Lost Wanderer Awakened - Book One of the Airendell Chronicles (4 page)

“Well, here’s my card Dee. Keep up your
exercises and call me when you plateau. And you will plateau, Dee.
I’ll help you get passed it and move on to the next level. You can
get full use of the arm, hip and leg back. You may never look
graceful and elegant walking, but you will be able to get back to
your life. But it’s gonna take a hell of a lot of hard work on your
part to get there. I know you will do it. I have never met a woman
so quietly determined to get back on her feet. So call me when you
need a little help to move forward, okay?”

I am looking at Seth with my mouth wide open.
“Jeez, Seth I have never heard you say that much in all the time
you have been working with me!” I can’t help it, I grin at the boy.
He’s so good at his job. “Thanks Seth. I will call when I can’t
move forward without you. Thanks.”

Seth just nods and says, “Well, let’s get
down the hall to the ‘gym’.” He smirks at that. He hates the
facility that the rehab ward has to work in. He says it’s poorly
equipped. What equipment they have is worn out and according to
Seth, some of it is dangerous. But he’s talented and makes due.

The session goes long this afternoon. I guess
Seth is trying to get in as much as he can before I walk out of
here. Right now he’s chatting me up, and has me bouncing on the big
red ball, and rocking back and forth to build up my core strength.
I am very familiar with these exercise balls. I use them a lot in
my classroom. In fact, I have a few of my kiddos use them for seats
at their desks. It not only promotes core strength, but also
promotes balance, coordination and body awareness.

Lucian surprises me by asking me a question.
He rarely speaks to me much when he comes along with Seth; “So Dee,
what are you plans after you walk out of here tonight?”

I shrug. “I haven’t thought much beyond
walking out of here and going home.” And then I surprise myself by
telling him about my kids. He listens attentively and makes me feel
like he is genuinely interested in my children and my life before
the accident.

“I want to go home, where my babies lived. I
want to see their rooms, their stuff…” Now I am angry because I am
choking up.

I take a deep breath and say, “I just have to
get out of here. If I stay here I will lose my mind.” Lucian just
nods and doesn’t say anymore.

When the marathon P.T. session is over Seth
and Lucian walk with me back down to my room. Not for much longer!
I surprise myself, I almost feel happy at the idea of leaving this
place. I immediately squash that feeling.

I don’t deserve to feel happy about anything.
It’s my fault my babies are gone. I don’t know why I feel that way,
but I know it’s true, so I never examine the idea too closely.

Once we are back at my room, Molly comes in.
She’s the one nurse on this floor I don’t mind dealing with. I
actually like her and don’t just tolerate her. Jeez, Dee, when did
you become such a curmudgeon? When I woke up and Bald Doctor told
me that I don’t have a family anymore, that’s when!

I jerk myself out of my inner bitchy place
and focus on Molly. She’s always polite, but never overly friendly.
She has a wry sense of humor I can appreciate. I used to have a
pretty wry sense of humor myself. But I really like Molly. She
always treats everyone with respect and expects them to do the best
they can because she is doing the best she can. I like that.
“Molly, I am going home tonight. Is there some kind of paperwork I
need to sign if I check out AMA?”

Molly nods, “Yes, I’ll get on it for you. Can
I help you pack?”

“No thanks, Molly. I only have the sweats on
my back, the contents of the drawer there and that box in the
cabinet. But can I get one of those plastic bags to put the stuff
from the bedside table in?”

Molly nods and says, “Sure thing, Dee. I’ll
be back as quick as I can.”

Seth and Lucian wish me well and go on their
way. Soon Bald Doctor arrives in a huff, “Mrs. Montfort, you are
making a big mistake.”

“Perhaps, but it’s my mistake to make. What
do I need to sign to go home?” I ask him calmly.

He plops a file down on the tray table and
goes over his instructions, and explains the legal ramifications of
the actions I am taking, adding; “Look Dee, if you do this your
insurance may have grounds to stop paying for support services you
are sure to need in the future.”

“I know.”

Bald Doctor runs his hands over his shiny
bald head, just like he did the first time I spoke to him. “Look
Dee, I am not surprised you are doing this. I should probably call
Social Services, but I don’t think you are suicidal, but…” He looks
at me again and asks, “You aren’t suicidal, are you?”

