Finding Her

Chapter 5: Seeing Her Again

Chapter 5: Seeing her again

It's been a month and a half since Shay was released for therapy and I haven't seen her. I searched every rehab center in the city. Kathleen had suggested that I extend my search to other cities, I took her advice and began calling the nearest rehab centers all of them having one thing in common -they didn't have a Shay Reynolds as a patient. Another week rolled by and I still hadn't found her, finally my search took me to Portsmouth, a city three miles away from where we were. She was so close yet so far, as I picked up the phone and dialed the center's number my heart pounded. What if she wasn't there? What if she didn't want to see me? I took a breath as the person on the other line picked up.

"Clearveiw Rehabilitation Center, how may I help you?" the rehearsed line came across.

""Hello, I'm James Sullivan and I want to inquire about a patient." I told the woman.

"What are you to this patient?" she asked.

"I was the one who found her after her accident and I just wanted to check up on her." I shortened the story I had told many other receptionists for weeks.

"I see. What's the patient's name?" I heard the crack of chewing gum

"Shay Reynolds." I told her.

"One minute sir." She said

The minute felt like hours as I heard keys tapping and clicking. I waited patiently for an answer, hopefully this time the answer would be positive, for too long I had heard "Sorry sir, we don't have a patient by this name here."

"Sir?" the voice snapped me back to reality, "Are you still here?"

"Yes, I'm here." I tapped my foot and she took a pause.

"We do in fact have a Miss Reynolds here." She finally gave me an answer "You can come see her during our visiting hours."

She gave out some information but I didn't hear a word she had said. I had found her. At last I had found Shay. I suddenly had the urge to get into my car and drive the three miles to Portsmouth. I dialed Kathleen's number and told her the good news. She was just as excited as I was; I told her I was going there first thing tomorrow morning and that she should cancel my meetings for that day and schedule them for some time next week. I couldn't believe that I had found her. I went to bed that night the happiest I had ever been for the last seven weeks.

The next morning I woke up with excitement coursing through my veins. I was going to see her today, finally I would lay my eyes on her caramel skin and hazel eyes. I would see her dazzling smile and hear the warmth and happiness in her voice as she said my name. I may even be able to hug her today, if I was so lucky. I went through my morning ritual with an additional spring in my step. When I was done getting ready I got in my car and drove to the center. The three mile drive wasn't at all bad. I was wound up tight with anticipation but the drive gave me time to think and to get my anxiousness under control. At last I pulled into the parking lot of a building which resembled a hospital, but had a much homier look to it. On the front of the building 'Clearveiw Rehabilitation Center' was written in huge blue letters. 'This is it' I told myself, a few more steps and I would be on my way to see Shay. I got out of the car and walked into the building; I stopped at the front desk and had a quick chat with the receptionist. I logged in and waited, since Shay was still in her first session of the day. I glanced down at my watch and it was then that I realized I was early by at least twenty minutes. The twenty minute wait was nothing in comparison to the weeks I had waited till I found her, the time flew by quickly and soon the nurse led me to her bedroom. Shay was sitting on the edge of her bed, her dark brown hair was pulled up into a high ponytail. I was less nervous now that I could see that she was okay. I entered the room and got the shock of a lifetime.