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I don't think this story is being read by many (judging by the lack of feedback and the traffic stats), but I enjoy writing it and my boyfriend is still eagerly supporting the process, so I intend to finish it.
As with the rest of it Martin have read through it and deemed it postable (after some editing).
-Thanks for your help babe! Love ya! XOXOXO
DISCLAIMER: Don't own Annie, Auggie or any other Covert Affairs character. Just my universe and characters.
-Chapter 4-
"Hey Auggie, your wheelchair is ready for pickup. If you want to we can go and pick it up. They have time to see us." Terrence came into Auggie's room a Thursday afternoon about two weeks after he'd ordered it. Auggie was sitting in the armchair by the bed, reading a book. He was supposed to be at a session with his occupational therapist, but she was taking a sick day and Auggie had the afternoon off. He was tired from all the training and had welcomed the unexpected break. Now his mood lifted; it had felt like a setback to go to the wheelchair dealer and order a permanent wheelchair, but he'd had a couple of weeks to process it and now he looked forward to get the top-of-the-line lightweight wheelchair that was made to fit him.
"Sure. Give me a few minutes to freshen up?"
"I'll go get the van. Be outside in 15 minutes. Okay?"
"Absolutely."
When they returned to the rehab facility later that afternoon Auggie felt better about things than he had in a long time. His wheelchair was a perfect fit; it was comfortable to sit in, light, easy to maneuver and the low back provided the right amount of support, but at the same time allowed a bigger range of motion that made it easier to push himself forward. It was miles ahead of the chair he'd loaned for the past month and a half; it was slightly too big for him and as his physical condition and upper body strength had improved the high back had started to annoy him because it restricted his movements. Just as he reached his room his cellphone started vibrating in his jeans pocket and as he pulled it out and looked at the screen he could've sworn his heart skipped a beat. It was his ex-girlfriend Isabelle. They'd met during their sophomore year at MIT and they'd been in a relationship their junior and senior year. When Auggie decided to go to DC to work for Murphy after graduation and Isabelle accepted a job offer from a big software company in Silicone Valley they'd decided to end their relationship. They cared deeply for each other, but neither of them was ready to give up their dream jobs to live close to the other and they agreed that they didn't want a long distance relationship. Auggie hadn't had much contact with Isabelle after they'd left MIT. The last time he'd heard from her was just before Christmas. He took a deep breath and answered the call.
"Hi Isabelle! How are you?"
"Hi Aug. I'm doing good. Love my job. What about you?"
"Been worse, getting better," he answered truthfully. He wondered how to break the news about the accident to Isabelle.
"What are you talking about?"
"Long story," Auggie sighed.
"I've got time. What's going on?"
"In Feburary I was in Aspen with my family, at our usual weekend together. I went off-piste skiing with two of my brothers and ended up with a broken back."
"Broken back…? Auggie, what are you trying to tell me?"
"I injured my spinal cord. I'll never walk unaided again."
"Oh my, I'm so sorry." Auggie cringed at the pity in her voice and he suddenly felt a wave of annoyance washing over him.
"I don't want your pity. I don't want anyone's pity. I'm fine. Why are you calling me now? I haven't heard from you since December."
"Auggie, I'm sorry if it came across as pity. That was not my intention; I know you're a strong person and I have no doubt that you'll get through this. I called you because I'm going to DC for a conference next week and I was hoping we could have dinner or something. Just to catch up, no commitments."
Auggie thought for a few seconds and then he realized he'd missed Isabelle and it would be good to talk to a friend.
"I'd love to see you. As long as the place is wheelchair accessible we're fine." Auggie paused for a moment. "I'm at a rehab center in Reston now. There's a Chinese restaurant a couple of blocks down the street, we could meet there?"
"Sure. You know I like Chinese food. Monday night at seven?"
"Awesome. I'll text you the address."
"Looking forward to it."
"Me too. See you on Monday."
Monday afternoon Auggie was fussing abut what to wear. He didn't have that many clothes with him, at least not things that were appropriate for going out to dinner. He finally settled on a pair of dark jeans and a light blue tailored shirt; it was the closest he could get to dressing up. After a shower he shaved away his five o'clock shadow and thoroughly combed his unruly dark hair, before he. He was a bit nervous about how Isabelle would react to him in a wheelchair. With a nervous sigh he grabbed his fleece jacket from the closet and put it in his lap with his wallet and cellphone and left his room. When he was halfway down the hallway Allison came out of a therapy room a few feet in front of him and smiled as she saw Auggie.
"Wow! You sure clean up nicely Auggie. Where are you going?"
Auggie laughed. "Thanks. I'm going to the Chinese place down the road to have dinner with my ex-girlfriend."
"That sounds sort of awkward."
"The only awkward thing about it is this," Auggie said, pointing to his wheelchair. "When we graduated MIT she accepted a job in Silicone Valley and I moved to Georgetown. Neither of us wanted a long distance relationship and we agreed to be friends. She's in DC for business and wanted to catch up with me."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, but I completely understand your nerves. I was so nervous the first time I saw some of my friends after my accident."
