Page 16 of Lost and Found

She crosses her arms over her chest. “I can. I’ve been doing a lot better in physical therapy and it’ll be good for me. The therapist is always telling me to walk more when I can.”

I don’t like the idea of her overdoing it, but then again, I’m not a physical therapist and if they are telling her to walk more, I won’t stop her. “Okay, but if you start to feel like you need a break, just let me know okay?”

“Of course,” she responds. “Do you mind if I bring the music?” she asks, holding up the iPod.

I smile. “Of course not.” We make our way out of the office and start off down the street with the music between us. It’s a beautiful, sunny day and the sidewalks are pretty crowded with the weekend shoppers. Paige and I share quick glances. I watch as she walks. Her balance and speed has improved tremendously since the last time I saw her. It gives me a whole new wave of hope.

Chapter Fourteen

Paige

The first couple of days after being released from the hospital were difficult, to say the least. I felt lost and frustrated all over again, just like I had felt when I first woke up in the hospital. I guess a change of atmosphere and loss of routine again, set off the frustration in me. The feeling of being lost came from the fact that Arden, Gideon, and their home all felt so strangely familiar, but I couldn’t remember a damn thing about any of it. There was just this strange feeling of having been there before. It nagged at me constantly.

After Arden got me set up with my new physical therapy schedule, and I started attending the session three times a week, things started to progressively get better. It was somewhat of a routine and I felt my body becoming stronger. I was starting to feel like somewhat of a human again.

One night after Gideon had been put to bed, Arden and I stayed up watchingthe newRoswellseries onNetflix.Arden said during high school, we watched the original every week it aired. I wish I could remember that although I was loving this new version of it. Arden said it was different from the original, but just as good.

We snacked on popcorn and drank soda while watching it. After the fourth episode, I voiced my worry. “Arden, what did I used to do for a living?”

She pauses the upcoming episode and smiles at me. “You worked as a receptionist at my office. I’m holding your job until you are ready to come back.”

“You are?” I ask.

Arden reaches over and pats my hand. “Of course, Paige. I’ve always got your back, sweetie.”

I smile at her and we watch the next episode, but I don’t remember much of it because I was distracted thinking about when I could possibly get back to work.

The following day at physical therapy, I asked if they thought it would be safe for me to start back to work. I explained what I had done before the accident, and they didn’t see anything wrong with me getting back into the hang of things. They actually encouraged it. They thought it would help my mental state as well as my motor skills to have a job to go to. It would force me to get back out into the world and keep up with the pace.

That night, I told Arden and asked if I could go back to work the following day. She had smiled and told me of course. The next morning, I dressed in Disney themed scrubs and headed out to her car with Gideon in tow. After he was dropped off at daycare, we headed to the clinic. Arden introduced me to everyone, and had Patty show me around and explain what needed to be done. I found myself quickly falling into a routine. Within a few days, I had my routine down and I could do the job without help.

I was really starting to get my life back on track, I feel like it anyways.

Every day I played the playlist that Reid had made for me. It gave me a place of peace. Something about the music and lyrics just made me feel good. I’d often find myself dancing around in the morning, while I did my makeup to the songs on the list. I brought it to work and played it quietly, so that only I could hear it. It kept my anxiety at bay and helped me focus.

I was looking forward to seeing Reid at my upcoming appointment. I’m excited to tell him about getting back to work and how his playlist has helped keep me motivated.

If I’m being honest, I miss him. I miss seeing him. I miss that sense of comfort that used to come over me whenever he was around. He made me feel safe, which may sound crazy, since I don’t know him really, but he does.

So, you can imagine my surprise, as I’m sitting at my desk and Reid walks into the clinic. It hadn’t been that long since I’ve seen him last, but with the way my body reacts to his presence, you would think it was. That calm and comfort once again wraps around me like that old lime green blanket I used to love. I freeze for a moment, because I get flashes of a lime green blanket in my mind. I don’t know why or where it comes from, but it feels like a memory.

Once Reid heads down the hall to start his day, I go back to working on appointments and files with the music playing softly. The excitement in my veins is undeniable. I can’t help but feel like that lime green blanket is my mind trying to heal.

It happens again a few hours later when Reid asks what I’d like for lunch from Kazen’s. My answer was easy and immediate. I don’t know how I know I like the Mediterranean chicken griller from there. I didn’t even know I had eaten there, but all of a sudden, I just knew it’s what I always eat there. I could just feel it in my bones.

Now, Reid and I are walking to the bistro, through the crowded sidewalks full of college students, tourists, and locals, all checking out the streets of unusual little shops that can only be found in Sunnyvale. It’s known more for its college and medical facilities than anything else.

As we walk, I can’t help but steal glances at Reid. He looks different than what I became accustomed to in the hospital. Most of the time he had on scrubs there, but today he’s in a pair of khaki slacks, brown dress shoes, and a baby blue button-up shirt. His stethoscope hangs around his neck. Reid oozes confidence and intelligence, but there’s also the compassion that comes off him in his waves. He’s so different from everyone else, or at least it feels that way.

“So, how’s the job going?” he asks.

I smile. “Great. It feels…normal to get back into the hang of things again. I love my job and being around the kids. The staff has been so welcoming and of course, working with Arden is always a plus.”

“That’s good to hear. You seem to have really found a flow in the office.” He comments then stares off into the distance as we wait to cross the street.

I clear my throat. “How about you? How are things with you?”

He chuckles and scratches his jaw. “Good, just working as usual. I’m meeting my brother’s fiancé next week. That’s about as new and exciting as it gets for me,” he says, with a shrug.

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