Page 33 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
Wyatt nods. “I don’t have it all the time.”
“Good. I’m confident it should be eradicated, but we’ll keep monitoring it,” Dr. Fincher replies. “I know it can be frustrating to relearn all these basic movements, but stay positive. You’ve got this.”
“Thanks, doc,” Wyatt says with a small smile.
Dr. Fincher tilts his head, studying Wyatt with care. “I’m still concerned about what caused your memory loss. If you’ve suffered severe emotional shock, I don’t want you returning to your life and becoming triggered.”
“I, I need to go,” Wyatt says with urgency. “Besides, I’ll still see that psych, psych... therapist? Right?”
Dr. Fincher nods. “Right.”
“So I’ll be leaving soon?”
Dr. Fincher glances at me and then returns to Wyatt. “Yes, we will just have to perform a few tests before your release. The administration staff already has a list of appointments with your physical therapist, psychologist, and speech therapist. You’re staying in the city for a while, correct?”
“Yeah, there’s a hotel booked for me.”
“Good. Of course, you can fly back for future appointments. But Ifeel it’s important for you to initially stay close to the clinic as we monitor your release. We want you moving forward, not relapsing.”
“How could he relapse?” I blurt.
“An increase in slurred words, or less mobility,” Dr. Fincher explains. “Those sort of things. I don’t anticipate worsened memory loss, if that’s your concern. But we will need to monitor the frequency and intensity of the headaches.”
“I already feel better,” Wyatt rushes.
Dr. Fincher smiles warmly. “And have you and Josie been able to recall the same memories?”
I raise a hand. “Wyatt’s brought them up first.”
“She’s filled me in on some of the present day stuff,” Wyatt says. “But, I swear, the past is clear as day.”
“That’s fantastic,” the doctor responds.
Wyatt sits forward with eagerness. “So, I’m leaving the clinic?”
“You’re improving in psychical therapy, and with improved stress management your stutter will diminish,” Dr. Fincher replies. “So, yes you can leave after we conduct a few more tests.”
“Anything you want, doc,” Wyatt says with urgency. “I just feel like I’m broken when I’m stuck in this room.”
Dr. Fincher smiles warmly. “I certainly don’t want you to stay if you feel it’s hurting your progress. Of course, you do realize this involves some memory tests.”
Wyatt clicks his tongue. “Bummer. What if I fail again?”
Dr. Fincher chuckles to himself. “You’ve never failed one-hundred percent.”
“Does he need one-hundred percent in order to leave the clinic?” I ask.
“Not at all,” Dr. Fincher replies, clutching his clipboard close to his chest. “You still have a long recovery period, Wyatt, but I’m very optimistic for you.”
Wyatt sighs out happily. “Thanks.”
I sit up, a sinking feeling in my gut. “Dr. Fincher, is there anything I should or shouldn’t be doing? I don’t want to hurt Wyatt’s progress.”
“You’re not tasked with anything, Josie,” the doctor replies. “Remember, you’re simply a visitor. I don’t want you to feel any pressure or stress. Yes, it’s hoped your visit has a positive impact on Wyatt’s health, but there’s a lot of factors that go into neurological issues.”
Wyatt squeezes my hand and I catch the tug in his smile.
“I would recommend not rushing Wyatt when he’s stumbling on his words.” Dr. Fincher makes sure to give Wyatt an optimistic look. “He’s doing much better. But, on the times where he slurs or misplaces a word, give him the time to adjust. It’ll help him to make the connections himself.”
