Page 4 of Fractured Grief (Hope’s Ridge #2)
Indy
“ T ime for breakfast, Haze,” I called up the stairs. She’d been so brave these past few months and was cautiously optimistic about today. After two weeks of getting settled in, we were both ready to start anew.
The sound of her thundering footfalls echoed down the stairs as she came tumbling into the room, already dressed in her favorite T-shirt and jeans.
“Can I have Cocoa Puffs, please, Daddy?”
I looked down at her innocent little face as she hugged my legs and waited for my response. “Those are weekend treats—”
“Buuut it’s the first day of school. I have to start the day yum, so the rest of the day will be fun. Please, Daddy?” she said, drawing out the y .
The look she sent me went straight to my heart. This little rascal had me wrapped around her finger .
“Okay, sweetheart. Just for today.” I bent down to kiss the top of her head as she beamed up at me.
“Thank you, Daddy!” Hazel quickly ran around and hopped onto the stool at the kitchen counter, her dark copper waves falling over her slight shoulders. She hadn’t brushed her hair or washed her cute, freckled face yet.
Once she started eating, I finished making some toast for myself and ensured her lunch was packed, and we had everything ready.
“Do you want me to braid your hair or would you like pigtails today?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Braided, please, Daddy, like Momma.” The sad smile she sent me broke my heart.
Lexi had hated her curly hair and always preferred braiding it.
Hazel had always been fascinated by Lexi’s long mahogany tresses, even as a baby.
They had a tradition of doing each other’s hair, and since Hazel’s had grown well past her shoulders, Lexi loved to do a large braid to match hers.
They called themselves the Rapunzel Twins.
It was a learning curve to master braiding, but after watching millions of YouTube videos and observing Lexi over the years, I’d just about perfected it.
“Sure thing, pretty girl. Can you go brush your teeth, then bring me your hairbrush while I finish getting ready?”
“Okay.” She scurried off and up the stairs to do as she was told.
Once Hazel was settled at school, I made my way to my new job. My stomach squirmed with nerves and excitement. I parked in the staff lot and made my way to the outpatient reception area for the Physical Recovery and Resource Center to wait for my intake instructor, Carol.
Carol had been on the Skype interview and was the one who had called me to offer me the job. She’d mentioned being head of the department and would be my go-to as I started and found my feet.
Of all the possible positions I’d applied for, this one had been the first choice for Lexi and me.
The insurance, employment package, and temporary housing had blown us away.
I remembered the look on Lexi’s face as if it were yesterday.
The hope that had twinkled in her eyes and the weight that had seemed to visibly lift off her at being able to finally start our new lives.
The stress of being trapped in our hometown had worn on both of us, especially Lex.
She’d been thrown out of her home, family, and pretty much publicly shamed for getting pregnant at sixteen.
Even after we got married, in an attempt to try and appease the town—and for the added security—we were still treated like pariahs, mostly due to her parents’ standing in the church.
No one dared go against Lexi’s mom, Mrs. Boseman.
She held so much power and influence over the community.
I still didn’t understand how that had worked.
Lexi had found it hard to go down the street without someone turning their back on her.
She was strong and never let the distress show on her face, but at home with me, she’d break.
The tears of hurt and heartache would all fall as we navigated parenting a baby at seventeen.
Nevertheless, she was determined, headstrong, and powered through it all, knowing we were fighting to get out one day. We had to.
It broke my heart that she never got to escape.
Shaking off my melancholy, I took a moment to center myself.
I could do this; this is what I’d been working toward for the last six years—longer, really.
I strode inside and took in the bright and welcoming waiting area.
It wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It was calming, welcoming, and. .. hopeful ?
The blue-and-white walls held actual paintings, likely all done by different people, since none of them matched.
The wall behind the reception desk was a warm yellow with bold, stylized sunflowers painted all over.
The receptionist herself radiated sunshine, and with an infectious smile you couldn’t help but return.
“Hi, there. I’m Megan. How can I help you today?” She beamed at me.
“Hi, Megan. I’m Indiana Clark. I’m the new hire, and I have a meeting with Carol Redcliffe. ”
“Oh yes. Carol mentioned you’d be arriving today.
I’ll let her know you’re here. One moment.
” She held up a finger as she picked up the phone and dialed an extension.
“Hi, Carol, your newbie’s here,” she singsonged.
“Sure thing.” She hung up and motioned for me to take a seat. “She will be right out.”
I didn’t even have time to take a seat when Carol came through the sliding doors to the right of the reception desk.
