Chapter 6

About three weeks had passed since the accident, and Terri was finally going home. At precisely 10:30, Dr Rushing stepped into Terri’s room. Terri was alone and happy too, because every time Dr. Rushing had even set foot in Terri’s floor, her mother had bombarded him with questions.

            “I’ve set you up with a physical therapist, who will work with you in your home, and I have arranged for a tutor who will work with you on academics for about four hours daily, Monday through Friday,” he reported.

            “Mmm, thanks,” she responded, half-heartedly. Dr. Rushing didn’t seem to notice the half-hearted voice Terri with which she spoke. He rambled on and on about various other things that Terri needed to know, then plopped a very thick packet on her chest. “That’s your schedule and all of your instructions,” he said, or rather explained.

            “Oh boy, am I glad he gave this to me! I wasn’t paying a single bit of attention to what he was explaining to me,” she said to herself.

            Moments later a nurse appeared in the doorway, pushing a wheelchair.

            “Okay, Terri, lets get you down to your parents’ car,” she stated with feigned enthusiasm.

            They rolled Terri out to the curb, and she squinted; Terri had forgotten how bright sunlight is when one is not looking through tinted glass. Her parents were there to help her into the passenger seat. The ride home was endless. Terri’s mother asked a steady stream of questions such as, “Do you want me to stop at the store?” or “Do you need any pain killers?”

            Terri, who was wishing that her mother would be quiet, answered very politely, “Yes,” or “No.” At a red light Terri glanced at her father who was sitting in the back seat. He was apparently lost in his own world; he had a distant look on his face.

            When they pulled into the driveway, a black SUV was parked along side the curb. Mina and Kirin were in it. They got out as Terri’s father was helping her out of the car. Once inside, Mina presented Terri with a “get well” card she had made. “Thank you, Mina. It’s beautiful,” Terri said, admiring the card. Mina was an exceptional artist.

            “Nap time, Terr-Bear,” her mother said, using her special nickname fo Terri.

            “I’m not tired,” Terri said, yawning.

            “Mm-hm, I’ll bet. You’ll be dead to the world in three minutes.”

            Terri shot her mother a surprised look. “Oh! Terri, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that,” she apologized. Terri gave her a weak smile, stating she had forgiven her mother.

            “Mina, time to go!” Kirin called. Mina jumped up and darted for the door, only to be stopped by her mother, who had come to say bye to Terri. Kirin poked her head in the door and said gently, “You’re a strong young woman, you’ll make it. See you soon, honey.” Then she and Mina were gone.

            Terri settled back in her bed, her body, back, and head cushioned with pillows. Kirin’s departing words ran through her mind. Slowly, sleep crept up on her.