The car crash

chapter 3

Ms.Owen changes me, Bathes me, and all that, at first I was shy, but I realize she's been doing this for 2 weeks, while I was in a coma. And, she seems to get done with it rather quickly, without complaint...

"Wyatt" I glance over and see my wife Jolica. She is breathtaking as always, her heels hitting against the floor, her skin white as a ghost, not expecting me to be alive. I can't read her face, but I know she wasn't smiling like Ms. Owen was when she saw me wake up. A stranger was happier to see me than my wife.

Jolica sits at the end of the bed, holding my cheek. "I'm glad you're awake," she says. I take her hand, kiss the inside of her palm, and can't help but tear up while looking at her. Jolica turns her head to Ms. Owen, who, for the first time, wasn't smiling but rather had her arms crossed.

"Doctor? When will he be released?"

"I'm not his doctor, I'm just the assistant," Ms. Owen replies. "He'll do some physical therapy in the hospital for three days, and there will be a home nurse that'll help him well, at home."Jolica scans my body, trying to see what's wrong with me.

"Physical therapy? And for what?"

"To help him walk again," Ms. Owen speaks "His legs were crushed and twisted pretty badly...I'm surprised they are still intact-." Jolica stops her with a hand.

"Can't he just stay in the hospital until he fully recovers?" Jolica asks, and I narrow my eyebrows.

"Jolica, I want to see the kids," I speak.

"You think they want to see you in a wheelchair? It'll be best if you stay here until you fully recover."

"Ma'am, that can be for months," Ms. Owen protests...Jolica looks back at me, moving her hand to mine, giving it a tight squeeze

"Fine" She whispers, tightening her lips, and she nods, I stare into her eyes unable to look away... but I did, My eyes trailing down to her neck, seeing a small bruise the same color as her lipstick, red.

"Ms. Owen, mind if I talk to my wife in private?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. She swallows, giving me a small smile before she leaves, shutting the door behind her. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

"How are you holding up?" I ask, squeezing her hand back. She looks down before answering, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I've been fine. The kids, they worry about you...a lot," she says, her voice trailing off. She clears her throat and pulls her hand away from mine, hugging herself tightly.

"Are you sure? You seem different, do I make you uncomfortable?" I ask she shakes her head, saying no but the way she grips her arms so tight, I feel...as If I'm doing something wrong.
If she was in my spot I wouldn't want to see her like this.

" I just can't believe you survive that...the car was crushed completely...I was sure...you died" SHe whispers, her eyes filling with tears as she looks at me.

"I'm a fighter," I chuckle, my voice tinged with exhaustion. "Plus, I can't just leave you and the kids alone and untaken care of." I look at my wife, taking in her tired eyes and the way she hugs herself tightly.

"We are being taken care of, by your brother...He's been there for me through all of this, supporting me, caring for me...everything" She whispers a smile of gratitude washing across her lips.

"I'll... be sure to thank him," I whisper, trying to hide the jealousy that's creeping up inside me. It's strange to think of Benny as caring for anyone other than his motorcycle and his job, especially since I'm pretty sure he sells drugs. But here she is, telling me that he's been there for her through all of this, supporting her and caring for her in every way possible. The thought of them cooking and playing games with my kids makes me feel a strange mix of emotions - jealousy, protectiveness, and maybe even a little bit of gratitude. I know I shouldn't be worried, Benny is a great brother and a good uncle, but the thought of him taking care of my family in ways that I can't is hard to swallow.

"Well, I don't want to hold you too long," I say, interrupting the conversation. She stands up and places her purse over her shoulder, but it's not the same one as before. This one is a Gucci purse, and I don't remember ever getting her something like that. I point it out, and she takes it off almost as if she's trying to hide it.

"Um, thanks," she awkwardly chuckles before kissing me on the forehead and quickly leaving as she came...I would have been nice seeing the boys, but I guess they are probably at daycare right about now...Ms.Owen sticks her head through the door

"Is now a good time?" She asks, I raise a brow

"for what?" I wonder, she opens the door more, letting in one woman nurse and another male

"Look at you" The man smiles rubbing his bald head...I haven't met this man a day in my life but he gives a good vibe. "You're doing better than we expected"

" Well, it's all thanks to Ms.Owen" I hint, The bald man pats her back

"She is our best, so no wonder" They stood there smiling at each other before saying "Anyways back to you" he pulls up a chair...pulling the cover off my legs."

"I'm going to ask you some questions" He spoke, his finger touching the bottom of my foot...Well, pretending to sense I can't feel anything. "Can you feel my finger touching you?"

"No, but I can see it" I know this isn't a good sign, but Ms.Owen didn't show it, she softly smiles, clutching her fist, hoping for the best...She caught me staring normally I would look away in embarrassment but her eyes caught me in a trance.

"I-i can feel something now" I blurt out, not knowing if I was talking about the feeling in my cheek or the doctor touching my foot, but I felt both. The doctor asks me to rate the sensation on a scale of one to ten, and I shrug, "Maybe around 8?" They smile and nod,
"That's good, very good." The bald man spoke, "You can start physical therapy as soon as possible" He preparing

"I thought we were doing that today?"

"We'll start tomorrow, In the meantime you rest up" Patting my head before the bald man and the woman who did nothing but stare, and write her notes leaves, Ms.Owen sighs...Placing her hands on her hips.

" Good job champ"

"I'll say," I smile, trying to hide my concern. "Do you have any idea how much this is going to cost me?" I ask, hoping for a reasonable answer.

"I was hoping to avoid this topic, "She sighs and parts her lips which always seem to be this blush pink. Damn, I know it must be bad.

"You know what, send the billing to my wife," I suggest, hoping to pass the responsibility to her. But Ms. Owen's expression changes, and she narrows her eyebrows and slightly pulls her head to the right.

"The wife who was here earlier?" she asks, and I can tell she's judging me.

"Yeah? I'm not dating anyone else if that's what you're asking," I laugh, trying to ease the tension, but she doesn't join me. "Is something wrong?" I ask, feeling uneasy.

" I believe you should handle your own payments. If I send it to her, I feel as if they won't get done," she says, and her eyes show a strong look of disapproval.

"Keep your beliefs to yourself and do as I say and mail my medical bills to my wife. You have my information on the computer," I speak firmly, not wanting to be judged by her. She swallows everything in her mouth and nods.

"Yes, of course, who am I to get into other people's affairs," she raises a brow and turns around, leaving with all the others.   
I can't help but curse under my breath. Why am I so tense? All she did was help me. But she's right. She shouldn't get into other people's affairs. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down

L