The Woman Behind the Glass Wall

by DB Jones

  Jacob held the x-rays up and then laid out the results from the MRI. “The MRI showed that Sydney’s blood vessels are in good shape and no abnormalities in her brain. That’s a good sign.”

  Teddy held his breath as Jacob picked up the x-rays. “I see where Doctor Casey saw the swelling in Sydney’s nervous system. Doctor Casey was working with the knowledge of the time. Based on the x-rays taken by him, the swelling between T-9 and T-12 was thought to be a spinal cord injury. However, I see no serious injury to that region other than a twisted nerve impending motor control to your lower limbs. That being said, I’ve studied her injuries and see no reason why Sydney wouldn’t benefit from surgery to correct that area.”

  Anna jumped up and blurted out. “You mean she can walk again?”

  “That’s up to her,” Jacob grinned. “Are you ready to get out of that chair, Miss Parker?”

  Sydney couldn’t speak. The tears flowed like Niagra Falls. Teddy grabbed his sister and hugged her so hard that she squealed. “Ouch.”

  “Is that a yes?” Teddy cried.

  All she could do was nod her head.

  “That doesn’t mean she’s not still going to need therapy. Her muscles have atrophied over the years and will need rebuilding and strengthening after surgery, but she has a good chance of leaving that chair and living a normal life.”

  After all the hugging and crying was over, Sydney regained composure. “Thank you so much, Doctor Thornhill. How soon can you do the surgery?”

  “There are a few things I need you to do to prepare your body.”

  “Name it, we’re ready,” Syndey responded as she looked over at Anna and Teddy.

  “I have a strict diet and exercise program I want you to follow for the next few weeks. I’ll have Maria set up a date for your surgery after I’m sure you’re at your best for this, okay?”

  “Whatever it’s going to take.”

  Jacob stood, shook hands with Teddy and Anna and walked out with all three of them as Teddy wheeled Sydney’s chair. “This will be a team effort. I’m going to be checking on your progress. If you have any concerns or questions, you know how to reach me. Don’t hesitate.”

  “I will. Thank you so much, Doctor.”

  Jacob smiled as he watched the three of them head for the elevator. He turned back to his office, plopped down in his chair and dropped his head in his hands. Then he heard a knock. “Come in.” Teddy entered the room. “I don’t want to bother you, but I had to thank you again. We have prayed for this since the day of her accident.”

  “I’m just glad that it looks so promising. I’d like to sit down with you sometime though. Do you feel comfortable talking about what happened to your sister with me? I do not want her or any of you to discuss this if it’s uncomfortable.”

  “We’re just uncovering a lot of it ourselves, but yes, if it gives you a better understanding of why she responds the way she does. I’m trying to convince her to see my hypnotist. She is holding something inside. I don’t believe she knows what it is.”

  Jacob smiled. “Well, if anyone can talk her into it. I’m sure it’s you.”

  “I hope so. Doctor Thornhill, please feel free to call me anytime; I only want the best for my sister.”

  “I will.”

  Teddy left, and then Jacob leaned back in his chair, ran his fingers through his hair and then called in Maria.

  The mood in the car on the way home was almost giddy. Anna couldn’t stop crying and hugging Sydney, Teddy was still shaking at the thought of his sister walking someday, and Sydney’s thoughts ran rampant with possibilities. She spent most of the ride home staring out the window; not at anything in particular, just staring.

  Once they were back inside Teddy suggested Sydney lie down. “This is a lot to take in for one day. I’m sure you could use some rest.”

  “My mind is a jumbled mess. I don’t know what I’m thinking. It’s surreal to me. It feels like I’m dreaming and I’m afraid when I wake up it will disappear.”

  Teddy knelt down beside her chair. “It’s very real, and I’m going to be here the entire time.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Now rest, we’ll celebrate later.”

  “Celebrate? I’ll celebrate when I get out of the chair and walk. Until then, I have work to do. I plan to do everything Doctor T tells me to do. Teddy, pinch me.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to make double sure that I’m not dreaming.”

  Teddy gave her a gentle pinch and another kiss. “How’s that?”

  “I love you.” She turned and wheeled to her room, closed the door and made her way to the window. Tears blinded her view as she watched couples strolling along the path, children running after the duck and geese and the cats poking their heads from beneath the bushes watching the activity in the park. “Some day, some day.”

  Jacob pulled up in the driveway. It was nearly 5:30 p.m. and Frank was still there. He picked up Sydney’s files and headed inside. “Good grief!”

  “Good evening, Son. Frank seems to have made a royal mess of the place.”

  “Hey, Jacob. Ready to see the demo?”

  “I think I just did,” he replied as he stepped over a tarp filled with debris.

  Jacob followed Frank into what was his bedroom. “Holy Cow, you’ve already knocked out the wall. The room looks so big.” He turned around to his dad. “What do you think, Dad?”

  “I can throw some parties in here,” he laughed.

  “I guess you can. What do you think of the layout, now that the wall is down?”

  “I like it, but I don’t have the vision you and Frank have. All I see right now is a big mess.”

  Frank laughed. “You will soon.”

  Senior grinned and walked to the other room.

