Page 4 of Saving Luke

"Yes, they died a few years ago, so it’s just him and his sister. She’s the one who insisted he come and has been to visit him a few times that I have seen."

"Good. Guess it's time for me to go introduce myself." I say as I stand up.

On my way to his room, I look over his files one more time, stop outside the door, and take a deep breath. In school, we learn how to hide our emotions. Emotions aren't good in high-intensity situations, and I try to use that skill now.

Even though the door is open, I knock on the doorframe as I peek my head in. The room he’s in is set up and decorated exactly the same way as his room upstairs, but the only difference is the Christmas tree I added in the corner on a small table.

I find Luke sitting up on his bed, reading a book. He’s dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, which seems to be the uniform the guys choose to wear around here because it's easy. He sets his book down and looks at me.

"Hello, Luke. I'm Brooke. I’ll be your new nurse and wanted to come in and introduce myself. Have you done your exercises from your physical therapist yet today?" I ask.

He shakes his head no.

"Okay, I’m going to take your vitals, and then we will work through those exercises. I see here you like to eat in your room.Now that you are on the ground level, do you still want to eat in here?" I ask.

He nods.

"Okay." I make a note on my tablet I carry, so the kitchen staff will bring his food to his room.

During the entire time I check his vitals and work with him on the exercises, he doesn't speak a single word.

Over the next week, each day is the same. I come in and do all the talking, and he says nothing but complies with his appointments and exercises.

Needing to find a way to get through to him, I sit down with Lexi and tell her how he's been.

"I told you he needs someone to get through to him,” Lexi says. “And I really think that could be you. Talk to him, and find a way to get him to open up. You know as well as I do, the longer he stays shut down, the longer his recovery will be."

"I know. I will think about it and try to get him to open up. Mind if I tell him Noah's story? I feel like that's a story he might relate to."

"As you know, my husband always likes to share his story. He’s so dedicated to helping these guys that he’ll tell it over and over again if it helps them." Lexi smiles with pride.

I head home to make my plan of action that mixes in some holiday cheer. Poor Luke has no idea what's coming at him tomorrow.

Luke

It's been a few days since I switched rooms and a few days since Brooke became my nurse. Of course, the girl I had my eye on was to become my nurse. Why wouldn't she be? It adds a whole new level of confusion to everything.

We have a routine down. She comes in each morning and checks my vitals, gives me my medication, and helps me do my physical therapy exercises. Then, she takes me down to the dining room for breakfast.

She makes sure I attend all of my appointments. These are normally physical therapy in the morning, followed by a doctor's appointment, if I have one. Then, in the afternoon, I have my required therapy session and then a meeting with a counselor, who is meant to help me figure out my next steps in life.

Brooke makes sure I eat lunch and dinner before coming in again to check on me before bed and do more exercises before the night nurse takes over.

I have yet to speak a single word to her, but I have been watching her. She smiles, talks, and is really good at her job. Everyone here seems to like her. She’s friends with Lexi, who is one of the owners of the place.

So today, when she walks in with a determined look on her face, I know something is different. She’s in scrubs, though her top is Christmassy with Santa, reindeer, and stockings on it, and her pants are a dark green to match. Her thick chestnut hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and her lips are light pink, which I have come to learn is because she likes to use cherry Chapstick. I don't want to think about how many times I’ve thought of kissing those lips just to taste them.

"So, tomorrow is the Secret Santa drawing for patients here. Lord, who thought putting on something so simple was so much work!" She goes to tell me about the event set up, as she takes my vitals and gives me my medication.

"Still not talking to me, huh?" She makes herself comfortable, sitting down on the edge of the bed. She’s fairly close to me, though, as I’m sitting up against the headboard. It’s my favorite spot in the whole room because my back is to the wall, and I can see anyone who comes in, and normally, it’s before they can see me.

I still don't answer her. What do I say? No, I don't trust myself to talk to you? Then, I would have to explain why, which will just make this weird, since I'm sure she has a boyfriend or husband waiting on her and wants nothing to do with a cripple like me.

"You remind me of Noah, you know," she says.

That's when I cave. "What?" I ask.

Her face breaks out in a huge smile, and my heart skips a beat.

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