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CHAPTER 4: UNEXPECTED CHOICES

The days soon pass, full of a monotony that slowly drives me insane. I spend most of my time reading and re-reading the books Josh brought me several days before he left for Singapore. Reading helps me to focus on something other than the fact that I'm still in a hospital, recuperating from an accident that should have killed me.

I yearn to go home. To wrap my arms around Georgianna, my beloved golden retriever. I'm missing Josh, too, in all honestly. Though he arrived several days after the accident, he remained by my side until he was sure I'd be fine without him. It saddens me to know that he's done so much for me, yet I can't remember most of what's happened ever since I passed out the night of the accident.

Josh and the doctors have told me that I've spent a month and half in a coma. Part of me finds that hard to believe, at times, but I know that what they say is true. Since waking from the coma, I've immersed myself in physical therapy, reading, and writing.

My stint as a teacher at Arbor Hill Elementary, it seems, will never possible. The school board decided they couldn't wait for me to recover and replaced me with a student teacher who was waiting in the wings. I detest the fact that the man who plowed into my car took that away from me, yet I know there are better things on the horizon.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely register the fact that someone has entered my room. The sound of the person clearing their throat draws me out of my reverie. I turn in the person's direction and gasp. The brunette I've been seeing in my dreams lately is standing beside my bed.

"W—Who are you?"

The woman tugs a chair close to the bed and sits down, holding a large checkered Burberry purse across her lap. "You're Jenna Reese," she says, her dark brown eyes focused on my face.

"I—Yes. And you are?"

She lets go of her purse's arm strap and holds a hand out in front of her. "Anna Carreira. I've heard a lot about you."

I frown and stare at her outstretched arm, reluctant to take her hand. Have I imagined everything I've dreamt all this time?

Anna's brow furrows. She lowers her arms once she realizes I've no intention of taking it.

"I understand your reluctance," she says. "You've been through a lot, and I'm just a stranger who's popped up out of the blue."

Part of me wants to question her about Jeremy. About the woman I've seen in my dreams who has her exact face. Yet I refrain from doing so. The sight of her sitting before me now makes me question what's left of my sanity.

"Doctor Ritter has sent me here to see you. He's convinced I can help you with your recovery."

My frown deepens. "How? What can you do that they can't?"

"I specialize in physical rehabilitation. My staff and I have helped people such as you who've difficulty in regaining control of their bodies after traumatic experiences. The doctor has told me that although you've made a small progress in trying to walk, your mobility is still limited due to the injuries you've sustained."

"Has he?"

"Yes."

"I can stand, if that's what you mean."

"But you can't do it for long periods."

"No."

Anna offers me a tentative smile. "With your doctor's permission, I'd like to undertake your physical rehabilitation."

"Why?"

Her smile falters. "Don't you want to walk again?"

"Of course, I do. That doesn't answer my question. Why is it important to you that I regain full control of my body?"

A light of uncertainty flashes in Anna's eyes. "I'm a physical therapist, Mrs. Reese. The best there is. I'd like nothing more than to ensure that you'd walk again without any disabilities to hinder you."

I open my mouth to counteract her decree.

"I know you don't trust me," she says, cutting off what would have been a sharp retort. "You've been through a lot in so short a time. This is new and quite different from what you're used to. Rest assured, however, that I have your best interests at heart. If you'll give me the chance, I'd like to show you what I can do."

Broken images rise inside my head. I recall the brunette's face full of pleasure as she snarls at the young man in my dreams. It's hard for me to accept that this woman and the one in my dreams are two different people.

Is it possible that I've been mistaken all along? Are my dreams just figments of my imagination?

I blink, trying to force the tears rising to the surface aside. Try as I might, they seep from the corners of my eyes and course down my cheeks.

The corners of Anna's mouth tilt downward. She stands and approaches the bed, sliding the rails down to sit on the edge of the mattress. Taking my hand in hers, the pad of her thumb draws circles across the center of my palm.

"It'll be all right, Jenna," she says. "We'll fight all of this together."

A strangled sob bursts from my lips.

Anna wraps her arms around me, her chin pressing against the top of my head.

Against my better judgment, I accept the comfort she's willing to offer me. The pain breaks free of its dam, and I let loose the torrent of emotions I've been holding at bay. How long I spend crying, it's hard to say. By the time it's over, I realize I'm no longer alone. The doctors, the nurses, and Josh are willing to help me through this trying time.

I slide out of Anna's embrace and wipe the tears from my cheeks. "I'm so sorry."

"For what? Everything you feel right now is natural."

"Yes, but I'm not always so emotional."

She clasps my hand and squeezes it with reassurance. "It'll all be over soon."

"Will it?"

Anna nods. "Of course. Will you give me a chance to show you what I can do?"

Though I don't know much about this woman who is now intent on giving me a helping hand, my curiosity about her stands at the forefront. My mind refuses to differentiate her from the woman I keep seeing in my dreams. Part of me tells me to refuse her offer. Another part of me wants to see how things play out.

I can't help but wonder who she really is. Is it possible she and the woman in my dreams are the same?

Gathering a hold of my wayward emotions, I know there's only one way to find out. I offer her a tentative smile.

"Sure," I say, knowing there's no going back now.