  “I think Dad is going to love this when it’s done. What kind of time frame are you thinking?”

  “The good thing is we didn’t run into any problems removing the wall between the two rooms, but reconfiguring the bathroom might hold us up some. I can have the bedroom done in a couple of weeks, but I wouldn’t move your dad in until the bathroom is complete. Drywall dust isn’t good for the lungs. I’ve got a plumber coming out this week. I’ll know more on the schedule after that.”

  “I understand.” Jacob patted Frank on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re about to wrap it up for today. You want to stay for a beer?”

  “Maybe another time. I’m already late for dinner.”

  Jacob smiled. “At least you have dinner waiting for you.”

  “If I don’t leave now, it will be a cold dinner.”

  “Then you’d better get out of here.”

  “I’m leaving now. See you tomorrow.”

  Jacob joined his father in the kitchen. “Dad, how was your day?”

  “The question is, how was your day? Isn’t this the day you’ve been waiting for? Did the tests go well?”

  Jacob rubbed his chin and looked down at the floor. “It was.”

  “Okay, what’s wrong?”

  “The tests were encouraging, but I had to inform her that there could be a risk.”

  “That’s natural.”

  Jacob tilted his head.

  “I’m sensing something else.”

  “She understood but did not want her family to know. When she asked her family in for me to explain the procedure, she made me promise not to tell them of any dangers.”

  “That’s typical.”

  “I know. The thing that bothers me is that I don’t think it registered. Once I told her, she never mentioned it again. Sydney didn’t seem to grasp the idea that there could be a risk.”

  “That might be a good thing. She’ll have a positive approach to the surgery.”

  “True, but if anything goes wrong, I think it will devastate her and send her deeper into her isolation.”

  “Son, far be it for me to tell you how to do your job, but don’t you think you’re getting too emotionally involved in this case?”

  Jacob shrugged hi
s shoulders. “I can’t help it. There’s something about this case.”

  “Is it the case or the woman?”

  “Dad, it’s the case. I don’t see her that way.”

  “If you say so. Hey, I could use a drink, how about you?”

  “Sure.”

  Teddy shuffled into the kitchen wearing his untied robe and pajama bottom but was bare-chested. He started the coffee then heard noises from Sydney’s room. He tied his robe and slowly approached the door. “Syd, are you okay?”

  Sydney grunted. “Come on in.”

  Teddy opened the door to see Sydney using a rubber tube wrapped around her foot and pulling her leg up. “What the heck are you doing?”

  “I’m stretching my legs. I want to get my body ready for surgery.”

  Teddy shook his head. “You’re still going to need a great deal of therapy after your surgery. Don’t wear yourself out.”

  “I’m not. But Doctor T said for me to continue with my therapy, and this is the way Amy stretches my legs. I’m just using this to help when she’s not here.”

  “Okay. I’m making some coffee. You want some?”

  “I’ll be finished soon. I’ll be out shortly.”

  He turned and walked back to the kitchen. He could still hear Sydney grunting with each repetition.

  Anna came out of her room dressed for the day. She was wearing her new leggings and a flowered overshirt. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and her makeup was lightly applied.

  “How long have you been up?”

  “I just got up.”

  “You always jump out of bed and become instantly perfect?”

  “Oh, Teddy, it's just clothing.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair and tightened his robe. “That is just clothing? You’re dressed for the day.”

  “I have a lot of running around today.”

  “What are you up to?”

  “Syd gave me a list of things to buy. I’ve never seen her so motivated. All she thinks about now is getting her body in the best shape ever for this surgery.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?”

  Anna handed him the list Syd gave her. “Yeah, but this stuff?” She crinkled her nose. “How can anyone eat this?”

  Teddy laughed. “I see. Hey, while you’re out will pick up more beer and some croissants?”

  “Thank goodness.”

  “What?”

  “I was hoping we all didn’t have to eat this way.”

  “If eating this stuff makes her feel healthier then I’m all for it. But it doesn’t mean that you or I have to eat it.”

  “What are you up to today?”

  “I don’t know yet. I just left my sister’s room. Did you know that she’s exercising on her own?”

  Anna nodded her head. “I did. She’s doing so much that she’ll be exhausted before the operation, but I’m not going to try to tell her not to.”

  “Me either. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sydney so optimistic about something. I just pray it will give her the results she’s hoping for.”

  “I’m praying too. I wish I were as confident as Syd. I have a nagging feeling that if this surgery doesn’t work, your sister may never recover.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That she will retreat into her world and never come out.”

  Teddy wrapped his arm around Anna’s shoulder and pulled her into his chest. “We need to hope.”

  Anna could feel the warmth of his bare chest and wanted to wrap her arms around him but pulled away. “Whatever happens, I will always be here for her.”

  “My sister is blessed to have you by her side, but Anna, you can’t spend your entire life caring for her. You deserve to live…and to love.”

  “I’m happy right here. Look who’s talking. I don’t see you going out with anyone seriously. What’s with that?”

  “Guess the right woman hasn’t come along yet.” He turned and poured a cup of coffee. “You have time to stay and have coffee?”

