Sandra and Jack picked up their things and loaded the car.  The others helped with the process.  They could not get all of the gifts into the car.  Some were placed in Andy’s van.  He and Daniel stopped at Jack’s house and helped them unload them.  Sandra got out of the car and into the wheelchair.  Jack pushed her up the ramp to the doorstep.  He opened the door and pushed her in.  He stood there forlorn.  “I wanted to carry you over the threshold but I am not sure I can.”

“Jack.  I don’t care about silly things like that.  You love me.  You care about me.  That is enough.  I don’t want either of both of us hurt for something so stupid.  But it is nice you thought of it.”

He wheeled her to the living room.  “I’ll stay in the chair if you don’t mind for now.  It’s easier than getting out and in.”

“If you want out let me know.”

They talked, listened to music and watched TV for a while.  Just before five the doorbell rang.  Jack went to the door.  It was Pam and Leah Lattic.  “We have something for you.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“We know.  We wanted to do this.” 

He stepped back and they came in followed by Jim Jr.  All were carrying something.  They went to the living room and pulled out the TV trays.  Within a few minutes they were covered with the evening meal and the dessert was on the coffee table. 

Sandra took Pam’s hand and held it.  “Thanks.”

“Wasn’t nothing.”
“It means a lot to me.”

“Call it thanks for what you did.”

“What do you mean?  I didn’t do anything.”

Leah chimed in. “We really owe you a lot.  Think about what Mr. Farley did for Pam.  Then add something you don’t know about.  Mom was in the car waiting for me at the mall the night you got the shooter.  If you hadn’t gotten the woman maybe I would be missing a leg, or worse.”