I scoff and raise my eyebrow.

“No, I thought not. Look,” He hands me two
pill bottles. “I know you refuse to take the pain meds here, but if
you leave and try to take care of yourself, you may over do, or
maybe even fall. If the pain is too much or you have spasms again…
here are 30 Lortab, they are for pain. And 30 Valium, they are for
spasms. Dee, please take the meds if you need them. There’s no
reason for you to suffer needlessly.”

I remain impassive and he sighs softly.
“Here‘s my card, contact me if I can help in anyway. I mean it,
Dee, I am here if you need me.”

I take the bottles and mumble ‘thanks‘. He
surprises me when he leans over and kisses the top of my head, “You
dear harridan,” he says fondly. “Please, please take care of
yourself.” I watch him go; he’s left me speechless and my jaw is
hanging open. I almost chuckle at my reaction.

When he leaves the room, I stand up, pack the
two folders, Seth’s card, and my babies’ photos into the bag. I
close it with the drawstring and loop it over my head and right
arm. I walk over and grab the small box from my classroom and put
it under my left arm. Fortunately, it’s pretty light.

I hobble out into the hallway and Molly stops
me, “Whoa, Dee! Doc’s orders. I am to wheel you out in this
wheelchair. Please don’t argue.”

I shrug. I don’t want to get Molly into
trouble so I sit. She wheels me out the front door. I had made an
appointment with Call A Ride for one of the vans to pick me up at
4:30 but they aren’t here yet. “Dee, how you getting home?” she
asks as I am standing up.

“Call A Ride. I can wait here for them.”

Molly starts to push the chair back inside
but she stops and turns back to face me. “Dee, Cathy Myrick is my
niece.”

I smile at the memory of my former student.
“How is she doing these days? I haven’t seen her since she
graduated in 94.”

“She’s doing well. She lives in one of those
duplexes on Arlington, you know the ones where adults with
disabilities can live independently but have some limited support.
She’s come a long ways in the years since she graduated.”

“Yes, I know the place. I understand it’s a
good place to live.”

“Well, yeah it is. Cathy is very happy
there.” Molly looks at her hands and says, “We, Cathy’s family I
mean, we all know the only reason Cathy is able to live so
independently is because she had you for her teacher all through
junior high and high school. You put a lot of years and hard work
into helping Cathy learn to take care of herself and achieve her
potential. She even has a job and a boyfriend now.”

“I am glad to hear that Cathy is doing well,
but don’t kid yourself. Cathy is the one who put in the years of
hard work. I was proud to be able to help her a little.”

“Well, Dee… I just wanted to say, you never
gave up on Cathy. From what I have heard, you never gave up on any
of your students. I just hope… I mean, I want to say… Dee, don’t
give up on yourself, okay? The world needs folks like you around.”
Molly awkwardly pats my arm and turns to push the wheelchair back
inside the rehab wing of the hospital.

I can’t help it. I am smiling to know Cathy
is doing so well.

“Hey Dee!” I jump and turn to look at the man
standing beside me.

Where the hell did he come from?

“Hey Lucian,” I say quietly, willing my heart
to stop racing.

“I had some business in the main part of the
hospital and saw you standing here when I came out. I wanted to
come say goodbye.” I just smile politely and murmur something
inane.

“So are you waiting for a family member or a
friend to come get you?” he asks solicitously.

“No, Call A Ride.”

“Oh.” Lucian stands there silent for a few
heartbeats and asks, “Can I give you a ride home?”

“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. Call A
Ride will be here soon.”

He looks at his watch and says, “It’s after
five, Dee. What time did you call?”

“I called this morning when I made up my mind
to leave. I only stayed long enough to see Seth before I checked
myself out AMA. He’s helped me a lot, and I didn‘t want to leave
without telling him myself.”

“Well, here let me call the dispatch at
C.A.R. to see if the van is on the way.” Lucian retrieves a cell
phone and punches in a preprogrammed number. Dee raises an eyebrow
at that. Surely this man doesn’t use Call A Ride.

“A lot of my clients use the service. I keep
them programmed into my phone.”

Dee nods. That was spooky, it’s like he read
my mind. I snort, and Lucian looks at me for a second with a secret
smile hovering around his sexy lips. Jeez Dee, any more fanciful
notions rattling around in your head?

