Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ethan
I stood in the bathroom doorway and watched Aubrey apply her makeup with her eyes closed. I had grown concerned because I noticed she did that a lot today. Stepping out onto the balcony, I gave Dr. Marchetti a call.
“Dr. Marchetti.”
“Hi, doctor, it’s Ethan Klein.”
“Hello, Ethan. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I have some concerns.”
“Okay. What’s going on?”
“Aubrey’s been closing her eyes a lot, and when we left the hospital, she pulled out her cane and used it.”
“Were her eyes closed while she was using her cane?”
“No.”
“You must remember that Aubrey has used only touch sensory for the past seventeen years. To her, that’s her life, her routine, and what makes her feel safe. It’s going to take time for her to adjust physically and emotionally. Each day, she should start becoming less dependent on touch. It’s nothing to worry about, Ethan. Just do your best to make her feel safe during the transition.”
“Thank you, Dr. Marchetti. I will.”
Ending the call, I placed my phone in my pocket and walked back into the suite.
“Who were you talking to?” Aubrey asked.
“Rob. There was an issue with something at the office.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine now.” I walked over and kissed her. “You should get dressed. We need to get going.”
She walked over to her suitcase and pulled out the two sets of clothes she had packed. She set them on the bed and looked them over.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just weird actually to see my clothes. I can’t wait to see my closet and to see if anyone has steered me wrong over the years.” She smirked.
I couldn’t help but smile as she removed her towel and pulled on her jeans and a navy blue shirt over her head.
Aubrey
The drive home was a little difficult. I took in as much of the scenery as I could handle but shut my eyes for a while to rest my mind. Ethan tried to comfort me the best he could by holding my hand and making me laugh with his jokes. Some of which weren’t that funny, but I humored him anyway.
He pulled up to the curb of a building, and I looked over at him.
“This is where you live.” He smiled as he squeezed my hand.
I climbed out of the car and studied the tall, tan building with the glass revolving door. I saw an older gentleman, about six feet tall with white hair, come out from the building with a smile.
“Welcome back, Aubrey.”
The minute I heard his voice, I knew it was Kale, the doorman. He walked over and took our bags from Ethan.
“Good day, Mr. Klein.” He smiled.
“Kale.” I grinned as he turned to me. “It’s so good to see you after all these years.”
He chuckled. “Well, it’s only been a couple of days.”
“Aubrey and I flew to Boston, and she had surgery on her eyes. She has most of her vision back,” Ethan spoke.
“Oh my God, Aubrey. Is that true? Can you really see me?”
“Yes, and you’re a very handsome man.” I placed my hand on his cheek.
“Come here, girl,” he spoke excitedly as he set our bags down and hugged me. “You didn’t mention you were having surgery.”
“I didn’t want to tell anyone in case it didn’t work.”
“This is a miracle. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
As we stepped out of the elevator and headed to my apartment, I was nervous, for I wasn’t emotionally prepared to see my Aunt Charlotte yet. Ethan slid the key in the lock, and when he opened the door, and I stepped inside a place that had been my home and safe haven for the past several years, it felt different. It almost felt as though I stepped into unfamiliar territory. But I was going to embrace it. This was my home, and seeing the couch I sat on, the table I ate at, the kitchen I cooked in, and the bed that I slept in was all surreal.
“Wow. Look at this place.” I smiled as I wiped a tear from my eye.
“It’s pretty cool. Isn’t it?” Ethan hooked his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.
“Yeah. It’s pretty cool.”
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
“It’s your family and friends,” Ethan spoke. “I told them to give you a few minutes before coming over. I hope you don’t mind. They really want to see you.”
“I really want to see them too.”
I took a deep breath and swallowed hard as Ethan opened the door. My Aunt Charlotte walked in first. How did I know that was my Aunt Charlotte? She was an older woman with the same blonde hair I remembered her having when I was eight years old.
“Hi, Aunt Charlotte.” I smiled as I stared directly at her.
She cupped her mouth with her hand as her eyes swelled with tears. Walking over to me, she placed her hands on my face and slowly nodded as she fought to hold back the tears.
“Finally,” she whispered, pulling me into a tight embrace.
“It’s so good to see you, Aunt Charlotte.”
“My baby girl. I can’t believe this.” She broke our embrace and again placed her hands on each side of my face.
I looked behind her, and my eyes locked with Penelope’s. She walked her teary-eyed self over my way.
“You are gorgeous.” I smiled as I hugged her.
And that she was with her long red wavy hair, emerald eyes, and perfect snow white skin.
“I can’t believe this, Aubrey,” she cried. “Oh my God. I just can’t believe it.”
“My turn,” Ian spoke as he grabbed me and hugged me.
Ian looked precisely as my mind had pictured him—tall, tanned, spikey brown hair, chocolate eyes, and black-rimmed glasses that suited his face.
“You’re sexy. Rigby is a lucky guy.” I smiled.
He wiped the uncontrollable tears that streamed down his face.
“Now I’m not going to be able to make faces at you.”
I laughed. “You still can, and I’ll make them right back.”
The best part of getting my eyesight back wasn’t seeing the sight of the beauty of the world. It was seeing the people I loved more than life.