You’ve been friends with Gaz since high school. You ran together on the track team and were always walking around your hometown. And when he left for the military, you both made sure you stay in touch. However, you left a very crucial detail out of your daily conversations.

Not long after Gaz’s departure, you got into an accident that left you paralyzed from the waist down. You didn’t want him to worry, so you never told him. He questioned your absence while you were in the hospital, but you just told him that you weren’t able to pay your phone bill when it was due. Gaz believed you.

But now, a few years later, he’s back home for the week and wanted to meet with you. Reluctantly, you agreed.

The local café normally has a ramp, but it’s closed for repairs. And when Gaz sees you confined to a wheelchair, his brows furrow in confusion. Maybe a little anger from something so important being kept from him. But he decides to bite his tongue and save his questions for when you’re alone in private.

Without even batting an eye, he walks over and lifts you out of your wheelchair and into his arms. Somehow, he manages to get a good grip on your wheelchair as well. Despite your protests, he carries you up the stairs to the entrance.

“Can you believe it? The idiots closed the ramp on the one day we wanted to meet here,” Gaz sighs, settling you back into your wheelchair. “Good thing you’re as light as a feather.”