Michael

"How is everyone today?" I ask as I wheel into the dining room.

The old man, my grandfather grunts as he begins digging into his sparsely dished plate. His stake practically still bleeding as he cuts into it. Even at his age the old dog won't change and will soon join the men looking down on us from portraits on the walls around the manor.

"How are you today dear?" My mother asks as I fist bump with my son James.

The kid is great, I get butterfly's just watching him live his life. The things that excite him are so simple and yet they also excite me as I see them through his eyes.

"I'm well mother, thank you Grace," I say to the maid uncovering my already dished plate before me. She winks where no one can see her but me and moves to stand along the wall.

"I hear you got served divorce papers today," the old man says between bites. The older he gets the less patience he has for small talk, I've hated him at times for his crus ways but I got to understand him, and I now love the old bugger.

I grin at him as I take a few mouthfuls of vegetables. James is uncomfortable and is fidgeting excessively, but I know this is a conversation he probably already had with his mother. A conversation we will have together as well if he doesn't run away from me.

He does that sometimes. As soon as he realized I can't always keep up with him and even if I do, there are places I can't go he's developed an avoidance tendency primarily consisting of running.

"And yes old dog I'm getting divorced. Its been a long time coming so don't all look so surprised," I say nonchalantly and conversation continues throughout the table seeing as I'm not as broken up about it as everyone expected.

"Does she want anything in the divorce?" The old man soldiers on.

"Come now father, that's enough of that. Michael is a grown man that can deal with his own business, and you know Alice is a sweetheart." Mother says sternly, she isn't a strong woman but she has her moments.

"Not that Michael has much in assets to divide in a divorce anyways," Richard says to a light punch in the ribs from his wife.

I grin at the sight of them behind my hand. Richard is the only cousin I get along with and he's been running the company in the old man's retirement. He's in charge of the family finances with oversight from a committee of stakeholders.

I have shares in the company but if Richard says I have no assets then I have no assets. My gaze falls on Rebecca who avoids my eyes with her own, I felt her staring though. My step-siblings decided to be lawyers like their father to the disapproving frowns of the old man. We all know he's proud of them though. Rebecca specializing in financial law and Owen in criminal defence.

We all eat in relative silence after that. Everyone around me mourning the loss of no longer having Alice in the family in their own way. She was great, she is great, and everyone was hoping she would be part of the family in perpetuity.

Mother seems the most upset by the whole thing, they got along so well. The daughter she never had in Rebecca, a daughter that likes all the girly things that she likes, unlike her actual daughter that idolized her overachieving overworking father and never had time for gossip and clothes.

"You know, I don't mind seeing Alice around the house on special occasions," I say to the relief of everyone in the room.

"Really? That's great 'cause I needed her advice about the dress for the winter ball in a few weeks," Mother is already saying.

"I was wondering how to uninvited her for the barbecue this coming weekend." Richard is already saying.

"I like Alice, I wasn't gonna stop being her friend." Rebecca, my little sister says to everyone's eyes falling on her. "For James' sake of course." She quickly finishes, taking James' hand tenderly, who only scowls at the contact pulling away.

After the meal there is wine and the old man calls me to his study, which is thankfully on the first floor.

"So, you can't have any more kids hey?" He says while lighting a cigar and passing me one as well. I light it and savour the first pull.

"You say that as though it hasn't been already 5 years since the accident," I say between pulls.

"A man can be hopeful." He looks me at me up and down, gauging something.

"I never really thought much of your father. I thought you'd turn out the same at some point."

I grin at him. "There are worse ways to turn out."

"Well anyways, just wanted to let you know you weren't a complete disappointment, made me proud a few times over the years even." He says looking away.

This is practically a tender heart to heart for this man. I'm metaphorically gushing with affection, but I'm also a little creeped out.

"You ok old man, you dying or something? I figured you had a few more years to make everyone miserable still."

He snorts and starts coughing lightly, pounding on his chest.

"You know these things will kill you right?" I say blowing smoke.

"They may as well. I pay my doctors a fortune to keep me going a while longer though. Yours too."

I roll my eyes at that, "thanks for that, I don't want you to think me ungrateful."

"You have a smart mouth you know that? I don't know where you get it 'cause it certainly isn't from your mother." He says standing as his blinds open automatically.

"It's a shame you can't have any more kids, that James of yours is turning out to be a fine lad, worthy of the O'Hare name."

"Thanks, I guess, but really the kid needs most of the credit. And his mother of course, I've never met a less difficult woman in my life," I say thinking about Alice, wonderful beautiful Alice.

"I wonder about that. She still gonna use our name after the divorce?"

"I don't know, maybe she will hyphenate. Women do that these days, but she has been signing everything 'O'Hare for years now, it might be a hassle to change it. Why do you ask?"

"Just hate seeing such potential going to waste, that woman is brilliant, especially for a woman."

I groan at his words. "Don't tell me you like her as well, you don't like anyone. Christ, you've been married four times."

He shrugs, "It's my prerogative. You think she would consider having a child with Richard or Owen?"

My eyebrows go to my hairline at that. "I can't believe you like her that much. Your serious aren't you?"

"I already tried approaching her after your accident, when my investigators told me she was fucking that billionaire again. She didn't take kindly to my offer of procreation in your stead."

My eyes bug out at that, then I start laughing excessively. I can't help but picture the look on her face as this old man propositioned her. Priceless! I wipe the tears from my face with a happy sigh.

"Thank you old man for making my day."

He humphs in offended protest before putting out his cigar. "That girl and I could have made a prodigy of a child. The Senate would have been the minimum, maybe the presidency would have been achievable."

