“I see.” Not ready to give up, I ask, “Do you know when he will be ready?”
She doesn’t look up. “I’m not sure.”
“Please. I drove all the way from Niagara Falls. I need to know when I can see him.”
The nurse sighs, then looks over her shoulder before answering. “I really don’t know. But if you ask me, that boy is not suitable for company right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t take it personally because it’s not just visitors. He barely lets staff into his room, saying only Shelly is allowed inside. He’s supposed to start physio tomorrow, but he’s refused them, too. He just barks at everyone except Shelly. So, trust me when I say you don’t want to be in there right now.”
But I do.
The trouble is, he doesn’t want to see me or anyone else.
“What are we going to do?” asks Frankie. “Do you want to wait around here for a bit?”
I inhale and exhale slowly. I don’t know when Casey will be ready to see people, but we need to respect his boundaries. He’s hurting right now and he needs time to process what’s happening. Jane told me what the doctor told Casey. That couldn’t have been easy for him to hear. It makes sense that he’s having a hard time taking it in.
“No. We should go. He’s telling us that he needs time to understand what’s happening to him. We should respect that. I’ll call him tomorrow.”
Frankie nods and we leave the hospital with a heavy feeling in my chest. It feels wrong walking away, but I also don’t think forcing myself onto Casey is right, either.
Time. He just needs time.
I tell myself that the next day when he doesn’t answer his phone. So, I let him be and wait for him to call me back.
It feels wrong, but I convince myself that it’s the right thing to do.
*
More than three weeks later, I’m sitting inside a classroom at Mohawk University writing my final exam. I’m writing furiously to get my last thoughts on paper for the essay and wrap up my conclusion before time runs out.
“Pens down,” the professor says from the podium at the front of the classroom. “Please bring your papers but make sure your name and student ID is on the top of the page. I can’t tell you how many A’s I’ve given to anonymous students. Don’t let that be you.”
Scanning the top of the paper, I realize I’ve forgotten my ID number. Quickly, I scribble it down.Shit.My mind has been focused elsewhere these past few weeks, and I’ve had the hardest time concentrating.
Professor Fox stops me after I turn in my exam. “Ms. Summers, can I see you for a moment after I collect the exams?”
I notice some students’ eyes widen at the question, but I simply respond with, “Of course.” I’m a few years older than most of my classmates, but I still feel nervous being summoned by my professor.
I wait for everyone to leave before I approach Professor Fox again. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, and I won’t take up too much of your time. Ms. Summers an opportunity has come up, and I’d like to recommend you should this be of interest to you.”
“Oh? What sort of opportunity?”
“It is for a physiotherapist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.”
“New York City?”
“Yes. It’s an incredible opportunity to work with one of the best teams. They are doing some great work in muscle mechanics. In fact, I will be joining the team myself and I’ve been asked if there’s anyone else I’d recommend. I’d like to put your name forth if you’re interested.”
My heart leaps at the opportunity, and yet, I can’t help the sinking feeling I get whenever I think about leaving Cedar Brook Falls.
“Can I think on it?”
“Of course. Take a couple of weeks. The position doesn’t start until the fall, but they’ll be holding interviews throughout the summer.”
