Clark's Bluff

2.

2.

2weeks later, Trish was being escorted from the hospital in a flimsywheelchair. She'd insisted on walking from her room to the lobby, butDr. Murphy was dead set against it. She'd reluctantly agreed.

Twoweeks of walking after being incapable for almost a year, Trish wasready to strut. She didn't want to walk calmly, she wanted to run.

"I'mnot helpless," Trish said as she shook the young, female nurse'shand from her forearm. "I can do this on my own."

Thewoman looked abashed at Trish's gruffness. Trish was almostapologetic to the nurse, but she didn't want to seem weak. She'd beendoubted by Dr. Murphy about walking and she was ready to prove to himand his staff that she was ready.

Ona whim, 2 weeks earlier, she'd agreed to the private nurse, althoughshe was second guessing that decision now. She didn't want some oldlady fretting all over her until she was cleared to live on her ownagain. She knew that would be the case. She'd seen it with theelderly neighbor's she'd grown up with around her.

Thelast thing she wanted to feel again was helpless. She would take theshattered bones over feeling like she couldn't fend for herself.

"Dr.Murphy said that your private nurse will be down shortly, her name isMarge. She'll be staying with you until Dr. Murphy feels you can beon your own," the female nurse assured her.

Trishnodded curtly in the woman's direction. She hated being treated likea child and this girl, who was by far younger than Trish was, wastalking to her like she was a pre-teen.

"Dr.Murphy is really impressed with your progress," the nurse stated."We all are. You're definitely a miracle."

"I'mnot a miracle," Trish said corrected. "I worked hard for this. Idon't have anyone to thank for it but myself."

"Oh,"the nurse looked away, refusing to make eye contact with Trish again.

Trishpretended to examine her own fingernails, her patience wearing thin.She was ready to go back to her homestead. She hadn't wanted to be inthis hospital anymore than she needed to. She'd already spent thebetter part of a year, staring at their eggshell white walls. It wasenough to have driven her over the brink.

Trishglanced up to the sliding glass doors of the hospital entrance. Shespotted Dr. Murphy walking with a middle aged redhead. She was plumpand about 50. She looked pleasant enough to Trish, but she was stillskeptical. She hoped Marge wouldn't baby her too much.

"Ms.McVey?" the older woman asked.

"Please,call me Trish," she said politely. "You must be Marge?"

Trishhad decided before she'd even left her hospital room, that she wasgoing to try and be nice to Marge. If not, she was going to have alot of grumpy days ahead of her until Dr. Murphy released her.

---

Thenext few months flew by for Trish. She spent them working on her legmuscles. Through physical therapy, outpatient to Trish's excitement.They had become stronger every day, until she no longer needed torest as frequently.

Dr.Murphy had insisted on more physical therapy even after Marge hadbeen finished with her job. Trish had only agreed so she could usethe gym equipment at the office.

She'dspent as much time bulking up her legs as she did the rest of herbody. By the time her physical therapy had ended, Trish was rippedwith muscles. She was proud of her body once again.

Shehad practically skipped out of the physical therapy office on herlast session. The other patrons had stared at her in amazement.They'd all heard the harrowing tale of Trish's crash to the ground inPeru. She hoped that she had at least given them hope.