The Woman Behind the Glass Wall

by DB Jones

  “Okay, Sydney. Do you have any other questions about your treatment today?”

  Sydney shook her head. “Nothing else. Thank you for coming. Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “No, not until the end of the week.”

  “I used to get treatments three times a week.”

  “Doctor Thornhill said two times a week right now was all he wanted you to have until he had a chance to check your progress.”

  “All right. I’ll see you at the end of the week.”

  Anna walked Amy to the door and returned to the bedroom. “Well, how did it go with the new therapist?”

  “Strange.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She did some unusual stretching with my legs until the point I showed pain. I don’t understand, I thought the purpose was to push harder.”

  “Did you ask her why?”

  “I did.”

  Anna jutted her chin forward and lifted her brow. “And?”

  “She told me that Doctor Thornhill left her instructions to cut my therapy to only twice a week for now. I don’t understand his reasoning at all.”

  “Why don’t you ask him?”

  “I will the next time I see him, whenever that might be.”

  “He’ll be here this afternoon. You can ask him then. Do you need anything for now? I thought I’d run to the store and pick up a few things. You need me to get you anything?”

  Sydney hoisted herself up to a sitting position on the bed and then into the wheelchair. “No, I’m fine. Did he say what time he was coming?”

  “Just later in the day.”

  “I don’t like that. I have plans, and I’d like to make sure my schedule is free.”

  Anna placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “Seriously, Syd. You aren’t going anywhere. The last time you left this place, they took you out on a stretcher to the hospital. So don’t give me that song-and-dance that you’re busy. I’ll be back in a little while.” Anna headed for the door.

  Sydney hollered out as Anna closed the door. “Yeah, but it’s rude not to let us know when he’s coming.”

  “Then add that to your list of things you want to discuss,” Anna hollered back.”

  Sydney sat alone in the middle of the room. She looked at the French doors again and slowly wheeled her chair closer then reached up and opened one of the doors just enough to feel a slight breeze come in, then quickly closed it. “Sydney, what’s so bad out there that you can’t go out? You know you wish you could.”

  Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “Anna, can you get the door? Oh, crap. I forgot she’s not here,” she mumbled. “Just a moment.”

  She wheeled to the door. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Doctor Thornhill.”

  Sydney opened the door. “Come in, Doctor.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Yes. Do you have any coffee made?”

  “Uh, I think so.” She rolled her chair into the kitchen. “Yes, we do. What would you like in your coffee?”

  “Just black, please.”

  She poured him a cup and brought it back to the living room and set the cup on the coffee table.

  “How are you doing today?”

  She nodded her head. “Doing fine. I had my new therapy with Amy this morning.”

  “How did that go?”

  “You tell me. I’m sure Amy gave you a full report of what we did and how far she jerked my legs.”

  “Miss Parker. This treatment isn’t to see how much you can endure. I think you know that.”

  “Then what is it for? Why the rigorous leg exercises when I’m never going to use these legs again,” she blurted as she slapped her knees.

  Doctor Thornhill leaned in across the table and looked into her eyes. “Is that why you resist so much?”

  Sydney quickly looked away and didn’t respond.

  “Miss Parker, I know you are an intelligent woman. Anna told me you did your research on me, so you know what I do. I would not be wasting my time or yours if I believed that all avenues had been explored.”

  “Then why are you wasting your time with me? Doctor Casey said I should adapt and move on with what life handed me. That’s what I’ve been doing. What makes you think he didn’t do his best for me?”

  “I’m not saying he didn’t, but there is new research on the nervous system and spinal injuries. I’d like to explore them in your case.”

  She jerked her head back. “Just as I thought.”

  “You thought what?”

  “I’m your guinea pig for your articles.”

  “That’s not what I was implying at all.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  He reached for his coffee and leaned back in the chair. “I’m saying that I wish you’d give me a chance. I think we got off on the wrong foot. Can we start over?”

  “I’m sorry, Doctor but I’ve heard this from others, and they all meant well, but…”

  “But they weren’t me.” He set his cup down and reached for her hands. “Please, take a chance with me. I promise if the tests don’t show me what I’m hoping they will, I won’t drag you down this path. I’ll be upfront and honest the entire trip. You don’t have to give me an answer right now. Do your research on me, ask me any questions you want, and feel free to call me if you have any reservations at all. I want us to have an open dialogue. No holding back. Okay?”

  “I’ll give it some thought. I have one question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “What is it that you’re hoping to discover with the tests?”

  “I promised to be upfront with you. When I worked with you the other day, you had pain in an area that gave me hope that the sensations you were feeling indicated that the damage in your spine might not be as significantly severe as once thought.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He tightened his lips and leaned in close again. “Miss Parker, I don’t want you to get your hopes up, but there could be a chance we can repair the damage.”

  “Are you telling me that there is a possibility of me walking again?”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. However, if you decide to work with me, I’d like to start with a series of tests that will give me more information. I know this is a lot to digest right now.” He handed her his card. “You can reach me here any time of the day or night.”

