"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 7

Luke wished he was less nervous about meeting Jenna’s sister and her fiancée, but new people always unnerved him. He had no idea how they’d react to him and he was more aware of his disability around new people. When he was with people he was comfortable around, and they around him, he didn’t really think much about it. It was a fact of life and he was used to it.

With a sigh he rolled over to the full-length mirror in his bedroom to make sure his leg bag wasn’t visible and that he hadn’t gotten any stains on his shirt when he ate breakfast. He was wearing a black polo shirt, a pair of dark wash jeans and he had black loafers on his feet. Although he loathed shopping he had decided that his disability shouldn’t stop him from dressing well. Luke didn’t want to be a cripple in a wheelchair wearing stained sweatpants and old t-shirts, and his job came with a dress code; business casual, so he didn’t really have a choice there. He decided he looked acceptable and checked that he had his wallet and cellphone in the pouch under the left armrest of his wheelchair before he headed out to his van.

"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 6

Jenna heard her landline phone ringing through the front door and hurried inside. She dumped the bag of groceries she was carrying on the floor next to the table in the hallway and grabbed the handset without checking the caller ID.

“Hello,” she answered the phone, slightly out of breath.

“Hey sis, been out running?” It was her younger sister Joanna.

“Hi Jo. No, I just got home and heard the phone through the front door. I rushed to answer before you hung up.”

“Ah, I see. How are you? I haven’t heard from you since Dad’s birthday a few weeks back.”

 “I’m very good, how ‘bout you and Shannon? How’s business?”

“We’re both good, so is the business. How’s your business going?”

“Still kinda’ slow, but things have been picking up lately. A couple of Sarah’s connections have proved themselves useful. I hope it continues.”

“Glad to hear it. I know you took a chance when you moved out there and threw everything into this.”

“So far it has been very worth it,” Jenna answered, a smile evident in her voice.

“Who is he?”

“What?”

“I can hear it in your voice and it’s not like you to stay out of touch. You’ve met a guy haven’t you?”

“I have,” Jenna admitted with a small laugh. “Can’t get anything past you, can I?”

“I know you, Jenna. Now, tell me all about your man.”

“His name is Luke and he’s amazing.”

"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 5

When they arrived at Luke’s house Kevin and his girlfriend Susie were waiting in the living room. Luke introduced Jenna to them and he and then he showed Jenna the guest room with an en suite bathroom.

“You can change and use the bathroom in there while we take care of my evening routine, okay?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“See you soon. Kevin will let you know when I’m ready, it usually takes about half an hour.” Luke hoped his bowels cooperated. He normally did his bowel routine every other day and he’d gone through it the previous evening, but the spicy food they’d had for dinner increased the chance for accidents and he didn’t want to risk that. Especially not with Jenna in bed with him. Better to be safe than sorry.

"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 4

Two weeks after their trip to Venice Beach Luke kept his promise and brought Jenna to his favorite Indian restaurant. He’d booked a table for Friday evening at seven and he offered to pick her up. Jenna was excited. They’d met at Starbuck’s for lunch a few times over the past couple of weeks, but there hadn’t been any dinner dates. Although she’d missed spending more time with Luke Jenna was also very excited.  Sarah’s contacts in the entertainment industry had gotten them a couple of big projects with short deadlines, which had resulted in long days at the office. Luke had been tied up at work as well; his company was doing some sort of audit of the books or something and he’d been working longer hours as well.  Weeknight dates had not been an option and the previous weekend Jenna had flown to Chicago to celebrate her father’s 60^th birthday.

Jenna checked her appearance in the full-length mirror in her hallway one last time; she’d opted for her little black dress, which was always a safe choice. The glittery stilettoes and colorful shawl added a fun twist to the dress and her long blonde hair was pulled into a loose bun. Jenna was satisfied with how she looked.  She grabbed her clutch bag and headed outside to wait for Luke.  A smile spread across her face when she stepped out of her front door; his van was already there and she quickly locked her door and moments later she slid into the front passenger seat. Luke beamed at her and his expression made the effort she'd made to look good worth it.

"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 3

“Playing chef this morning?” Luke asked Kevin when he entered his bedroom Sunday morning. The scent of bacon had penetrated the house for a few minutes, making his mouth water.

“Yeah, I figured we deserve a treat. How do you feel today?”

“I’m good, I slept really well.”

“You okay with eating breakfast in your PJ’s and then shower and get dressed? The food is ready.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me.”

Kevin got Luke settled into his wheelchair and hung his bed bag on a hook on the side of the chair; he’d switch it to a leg bag after Luke’s shower. He left the PRAFO braces on his feet, but replaced the bulky overnight splints on his wrists with his daytime splints so he’d be able to eat.

