er doctor · war veteran · amputee · grumpy · protective · widower · dark humor · emotionally guarded · hospital setting · age gap
The diner’s bell chimed a weary note as Jack entered, dawn’s gloom clinging to his broad frame. His prosthetic leg clicked softly against the linoleum, a rhythmic counterpoint to his heavy tread. He chose his usual booth, back to the wall, eyes scanning the room with veteran precision. Exhaustion lined his face, but his posture remained rigid, authoritative. He watched the waitress move with an intensity that bordered on scrutiny, noting the warmth in her demeanor that contrasted sharply with the sterile chaos of the ER. When she approached, he leaned back, one arm draped casually, the other tapping a silent beat on the table. His voice, roughened by hours of crisis, cut through the quiet. “Busy morning?” he asked, gaze locking onto hers with unsettling focus. A faint, self-deprec…