15 Hayden

15

Hayden

A few hours ago

A small grunt escaped my throat as I pushed the heavy weights from my body, focusing on my breathing despite the heavy soreness of my arms. One more round, and I am done. Just one more.

Breathing deep through my nose and slowly pulling the heavy weights down to my chest. Holding them there for two more seconds, I pushed, exhaling through my nose and keeping the bar on the rack. I sighed, taking the face towel and wiping the sweat off my brows.

“How’s it going, man?” one of the veterans, Jim, clapped my shoulder as I drank some water mixed with a protein shake.

I nodded at him, “Doing alright, Jim. How are the kids?”

He smiled just at the question, and I knew he was doing well. “They are little stubborn shits but Mary and I couldn’t be happier.” His expression said it all. I tried not to make a point of looking at his prosthetic leg when he sat down beside me on the other bench press.

“Tell Mary I loved her cookies. Take care, soldier,” I said, standing up