  She took the card and stared at it. All she could do was nod her head.

  Doctor Thornhill stood up and took in a deep breath. “I’ll see myself out. Thank you for seeing me, Miss Parker.” Then he left.

  Sydney remained in the living room staring at the card when Anna arrived.

  “I got some of that creamer you liked so well.”

  Sydney didn’t respond.

  “Syd, did you hear me?”

  “Huh?

  “I said…what’s going on with you. What are you staring at?”

  “Oh, it’s Doctor Thornhill’s card.”

  “Was he here? I didn’t think he was coming until later. If I had known, I would have stayed. Would you like some coffee or tea?”

  “Coffee.”

  Anna walked over to Sydney with her hands on her hips. “What in the world did he say to you that has you in a trance?”

  Sydney looked up at Anna. “I think you’d better get us each a cup.”

  “Okay.”

  Anna poured the coffee and hurried back to the couch. “You have my curiosity peaked. You look like you’re staring at the winning lottery ticket.”

  “I don’t know what to think, Anna.”

  “Well, what did he say?”

  She laid the card on her lap and looked at Anna. “He wants to do more tests.”

  “We already knew that. That can’t be what’s on your mind.”

  Sydney shook her head. “He suggested that my injury might not be permanent.”

  “What are you saying? You mean he thinks you might walk again?�
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  “He wouldn’t commit to that, but I got the impression he does. Anna, I don’t want to get excited and then be let down again. Maybe I’d be better off doing what Doctor Casey said and just accept my disability.”

  “Don’t you dare give up hope. With all you’ve told me about your research on this doctor if anyone could make that happen, I believe he could. Give it a chance, Syd. What do you have to lose?”

  “I guess nothing, but I don’t want to be disappointed and sink back into my hole again.”

  “If you do, I’ll drag your ass out like I did before. At least you’ve got to try.”

  “I’ll think about it. Doctor T said if I had any questions I could call him. Right now I can’t think of a single thing. I think I’m in shock.”

  “Of course you are.”

  “There’s something else that scares me.”

  “What?”

  “What if he insists that I go outside? You know I can’t do that.”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Face that fear later. One step at a time. Who knows, you might just want to go out some day.”

  “I tried while you were out.”

  “You did?”

  “Well, I opened the door to the patio, but the fear was overwhelming. I just couldn’t do it.”

  Anna got up, smiled, then patted Sydney on the shoulder. “That’s the first step. You opened the door on your own.”

  Sydney twisted her mouth and looked up at Anna. “It might be as far as I can go. I hope you won’t be disappointed in me if I never leave this place.”

  “Never, as long as you don’t give up.”

  CHAPTER 4

  Sydney was up early, and all she could think about was her discussion with Doctor Thornhill. It triggered memories of her youth with her brother Teddy. It was 5:00 a.m., too early to call but she was determined to talk to her brother before giving the doctor her response.

  She wheeled into the kitchen and started the coffee.

  Anna shuffled all of her five foot, two-inch body into the living room with her pink fleece bathrobe hanging over one shoulder and running her fingers through her short cropped black hair. “Hey, what are you doing up this early?”

  “I can’t stop thinking about what Doctor T said.”

  “Oh, it’s Doctor T, now?”

  “It’s easier when talking to you.”

  “Okay. What about what he said?”

  “About my injuries. You know my family has never discussed it with me. Teddy was there when I was in the hospital. Maybe he’ll remember what was said. Momma and Daddy didn’t want to talk about it with me. Maybe they said something to Teddy or Rosa.”

  “You mean to tell me you never asked either of them a thing about that night?”

  Sydney shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t think so. They always looked so sad that I didn’t want to dredge it up again. I think somehow they felt guilty.”

  Anna got her coffee and joined Sydney in the living room. “This thing with the doc has you questioning what else they knew, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, it does and not just about the accident, but about a lot of unexplained things.”

  “Like what?”

  “I’d rather not talk about it until I have more clarity on what happened. But, if I get the answers, I’ll tell you. Okay?”

  “Syd, that’s personal, and if you want to keep it to yourself, I will certainly understand. All I’ve ever wanted for you is for you to be happy and at peace. Hopefully, now you’ll find that.”

  Jacob returned home and headed to his office. He opened the liquor cabinet, poured a short glass of Johnny Walker Scotch Whiskey and sat in the large leather recliner. “Dang, I hope I didn’t say too much to Miss Parker. The last thing I meant to do was scare her away.” He laid out Miss Parker’s files on the desk and began studying the x-rays Doctor Casey took when Sydney was young. “I can see why he thought she’d never walk again.” He held the x-ray up to the light. It indicated damage in the lower thoracic region. “I would still like to do an MRI on her spine, but I need to move cautiously.”

  “Hey, is anyone home?”

  “Hi, Dad. I’m in the den.”

  Senior walked up behind Jacob. “The Danners send their best. Have you had dinner yet?”

  “No, I just got home.”

