Fix You

Chapter One

FOREWORD

Joining AMACon2 is one of the most challenging experiences I ever went through as a writer, especially because I am in good company of really creative and talented writers. My prompt, by itself, is already challenging since I know zilch about Pokemon. But to incorporate it in a drama, with two people I care about as central characters is thrice the challenge.

There's a quote in every chapter from Oliver Sacks, British neurologist and bestselling author of Awakenings (which later became a Robert de Niro movie). Oliver Sacks once said, "Waking consciousness is dreaming – but dreaming constrained by external reality."

Reality need not constrain our dreams, because I believe reality is what we make of it, we have the power to make something positive or negative out of our respective realities.

Hope you'll like what you read. Thank you so much Ian and Kat for this journey, and thank you Jan for the challenge.

"In examining disease, we gain wisdom about anatomy and physiology and biology. In examining the person with disease, we gain wisdom about life."

It was past nine in the evening at the White Cross Rehab Facility when a black van arrived. Maine just finished checking on the patients in the wing assigned to her and was about to retire in her staff room. But Dr. Sanchez motioned for her to approach the reception area to welcome the new patient.

The patient was wheeled in, awake but with a blank stare on his face. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, as though he were lost in thought. At a glance, he looked like nothing was wrong with him, there were no visible scars or bruises on him.

"Maine, this is Richard Faulkerson, Jr. Do you recognize him? He's a swimmer, supposedly our bet for the Rio Olympics this year. He was in a car accident six months ago, sustained some swelling in the brain and some bruising on his arms and legs. The brain injury affected his cognitive functions, he has trouble following conversations and forming words to communicate, he can't write. There's also loss of balance and coordination. They've already started rehab three months ago, but his doctors feel that he could benefit more here in our facility while his family is away."

Maine scanned the patient's profile while listening to Dr. Sanchez' briefing. Twenty four years old, a two-time gold medalist for the SEA Games, graduated with honors in both high school and college. He was at the prime of his life before the accident, a potential golden boy of Philippine sports. How sad for his dreams to go this route.

"How long will he be with us doctor?"

"We'll see how it goes. His dad is a personal friend. Richard Sr. accepted a construction project in the Middle East and will be away for four years, his means of funding Richard's rehab expenses. He thought it would be beneficial for Richard to stay here than with relatives."

"What about his mom? Any siblings? His recovery would be faster if he had visitors."

"His mom passed away years ago. His brother works in the US, the sister was sent to live with him early this year."

Maine felt her patient's loneliness through his lifeless eyes. How sad for him to be alone when he was at his most vulnerable state. She knew behind that blank stare, were emotions he needed to let out. It must be difficult to feel things and not be able to express them. She noticed his eyes were glistening. Tears? Was it from eyestrain due to lack of blinking, or was it from some emotion he was feeling while he heard them discussing his case?

"Maine, please work closely on his case. I promised his dad we'd create breakthroughs for his son. I know you've got your hands on too many cases already but we can shuffle the workload, especially those whose programs are almost done. "

"It's alright doc, I've got this. I'll do what I can."

She kneeled on the floor in an effort to make eye contact with her patient.

"Hi Richard," She smiled, reaching for his right hand with hers. "I'm Maine. We'll be working together to get you better, ok?"

He blinked. She could have sworn that his hand tightened in her grasp.