Page 12 of Lost and Found

“Yes, it is.” We sit in silence, soaking up the sun for a little bit. “You get to go home today.”

She shakes her head. “Do I even have a home?”

“Of course you do. I spoke with Arden this morning. You’ll be staying with her until life gets back to normal for you.”

“If,”her tone sounds defeated, and I look over at her with raised eyebrows. “If my life gets back to normal. At this point, who knows?”

Her doubts are valid, but I also don’t like the sound of defeat in her voice. However, I’ve always highly been against giving my patient’s false hope. That’s one of the worst things you can do. “Look, I can’t make you any promises, but I have seen head injuries that were more severe than yours and they bounced back. I’ve studied cases on it, too. Every single body is different and it heals at its own rate. Yours is taking its time, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. But even if the worst does happen, you’ll fight and start a new life from this point. You’re a fighter, Paige.”

Paige looks at me, but it’s not a normal look, it’s almost as if she can see into me. I know that sounds cliché, but my heart clenches under her unwaveringstare. I feel like she can see every truth or lie I’ve ever had. “How do you know that? You don’t know me.”

“I may not have known before the accident, but I’ve seen the way you’ve fought to stay alive. You’re a fighter, Paige. When you’re a doctor, you become very good at reading people and their personalities.You learn just how hard they will push themselves, how determined they are. You’ll learn what will break the human soul and what will piece it back together. You learn that a lot of the ones that look frail and weak are actually warriors. You learn so much that at times, it’s staggering.” I let out a deep breath once I’m finished explaining things, I’ve never voiced out loud before.

Silence descends upon us and when I look up, she’s studying me, but there’s a light sheen to her eyes, almost like unshed tears. “I feel like you’re unique. I mean, I don’t remember, but I get this feeling that most doctors aren’t like you.”

I chuckle. “You’re probably right. Most doctors have a life outside of their careers.”

“You don’t?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.

I chuckle. “Not really. My career has always been the one thing I’ve wanted. I’ve never been concerned about much else. I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to save people, give them hope, and a second chance. I wanted to be a superhero, but without any powers, becoming a doctor seemed like the next best thing. I’ve never wanted anything else.” Until now, I think. I find myself wanting something else now. Something…no someone and I don’t deserve them.

Chapter Eleven

Reid

Man, today had taken a change since this morning when I sat outside and talked with Paige. It had been a rough one. I hated losing patients. It made me feel like a failure and there was no way to chase that feeling away. Now, I’m making my way through the hospital to sign the release papers for Paige. I grab my cell phone and call Arden’s number. While I’m waiting for her to answer, I tell the nurse at the station, “Get Paige’s release papers ready to go please.” She nods and starts to type away on the keyboard in front of her.

Arden finally picks up, and by the clipped tone of her voice, it was clear she was angry. Apparently, her day was going about as well as mine. “Reid, you can’t release Paige tonight.”

“Excuse me.” I was certain I had misunderstood her. We had already discussed this. “We talked about this and you were okay with it.”

She sighs heavily into the phone. “Yes, that was before Codi’s parents called me to inform me that they had sold the house that Paige and Codi shared, and her things would be given to donation, if I didn’t move them out by midnight tonight.”

“What the hell?” I asked, a little too loudly. A couple of the nurses in the hallway stopped and gave me disapproving looks. I mouth ‘I’m sorry’ to them and snuck into the emergency exit stairwell. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a long story, but it’s going to take me all night to get this stuff. Can you hold off on releasing her?” she asks, and there is a sound of desperation in her tone.

I scrub my free hand over my face. “Yeah, let me go stop the paperwork. Actually, send me the address and I’ll come to help you.”

“You don’t have to do that,Reid.”

Arden, miss independent. I shouldn’t be shocked she was trying to handle this on her own. It was admirable, but unnecessary. “I know that, but I’m coming anyway.Plus, I’d like to know how the Reynold’s got away with selling the house. I’ll see you in a few.” I disconnect the call and jog back to the nurse’s station. “Cancel the release paperwork. I feel safer leaving her one more night for observation. I’ll come by in the morning and file the paperwork myself.”

“Yes, Dr. Reid,” she replies, as she hits the delete key.

I make my way out of the hospital and to my car. I probably should have stopped by and saw Paige, but I’m afraid I’ll get lost in the time I spend with her like I’ve been doing.And right now, Arden needs my help. If she asks about being released, one of the nurses will explain about another night of observation.

I pull up to the two-story white house with blue shutters. Beautiful flower beds with bright colored flowers line the porch. When I reach the door, I knock and wait for Arden. When she opens the door, she is flushed and sweaty. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail, but strands have escaped and cling to her forehead. “You know, most of the time I’m pretty sure you are trying to become a saint.”

I chuckle. “Hardly. I’m just a good guy.”

Arden makes a shocked face. “Those still exist?”

I hold my hands out to the side. “In the flesh, my lady,” I tell her, in my best British accent as I take a bow.

She laughs. “Impressive. Well, you might as well come in,” she tells me, as she steps inside and motions me inside.”

The house is bright and airy, with pops of bright colors throughout. “Wow, it’s bright in here.”

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