Fragile Hearts

29: Words Overheard

After Morgan's swim practice, I wait for her in front of the gym. She looks very happy. The day is cool, but sunny and beautiful. As we leave for the hospital, I'm still considering whether I should tell her the truth about my connection to her accident.

I enter the drive-through at the Dairy Queen to buy a blizzard for Kaylee. Morgan says, "You're quiet today. Have you decided on that job offer?"

"No, but another offer came in from Oregon."

Although she smiles, there's sadness in her eyes when she says, "I've never been to Oregon, but I hear it's beautiful. Would there be snow where you live if you accept?"

"Probably not much. It's in Portland."

Her next question hits me in the gut. "Why did you decide to become a physical therapist?"

I glance out my side window so I can compose my expression. "I guess I like helping people."

She's silent for a minute, and then says, "Well, you certainly helped me. I mean not only with the weight training, but with all the encouragement."

I say, "I watched you swim today."

Softly, she replies, "I know. I've seen you more than once, hiding in the shadows."

I jerk my head to look at her. "I didn't want to make you nervous."

"I've learned to focus only on the task at hand...swimming to the other side of the pool. I've come a long way since the day you were an aide helping me."

I can't help but smile. "Yes, you have."

Hesitantly, she asks, "What did you think of my swimming?"

I study her face. "I thought you were fabulous."

"Really?"

"Really. Your upper body strength has increased and you fairly glide through the water."

Morgan's wide smile is beautiful. She responds, "The tryouts are in two months."

Our conversation is interrupted while we place our order. When we're back on the road, she sets the paper sack with the blizzard in it between us on the seat, and then clasps her hands tightly in her lap. "There's something I want you to know."

I take one hand off the steering wheel and reach to cover her hands. "What's that?"

"This might sound strange, but as much as I want to make the swim finals, at the same time, it's okay if I don't. Just being part of...well...life again has changed my whole perspective, and..." She pauses and I glance at her. She smiles sweetly. "I've decided to become a physical education teacher for challenged children. I want to teach them before they're my age and hard-headed."

My heart is so full of love for Morgan, and at the same time hurting so badly, I'm afraid to speak. I tighten my hand covering hers. Shyly, she lowers her gaze to stare at our hands, and says, "I want to thank you for helping me to see that I have an exciting future and purpose for my life."

I squeeze her hands once more and then turn my attention to pulling into the hospital parking lot. It gives me time to compose myself. I park and lift Morgan into her chair.

As we head toward the lobby, I do something I shouldn't. I bend over and lightly kiss Morgan's cheek. She lifts her eyes to mine and says, "Have you noticed that I don't try to hide that cheek anymore? I'm no longer obsessing over my scar."

We've reach the portico of the hospital and I step in front of her, kneeling down. "Baby, I don't see any scars, all I see is a beautiful woman with a heart as big as the sky."

She blushes again and teases, "You should have been a poet."

When we reach Kaylee's room, we visit for awhile and then I'm surprised when Kaylee's mother shows up. I can tell Morgan is too. The woman is fashionably dressed and looks like she just stepped out of a magazine spread, but her love for her daughter is obvious by the tears in her eyes. I think maybe I've been too quick to judge her. Morgan and I decide a visit to the cafeteria is in order so Kaylee and her mother can be alone.

In the cafeteria we sip sodas and talk about Kaylee's relationship with her mother, and then Morgan asks me questions about the years I've tutored Kaylee. Thinking about the child's admonishment that I tell Morgan the truth about myself has me feeling uncomfortable. I change the subject by saying, "Let's go back and say goodbye. I have a tutoring appointment at seven."

As we leave the elevator, Morgan tells me she's going to the restroom and she'll meet me back at Kaylee's room. Kaylee's mom isn't there when I enter and I'm relieved that I don't have to make conversation with her. I tell Kaylee that Morgan will be along in a minute and then I tease her about her sweet tooth. She says, "That blizzard was wonderful. Can you bring me another one tomorrow? You know I'm on a regular diet, right?"

"I wouldn't have brought this one if you weren't."

"You're always looking out for me, aren't you?"

"You got that right, kiddo. And as far as another blizzard tomorrow, what flavor?"

Kaylee grins. "Banana split."

"You got it."

She tilts her head sideways and studies my face. "So, when are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know."

"She has a right to know."

"Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn't."

"Tyce, she does. She has a right to know how you're connected to her accident."

"You don't know the truth of what happened. All you know is what you read in your father's investigative report."

"That's true, but Tyce, you've got to tell Morgan what happened."