Page 26 of The Restoration Program
Holly’s smile turned to a knowing smirk. “I get what you mean, about thinking you’ve gone crazy. I still wonder about that every once in a while, but… it gets easier.”
When?Nicole wanted to pry. But she bit her tongue, not keen to give Burman any reason to keep the spotlight on her.
Someone else raised their hand to share. After that, the format turned to a round-robin, and each couple at the table touched on how their week had been. For the most part, everyone seemed quite relaxed. Nicole couldn’t quite decide who was being genuine and who was putting on a show to avoid embarrassment—just like her. It was all talk of improvements, getting more comfortable in their situation, feeling like everything was going to be okay. Until a surly NüPrint slumped low in his seat brought that train of positivity to a screeching halt.
“Hi,” the man said, directing his greeting to Nicole and Ryan. “I’m Ellis. This is Todd. Married three years.” Ellis sat rather tensely, legs crossed with his ankle resting on his thigh, both hands clasped on his lap. He smiled wryly at Burman. “Things have been fine, mostly. Other than Todd’s new habit of grabbing me without asking. Hell, without even a littlewarning.”
Todd gaped at his husband and straightened in his seat as though someone had seized him by the collar. He gave a startled laugh, glancing at the group as if someone might jump in to defend him. “Hey, uh… it might help if you brought up these things beforehand. Like at home. Or at any moment before this moment, so we could talk about it.”
Nicole wished there was a subtle way to share a look with Ryan behind her. Next to her, Carlos shifted uncomfortably and met her gaze, mouthing, “Whoa.”
“Right?” she mouthed back.
Dr. Burman, in his ever-calming manner, strode over to Ellis and Todd. “We all need to remember,” he said, directing this at the entire group, “that communication is a two-way street. For those of you in Todd’s position, always keep your partner’s autonomy and comfort in mind. And those of you in Ellis’ position, set clear boundaries. Make it clear when you’re unhappy with your partner’s actions or how they interact with you. Remember, all couples have their road bumps.”
Ellis didn’t look convinced. “Right. Right. Except whenourboundaries are ignored, there’s not much we can do about it. We don’t have a choice but to go along with it.”
Todd gave a growl of frustration. “You make it sound like I’m some monster. I was trying to help.”
“Which is why I emphasize communication is key,” Burman insisted, nearly shouting to overpower the pair of them. The two fell quiet, expressions still taut. “You need to be explicit in your conversations. Ellis, consider that Todd’s actions may not come from a place of carelessness, but rather a place of feeling at ease in your situation. A place oflove.That’s not to say that you’re justified, Todd. Never assume that Ellis is prepared to have his mobility taken out of his control.”
Nicole’s stomach twisted at the words, remembering the weightless sensation of Ryan scooping her up in his too-big embrace at the hospital. Even his kisses had enough force to knock her onto her back now.
“Can anyone relate to these feelings Ellis broached? Feelings that control is being taken out of your hands?”As though he could sense her curdling thoughts, Dr. Burman glanced across the table at her. “Nicole?”
How ‘bout you finish going around the circle first, doc. “I… I’m not sure,” she said tightly.
She breathed out sharply as immediately several humans leaned in to look at her, too. She could hear every groan in the wooden chairs, their patient breathing like wind in the canopies of the tallest trees.
“We’re here to support you and listen. There’s no expectation,” Dr. Burman added.
Ryan cleared his throat. “There was an incident yesterday. About her job. Tell them, honey.”
Nicole whipped around in her chair to throw him an incredulous look. That was the very last thing she wanted to share with a group of strangers, but now all eyes were on her and she had no choice. Thoroughly betrayed, she squared her shoulders.
“I lost my job,” she said. The was silence was ringed by all-too empathetic looks. “I worked as a marketing coordinator. My job was to help companies advertise their services and products. I only worked there a month since moving to Eurene, and I brought in a dozen new clients. But not a shred of that matters anymore, apparently. My office, uh… called to make sure my last check made it into Ryan’s account. I tried to talk, but my boss pretended he couldn’t hear me.”
She swallowed hard and clenched her fists on her lap. Burman produced a small handkerchief, which she declined.
“How did that make you feel?” he asked.
Wrapping her arms across her chest, she shrugged. “Invisible. I was standing right there, but it’s like I was a ghost. As if… as if I reallywasdead.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw a hand raise, breaking the sympathetic stillness.
“I’ve been in your shoes, Nicole.” Although Carlos projected his voice to address the group, his attention was firmly on her. “The rest of you already know—I was a personal trainer before all this. A real gym-rat. Those people… we werefamilia. When I tried to negotiate a new position post-procedure, they just laughed at me—the ones who could even bring themselves to look at me, anyway.” His smile twisted into something bitter. “No one wants to hire a personal trainer they might step on. Even on video.”
Nicole gaped at him. “That’s horrible,” she said, trying to imagine what would have happened if she’d convinced Ryan to take her straight to her office to speak to her bosses in person.
“Having your career derailed is one of the most difficult parts of adjustment,” Dr. Burman said sagely. “It’s an unfortunate reality that most of the world is not yet prepared to accommodate NüPrints. Our facilities are working hard to change that. Given time, we are confident that this procedure will be as ordinary as a scheduled root canal.” He gave Nicole a meaningful look. “For the time being, there are some programs in beta stages available that can allow you to earn a small wage, to help give you a sense of purpose during this adjustment.”
She straightened in her seat, unable to keep the hopeful crack out of her voice. “Really?”
“Mostly part-time offerings, via a few companies that partner with us.” Burman nodded at a young woman seated beside Carlos. “Rayna here helps grade tests for online courses. Ellis proofreads articles for a myriad of websites. I’ll get an email to you about some openings you might be interested in.”
“Okay,” Nicole said, a small smile catching hold. She glanced back at Ryan, and warmth flooded his expression upon meeting her gaze—a spark of hope that they both seemed to be on the same page for once.
When she faced the front, Burman was still focused on her. “Your life didn’t end with your accident, Nicole. Before you know it, your plans will be back on track. The Program is here to make sure of it.” He stepped forward and clasped her hands gently. “What was lost has been restored.”