"I pray you don't have these day-dreams about James. Let him live his life in peace please, as you did me."

"I only left you alone because I didn't think you'd amount to much. Too wild, too unpredictable and not well-bred enough. It's only later I realized how great you are at picking women and your mixed-blood seems to be exactly what this family needed to infuse some fire back into it."

Someone who doesn't know him would find offence in everything that comes out of the old pervert's mouth, he doesn't even hear himself, I grin. "Thanks, I guess. You do know that my grandmother on father's side is half black right?"

"I've had a few trists with blacks in my day boy. I'm not that rigid, I just wouldn't bring any home to meet my folks. Uncivilised that."

"I hope they were all willing old man. Back in your day, wealthy white boys got away with too much for my tastes."

He grunts and we remain silent for a while.

"You knew that billionaire friend of yours was fucking her?" He finally asks.

I nod, "I knew and he knew I knew. At the time I was very low and her continued understanding and support were very frustrating. She needed the release, I needed the peace. Plus, they had done it before, had an affair I mean." After my accident I was in the pits, I may have even driven her towards him on purpose at times just too... I sigh at the memory.

"You're a better man than I am boy. I probably would have killed him or destroyed his career." He looks at me and snorts, "not that you could ruin the career of someone at his level."

"I thought about hurting him first I found out about him. Stalked him, had a conversation with the man and found I liked him." I shrug, "he's a good guy. More in her league that I ever was.''

This is getting depressing.

"You should try to do some yoga old man, might prolong your life. Help with that hip as well."

"How do you do all that stretching in your condition anyways? When Di-, my investigators told me you did that I had a hard time believing it."

"With help, and I met Dickson. Good at backgrounds and general information, but shitty at following anyone with training. You will get him hurt following some of my friends around."

"Hrmfg." The old man makes an inaudibly sound. Never willing to admit a mistake out loud unless the admission gets him something. I understand old dog.

We play a game of chess and I eventually move to my room. It's too late for that talk I intended to have with James. I head straight to bed and lie there meditating about my day.

An important habit meditating and introspection. I eventually fall into a deep dreamless slumber.

I wake as I usually do, with a trip to the toilet to take care of my catheter and other business. I don't need another infection because of the thing. I take a fast-acting laxative and sit on the toilet seat because I have no patience for adult diapers.

No grown man relishes sitting in their own shit even if they can't feel it, I still have to clean that shit up. After taking care of business and taking a shower I put the cartether back into my dick and get comfortable in the chair.

From there I have a light breakfast with Veronica who is bunking school again. Then I head to the garden to meditate and centre myself before heading out for my twice-weekly basketball game.

On two legs I never played basketball but then I had a lot of activities that took up my time. In a wheelchair I've found I'm quite good at it. At least in comparison to other people on wheelchairs.

‎"Pass the ball."

"I'm open I'm open."

I dummy and pass to Fred who passes to Suzen then it comes back to me and I shoot it in.

"Ohh... Nice!"

The high-fives go around as we end our second game of the week. I grin at my accomplishment, its the little things that make life worth living.

"That was a good short." Edgar, my bodyguard says throwing me a towel.

"He's right, you could go pro you know. I know someone from my support group that was in the Paralympics." Suzen says sliding towards me.

"Thanks but no thanks. Kicking ass here is good enough for me," I say grinning back. I know she has a thing for me but I honestly have no idea what to do with that knowledge.

We are both in wheelchairs with irreparable injuries. How would a relationship between us even look like? I don't know, it would probably be the same as a deep friendship if there is no sex involved and we'd end up resenting each other. At least I'd probably resent the whole situation, utterly depressing just thinking about it.

No two people can tolerate each other for a lifetime but sex makes us forgive the little flaws, it's a natural forgiveness, tolerance, mood stabilising activity. That's why we all hate long term roommates, especially if they're our siblings, no sex but all the annoyance.

"Same time next week?" Andrew calls from the opposing team and I give him a thumbs up.

"I can't do Tuesday next week but Friday you're on."

I go to the changing rooms and take care of business. It takes a while for a man in my condition, but Edgar doesn't mind. We've been to war together, we've been through thick and thin. And though I don't need a caretaker he needed a job, good employment is scarce for veterans these days. Besides, it all makes mother feel better me having someone driving me around. Win win win for everyone.

We head to the V.A where I talk to people I actually have something in common with and we shoot the breeze. Men and women that have been shot at, that have shot at people, men and women that know what it's like to fight in a war, no one comes back whole. We all then pack up our shit and head to the range outside town in three vans.

I like guns, and I enjoy shooting. We start with sidearms. Close rang I'm the best shot at standing targets. Even with one leg, Oscar is still the fastest and most accurate through the obstacle course shooting.

From there we go to the long ranges. Edgar was the second-best long-range shooter in my unit. He's the best shot amongst the seven of us here. I find I'm having a good day, the little things make life worth itself.

As it gets late we have a few pints at the local tavern.

It's a good night mostly until we get the attention of the local pretty girls and by default the ire of the local toughs. The looks of pity that were grating on my nerves turn to looks of annoyance and challenge. Something we all know how to deal with.

I wheel myself back as the inevitable fight ensues. It isn't as easy and as clean as it would be, not with some of us missing limbs and me in a fucken' chair. The initial chaos is quite satisfying to watch, the upper hand cleanly in our favour. Training makes all the difference.

I headbutt one that falls to his knee at my feet, laying him out. This is the life.

From there we head back home, having felt like men again for a night at least. I haven't been home drunk in a while. Life is shitty and hard but it pays for itself if you let go of the unnecessary shit and just live.

It's been a good day.