Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
Six weeks passed with flying colors. Candy counted the days until they moved Archer to a cabin unit, giving her a break from seeing him in the halls, PT room, and outside.
He attempted to speak with her on several occasions, and she remained polite and at a cool distance.
Gathering her computer, she headed toward the conference room for the weekly staff meeting.
Usually, she joined for specific cases, but Kassie requested she stay for the entire meeting.
Dr. Chase Winters, “Doc,” started the meeting after everyone grabbed a snack and a drink.
“We have three discharges this week. Amelia Taylor will return home, Michael Fitz will get discharged and referred to therapy close to his home, and Harrison Brighten will go to rehab directly from here. Lizzy Harris has updated their case files. Does anyone have anything to add to the discharges?”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Great. We’ll move on to the teen ward first,” he said, turning to his wife, Kassie.
“We’re setting up for the fall festival.
We need volunteers for games, and I need two shifts filled by medical personnel.
If you’re interested, sign up after the meeting.
We revoked Cody Frasier’s privileges until further notice for sneaking out of the hospital past curfew.
If you see him in the halls or elsewhere, please contact the charge nurse.
Finally, we have Dakota Sharp. She’s struggling with her foot amputation and withdrawing from group participation.
They report she’s not attending meals in the cafeteria and spends the majority of her day in her room.
Do we have any suggestions?” Kassie asked, glancing up from her notes.
“She loves to paint. Can we set her up with some art supplies outside?” one of the women asked.
“We can but getting her out of the room has grown more difficult after the last two weeks.”
“Did something change?” Candy asked, feeling terrible about the teenager’s situation.
“Her foster family requested we send her back to the facility. They felt her medical issues may take up too much of their time,” she sadly explained.
“What about a service dog or an emotional support animal?” Someone volunteered.
Kassie sighed. “We tried pairing her with a dog, and she refused to participate. Her spirit’s broken.”
“Her new prosthetic isn’t ready yet, but she’s doing great in therapy.
Why don’t we enlist her help with decorations for the games?
We can take the supplies to her room and gradually need her help to decide what to make outdoors.
The slow transition might help her cope better,” Candy suggested, earning approving nods around the table.
“Since you can motivate anyone, can I put you in charge of enlisting her?” Kassie asked.
“Sure. I might invite a couple of teens to help us,” she readily agreed.
“Then we’re done with the teens. What’s going on with our veterans?” Kassie said, turning her attention to her husband.
Chase leaned his elbows on the table. “We’re at full capacity. I have two cabins available for the subdivision. Do we have any candidates? It’ll give me a couple of extra beds on the units.”
Terry raised his hand. “Arnold Pettinger and Sam McGraw will make great roommates. They’re involved in the community and push each other.”
Chase wrote their names down. “Anyone else?” he asked. “What about Archer Miller?”
Terry shook his head. “No. He’s not ready.”
Surprised, Candy leaned forward. Archer excelled at everything and always strived to do his best. An amputation required a ton of physical and emotional work. Did it slow him down? “What’s the concern?” she asked, going through the patient notes on her computer.
“Archer doesn’t admit when he has pain. We’ve kept him on a scheduled dose of meds, but he refuses them. His range of motion has barely improved since day one. I asked Dr. Hill to evaluate him for depression. With his history, I’m concerned about PTSD and survivor’s guilt,” Terry added.
Candy scanned the admission file and notes.
What did Archer go through? Her heart raced as she searched his records, reading the patient’s summary.
It felt like a violation of his privacy, but she desperately wanted to know.
Jonah and Archer grew up together, and they constantly double-dated.
When her fiancé ran late to events, Archer showed up to escort her.
The anger she felt at his betrayal ran deep, yet she never wished him any harm.
Her gaze went to Kassie’s while the staff continued with the meeting. Their voices felt muted as she read the words on the computer, unable to bear the description of the accident which took Jonah’s life and cost Archer his foot.
Everyone stood as they concluded their discussions and made plans for their residents. Candy waved Kassie over.
“This doesn’t sound like Archer. Maybe he and Terry don’t click. We need to figure out a way to reach him,” she said firmly.
Kassie sent her a knowing smile. “He did request you. If anyone can motivate someone, you can, but I won’t force you to take this on, knowing your feelings toward him.
I’ve asked one of Leo’s men, Patch, to visit with him.
Frankly, I’m surprised. When he first arrived, Archer presented a positive attitude and willingness to do the work.
The staff and veterans have reported he’s surly, refuses meds, and seems depressed. They’re concerned for him.”
Candy frowned. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, his actions bothered her.
She witnessed some of the behaviors they discussed when he attended PT.
Attempting not to give him her attention, she ignored him, yet she stole a few secret glances his way.
“We have a history, but I don’t want him to suffer or fail his treatment plan.
It can lead to too many issues later,” she murmured, thinking about ways to engage him.
It might seem strange for her to walk into his room and socialize with him after all her attempts at avoiding him.
Kassie sat down and patted the seat next to her.
“You know how we sometimes use unorthodox methods to help our patients? I spoke with Dr. Hill, his therapist. Archer isn’t thriving in this environment.
We can relocate him to a cabin if he has a willing caregiver staying with him.
Each of you will have a separate bedroom.
Chase can evaluate him there, and Patch will stay with him if you need a break.
It’ll give him some normalcy and lead him toward working on everyday life. ”
“You want me to live with him?” she exclaimed.
Kassie laughed. “You’ve helped us out before and stayed with a patient. You didn’t know Tess at the time, and you did wonders for her. I can’t imagine how much you’ll achieve with someone you already know.”
She shook her head. “Up until I saw him in your office, we hadn’t spoken in years. How do you know he’ll go along with it?”
Kassie paused before speaking. “Archer watches you in the therapy room, and it’s apparent he wants to strike up a conversation. I’m not forcing you into this,” she insisted. “If you’re against it, we’ll find another way to reach him.”
“May I think about it before I give you my decision?” she asked, trying to settle her feelings about Archer. In some ways, it felt like his disappearance hurt her more than Jonah’s betrayal.
“Of course, you know where to find me,” Kassie said, patting her shoulder. Waiting for his wife, Chase held open the door. Candy envied their relationship.
Candy walked to the therapy room and watched Archer through the window.
He barely attempted his range of motion exercises, scanning the area for something or someone.
His expression appeared lost, and his beard went unshaven.
His eyes seemed empty as if he had given up. Her heart struggled with her head.
Opening the door, she crossed the distance between them, already knowing her answer to Kassie’s question.
She refused to allow him to fail. Candy vowed to care for him, fix his spirit, and send him on his way.
She’d withhold her anger long enough to heal him.
Recalling her mama’s advice about the thin line between love and hate, she shook her head.
She didn’t love him, but she didn’t hate him either.
Then why did Archer pull at her heartstrings, making her determined to fight for him?