Changes

Rating: K

Disclaimer: Not mine

A/N: Thank you everyone for the very nice reviews! All are much appreciated.

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Chapter 2

While waiting for his session with the physical therapist, Bobby idly flipped through a magazine until he suddenly came upon Darcy's face staring back at him—it was the ad for a well-known hosiery company. He remembered how much she'd grumbled about the uncooperative dog that wanted to go in the opposite direction instead of the way the photographer had wanted. He'd ruined several pairs of nylons jumping on her, too.

"I guess that means you don't want a dog after we get married," he teased.

"Not a Chihuahua," she said adamantly. "I'm thinking after we're married and start a family, we should get a dog like a beagle or maybe a golden retriever," she suggested brightly. "How does that sound?"

"I think I like the part about starting a family," he said suggestively as he gathered her in his arms. "We could practice that part," as he leaned down to kiss her.

"I like your ideas, Mr. Manning," Darcy smiled wrapping her arms around his neck.

He stared with unseeing eyes at the magazine. Even after six months, he still couldn't get used to the idea that he'd never see her again, never hold her in his arms. He drew in a shuddering breath. Everyone told him it would take time but no one knew could tell him what to do in the meantime to ease the pain.

"Mr. Manning?" said a soft voice startling him out of his reverie. He looked up to see the woman whose offer to help he so abruptly refused. "Are you all right?" she asked in concern.

"I'm fine," he said curtly.

She was about to say something but decided not to. "I'm Sue Thomas, your physical therapist," she said holding out her hand.

He ignored it. Instead, he grabbed his crutches and struggled to stand. "I'm ready," he announced when he was finally upright.

She bit her lower lip to hide her dismay. He was going to be a difficult patient if their two brief meetings were any indication.

"This way," she said as she led the way to the therapy room. She walked slowly to accommodate his step. She nodded to the open doorway. "In there."

As he walked in, he spotted a golden retriever lying down in the sunlight.

"Yours?" he asked abruptly.

"Yes."

"Get rid of it," he said shortly. It reminded him of Darcy.

"What?" she asked in disbelief.

"I don't want it here when I have my sessions with you," he replied brusquely.

"He won't bother us if that's what you're worried about," she assured him.

"Don't you understand?" he said harshly. "I don't want it here."

Sue's eyes narrowed. "Mr. Manning," she said crisply, "let's get one thing straight. This is my space and Levi is my dog. Are you afraid of him?"

He glared at her. "Of course not!"

"Good. Then he stays," Her eyes had a determined glint. "Now, sit on that table over there."

Angry, Bobby moved as though to leave. The therapist stepped in front of him.

"I said, sit on that table over there," she repeated sweetly but with a glint in her eyes.

For a moment, he was tempted to walk right past her but that look in her stare gave him second thoughts. Stiffly, he swung his way towards the table. He set his crutches against the wall and painfully limped the rest of the way. He eyed the height of the table and was relieved he would be able to mount it without much trouble. He settled himself and looked up to see the therapist hadn't moved. She'd watched his entire progress to the table.

Sue's heart went out to the man who was trying so hard to maintain his dignity. She'd read his records and his injuries had been extensive, particularly to his right leg. Thanks to his good physical condition and the safety features of his vehicle, he survived although his passenger hadn't. Sympathy was the last thing he needed or wanted the doctor had mentioned. That's why he chose to move where no one knew him.

"He probably wanted to escape from all the pity," the doctor had remarked. "I know you'll treat him like any other patient, Sue. Try and see if you can get beneath that prickly exterior he appears to be showing everyone."

"I don't know if I want to, Myles," Sue had retorted. "Let's just say he didn't leave the most favorable first impression."

"Well, if anyone can help him, it's you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence—I think."

She mentally shook her head to clear her mind—time to face her patient.

"All right," she said briskly, "I have the report from your last physical therapist. I'd like to check out your range of motion and then your strength."

"You just said you have the report from my last therapist. Why do you need to go through all these useless exercises?" he challenged.

"Yes, I do have the report. However, I like to check these things out for myself," she answered briskly. "And they're not useless. Now, Mr. Manning, if you would..." Thus, the first session began.

