CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Everly
Week One Recovery
“H ow’s the arm today?” Saylor asks over the phone during one of our many daily phone calls.
“‘Bout the same as it was three days ago. The meds make me sleepy but it does dull the pain. I’m starting to feel like I’m part of the living. I get to shower tomorrow so that’s an achievement, as long as I don’t get the sutures wet.”
“I bet you smell ripe,” she giggles.
“Dad’s been a godsend. I think he’s been around more now than he ever was when he was in the service.”
“I bet,” she agrees. Her Dad still vanishes for months on end without a word. I know it’s hard on her sometimes, especially when my dad pops in occasionally to say hi when he comes into town.
“Have you heard anything from yours?”
“Nope, but I don’t expect to. I sent him a few texts but who knows where he went off to,” she scoffs. “Have you heard from Linc?”
“Verbally, no, but he is still sending little care packages every day,” I tell her.
The first full day I was here, a delivery man came with a large box of goodies in it.
It had a facial ice pack mask for my swelling, along with moisturizing products to hydrate the skin.
There was also a pair of silk pajamas to wear that is easy to take on and off.
The second day, the same guy delivered another box full of crossword and sudoku puzzles.
He added in highlighters and my favorite pens, along with another set of silk pajamas to change into.
“Sounds like he’s giving you the space you wanted,” she says. “But still making sure you don’t forget him.”
“Yeah, I guess. I’m not taking as many pain meds now so I feel like I can focus on everything ahead of me.”
“Just know that whatever you decide I’m with you.”
“I know,” I say. “How are you and your man from the hospital?”
She lets out a dreamy sigh, “He’s great. I can’t wait for you to meet him. I’ve got some big news to tell you but I want to do it in person and not over the phone.”
“Is it good news or bad news?” You never know with Saylor. She can sometimes get herself in a pickle but think it’s the best thing to ever happen to her.
“I’m not saying until I see your face, sweet cheeks.”
“Okay, okay, call me tomorrow after work. I’m living vicariously through you at the moment while I’m laid up here.”
“You got it. Oh, Glammy and Granddad are coming to see you next week. So, make a list of treats you want from the bakery and I’ll make sure to send all the goodies with them.”
“I’d love that. I spoke with Glammy yesterday about their trip up here. They were going to head out to their place in Montana in a few weeks, but thought they’d leave sooner to stop by and see me for a bit.”
“Not having you down the hall is killing me, Everly,” She states. “We’ve never been apart for long periods of time and I hate not physically seeing each other.”
“I know but I’ll be back in three weeks. Think of it as a small vacay from being grilled about your secret new man.”
“When you get back, and if you decide to stay with mister attorney, then I want to meet him.”
“We should double date and introduce everyone at the same time.”
“I love that idea,” Saylor says as a timer sounds behind her. “Ugh, I gotta go. I’m down an employee today so I’m covering the slack.”
“Kay, love you, bye.”
“Love you too, bye.”
By the end of the week, I had enough snacks and entertainment to last a month sent to me. A note came on the last day with my package. I was hesitant to open it but curiosity won me over. Not to mention that Dad kept asking what it said.
Everly,
I hope your recovery is going well. I’ve wanted to call so many times but I’m trying to give you the time and space that you asked for. Please know that you are all I think about and I want to make this right between us. I’ll do whatever it takes.
I’ll be waiting here at home for you when you are ready.
Love,
Linc
Week Two Recovery
A knock on the front door tells me that my daily delivery is here. Dad doesn’t even get up to answer the door anymore unless the package is too big for me to carry. This week, Linc has had flowers sent with every box, with a note or random saying.
“If that guy sends one more vase of flowers we’ll be able to open our own florist shop,” Dad yells from the living room, as I open the thick wooden door.
The young man, Steven, who is definitely still in high school is standing there with another vase of flowers and a small gift box.
“Hi,” I greet.
“I’ve got another delivery!”
I carefully take the vase and box, tucking it into my good arm and closing the door with my foot, as I walk back to the kitchen to set down the flowers.
“What did he get us today?” Dad asks with a chuckle.
