Page 13 of If Everything Was Easy

We spent the next hour working on flexibility and stretches. Carter said that after keeping my leg immobile and straight for all that time, that I needed to work the knee more. I was stiff, and every movement made my leg ache. I could feel the muscles pulling tight, and my knee would pop every once in a while.

When we finished, the joint was hot, and my quad was quivering. “Ice for twenty minutes on, twenty off for the next hour and half. Ibuprofen for swelling and pain, and I’ll see you in three days.” He smiled and then disappeared. I sat there staring at the wall as I rubbed my leg. It hurt and I secretly wondered if I was going to be able to walk out of here. Maybe this was why he askedabout crutches. We hadn’t even worked on any weight-bearing exercises and I felt like I’d run a marathon.

I took a few deep breaths to brace myself, and slid off the table. One hand held the cane as the other used the table, wall, and door to help keep my balance. Every few steps I’d have to pause so my leg didn’t give out under the weight. It took me twice as long as it should to get out to my car. I heard Andy shout a goodbye when I stepped outside, but I just waved. I needed to get home, get ice, and rest. I was told Carter was the best. I just hoped that he understood what was at stake here.

Chapter 9

Ava

“Well?” Ashley peered through my bedroom door. I’d just finished my first real bath in weeks. By real, I mean I sat there and enjoyed the soak. I almost fell asleep.

“Well, what?” I yawned as I rubbed my thigh. I was feeling a little better since today’s PT visit, but still fatigued and sore.

“How did it go?” She laughed as she shifted her weight and moved closer.

“Ok.” I repositioned my ice bag before leaning back against the pillows. “We did a lot of flexibility stuff. It hurt, but he seems to know what he’s doing.” I closed my eyes for a moment to try and will the ache away.

“Looks like he really worked you over.” She nodded at my leg.

“Not really. I’m weak, and getting my muscle tone back is going to take effort and time, time I don’t really have.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re on your way back.” She grinned before turning around and leaving me there.

“On my way back”,I muttered to myself. “Back to what exactly?” The truth was, I wasn’t sure what would be there when I was whole again. Would the pros even want me, and if they did, would I be as good as I was before this? So much doubt and uncertainty swirled through my head daily, and then today’s session made me doubt my comeback even more. How was I supposed to be running in a few weeks if I could barely walk now?

I knew she meant well, and I loved her for it, but I didn’t need a pep talk at the moment. What I needed was someone to agree with me so I could bitch about it. Everyone was so positive all the time. It was great in the beginning, but now it just drove me nuts. I needed to be able to get mad and not feel like a jerk for doing it. I didn’t really want to sleep right now, but I felt like I didn’t have the energy for anything else.

The night seemed long, and I tossed and turned for most of it. I hadn’t slept well since I got hurt, and last night was no different. My dreams were filled with images of Carter working my leg over. He’d grin at me as if hurting me gave him pleasure. When I woke up, I was angry. My dreams had blurred my reality, and as I made my way to PT that day, I was ready for a fight.

Carter

I was setting up my room for the day when I saw her. She was limping as she strode toward the door, a scowl plastered on her face. I was confused. She wasn’t supposed to be back for two more days. I scrolled through my appointments on my phone just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.

As I was stepping out of my room, I heard her snapping at Andy. He was trying to explain to her that she didn’t have an appointment, but she didn’t seem to care.

“I’m not leaving.” She crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the desk.

“Just a minute.” He sighed before heading my way. He was shaking his head and mumbling something before he stepped into my room and closed the door behind him. “She’s adamant that she see you today. I can get rid of her if you want me to.” He rubbed his eyes. I knew he was tired. We both were. We’d gone to the basketball game last night and it ran late.

“You can send her in. I’ll talk to her.” I smiled sympathetically. Andy was a nice guy. Too nice at times, and Ava was the type to run over him.

“You sure?” He warily looked in her direction.

“I’m sure. I know her type. They want instant results.” I shrugged. “It’s not going to happen like that, and Little Miss Soccer Star needs to face reality.”

“Dude.” He chuckled. “You’re my hero.”

I stayed as he left to go back to the front desk. I heard their muffled voices before I heard the tell-tale sign of a cane coming my way. I braced myself for the wrath I was sure to get from her. She wasn’t the first star athlete I’d worked with, and she certainly wouldn’t be the last.

My door slowly opened as she hobbled in. “Good morning.” I smiled at her. This seemed to upset her more as her lips turned down and she stared at me.

“There is nothing good about this morning.” She huffed as she scooted herself up on my table. “I hurt. I can’t walk, and you…” She pointed at me. “You seem to like that fact.”

I was taken aback by her accusations. “I don’t enjoy seeing people in pain.” I pointed to my chest. “I do this to help.”

“You made it worse,” she barked. “I can barely move today. How am I supposed to run in a month?” Her narrowed eyes seemed to challenge me to respond.

“You probably won’t.” I was trying to be honest. “This is a long recovery process. It takes time.” I did everything to stay calm here. Where did she get off thinking I was a miracle worker? “Everyone heals differently. Your body will make these decisions for you. Not me. Not you. Not the doctor.” I was getting upset as she glared at me, and I didn’t really understand why. Why did she get under my skin? No one else ever did.

---