“Indiana.” She extended her hand to shake.
“Yes, and Indy, please. Nice to meet you in person.”
“Come with me and let’s get you settled before I give you a tour and see what your duties are.
” Carol turned to lead me through the sliding doors.
She was a tall woman with brunette hair swept up in a ponytail.
She wore the company polo shirt and straight black pants with sneakers.
From my work experience, practical hours, and training, I knew how important comfortable clothing and footwear were.
Carol showed me around the facilities and the various exercise equipment, which was all I needed to start planning therapies in my head. I would shadow her for the week before taking on my first client the following week. I couldn’t wait to get started.
My orientation week flew by, and I was finally meeting my first solo client today.
The first person I would coach through recovery.
I was vibrating with excitement. I was officially a licensed physical therapist. All my hard work, sleepless nights, hours of studying, and balancing life with Lex and Hazel had finally paid off, and I was beginning my dream career.
Carol had assigned me six clients: four solo and two within a group therapy setting. I was in the process of reviewing their case notes and injury backgrounds in preparation.
My career kickoff was a thirty-two-year-old male gunshot victim.
Seb had a lot of setbacks since arriving at the hospital.
He’d suffered a stroke during surgery, which the doctors caught quickly, but it had affected his right side.
He had varying levels of pain, paralysis, and numbness.
Seb also had speech issues from the stroke and a possible head injury, causing stuttered speech.
From the notes, this man was lucky to be alive.
Carol appeared in the doorway of the break room. “You ready to meet your first client?” she asked, smiling in excitement because she knew my story and how much this meant to me. She’d completely taken me under her wing and shown me the ropes, and I was so thankful for all her help and guidance.
“Yes! I was just going through his case notes one last time.” I quickly shuffled all the papers back into the folder and stood. “Lead the way.”
We headed out of the break room and down the hall. Carol popped her head in the door of room 262, then looked at me with a smirk as she knocked on the doorframe.
“Good morning, Mr. Papadakis. Mind if we come in?” she asked as she entered the room ahead of me. I followed her in as a rough voice responded, “Morn-ing, Carol. W-h-ho’s we?”
Carol was taller than my five-foot-four frame— yes, I’m that short— so I couldn’t see the patient until I came fully into the room. I tried to keep the shock off my face as I took in the hulking figure before me.
The man was huge, well over six feet, and broad. Holy fuck, he was stunning. I’d never seen anyone as tall or bulky as him. He wasn’t a mere human; he was a god. Shaking my head at my stupid thoughts, I snapped myself back to reality and focused on the injured person that I would be assisting .
He was slightly reclined in the hospital bed, his feet hanging well off the end and his shoulders wider than the width of the mattress.
The poor man probably wasn’t very comfortable.
He had rich olive skin that was a bit dull, but that was to be expected.
His dark mess of thick, long, wavy hair was stark against the harsh white sheets.
He had an unkempt bushy beard, but it was his eyes that captivated me.
Deep pools of emerald green filled with despair and.
.. was that fear? He had a weak smile on his face.
I was hypnotized when he turned to look directly at me.
My breath caught in my throat at the levels of pain and sadness that swirled there.
Shoot, Carol was speaking while I gawked at my new client. Shaking myself out of my trance, I glanced at Carol. “Sorry, what?”
She chuckled. “Sebastian Papadakis, this is your new physical therapist, Indiana Clark. Indy, meet Seb.”
“Hi...” my voice cracked. Clearing my throat, I tried again. “It’s nice to meet you.” I stepped forward and offered my hand. “Do you prefer Seb or Sebastian?”
His large hand fully engulfed mine as he took it to shake. “Seb is f-i-ine. So, you’re my n-ew tor-tur-er? When do we st-a-art?”
“Torturer, no. Drill sergeant, maybe,” I said with a wink, shocked at my audacity. I’d never spoken like that in my life.
“Oh, good one. Okay, Sarg… put me thr-o-ough my p-aces.”
A soft chuckle behind me reminded me that Carol was still in the room.
“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. If you need anything, I’ll be in my office.
I’ll see you at four, Indy, for a debrief.
” She turned to Seb. “You’re in good hands with this one.
” She glanced down pointedly at my hand, which was still in Seb’s, resting on his leg .
I snatched my hand back, feeling my cheeks heat.
“See you later.” With a wave, she left the room.
Shit, I needed to pull myself together. I was a professional.
I took the seat by the bed and opened Seb’s file to go through some things and make my notes. Then, we’d make our way to one of the equipment rooms and assess his abilities and needs going forward.