“I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD. I have major fight and flight issues,” Sally said. “I’ve had two attacks in two days.” Sally went on to explain her concern for her safety and the safety of Cid and the others on the renovation crew.
“When Cid called, I was able to get Dr. Myer to change her schedule. She is our brightest star when it comes to treating PTSD when it occurs in female soldiers and civilian women who have experienced other traumas. She is not in the military but has done extensive work in Rwanda. I think she may be a good fit for you. Also, Cid may not have mentioned this, but his friend Mia Martin has a talent for quieting the mind. She volunteers here. Mia is presently overseas with her family. Otherwise, she would be here to greet you.”
Sally grabbed Carl’s hand. He enclosed her cold shaking hand in his. This loving action was not lost on Sarah.
“My foster sister isn’t employed at the moment…”
“Here, we pay it forward. What the Veterans Administration doesn’t cover, the Leighton Foundation will. All we ask is that you give this facility a chance to find a treatment plan that will help you. When you get back on your feet, volunteer here or help sponsor another patient. How does that sound?”
“Like a miracle,” Sally said.
Sarah smiled. “I’m going to have one of my volunteers escort you to your room. Mr. Lee, would you join me for a sandwich while Sally gets settled?”
“It would be a pleasure,” Carl said.
The door opened, and a young woman rolled into the room in a three-wheeled chair. “Did someone call for a wheelbarrow?” She activated a switch, and the chair moved the woman into a standing position.
“Amy, this is Sally. We have put her in room ten.”
Amy reached out a hand. “Sally, they have given you a lake view. Too bad it’s frozen right now.”
Sally shook Amy’s hand. Amy lowered her chair. “Give me your duffle.”
“But…”
“That’s an order,” Amy barked.
Sally dropped her bag on Amy’s lap.
“Oof. What do you have in here, bricks?”
“Serves you right,” Sarah said, escorting them out the door.
They rolled down the hall in silence. Amy cleared her voice. “So, how’d you hear about us?”
“Cid Garrett.”
“Dreamy, shy Cid. He and Ted are working on a few new prosthetic designs. I’ve asked for an exoskeleton. Because of this, Ted calls me Ripley.”
“From Alien.”
“You’re quick.”
“Mrs. Leighton said you were a volunteer.”
“Yes. I volunteer here a few days a week. I live a few towns over. My brother dumps me here on the way to work. He’s a state cop.”
Sally’s phone pinged. “I’m sorry, I should have silenced this,” she said, digging the phone out of her jacket pocket.
“Go ahead and look, it might be important.”
Sally touched the screen, and a picture of Cid covered in paint appeared. “Oh my.”
“Let me see,” Amy said, raising her chair and dumping the duffle bag on the tile floor. “That’s Cid.”
“He says this is what he gets for painting with Gary,” Sally said when she took the phone back.
“Cid sends you pictures… I better break it to the lunch ladies that Cid’s got a girlfriend,” Amy said.
Sally blushed.
“I knew it! The rumor mill almost flew off into space when Mrs. Leighton was rearranging schedules and having room ten spruced up. We thought that a dignitary was coming.”
“I bet you were disappointed when you saw me,” Sally said.
“Yes. And doubly disappointed if you are indeed Cid’s girlfriend. I always wheel next to him when he goes through the food lines. The lunch ladies fawn all over him, and he makes sure I get some of the special foods they cook when they know he’s in the building.”
“So you’re not after his body…”
“Just scraps from his table,” Amy said. “Here we are.” She opened the door. “Let me show you how the door works. No resident’s door locks because they have to get to you if you’re in trouble. But they do believe in privacy. You turn this knob. It doesn’t lock the door but displays…”
“I’m dressing,” Sally read.
Amy turned it again.
“I’m sleeping.”
“Don’t forget to change it back when you’re finished. I’ve suggested, instead of using words, they use an emoji. Betty Boop in a towel for I’m dressing, for example.”
“I think that is a great idea,” Sally said.
“Take off your shoes,” Amy said.
“Why?”
“Do it.”
Sally complied.
“Do you feel it?”
“The floor is warm.”
“Heated floors. They can’t really put carpets in because they may hinder some of us challenged individuals.” Amy showed Sally how to get ahold of an attendant, call other rooms, and how to leave a voicemail for the doctors.
“May I take a selfie?” Sally asked when Amy was finished. “I want Cid to know I was welcomed.”
Amy smiled and Sally took the picture.
“Are they going to let me keep my phone?”
“That’s up to Dr. Myer.” A cackle came from Amy’s pocket followed by I’ll get you and your little dog too. “That’s my boss,” she explained before answering. “She’s
all set. Yes, I’ll sit in as long as Tub doesn’t splash me like last time.” Amy looked at Sally. “I’m the auntie or tía when a female is in a vulnerable position like hydrotherapy.”
“It has been a pleasure.”
“Make sure you send that to Cid. I hear the lunch ladies are working on a hash brown casserole for the next time Cid visits.”
“Will do.”
Sally sat down and sent the picture, adding: Can you talk?
Her phone rang immediately.
“Anything Ripley says about me is to be taken with a grain of salt. I did not put the baseball cards in
