Page 13 of When We Crash

Despite feeling like a stranger, my body knew the place. And when I leaned back, I knew exactly how it would feel—where the mattress would end against the back of my head as I lay horizontally across it, my legs still hanging off it.

Tracey cleared her throat.

I’d forgotten she was there while I was staring at the spackled ceiling.

“You start physical therapy tomorrow and go back to school next week. Do you think that’s enough time? I don’t want you to be out too long, it being your senior year and all. Did you want to see someone? Or homeschool? I never thought about that, but what do you think? I know you’re going to have to speak to someone because of your memory loss but—”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine, Tracey.” Her nervousness made me grin. “School in a week, physical therapy tomorrow. If I need to speak to someone, I’ll let you know.” I sat up. “Or, I could just talk to you.”

Her lips thinned, her eyes watering as she stood in the center of the room. She clasped her hands in front of her and I moved to grab my crutches, leaning on them to stand.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked, hoping she wouldn’t cry.

Please don’t.

“No,” she mumbled, her voice wavering. “I just didn’t think you’d feel comfortable doing that. And you called me Tracey.”

“Ah, don’t tell me you’re one ofthose. I’m not good with criers. At least, I don’t think I am.” But judging by the way I was internally begging her to stop, I figured that was true.

“It’s all right. I’m okay.” She took a deep breath. “It just reminded me of life before your parents died. We were actually kind of close then. It was nice. Made me feel like I might be decent at the parent thing.”

“We’re going to be fine,” I assured her. But what the hell did I know?

“Well, I’m just glad it wasn’t your right knee that got hurt. You should be able to drive yourself to school. I mean, I’m nothappyyour left one is messed up. You know what I mean.”

I nodded. “I should be fine sleeping up here. It’ll do me good to use the stairs.” I hobbled my way over to the computer, brushing my fingers over the keyboard. “I’ve been told I’m a computer whiz. Or…was.”

She remained by the door, her hands tucked into her front jean pockets. “You’ll pick it up again, Dex.” Her eyes went to the wall above the computer, where an MIT sweatshirt was hung.

I exhaled in a rush, letting my head drop. “I’m going to mess up, Tracey. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

She placed her hands on my shoulders before I even noticed she’d made her way across the room. “I know I’m supposed to tell you to watch your mouth, but I’ll let that one slide. And just because you forgot everything else, doesn’t mean you’ll forget your passion. If you do, it won’t kill you to go to a different college or find a new passion. It’s going to be fine, Dex.”

I straightened, wanting to disappear. Wanting this gray room to disappear and for my leg to work so I could justrun.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a turkey to start trimming and you have to rest. Tomorrow’s the big game and Ralph would never forgive you if you missed it.” She stepped back, and when I looked at her, she chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right beside you, cheering him on.”

She went to walk out the door, but I stopped her. “Do you need any help?”

Her eyes lit up. “Yeah, sure. It’s my first attempt at a real Thanksgiving dinner. I definitely need help.”

Her response was so effortless, like she was as starved as I was for human interaction.

It was time she and Dexter leaned on each other.

Dexter

It isn’t goingto be easy. But I’ve given you something to provide you with a bit of direction.

I groaned as I stretched, my body awake before my mind could follow. I sat up and noticed that the house smelled heavenly.

“Sorry. I thought I was being quiet. The turkey is in the oven. The rest can wait a few more hours,” Tracey said from the chair in the corner where she was cuddled up with a mug of coffee.

I realized I’d fallen asleep on the couch. I groaned again, feeling stiff.

She walked over to me, pulling a bottle of pills from her pocket and handing me two. She grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen and directed me to take the medicine.

I acquiesced, welcoming the cool water. When I sat up, I ignored the pulsing in my leg.

---