After a minute Lucian ends the call and says,
“Dee, they have closed for the day. There won’t be a van
coming.”

“Crap,” I mutter. I only live a mile and half
down Monte Vista Street, and then another half mile back east, but
it might as well be on the moon. “Okay, thanks.” I take off
walking.

“Dee, I would be happy to give you a ride.” I
stop, but I don’t turn around.

Shit, I don’t want anyone’s charity.

“It’s no big deal Dee. I am done for the day
and I was only going to go by Butler’s and get some barbeque and go
home. It’s Friday, and I am just going to go chill. Let me drop you
off at home. It‘s no trouble, I promise.”

I turn and look at him. There’s no trace of
pity in his eyes, his voice or anything. Just a simple act of
common kindness. “Thanks,” I say softly.

He leads me to his car. He puts my small box
in the back seat and opens the passenger door for me. I keep the
bag with my babies’ photos in it with me, on my lap. After he
starts the car up he looks at me says, “Where to?”

I give him directions to my place and he
smiles. “Right on my way. I live out near Chatsfield Corner. Hey,
do you mind if I go by Butler’s before I go home? That way I don’t
have to backtrack into town to get my supper.”

I smile at him, “Of course not.” When we get
there, I decide barbeque might be pretty good for supper, so I go
inside with him and order a sliced brisket sandwich and a cold pop.
My fridge hasn’t been opened in heaven only knows how long so, I
won’t have anything cold to drink at home. I may still have some
coffee in the cabinet…

What the fuck, Dee? Who cares?

“Ma’am? Will there be anything else?” the kid
working the register asks, with forced politeness. His words drag
me back from my musings.

“Yeah, a pack of Viceroy, reds, one hundreds,
and a book of matches.” I notice Lucian raises an eyebrow and I
almost smile.

When we are almost at my house Lucian says,
“I didn’t realize you smoked.”

I chuckle, “Well considering that you barely
know me, Mr. Michaels, I suspect there are a lot of things you
don’t know about me.” He chuckles and agrees but I get the feeling
he knows more about than I realize. “I quit smoking fifteen years
ago. Well, mostly. I might buy five or six packs a year. I smoke
when I am stressed or really, really bored. I suspect I will be
stressed before daylight comes.”

Lucian just nods silently. “So Lucian, you
mentioned clients earlier, are you already a practicing P.T.? I
thought you were just a student observing Seth.”

“Wow, sorry Dee. You have been laboring under
a false assumption. I didn’t mean for that to happen. I volunteer
at the hospital. I am a grief counselor. Everyone said you probably
wouldn’t see me, and that you were abnormally withdrawn and
taciturn. But I wanted to observe your behavior for myself. So I
asked Seth if I could join him that first day. From what I observed
you seemed to have a good handle on your situation, so I never
approached you about counseling.”

He sighs and says; “I wasn’t trying to
deceive you or get involved in your private business. But I did go
back with Seth a few times to see how you were doing. Seth and I
are pool buddies. We hit about a dozen tournaments a month
throughout the county. I am sorry if we misled you. That wasn’t our
intent.”

I laugh at myself. “Well, I never did ask.
You didn’t lie. But I still feel like I was duped.”

“Sorry,” he says a little sheepishly.
“Forgive me?”

“You didn’t do me any harm. I duped myself.
It doesn’t matter anyway.” I see my turnoff and point it out to
Lucian. We pull up in front of my house and I exhale loudly. The
house is dark, the yard and flower beds are over grown. Rolan’s old
Camry is under the carport. My heart is racing a hundred miles an
hour. The chasm of pain in my chest steals my oxygen, I can’t
breathe. CRAP!

“I haven’t been in there for several months.
I am not even sure if there was enough in my banking account to
cover the electric bills while I was in the hospital.” I steel
myself for what awaits me in my house.

I get out and hobble to the front door with
my cane and my plastic bag from the hospital. I retrieve my spare
key from the overgrown flower bed and let myself in. I try the
light switch and I am relieved when the light comes on. I look
around my living room. Oddly enough, the first thing I notice is my
purse sitting on the table by the front door. I guess I forgot to
take it with me to Aiden’s funeral.