The walk back had been excrutiating for his back, but he hid the pain well behind a genuine easy smile. Had Oz known Maryke's real history, he might have felt a degree of awkwardness around her from that point. But, he was content under her lie, wishing he could have seen her before the changes happened - his and hers.
"Its a date," he smiled back at her. "Next time, banana party."
It felt odd to be joking about his condition but at least with Maryke, she understood it. He waved her off as she disappeared into her duplex and he began hobbling back to his own.
Monkey buddy...definitely.
