“That makes sense,” Kravets agreed. “There wasn’t any reason to clarify the relationship with everyone on the staff.”
Which probably explained why Dex was being so weird about us.
“Well, crap. I guess that means the baby isn’t mine and I’ve probably made Dex pretty uncomfortable, then.” I rubbed my eyes. “Fuck.”
Kravets gave a half shrug. “Honestly, I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as you think. After all, he didn’t have to stay in bed with you after you woke up, did he?”
“The doctor didn’t want me upset.”
Kravets rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, let’s worry about that if the sexual harassment paperwork is served. In the meantime, we need to talk about the memory recovery therapy that the doctors are recommending. Then, we need to discuss getting youreleased from my guardianship.” He snickered. “I mean, you’re great but I never really planned on my first kid being six months older than I am.”
I laughed despite the confused thoughts swirling in my brain. “Yeah, I can see that.”
“Okay. Now, to start with, I’d like you to consider drawing up a medical power of attorney. That way, you choose who helps make your medical decisions going forward and get control back while you’re able. Do you have someone you would be comfortable with? If not, I’m happy to do it.”
“Um, I probably could come up with someone if I had a little while to think on it.”
“That works,” Kravets agreed. “Next, the doctors have assessed your recovery and they don’t think there is any residual long-term damage to your brain. They want to try memory association therapy to try and recover your missing memory.”
“Oh, okay. How does that work?”
Kravets pulled a square of folded paper from his pocket and read it to me, pausing after each point to be sure I understood it.
“So, basically they want to show me pictures and tell me stories to see if I remember them? When do they want to start?”
“More or less,” Kravets agreed. “If you’re up for it, the therapist can get you inthis afternoon. If the assessment goes well, they might be able to release you tomorrow.”
“Perfect,” I said with a sigh. “Let’s get it done.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
Dex
Visiting hours were almost over when Nurse Paula tapped my shoulder and murmured that Otto was back in his room.
At the coffee shop, my dadexplained that Myke Kravets was meeting with Otto to make Otto once again master of his own fate now that he was lucid. When Dad left, Otto’s room was empty, so I brought the battered copy ofMortal Enginesinto the family waiting room and curled up in an oversized armchair by the window, ignoring the gross texture of the puke-proof fabric while I stared out. If Otto wanted me, I was easy to find but if he didn’t -which was what I expected- I could slip out later without a big scene.
Easy-peasy.
And it was because Paula had no problem at all finding me.
“Did he.. I mean, is he asking for me?” I had to force the words out.
“He sure is, love,” Paula said warmly. “Seemed very worried when you were missing from his room, so I told him I come have a gander.”
Well, that seemed promising. Unless heremembered everything and was just wanting to read me the riot act for taking advantage of him.
Fuck.
“Great.” I managed a smile for Paula as she walked off. “I’ll pop right in!”
I’m doubtful that the foot-dragging shuffle that drew me over to the half-open door could actually qualify aspopping,butit was the fastest I could make my feet drag me toward my doom. Well, mypotentialdoom, anyway.
I tapped lightly on the door and Otto called out.
“Dex? Is that you?”
“It’s me,” I confirmed, poking my head through the opening. “You okay?”
