“What’s her prognosis?” she asked softly.
“I can’t honestly tell you. Sassy P refuses to return to the specialist. She sees no need,” he growled.
“Oh boy,” Rayne drew out. “What about her brother?”
“He stayed as long as possible before his team spun out. I’ve never seen her like this,” Rocker confessed, frustrated.
Rayne gazed at Rocker with concern in her eyes. “We’ll figure out a way to reach her. Ghost spoke with Wolf about the facility you want to take her to. He highly recommends it. Will they have a spot open if we convince her to go?”
“Sledge talked to the Doc there. They have an opening,” he confirmed, pulling into the driveway of Scarlett’s home.
They walked to the front porch, and Rayne and Mrs. Peterson hugged. Tears glistened in Scarlett’s mom’s eyes.
“Oh, Rayne. I don’t know what to do. She doesn’t act like herself. Her headaches grow worse by the day, and she refuses to go back to those doctors after they told her she’ll most likely never regain her sight. She’s lost all hope,” the older woman sobbed.
“Why don’t I go surprise her? Then, we’ll have a nice chat and see what we can do,” Rayne said, rubbing Mrs. Peterson’s back, consoling her.
The woman nodded and motioned for Rocker to have a seat in the living room while she brought him a fresh plate of cookies and a drink.
Rayne climbed the stairs and softly knocked before entering.
“I don’t need anything, Mom,” Scarlett said, her voice sounding guarded and stiff.
“Good. Because I’m not your mom. I came to see how you’re doing.” Rayne drew closer to the window where Scarlett sat. The only light in the room came from the small slit between the drawn curtain and blinds.
She knelt at Scarlett’s feet and took her hands.
“Rayne? How did you know?” she whispered, surprised.
“You have some very concerned friends. They tell me you’re refusing to see them. How do you think you’d feel ifthe situation were reversed? Why didn’t you call me?” she reproached her.
“I didn’t want to bother anyone,” she said lamely. “I do nothing but sit in a room all day. What can I possibly talk about?”
Rayne stood, pulling over a stool to sit on before her friend. “I’m sorry. I thought they said you suffered a head injury. I didn’t know it affected your ears or the rest of your body. Did you break both your legs, too?”
Scarlett frowned. “Don’t worry about acting sensitive,” she snarked.
“I’m your friend. My job requires honesty. Tell me why you appear like you haven’t bathed or washed your hair in days. Your room must’ve suffered an earthquake, and it’s pitch black in here.”
“It’s not like I can tell,” Scarlett said, turning her face away from her friend.
“Hey. I’m not here to bust your chops. You’ve obviously experienced something traumatic. Why won’t you see the doctors?” Rayne asked while she held her hand.
“It’s no use,” she whispered. “They all say the same thing. I’m scared, Rayne. I hate this. It’s dark everywhere I turn. What will I do with my life if I can’t see? I might as well be dead.” A single tear slid down her cheek, and her friend wiped it away.
“No. You’ve lived through a traumatic experience, and everything feels dark and depressing. It’s important you seek help and lean on the people who love you and allow them to help you,” she soothed.
“They can’t spend the rest of their lives babysitting me. I don’t want to become a burden to anyone. Mom and Dad stumble over one another to do the least little thing. They don’t want me to come downstairs because I might hurt myself. They don’t know what to say to mewithout my mom bursting into tears, wishing I had never joined the military. They’re getting older and can’t do this forever. I won’t be the reason my brother retires from the SEALs,” Scarlett said vehemently. “He’s worked too hard.”
“What about this Winters Foundation? Your friends seem to think you might be a great fit there, and you refused to go,” Rayne suggested gently.
Scarlett swiped her cheek. “It’ll be another failure. I don’t think I can handle another doctor saying I have my whole life ahead of me in some sympathetic fake voice. They have no idea what this feels like. The dark has taken over my life. I live in the void with no other options.”
“Maybe this place will be different. Tex highly recommended them. Last I heard, blind people still leave their houses, travel, go to the grocery store, and even live alone. I’m sorry this happened to you. When did you decide to give up?”
“When I envisioned my future, I always pictured serving my country until I retired, and now it feels like one big black void,” she admitted.
“Rocker has visited you every day. Do you trust him?” she asked.
