“You’re right. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. Geez, it’s my first day here, and I’m giving you a bad impression. My friend, Rayne, talked me into coming. It’s hard to get excited about anything when they tell you the same thing,” she confessed. “I appreciate you making room for me at Sledge’s request.”
“He didn’t request your hospital stay. He actually wanted you to get a job interview. He’s under the impression you’d make a great addition to Leo’s team.”
“The crazy guy?”
Doc shook his head. “He only gets nuts when Catherine’s pregnant. In all fairness, he reads bomb making skills and fallout shelter books to his daughter, Grace. She’s almost a year old. Derrick Jr. arrived a couple of months ago, and Leo hasn’t corrupted him yet. He stays in the nursery with my twins and daughter, Tori.”
“Really? Bomb making?” she asked, stunned.
“He’s an equal opportunity guy. You’ll discover Grace enjoys it when her daddy reads to her. We’ve tried to explain it’s how he does it, but he insists she’s interested. We’ll see how he feels about it when she goes to preschool and he gets his first call from the principal,” Doc joked.
“What a guy,” she said sarcastically.
“He saved me and my wife, runs two teams here and one in Texas. Leo’s one of my best friends. You’ll likehim,” he insisted.
“Why did Sledge ask for an interview? He knows I can’t do my old job,” she asked curiously. “He never mentioned anything about it.”
“Leo hires former patients from the hospital, giving former military people another opportunity. Especially when they discover they can no longer continue in their position. It doesn’t mean you can’t do something else.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” she said. “What do you think, Doc?”
“I want to run some tests this afternoon. Then we’ll meet around 1600 in the conference room to discuss your plan of care. You have a say in how you want to proceed. It’s our job to ensure you succeed. We have groups for veterans to support one another, and we have jobs in town for those who want one.”
“Doing what?”
“My wife and her friends help run the local community center. The town gathers there for meals, holidays, and the older townsfolk like the company. The teens provide a ton of entertainment for them,” Doc said, putting his equipment away. “Can I answer any questions for you? I know Sledge gave you a tour.”
“Why do I need to see a shrink?”
“Dr. Meyers and Dr. Hill, another psychiatrist on staff, evaluate everyone. They let us know if someone has any underlying issues we need to address.”
She sighed. “All right. Can I ask questions at this meeting?”
“Absolutely. We want you to have input,” he assured her. “Enjoy your lunch with Sledge and report to Dr. Meyers afterward.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, standing.
Doc opened the door, and Sledge stood on the other side, waiting. He escorted her to the cafeteria while her mindraced with questions. The other doctors announced she was blind and gave their sympathies. The people here treated her with respect. Her blindness didn’t hinder their ideas. In fact, they found ways for her to cope. Maybe she didn’t give the others a chance. Tired of feeling sorry for herself, she decided to make the best of it and see what life had to offer her.
CHAPTER 10
The staff gatheredaround the oval table, and Kassie led Scarlett inside. “You can feel your chair on the left,” she directed her before sitting down.
Scarlett reached out, blindly searching for it and feeling frustrated, believing everyone watched. Her hand hit the metal arm as Doc started the meeting.
“Scarlett, we’ll discuss your care while you’re here. Please feel free to jump in at any time. We didn’t have you meet with PT today because Candy, one of our therapists, will return from her honeymoon in the morning. The two of you will get along wonderfully. She can discuss your goals then.”
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll start first,” Claire Meyers spoke up. “After reading her record and speaking with her. I believe twice-a-week meetings will cover what we need to address. In my opinion, she doesn’t belong in the hospital. We should transition her to a handicap-accessible cabin initially, followed by a regular one.”
“We have one opening coming up. Scarlett, do you haveany objections to sharing a cabin with your friend, Sledge?” Kassie asked.
“No,” she said, surprised they gave her a choice.
“I have a job opening up at the community center. Debbie, Barb, and Edie will expect her in the afternoons for food preparation. It doesn’t sound glamorous, but you’ll love the women. We’ll give you six weeks to work with Ice, meet with Dr. Meyers, and attend physical therapy. Then we’ll start your employment. If you tire out, one of the veterans will pick you up. Small steps toward your goals still move you forward,” Kassie informed her.
“You’re giving me a job? I thought I’d be stuck in a hospital room the entire time,” she exclaimed.
