Looking at her now, I wondered what happened to her. What made her so angry and abrupt?
I'd tried to ask Tilly about it when I first started working with Tara, hoping she'd let me in on her story, but her guess was as good as mine. Her mother was listed as her primary contact, and there was no information about her husband Though she’d been married the last time I saw her. Where was her daughter? The fact that her mother was her next of kin surprised me the most because I knew that Tara hated that woman like the plague. Unless things had changed? Maybe they'd repaired their relationship ? I didn't have contact details for Devlin, and even if I did, prying into her personal life was not in my job description.
She was also so fucking stubborn at times. She complained about everything, and when she was pushed beyond her limit, she acted like a whinny toddler. Yet she called me unreasonable.
"How does that feel,is it bearable?" I asked as we proceeded with strengthening exercises for her feet, legs, and core. We were almost ready to start controlled walking exercises if only she'd realize that repetition is what her brain needed. Her movements were slow, but getting better. The more she felt, the more stubborn she became.
“How the hell are these exercises going to help me walk? Maybe I should go home and come back when Brooke returns.” she frowned.
"Are you the therapist, Tara? Have you trained years to deal with stubborn ass difficult patients the way I did?" I bit back. I knew that it was unprofessional to speak to a patient that way, but she was getting on my nerves.
“Maybe you aren’t as good as you think?”
She sat smugly in her chair, baiting me, waiting for a reaction. I leaned down at eye level to her. "You enjoy this, don't you? The bickering and bullshit? All because you won't admit that you need me."
Her eyes were ablaze as her hand connected with my cheek. “I have never needed anyone, least of all you.”
I stood, Tilly entered just in time.
"Ready to go sweetheart?" she asked, quietening when she looked between the two of us. "Is everything alright?"
“I’d like to go to my room now, Tilly.”
Tilly wordlessly pushed her out, casting a sympathetic glance my way.
* * *
I pickedup the last of my boxes and walked into the living room where Kevin sat eating a bowl of dry cereal.
“I’m going to miss you, mate,” he said, standing. Kevin was Australian, here on a study VISA.
“I will miss you, too, and all the free porn you provided me with.” I tapped him on the back. “Keep in touch, man.”
He set his bowl down, gave me an awkward hug, and opened the front door for me. I didn’t look back as I made my way down the corridor. That hadn't been much of a home to me.
I stuffed the last box into the backseat of my Jeep and drove toward my new apartment on Washington Avenue. I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonably priced rental, especially since it was a furnished unit. The apartments and the building itself were modern with a resort style pool and courtyard. There was also a park nearby where I could fit in a morning run.
I drove into the underground parking garage then rode the elevator up to the lobby. I approached the security desk, and a man looked up smiling.
“I was wondering if there was some kind of trolley I could use? I have a couple of boxes I need to load up.
"Of course. In fact, let me give you a hand, save you a second trip."
"That would be brill," I said, realizing how British that must sound. He strode off and returned a few minutes later, pushing two trolleys. I took hold of one, and we rode down to the parking lot. I didn't have much by way of belongings, so it was just one trip up.
“Thanks for your help. I didn’t catch your name.” I offered.
“Anytime. It’s John.” He smiled.
I tried to offer him ten dollars, but he declined.
“ That one was on the house, but if you make a habit of it, I’ll have to change my mind.”
Smiling, he continued down the corridor. I turned to look at my new home.
The apartment was tastefully decorated and had all I needed, including peace, quiet, and an unrestricted view of the park across the street.
I sat on the couch, placed my hands behind my head, and decided that I deserved a break, after all that packing and hauling. I'd eventually need groceries, but now was not the time. I closed my eyes, and hazel ones stared back at me. As much as I hated to admit it, she got to me.