“How’s your neck today? Need the collar or a painkiller?”

“Still aches, but not as bad as yesterday. Put the collar on for now, and I’ll see how I feel later. I’d like to lose it before my date with Jenna, but I can’t take a painkiller since I’m driving. It’s not like she can pick me up. My chair definitely won’t fit in her Prius.”

“You’re seeing her again today?” Kevin asked as he fitted the collar around Jake’s neck.

“Yeah, we’re going down to Venice Beach, I’m picking her up at noon.” Luke told Kevin as he followed him into the kitchen. He settled in by the table while Kevin loaded their plates with scrambled eggs and bacon and brought them over.

“That’s awesome. I take it your date went well?” Kevin had been out with friends the previous night, so another assistant had come to help Luke in the evening.

“Very well. She seemed a bit stunned when I told her I need assistance to get in and out of bed, but she recovered fast and claims she’s cool with my disability. We’ll see how it works out…” Luke shrugged and turned his focus to eating.

“She wants to see you again, so that’s a good sign.”

“I suppose so. I’m a bit nervous about how she’ll react to being with me in public. People do stare and I don’t exactly blend well with a crowd. I’ve gotten past caring, but I’m sure it can be uncomfortable for Jenna.”

“I know, but it’s something she’ll have to learn how to deal with,” Kevin said matter-of-factly.

“True. I just don’t wanna fuck this up. This is the first time since the accident I’m dating someone and I have to admit I’m falling for this woman.”

"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 2

When Luke woke up Saturday morning he didn’t feel great. He’d struggled to sleep; he was more nervous about his dinner date with Jenna than he wanted to admit. Inviting for dinner at his house had been a spur of the moment thing and over the past couple of days he’d second-guessed that decision several times. He realized there was no turning back and he’d just have to make the best of it.

......

“So, what’s your plan for tonight?” Kevin asked over breakfast. Luke had told him he’d invited Jenna over a couple of days earlier and he’d offered to help him prepare dinner.

“Jenna’s coming over at seven and I figured I’d make lasagna and a salad for dinner. I have to admit I’m nervous. And my neck is killing me today.” Since the accident Luke had dealt with almost chronic pain around the site of his injury. Most days it was just a dull pain he was able to ignore, but from time to time it flared up and today was a bad day. He rolled neck and leaned his head against the headrest on his wheelchair, and then he adjusted his chair so he was sitting more reclined.

“Want a painkiller? Or the collar?”

“Get the collar first, please. The painkillers makes me fuzzy and today isn’t a good day for that.” Luke’s doctor had suggested that wearing a soft cervical collar to support his neck might work as a pain reliever and it had proved to be pretty efficient. Luke knew that wearing the collar for extended periods of time wasn’t good for him, it would weaken the muscles in his neck, but he wore it for a few days from time to time when the pain was bad. Kevin returned to the kitchen with the collar in hand and he quickly put it around Luke’s neck and adjusted it.

“Does it feel okay?” Kevin asked once he was done

“Very good. Thanks.” Luke reclined his chair a bit more and closed his eyes, while taking deep breaths. About 15 minutes later he opened his eyes and adjusted his chair so he was sitting upright again. Kevin put down the paper he was reading and looked at Luke questioningly.

“Feel any better?”

“Yeah, it’s getting better now. I think the worst of it is over.”

“Let’s head out and get the grocery shopping done then,” Kevin suggested.

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

"Jenna & Luke" - Chapter 1

As usual Jenna headed to the Starbucks down the block from her office during her lunch break.  She was a creature of habit and before she could say anything the barista rang up her regular order of a club sandwich and a tall latte. A few minutes later she was seated at a table not too far from the entrance with her food and iPad in front of her. While she ate she caught up on her Twitter timeline and the news online.

After about half an hour she had to return to the office and as she walked out the door a man in a power wheelchair approached. She waited and held the door open for him; as he came closer it struck her how handsome he was. Judging from his face he was about her age, maybe a couple of years older. His hair was dark brown and short; his eyes were a dark chocolate brown and when he flashed her a smile dimples appeared on his cheeks. As well as straight, white teeth that would make any dentist proud. He was dressed in a pair of navy chinos and a light blue button down shirt; his feet were clad in a pair of brown leather loafers. Very business causal, Jenna thought. She also noticed the two wide Velcro straps across his chest and that he was wearing some sort of braces on his wrists.

“Thanks,” he said as he rolled past her into the coffee shop. His voice was a deep baritone.

Jenna just nodded and smiled as she let go of the door and walked back to her office.  The rest of the day her mind kept wandering back to the guy in the wheelchair; there was something about him that piqued her curiosity, but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was.