“Great Summer. That should give you some energy. Are you feeling up for a shower at this time?”
“I think so, yeah.” I nod my head.
“Okay, why don’t you gather up some clean clothes and hop in the shower? That should be nice and refreshing. I’ll stay on the line. Don’t worry about anything else. Focus on your basic needs. Just focus on your shower.”
“Okay, just a shower,” I repeat.
“That’s right. I’ll be here waiting when you get back.”
I set the laptop on my desk, grab some pajamas from my dresser, and head out to the bathroom. I close the door and turn on the faucet. I pee, wash my hands and strip down, hopping under the hot spray, washing my long brown hair and scrubbing my skin with my bodywash. After I’m done, I towel off and get dressed in my clean pjs, walking back to my room. I grab the laptop and sit down on my window seat. Sarah is right where I left her.
“Hi Summer,” she smiles.
“Hi Sarah.”
“Still feeling numb?” she asks.
“Yeah, I am. It’s weird.” I remember little after the accident, but I do recall the fear, anger, and desolation, not numbness.
“It can be a strange sensation, but we need to trust your body right now. It’ll come back online when you’re ready. This is just a minor setback.”
“Okay. So what now?”
“Now you don’t worry about anything but basic needs. Eating, drinking, sleeping, and going to the bathroom. Things like that. You take care of your body’s basic needs. Everything else is not important right now.”
“Okay.”
“Wonderful. Do you prefer to stay on the line or to check in tomorrow?”
“I think I’m going to change my bed and get some sleep. I’m tired.”
“That sounds like a solid plan, Summer. I’ll check with you tomorrow, but call if you need to talk, okay?”
“Okay, Sarah, I will.”
“Remember, only basic needs right now. Goodnight Summer.”
“Night, Sarah.”
I put my laptop on my desk again and plug it in, then take the bedding off my bed and put it in my hamper. Next, Igrab some clean linens from the hall closet and make up my bed with fresh sheets and a clean bedspread. I pull a blanket from my closet and lay it on top. Turning down the corner, I get under the covers as sleep takes me quickly.
Chapter 5
I wake up the next morning as Sue tries to sneak into my room with tea and a muffin. “Good morning, Summer. Here’s a little snack for breakfast. I spoke with Sarah last night, and she explained you’re taking care of basic needs only right now. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything, okay?”
I nod in acknowledgment.
Once she leaves, I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. After handling my business there, I switch into sweats and a hoodie before settling down to eat my muffin on my bed. My laptop rings with a video call as I’m finishing my first bite. Opening the top, I see that it’s Sarah.
“Hi Sarah,” I answer.
“Hi Summer. I see you’re eating a muffin this morning. I’m jealous you get to eat all those baked goods from Sue.” Sarah is hopeless in the baking department but has a sweet tooth.
“She is an excellent cook.” Even though I’m not really hungry, the moist blueberry flavor bursting over my tastebuds entices me to eat.
“So, how are you this morning? Did you sleep last night?”
“Yeah, I slept. I’m still kinda numb, though.”
