she purred in reply.

“You better be talking to me,” a voice said at his window and he jumped and turned quickly to see Rachel peering in at him.

“Girl, what in the catwoman, sneaking up on a guy hell was that? Make some noise when you walk up to a guy! My heart is weak woman.” He complained making Rachel laugh.

“Or maybe you’re just super obsessed with a machine,” she countered opening the back door to shove her various bags in before popping around to get in the passenger side. “This must be so exciting for you huh?” she said, a huge grin on her face.

“Yeah man, I did not know how much I’d missed driving myself places before I got behind the wheel again,” he said with a smile. “So where can your chariot take you milady? Shopping? Drinks? Make out spot?”

Rachel laughed, “Your parents are coming for dinner, did you forget? We need to pass through Whole Foods. Chef Salinger gave me a list of things to get.”

“Okey dokey,” Emilio replied happily starting the engine. He knew he was acting like an excited little boy with his first toy but damn! It felt good not to be an invalid.

*****

After the supermarket, Rachel needed to pick up her clothes from the dry cleaners and then it was home. Chef Salinger, who Emilio had contracted for the evening, was waiting impatiently in the foyer when they arrived, with two assistants flanking him. Emilio greeted him nervously and then led the way up to his penthouse as Rachel and Salinger discussed the menu and the ingredients she’d picked up. This wasn’t the first time she would be having dinner with his family but it was an important one because it was also a surprise birthday dinner for his mother. And now the doctor had said he could play again. Coach Arena had been invited and he’d said he’d be pleased to attend. So many reasons to celebrate.

*****

Emilio’s family was loud; it was difficult to get a word in edgewise when they were all at the same table. His uncle Carlos and his father were arguing about soccer as usual; the never ending battle between who was better – Barcelona or Real Madrid. Emilio and Pedro had long dropped out of that argument. It was standard fare at every dinner table where they were all together except that one time when Emilio had brought Leo Messi along to meet his family. He and Pedro had exchanged amused glances throughout that dinner as they had watched their uncle and father pull themselves back again and again from the brink of an argument. His mother had encouraged the Argentinean player to come back anytime. It had been the most peaceful family dinner they’d ever had. But Leo wasn’t there today so it was full on war at the table especially at the good news that Emilio was cleared to play. It meant there was no need to be sensitive to his feelings. Coach Arena watched the two grown men bicker like children, looking extremely entertained by it all while Rachel made sure everyone’s plate was full as she and Emilio held hands under the table.

“Well that was fun,” she said as they took the plates to the kitchen when everyone had left.

“Yeah…I guess,” Emilio snorted. He wasn’t really in the mood to complain though, Coach Arena had been too pleased to have him back which meant he would probably play in the semi finals. Life was just too good to sweat the small stuff. Plus there were dishes to be washed.

*****

Emilio laughed tiredly, “Didn’t know I’d missed making love standing up.”

Rachel smiled, “It was aight. Wanna go to bed?”

“Yes please.”

*****