“Hey.” He kissed Tucker, and then hugged Roy. He kissed Roy after—a different kind of kiss, but a kiss. Tucker was surprised that Roy allowed it. Then he was surprised even more when Roy hugged him, as if he’d just come in with Chad, and also gave him a peck on the cheek.
“Look,” Roy said. He raised his pant leg slightly. “Vietnam. I’m a unicycle now. That’s what some of us call it when soldiers end up losing a leg.” He was wearing a prosthetic, too. “Land mine. Lucky to be alive. Offer me the hand again. I’ll take it.” And he did.
Tucker thought he should say something. He was overwhelmed: with relief that Roy was alive, with anxiety over seeing him, with a touch of anger over the records. “This one here thought I was animatronic.” Tucker nodded sideways toward Chad.