  “Well, I brought you something from Sal’s. I’ll just leave it on the counter. What are you working on?

  Jacob slid the files back into his briefcase. “Oh, the patient I was telling you about. Can I get you a drink?”

  “That would be nice. I’ll be right back.” His father turned to take the dinner to the kitchen.

  Jacob poured his dad a drink and set it on the coffee table and waited.

  “I had a great time tonight. I forgot how much I liked getting out with friends. Remind me of that when I retire,” Senior chuckled.

  “Oh, Dad. I’m sure you’ll remember that on your own. Your mind is still sharp.”

  His father sat on the couch and picked up his drink. “Now, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “Since you are thinking about retiring and most likely will be more socially active, I thought it would be nice for you to have the master downstairs. What do you think?”

  His father leaned back on the couch and sipped his drink. “Son, are you sure that’s the reason?”

  “Yes. Well, I was thinking it would be easier for me to continue my research upstairs without disturbing you. What do you think?”

  “You don’t disturb me, but it’s your home.”

  “No, it’s our home. You grew up in the house. I thought it might be nice to have an entire suite just yours.”

  His dad leaned up closer to Jacob. “Son, are you being honest with me?”

  “You know I love you. Right?”

  “Of course.”

  “I work with patients of all ages, as do you. We both know as we get older it becomes more difficult for us to do the things we did when we were younger. I don’t know about you, but I know I’m slowing down. Wouldn’t you rather do this now, before we’re forced to?”

  His dad put his drink back on the table and stood up. “I’m not ready for a nursing home yet. Quit trying to put me on a walker so soon. I still have a lot of kick left in me,” he grunted as he stormed out of the room.

  Jacob lowered his head into his hands. “That went well, you idiot.” He shook his head then followed his dad into the kitchen. “Dad, I’m sorry. That didn’t come out the way I wanted it to.”

  “It came out exactly the way you are thinking.”

  “No, it didn’t.” He walked up next to his father. “You aren’t even close to needing help. I just thought you’d be more comfortable downstairs. Forget I mentioned it. I can continue with things as they are now. If you ever, or if you want to make a change, we can discuss it then. It will be your decision. I won’t bring it up again. This case I’m working on has me questioning everything. Forgive me?”

  His father turned around. “Nothing to forgive.” Then he turned and walked upstairs. Jacob watched as his father slowly walked the winding staircase. “I love you, Dad.”

  His dad lifted his arm, gave a slight wave and kept going.

  Jacob returned to the den and closed the door behind him. “Jacob, you’re a jerk.”

  “Anna, I’m going to be in my room working. If anyone calls for me would you take a message?”

  Anna watched Sydney wheel toward her room. “Sure. If you need me, I’ll be in my room.”

  Sydney closed the door behind her and listened until she heard Anna’s door close. She picked up her cell phone, clicked on Teddy’s name and stared at his number. “How am I going to approach this?” She tilted her head back, bit her lower lip, shrugged her shoulder and pushed the dial icon. The phone rang three times, while Sydney was holding her breath.

  “Hello, Sis.”

  She exhaled slowly. “Hi, Teddy. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. Is everything okay with you?”
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  “Yeah.”

  Then there was a brief moment of silence before Teddy spoke. “Your silence tells me that there is something on your mind. What is it, Sis?”

  “I know we’ve never really discussed what happened to me that day, and lately I’ve been having dreams of what I think are flashbacks. Teddy, I would like you to tell me all you can remember about that day.”

  “Why do you want to dredge up all that? What good is it going to do you to relive it.”

  “Relive it? I can’t remember anything except waking up in the hospital and you sitting in the corner. Momma and Daddy never wanted to talk about what happened, so I just let it be. I need to know, and now that our parents are gone, you’re the only one who can tell me.”

  “Why don’t I come up this weekend. You can ask me anything you want. I’m not sure I’ll have the answers you’re looking for, but I’ll do my best.”

  “Thank you. That would mean a lot.”

  “Syd, are you sure this is something you want to do? Sometimes the past is better left right where it is, behind you. You’ve done so well moving forward with your life. Knowing what happened might open up memories you’d rather not face.”

  “I have to know. Plus, I have other questions that you might be able to answer. I can’t wait to see you. I’ll have Anna fix up the guest room for you.”

  “There’s no need for her to do that. I can get a room close by.”

  “I want to see my brother.”

  “Okay, but don’t go all out. I can’t stay long.”

  When Teddy hung up, Sydney sunk back in her chair. “Maybe he’s right. Maybe I shouldn’t try bringing all this up. Momma must have had her reasons for all those years of silence.”

  Sydney rolled her chair to the window and propped her head in her hands as she watched the people in the park. “It would be nice to be able to stroll around that lake or sit on one of those benches. I’d love to hear the real stories behind my characters that frequent the area. Who are you kidding Syd? You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment again.”

  There was a knock on her door.

  “Come in, Anna.”

  “Sydney, would you like me to fix you something to eat? You haven’t eaten today. You need to keep up your strength.”