Thirty

After giving careful consideration to his locked apartment door, I pressed the doorbell firmly. What are you thinking, Zach? I clamped my jaw tight. How did he get the doctor's okay for an early discharge? I can't believe he went home.

The door opened just as I was about to press another ring. I first assumed Zach would open the door with his crutches. If Zach can able to use his crutches. But it was Aldridge, the one who opened the door.

He appeared to have recently showered, dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts with a towel draped over his neck. When he saw me outside, he looked utterly taken aback.

His honey-brown eyes swept from me to Zach, who was watching TV with his fractured leg propped up on three pillows on the couch.

"Hi!" Aldridge said it with worry in his voice. He took my presence here by surprise.

I walked in without saying a word to him. After I made eye contact with Aldridge, he stepped aside so I could get inside. He saw that my mood was not good just now. Perhaps he