Page 42 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
“It’s really important he keeps up his exercises,” Savanna tells me, hitting the number three button. “I spoke with Dr. Fincher in the hall earlier. We want to release Wyatt soon, and it’s important he doesn’t get slack on his stretches and other therapy.”
“I know he wants to get better.”
“He does,” she agrees, as the elevator slows to the third floor. “But it can be really hard for people to keep up momentum. Sometimes, small progress can feel like nothing to someone in recovery. It’s common forpeople to give up and then backslide.”
We move out of the elevator. “I’ll help him however I can.”
Savanna smiles kindly, showing me to her office. “That’s amazing. I love that he has someone in his corner. Yes, I know he has a whole team around him. But he needs someone who sees him as a person. Not just a bunch of people who consider him a brand.”
A whole flood of ick surges through me, causing me to halt before we reach her door.
She pats my shoulder. “It’s up to him to stay on top of his exercises. But the support of a cheerleader never goes astray.”
I smile and nod.
Savanna steps inside her office and I wait in the doorway, clutching my elbows. My eyes wander across the filing cabinets and scattered exercise equipment, including exercise balls and resistance bands.
She plucks a red elastic from a drawer and sets it around her fingers. “This is all he needs.”
I step toward her. “How does he use it?”
“He just has to make sure the band sits under the first knuckle on the three middle fingers,” she says, demonstrating on her right hand. “It’s fine if it sits against the nail on the thumb and his pinky.”
“And does he do this everyday?”
She nods. “Multiple times, if possible.”
“What about when his head hurts? Can he skip them then?”
“Unfortunately, headaches and trauma go hand in hand. Besides, I think it’ll do his mental health a world of good to be able to play his guitar again.”
My heart bounces at the prospect. “Yes. Wyatt’s not Wyatt without his guitar.”
“He was like that back at school?”
“Totally,” I boast. “He’s always been talented.”
“The more I can work with him on hand-eye coordination,” shesays, “the faster I can get him back to feeling like himself.”
I sigh, shaking off the mess of muddled feelings. “He just seems so confused. I mean, I’m confused too. This whole situation is so complicated. He remembers his life with me, but I know so much more about his current life than he does. I wish things could get more comfortable for him.”
“Neurological issues can be so tricky,” Savanna says with a tight mouth. “We can’t rush him.”
“I know. It’s just hard.”
She smiles sweetly and rubs my arm. “Just focus on having a nice visit. It’s all he needs right now.”
I nod, moving out of her office. “Thank you. I will.”
“Will you be okay?” she asks, tilting her head with concern as we move into the hallway. “Do you wanna get a coffee at the café downstairs? I have sometime to chat, if you would like.”
“That’s okay,” I say, grateful. “I might head back upstairs and call my friend. I haven’t returned any of her texts since getting here.”
“No problem. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow. Wyatt will be back in the gym with me in the morning.”
“Is that to help with his walking?”
“Yep. Have you noticed him struggling?”
