Page 107 of Revive Me

“So,” she starts. “How can I help you, Roman?”

I decide on a no-nonsense approach, since Fran has always seemed like a no-nonsense type of woman.

“Am I right in assuming patient transfers don’t happen without your knowledge? That you already know Lily asked me to be moved to someone else?”

She nods. “Your assumption would be correct.”

That still doesn’t tell me what she knows, but after a moment, I realize it doesn’t matter. Anyone could’ve guessed that my rehab failing was going to be my own fault.

So, I simply settle on an apology.

“I want you to know that none of this was Lily’s fault.” I pause to take a deep breath. “You should know that you’re lucky to have her on your staff. Her energy, her knowledge, her ability to read what people need—she got me further than anyone else has in two years. She’s…an incredible physical therapist.”

“I know she is,” Fran says, her voice just barely softer than it was before. “I knew it the day I hired her, and I know it now. Whatever happened between you two doesn’t change that.”

I nod as I look down at my lap, my chest squeezing at the memory of what happened between us. I’m relieved, at least, that it didn’t have an effect on her job or how her boss sees her.

“I apologize for upsetting her,” I say quietly, my voice tight. “And for any trouble I’ve caused for you and this clinic. I never meant to, I just…” I clear my throat with a swallow and look up at Fran. “Dealing with this injury has been hard. It hasn’t exactly made me the best person. Which doesn’t excuse my behavior, of course, but…I just want you to know that I am truly, deeply sorry.”

At that, she softens. “I appreciate that, Roman. I accept your apology. And I know Lily would accept it, too.”

Knowing that she’s right only makes my heart hurt more.

“Is that why you’re here?” Fran asks. “To tell me that?”

I straighten in my chair. “One of the reasons. The other is to ask for a referral to another clinic.”

Her eyebrows rise in surprise.

“If I’m not working with Lily, I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to stay here under another PT,” I explain. “But…I would still like to continue my rehab. So, I’m hoping you can give me a recommendation.”

I can see the thoughts roiling in Fran’s head, and after a moment, she says, “I can do that. Actually, I have an old colleague who specializes in SCIs working at our sister clinic on the other side of the city.” There’s a flash of amusement in her expression. “He’s ex-military, though, so a bit of a drill sergeant when it comes to his therapy methods. Is that okay?”

I huff a laugh. “More than okay. Thank you.”

Chuckling, she pulls a notepad over and starts to scribble on it. When she looks up, she asks, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

I take another steadying breath. This is the hard part, but it’s probably also the most important one.

“Yeah. Can you recommend a psychologist, as well? I think it’s about time I talk to someone.”

36

LILIANA

Four Months Later

“Thanks again, Lily. I’ll see you next week!”

I wave at my last patient of the day with a smile. “Sounds good, Dave, see you then! Have a nice weekend!”

Once he’s gone, I organize my area. With back-to-back clients all day, this is my first chance to do any cleanup. Nowadays, my schedule is jampacked like this. I don’t mind it, though—I’ve come to appreciate it as a reliable distraction from my own thoughts.

Not that my boss doesn’t try to lighten my load. Even now, I can tell what she’s going to say before she reaches the gym.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to transfer Dave to Sandy?” she asks, her hands on her hips and a concerned look on her face. “You know he’d be happy with any young female PT. He’s not picky. It doesn’t need to be you.”

I roll my eyes as I continue to clean up. “Well, that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and appreciated.”

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