  “Of course. I’m not leaving yet.”

  Sydney’s door opened, and she wheeled into the kitchen. “What a great day it is,” she said as she opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

  Teddy reached for the coffee pot. “Coffee?”

  “Nope. I’m just going to have water to start my day.”

  “You’re going cold turkey?”

  “No, I’ll have a cup later. I don’t want my body to have that first thing in the morning. I need to flush out the toxins after my workout,” Syd replied as she took a gulp of the water.

  Anna jerked her head back and stared at Teddy. “Who is this woman?”

  “Seriously, Anna?”

  Anna threw up her hands. “I’m just saying.”

  Teddy smiled. “Good for you, Sis, but since I haven’t done any exercise, I’m going for another cup.”

  “Teddy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’d like you to tell me more about that guy that helped you.”

  “Huh? What guy?”

  Sydney glanced over at Anna then back at him. “You know the one you were telling me about the other day.”

  Teddy raised one eyebrow as he glanced at Anna then back at her. “Oh, my friend?”

  “Yeah.”

  Anna lowered her chin. “I get it. You want to me to leave.”

  “No,” Sydney blurted out.

  “It’s okay. Some things between siblings are just private,” she mumbled as she walked back to her bedroom.

  “Anna!” Sydney called out.

  “Too late,” Teddy whispered.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. I was just embarrassed about the idea of being hypnotized and didn’t want to discuss it with her yet.”

  “Anna is a big girl. She’ll understand. Now, what do you want to know?” Teddy sat down on the couch in the living room and set his mug on the ottoman.

  Sydney looked down the hall to make sure Anna was in her room. “How can I be sure he won’t ask me private things?”

  “Huh, that’s the whole reason for him putting you under, so you can bring up things you’re hiding.”

  “But what if I don’t want anyone to know certain things?”

  “Sydney, he’ll only ask you things that might be pertinent to what’s holding you back. Don’t you want to know why you’re holding onto this fear?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Will you be in the room with me?”

  “Only if you want me to.”

  “This might be something I should do alone, but I want you to come with me.”

  “I will. Would you like me to make an appointment?”

  She rung her hands together. “Not yet. Let me get through this surgery first. I need to concentrate on one thing at a time, besides if something bad is revealed, I don’t want it to mess up my mind for the surgery. I’m trying to stay positive.”

  “I understand. You just tell me when you’re ready. I’ll make the call.”

  “Thank you, Teddy, I appreciate that. About telling Anna…”

  “I won’t say a word. That will be your decision.”

  “Anna, you can come out of your room now,” Sydney hollered down the hall.

  Anna cracked open her door. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “Don’t be a wise guy.”

  “Far be it for me to interfere with family,” she grumbled.

  “It was something I wanted to ask Teddy about and wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”

  “Are you serious? Why would I be concerned unless it was about me?”

  “It wasn’t about you. Oh, you’re going to find out anyway. I can’t keep anything from you. I was asking Teddy about the idea of being hypnotized.”

  “What’s the big deal? Lots of people do that.”

  “I didn’t know that, and I thought you’d try to nag me into it.”

  “Am I that bad?”

  “No. But you do push me, and it’s usually for my own good… most of the time.�
��

  “I may have given you a nudge, but nag you, not me,” Anna grinned. “Teddy, what do you think about this?”

  “I think it’s a good idea.”

  “Well, when are you going to have it done?”

  Sydney looked at Teddy and back at Anna. “I’d like to get the surgery out of the way before I tackle my past.”

  “Okay then, I won’t bug you until after your surgery.” She winked at Sydney. “I can’t believe your surgery is in two weeks. How do you feel about it?”

  Sydney quivered at the thought. “I’m excited, terrified, anxious and ready. I believe this is going to be a new beginning for me, and for you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, you. You’ll have more free time for yourself and won’t have to hover over me all the time.”

  “I don’t hover.”

  “Yes you do, and I love you for it.”

  Teddy smiled. “And I love you for it, too.”

  Anna’s face flushed, her cheeks became bright red, and she tried to look away. “Oh, stop it you two.”

  Teddy stood up and started down the hall to the guest room. “I’ve got to get dressed too. I’m going back home for a few days to wrap up a case and open up my schedule for a month.”

  Anna swung around. “You’re leaving?”

  “I’ll be back by the weekend. I think you ladies can manage without me for a few days.”

  “Of course, we can. You just surprised me.”

  Sydney slowly wheeled over to Teddy. “I’m going to miss you. I like having you around. Don’t stay gone too long.”

  He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be back before you have time to miss me.” He took his coffee and returned to his room.

  Anna looked over at Sydney. “Did you know he was leaving?”

  Sydney shook her head. “No, I didn’t, but I knew he had to take care of business. I’m just glad he’ll be coming back.”

  “Me too,” Anna added. “I mean, for you.”

  “Sure you do. I see how you look at my brother,” Sydney grinned.

  “You’re crazy.”

  Sydney beamed a big smile. “Okay, but I don’t know why you both are ignoring the obvious.” She quickly turned toward her room.

  “Now I know you’re nuts, Sydney Parker,” she hollered as Sydney closed her door.