Earlier this week, Linc sent a home healthcare person to come and help me take a shower since I had to wait until my incisions were healed.
When Martha, the home health nurse, came, she was instructed to bring a set of fishing poles along with a full tackle box, so Dad could go fishing at Honey Lake while I got a clean body.
Then Linc sent a lady from a hair salon to come wash my hair every other day and braid it, to keep it out of my face.
He also sent over a therapist for me to talk to about what had happened the day Linley attacked me.
I was reluctant at first but Dad thought it might help if I had someone to speak freely to.
So, when she came back the next day we spent over two hours out on the back porch talking.
She’s come every day and if it’s possible, I feel a little lighter every time she leaves.
Using the scissors, I open the box and find a new pair of hiking shoes in my size along with a note similar to last weeks.
Everly,
I’ve been researching a lot about your recovery and hope Martha has been helpful this week. I consulted with several doctors on the steps to recovering from injuries like yours, to make sure it was okay to send her to help you.
This week has been a hard one for me. I never knew how much I needed you, not only you but your voice in my life. The urge to come set up a tent in your Dad’s front lawn is strong and if I wasn’t scared he’d shoot me on the spot, I’d do it just to get a glimpse of you.
I told you in the hospital that I loved you.
I had an entire date planned that night on how I was going to profess my love and it came at a pleading time when it should’ve been more special.
You deserve every special thing this world has to offer and if you let me, I’ll give it to you.
I love you Everly Bryant and the next time I see you in person, I’m going to tell you and show you.
You might have some doubts but I’ll carry us until you are ready.
With all my love,
xoxo
Linc
Week Three Recovery
The days are starting to move faster. Dad and I have started to slowly hike through our favorite trails. We go into town and eat at our favorite spots and I feel like this is the closest we’ve ever been in our lives.
The swelling in my face is gone with just some bruising still lingering.
My arm is getting better and I’m not required to wear it in the sling as much.
The cast is annoying and itchy but that is to be expected.
I’m hoping that next week when I go back to LA for my check up that everything is healing properly, and that I don’t have any setbacks.
“We better head back home in time to catch Steven. I’d hate for the poor kid to panic if someone doesn’t answer the door,” Dad jokes as we round the bend. We’ve hiked longer today than we did Monday.
On Monday, Steven dropped off an envelope.
I thought maybe it was a gift card but when I opened it, it was a picture of us on one of our dates.
It looked just like a baseball rookie trading card but with us on the front.
On the back Linc had written the date and where we went that day.
I’d never felt more emotional in all my life.
Every day this week, I’ve received a rookie card of us during our relationship, and it makes my stomach flutter like it always does when Linc comes into the room.
Walking through the backyard, we take the steps up and open the screened in porch right when the doorbell rings.
“I’d say that was perfect timing,” Dad announces, holding the door for me to walk through.
With a little pep in my step, I open the front door and come face to face with Steven.
“Delivery for Everly!”
“Hi, Steven,” I greet.
He hands me the envelope, then heads down the drive to his car with a little wave.
I don’t even have the door closed before I’m tearing into the card.
Inside is another rookie card of us but on the night we made love.
We were standing right outside the restaurant.
You could tell by the looks in our eyes at how much we meant to each other.
On the back of the card Linc wrote the date and the name of the place we went.
He also included in quotes, “Best Night of My Life” underneath it.
Inside is the note I’ve been secretly waiting for all week.
Everly,
I love you, I love you, I love you.
You are the best thing to ever happen to me.
You light up every room you walk into. I’ve noticed this past week how much you’ve changed my life and how I now look at everything.
Before it was all work and trying to see what next job accomplishment I could gain.
When you came into the picture, it changed.
You changed me. I look at our pictures together and I see a guy who is happy with his life and living to the fullest, and none of it revolves around my job.
You don’t care what I do for a living or how much money I have; you only want me.
I’ve made so many changes in the last two weeks. I think Olivia has had our office therapist stop by for a session every day this week. I want to be better not only for you but for me most of all.
I hope your recovery is going well and that you are healing, not only physically, but emotionally as well. I’m here if you ever want to talk.
With all my Love,
xoxo
Linc