"And tilt all the way down, keep your back straight," Dr. Kapoor told Adriana as he had her pick up a small box. "Any strain in the neck?"
"Kind of.." she hated to admit it as she sat the box down. "Not really in my neck but here midway to my shoulder on this side."
"Alright," Dr. Kapoor said and felt the area. "I do not feel any swelling or inflammation. How bad it the pain from 1 to 10?"
"I guess....a 1.5," she said. "It's very mild."
"I would suggest you abstain from exercise for one additional week," he said. "Sword training included."
"Seriously?" she asked, thinking the situation was not that bad.
"Yes," he said. "If you strain yourself too much you could be sidelined for much longer."
"Right..." she sighed with disappointment. "One more week.."
"Here is a refill of your scar cream," he said and handed her a tube.
"Thanks," she said.
"So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" he asked her.
"Oh.." she sighed. "Imagining being able to lift weights again...imagining being able to fight crime in the city...imagining being able to at least chase someone down...the usual."
Dr. Kapoor laughed. "You should make a full recovery and be back to it soon."
"What about you?" Adriana asked. "What are your plans for today?"
"I'll return to the medical facility for a few hours to do some work and then I have a regularly scheduled therapy appointment with our friend Jack," Dr. Kapoor told her.
"Oh," Adriana said.
She had to immediately remove the idea in her head that the doctor was lucky that he would get to see Jack today.
"And now that we mention therapy," Dr. Kapoor said. "You have been through a lot recently-"
"I don't really think I need therapy for that Dr. Kapoor," Adriana said.
Dr. Kapoor had been offering for weeks. Bruce was not pushing her to go but she could tell that he also thought she needed it.
"I'm fine."
Dr. Kapoor nodded. "No nightmares?"
Adriana looked at him and couldn't lie. She had been awakened almost every night with them. It was becoming something she was used to. The previous night she had found herself awake and crying and in Bruce's arms. He was already awake and held her until she fell asleep again. He was becoming used to it. They both were.
"Here and there," Adriana said. "But...not the whole night just sometimes. I'll wake up for a minute or two..but I think it's becoming less frequent. And Bruce is very supportive. I really don't think therapy is necessary."
"I understand," Dr. Kapoor said. "But you know I am here if you ever need to talk."
Adriana looked at Dr. Kapoor. She had trusted him with so much for so long. He had become a dear friend.
"Actually," Adriana said and sat in a chair.
"Yes?" Dr. Kapoor asked after sitting in a chair across from her.
"I can cope with the nightmares...I'm sure they'll be gone soon," she said. "But...I just feel like I should be happier."
"Are you feeling unhappy?" the doctor asked.
"Not necessarily," she said. "Just...I feel I could be happier."
"What makes you the most happy?" he asked.
