Finding Her

Chapter 8: Stitches, Scars and Outpatient!!!!

Chapter 8: Stitches, Scars and Outpatient!!!!

I was knee deep in the Grimm series, getting better, getting to know James and deciphering my flashbacks/memories; so deep that I hadn't realized how fast my stay at Clearview had gone by. So far, the following had been discovered: 1. I was apparently married, still don't know who the guy is I just know that I was married 2. I grew up in a small town called Somerville, I don't remember much but I do remember that my mom would sing to me and that I was happy.

"Morning Shay" my nurse greeted me "how are you feeling today?"
"Hi Jayne, I'm feeling better today."
"Its time for your visit with the doctor, are you all set?" She asked.

I haven't told anyone else but my doctor about my memory returning. So we have a lot to talk about considering the fact that I have a husband that I know nothing about.
"Yeah, I'm ready," I answered honestly.
I was also ready to find out when I can get out of this place, don't get me wrong, I love my nurses and doctors but I was tired of being waited on and treated like an invalid. I needed to get my independence back or else I wasn't going to be able to continue my recovery at a steady pace.
                                                                            ****James*****
I woke up with a start. It wasn't because of a nightmare or anything I just randomly frightened out of my sleep. I turned to look at my clock, great, just great it was 2:00 a.m and I was already up.
After tossing and turning for a straight thirty minutes I was frustrated, the heat was getting to me. I decided to take a late swim an early morning swim more or less. The cold radiating off the tiled floor surprisingly felt good on my bare feet. The soft 'pat' 'pat' of my feet echoed through the silence that blanketed the house. I arrived at my indoor pool, the water luminescent in the otherwise dark room. Stripping out of my pajama pants I dove into the water, the coldness jolted my body awake. I remained in the water for another hour, letting myself forget about the past, the present and stop worrying about the future.

I usually get ready for work at 5:00am, I had three hours to kill before I had to start moving. I could just jump back into bed and wait it out or I could find something to do. The previous was not an option since my body was too wired for sleep, I could go out for a ride instead. I got dressed in my riding gear and headed out. The cool morning breeze graced my face and wound through my hair. The ride was calming and I soon found myself riding on a familiar trail.
"Shay..." the single syllable brought on a vision of Shay laying in that ditch all bloody and unconscious. I brought my bike to a halt and stared at the spot aimlessly.
                                                                  *******Shay*********
"As you know Shay you've been here for the past few months and you've made significant progress. Some of your stitches have been removed, so it's time to remove the rest in order to allow you to complete the healing process." The doctor informed me while looking down at my file.

I was ready for the rest of my stitches to come out. Hopefully he was also gonna say that I could go home today or at least in the next few days.

"Uhm, doc when will I be able to go home?" I asked.
"Not that I'm not grateful for the care that I've received." I felt the sudden need to justify my question.

"You can go home as soon as we've removed your stitches providing a few days of rest and you've completed your last physical therapy session." He replied, ignoring my last statement.
I was beyond excited to go home. I missed my own bed and seeing the sun rise from my balcony. My last therapy session wasn't due until around 3:00 pm Friday. I still had two more days left here, might as well make the most of it right?
I made a couple of friends while I was here, despite none of us being able to move a part of our bodies. A good game of Monopoly is in store today.
                                                             ***********James************
Staring at that ditch made me remember that I had to take an extra-long and early lunch. I haven't seen Shay in what seemed like forever and a day, I hope she didn't think that I had forgotten her. I stopped over at Mick's for some sandwiches, I remembered how much she loved the one I brought her. Thinking of Mick's sandwiches brought me back to that time I read to her, the scenes from that book flashed vividly before my eyes. A tightening knot formed in my groin, "Get over yourself man!" I chastised myself. On the drive to Clearview, I found myself drifting to Shay's smile and the way her ebony skin always seemed to be glowing, her eyes always hinted at something more just beneath the surface. I shook myself out of it and focused on the road, the rehab center soon came into view, I parked in my usual spot and made my way inside.

"Hello Mr. Sullivan, it's been quite a while since you've graced us with your presence." The secretary chuckled and batted her eyelashes flirtatiously.

"Uh hello to you too Mary." I answered my discomfort evident in my voice "Is Shay in her room? Or is she at the pool."

"I'm not too sure but you could check her room, her sessions should be done for the day." Her fingers tapped away at the keys.

"Thanks." I told her and started walking.

I arrived at Shay's room, knocked and got no response, I knocked again to no avail. I turned to leave but I heard a sound behind the door; I pushed the door open, what I saw left me speechless. Shay sprawled on the floor, the swell of her breasts evident in the tank top that she wore.

"Shay!" I yelled as I rushed to her side. Careful of her injured leg I turned her over, I was thankful to see that she was awake.

"James, hi." She looked up at me, those sparkling eyes bright as ever. "I tried walking without my crutches and this," she spread her hands indicating her current situation "is the end result." She giggled.

I brushed the hair from her eyes, my fingers barely grazing her soft skin. "Are you trying to hurt yourself more than you already are?!" I asked her, I was concerned that she had injured herself even more. "Do I need to call the doctor?" she shook her head no.

I helped her up and led her to a chair "You sure you're okay?" I asked again.

"Yeah I'm sure, I'm not in any pain." She reassured me.

I gave her the sandwich and we ate in silence, till she suddenly piped up and began talking about her meeting with her doctor earlier that day.

"The doctor says that I can go home as soon as they remove my stitches and complete a little bit more therapy." She smiled proudly.

"That's great." I was really glad to hear that.

It occurred to me that I might not see her after she left this place. I battled with myself to ask her if we were gonna see each other after she left here. "C'mon man, you're being like a teenager" I mentally scolded myself.

"So," I started "am I going to see you after you leave here?" I asked hopeful.

She looked at me like I had grown a second head "Of course we're going to see each other when I leave here!" she shook her head and continued "I'm new in this city, I don't know anyone except for you and some people that I met when I got sent here."

Hmmm, I liked the sound of that, but I wasn't going to openly admit just how happy I was that she wanted to keep seeing me; even though it was because I was part of the few people that she knew.

"I'm glad to hear that" I smiled. I glanced at my watch and realized that I had gone over my time by at least 15 minutes.

"Look, Shay I have to get back to work but I'll be back to visit soon." I told her.

"Oh, well I guess I'll be seeing you around then." Her voice sounded a little sad. She began standing to hug me.

"No, you don't have to stand." My words came too late. She was standing and her arms were already around my neck pulling me close. I stumbled forward and wrapped my arms around her. She was not thin by any means, she was thick, her body was soft and firm, her curves melded into my hands. We pulled apart, my hands still on her waist steadying her.

"Bye." The single syllable was my undoing.

I brushed my thumb across her cheek, tilted her chin. "I shouldn't" I whispered, but I did. Our lips melded together in a symphony so grand the earth stopped spinning.

Well guys, that's the chapter. I hope you all like it; it's been a long time coming. 

❤️‍Ali