Page 33 of Day Shift

When I walked out of the bathroom, Sam was holding up a bottle of shampoo like it was a trophy. “But I learned it’s okay to let others lend a hand. We all need a boost sometimes. Consider this me paying it forward. One day, when all this is a distant memory, you’ll help someone in need, and it’ll feel just as good.”

“Thanks, Sam. Really. I don’t know what I’d do without you, but I promise I’ll pay you back.”

She waved off my concern with a flick of her wrist. “Don’t sweat it. Just focus on getting out of here. Besides… Good news, Atticus’s attorney has sorted out your booking and arraignment so they coincide with your release. Everything will happen on the same day. One less thing to worry about, right?”

“So, I’ll be crashing at your place for a while, huh?”

“Yes, I’ve got your room all set up. I can’t wait to have another girl staying in the house, because it’s always filled with Atticus and his two rowdy brothers. I could use a little more estrogen in the place to balance it all out. Even the dog is a boy.”

I laughed, thinking about her surrounded by the Thorin brothers. Based on what I’d learned from being around Conan and Atticus, they all had intense personalities.

“After you’re done with the arraignment, I’ve got a big dinner planned to celebrate your release from the hospital and all. Atticus loves to cook in his fancy kitchen. It’s one of his favorite pastimes. Bethany, my best friend, is coming over along with the boys. It’ll be a great way to take your mind off everything that’s happened and have some normalcy,” she said, smiling from ear to ear.

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh good, from jailbird to party animal, all in one day. Let’s hope the only bars I ever see are made of chocolate. Hospital food is bad enough. I can only imagine how awful food is in jail.”

“Exactly!” she said, laughing.

She finished unpacking and showed me everything she’d brought. It felt like Christmas. She was making this whole daunting process seem like it was no big thing. With a friend like Sam, maybe I could get through this whole ordeal.

“I’ve got to get to work, but I’ll be back soon,” she said, heading for the door. “If you need anything, tell one of the nurses to call me.”

“Will do. And thanks again for everything. I’m still stunned by it all. If you ever want to give up nursing, you could have a second career as a personal shopper for the rich and famous.”

That made her laugh as she walked out and closed the door behind her.

The things she’d brought not only got rid of the sterile hospital vibe but also sparked a flicker of hope inside me. As I sifted through the clothes again, I was finally able to imagine an end to being confined in the hospital. Freedom had never sounded so good. I was motivated all the more to work hard in the gym to get my strength back.

A little while later, a tech came to my room with a wheelchair. “Are you ready for some PT?” he asked.

“Sure, but what’s the wheelchair for?” I asked, squinching up my nose.

“Procedures. You’ve got to prove you’re safe to get down there on your own before you can go without a ride.” He shrugged.

“Do I need to bring anything with me?”

“Nope, just a good attitude and comfortable clothes. Looks like you’ve got that covered,” he said. Then he swept his arm out dramatically as if offering me a spot on an amusement park ride.

I smiled and plopped down in the chair, and then we were off, the dutiful officer in tow. As fast as the tech was walking and taking the turns, you would have thought I was in a race car, not a wheelchair.

The PT gym was bustling when we got there, filled with the sounds of machines whirring and weights clanking. Liz, my physical therapist, greeted me, clipboard in hand. “Ready to work hard today?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with challenge. Liz had worked with me every day since I regained consciousness, ensuring I was physically able to perform basic tasks and would be safe once we moved to the gym.

“Let’s do it,” I replied, pulling my hair back into a ponytail with a hairband Sam had brought me.

We began with a warm-up—some simple stretches that should have been easy. I reached for my toes, felt the pull in my hamstrings, and was surprised by their resistance to my efforts. Next, Liz guided me through a series of arm circles and shoulder shrugs, which loosened me up but also highlighted how stiff my body had become.

“Now, let’s see where you’re at with some resistance bands,” Liz suggested, handing me one of the lighter ones. As I pulled my hands outward, stretching the band, I found the resistance unexpectedly fierce. My arms trembled from the effort. “It’s okay, Angel. Take it slow,” Liz encouraged as she noted my struggle.

“I don’t want to take it slow,” I shot back out of frustration, but I continued on with the rest of the sets.

I switched to some small dumbbells. The weights, seemingly light, felt like boulders in my hands. I gritted my teeth as I lifted them. I could barely complete the three sets without my arms shaking. After doing several more types of exercises, exasperation bubbled up. I was dismayed at how weak I was. But I set my jaw and pushed through.

“Let’s work on your core strength,” Liz directed after I set the weights down. I did some basic sit-ups and planks. Each movement was a battle, my core muscles quivering with each lift. “You’ve got this, Angel,” Liz kept saying, standing by my side.

Next, we moved to legs, using various machines. The weights, which were set lower than I would have liked, were still an intense challenge, and I found myself getting even more disgusted with my lack of fitness. This wasn’t me. I used to be fit, athletic even. I might not be able to remember my past workouts, but in my heart, I was certain I had always been strong and healthy.

“Time for some cardio to wrap this up,” Liz announced, and we moved to the long line of treadmills facing the floor-to-ceiling windows. I started with a slow walk, gradually increasing the speed. Soon my breaths were heavy, my heart pounding as if I was running a marathon. I met Liz’s gaze, expecting pity. But there was none. Just a fierce sort of expectation. “Every rep is a step back to who you were, Angel. You’re doing great.”

Finally, we ended with some cooldown stretches, which gave me a moment to catch my breath and reflect. I was dripping with sweat, breathing hard, and my muscles ached, but making it through the workout session felt like a small victory.

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