At the end of the period, she scanned her clipboard looking over the results. "You had a good therapist," she said looking up with a smile. "You're in pretty good shape all things considered but we want you to be back in basketball playing shape."

For the first time that session, he looked at her with something else besides a glare. "How...?"

"How did I know you play basketball?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Well, besides looking like a basketball player," she said gesturing to his lanky frame, "I looked through your records. I like to find out what kind of activities my patients like to do so we can incorporate them into therapy whenever possible," she explained. "So, first thing we have to do is build up strength and increase range of motion in the weak leg and arm. Any questions?"

He shook his head.

"Good. I'll see you Friday," she said. She didn't offer to help him this time. "C'mon, boy,' she called to Levi.

Bobby stared at her retreating back undecided if he should be upset she didn't offer to help or relieved she didn't. Placing his good leg down on the floor, he unsteadily stood and started to walk towards his crutches As he took a step on his right leg, he could feel the muscles in his calf begin to cramp.

"Damn!" he spat out as he grabbed the therapy table to prevent collapsing to the floor. He tried to hoist himself up but his arm was still too weak. As he struggled to straighten up, he felt a warm presence come to his side.

"Here…sit," Sue ordered as she locked the wheels of the rolling chair. "Don't be stubborn," she scolded. "Sit."

Reluctantly he lowered himself down.

"What happened?" she asked once he was seated. "Cramp?" She knelt down to feel his calf.

He nodded in obvious pain. The muscles were rock hard.

"I'll help you get back on the table and massage it," she told him.

"I'll be fine," he said through clenched teeth.

She snorted. "Sure you are." She looked at him frankly. "You can sit here and suffer until the cramp goes away or you can let me massage your leg," she told him matter-of-factly. "Your choice." She looked at him as though expecting him to take the worse option.

Bobby weighed his options and found them very slim. "All right," he growled ungraciously.

Sue nodded and pushed the chair closer to the table. "Let's try it again." In a moment, he was up on the table. "I'll help you swing you legs up," she told him. "Lie down."

Firm hands began to knead the knotted muscles in his calf. "You probably need to drink more water," she suggested. "It's not uncommon for muscles to cramp after therapy if you're not hydrated sufficiently, especially muscles that haven't been used much. Of course, your other therapist probably told you all of this," she said in a restful voice, "but sometimes we need to hear things more than once."

Initially tense, he began to relax under her gentle ministrations as the pain eased. His previous therapist had told him same thing but there was something about her voice that made the advice more palatable.

"Don't you have another patient?" asked Bobby.

There was no response.

Believing she hadn't heard him, he turned his head to face her and repeat his question, when he was struck by the look of calm concentration on her face. It was the first time he'd really looked at a person in a long time. She looked—kind.

She glanced at him and smiled, "Better?"

It was. He nodded. "Thanks," he said stiffly.

"My fault," she replied. "I should've made sure you were okay before I left," she apologized. "There," she announced when she felt the muscles were loose. "Be careful with that leg. Nothing strenuous for the rest of today or it might cramp up again." She walked over to grab his crutches. "Here."

Sue remained until Bobby was able to stand. "Good," she smiled. "Oh! The reason I came back is because your friend called to say he'll be a few minutes late so not to start walking home if he wasn't here when you were done. But…I think with the cramp and everything he might be here by now."

A small smile reluctantly appeared. "Thanks…for the massage, too."

"No problem." She held the door open for him. "See you on Friday," she smiled.

Jack stood up when Bobby walked out. His head tilted in speculation. Bobby smiling? Since the accident, it was a rare occurrence.

"Ready?" he asked.

Bobby nodded.

Jack followed him through the automatic doors. "Good session?"

Bobby nodded again.

"Kind of long, wasn't it?"

"Cramp in my calf," was the brief reply. "She was nice enough to massage it out."

Bobby was appreciative of someone helping him? Who was this woman? Jack thought. "Does she have a name?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Who? The therapist?"

Jack nodded.

"Sue Thomas."

"When's your next appointment?"

"Friday. Why?"

"Just wondered. C'mon on, let's go."

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