"Thanks. I've gotta get going; I'm meeting her at seven. See you around."
"I'm not going anywhere. See ya. Have fun."
"I'll try," Auggie said as he set off toward the main entrance.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
When Auggie got closer to the restaurant he spotted Isabelle standing on the sidewalk outside; she appeared to be nervous and it made him feel a bit better that he wasn't alone in feeling nervous. He took a deep breath as he approached her.
"Hi Isabelle," he said with a smile. She turned and before he knew it she leaned down and hugged him tightly.
"Auggie, it's so good to see you."
"Good to see you too. I've missed you. Are you hungry? I know I am and I'm looking forward to something besides hospital food."
"I thought you were out of the hospital?"
"Hospital, rehab facility…food wise there isn't much of a difference. Shall we?" Auggie opened the door and gestured for Isabelle to enter. She hesitated for a second.
"Isn't it easier for you if I hold the door open for you?"
"Yeah, it is." Auggie said with a smile. "It's just that my mother taught me to hold the door open and let ladies enter first. Old habits die hard."
Isabelle squeezed his shoulder and held the door open. Auggie entered and she followed behind him.
"Thanks Isabelle," he said as they approached the hostess.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
A few minutes later they were seated at a table in the back of the restaurant and a waitress had taken their drink orders. Auggie had surprised himself by impulsively transferring to one of the chairs by the table; he knew Isabelle was watching his every move, so he was relieved when he managed it without making a fool out of himself.
"So Auggie, how are you doing? Looks like you're managing pretty well."
"I'm doing much better than I thought I would be a few months ago. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I'm going back to work in about six weeks."
"That's great! You're still working for Murphy Software?"
"Yeah, I'm just on medical leave. Right now my biggest worry is finding somewhere to live. My condo in Georgetown isn't wheelchair accessible, so it's for sale now and I'm looking for somewhere new to stay. My estate agent promised he'd come back to me with some options this week, so I'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with. Hopefully I don't have to check into a hotel when they kick me out of the rehab facility. Enough about me; what's going on in your world? How's life on the west coast?"
"I really love my job and you can't fault the climate there. It's a bit lonely though, it's kind of hard to meet new people and I miss my family and friends."
"I know what you mean. My social life has been pretty low key since I moved to DC. And being stuck in a hospital in Denver for 10 weeks and then here haven't exactly helped either."
"Probably not," Isabelle said. She was cut off from saying more when the waitress arrived with their drinks and took their food orders. The rest of the meal they chatted easily and then they headed into the bar next door to have a drink or two and continue to catch up.
# # # # # # # # # # # # #
"I haven't had alcohol in a while and my tolerance level is lower than I thought," Auggie said as he had a sip of his beer and set the bottle on the table in front of him. "This is going to be my last beer. I have a training session at 8:30 in the morning, being hung-over isn't really tempting."
"I understand. I have a 9 am meeting with a client, so I this should be my last glass of wine too. So, you're going through lots of grueling therapy and stuff?"
"Well, I was stuck in a rigid back brace for more than two months, while the fractures in my back healed. When I was discharged from the hospital I had lost a lot of muscle mass in my upper body. I've worked hard to regain my strength and get back in shape, but I'm getting there and by the time they kick me out of rehab I intend to be in the best shape I've ever been. Apart from being able to run of course."
"You're pretty amazing, you know that?"
Auggie snorted. "Hardly, but I there's nothing I can do, except to deal with the hand I've been dealt. Took me a while to realize that my life isn't over, it has just changed."
"I have to admit it was a bit weird to see you coming down the street in a wheelchair, but I'm getting used to it and you're still the same person."
"I have to admit I was nervous about meeting you. You're the first friend that I've met as a disabled person. Thanks for not being all weird and awkward."
"As I said; you're still you. There's no reason for me to be weird and awkward. I hate to be the party pooper, but as I said I've got a meeting at 9 tomorrow morning, so I should really get back to my hotel."
"No problem, it's getting late for a weekday. It was really nice seeing you again."
A waitress came up to them and asked them if she could get them anything else. Auggie asked for the check. When she came back with it he handed her his credit card.
"Auggie! You already paid for dinner, let me get this. After all I asked you to meet me tonight," Isabelle said as she pulled her wallet out of her purse.
"I might not be able to hold the door open for you, but I can still pay the bill."
"Auggie, you can still hold the door open for me, it's just easier for you if it's the other way around."
"I'm paying," he repeated. Isabelle smiled and put her wallet back into her purse, knowing she didn't stand a chance of winning the argument. After Auggie had settled the bill he put on his jacket and he and Isabelle headed out of the bar.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening Auggie. Please keep in touch."
"Ditto," Auggie said with a smile. "We've both been kind of strangers since we left MIT. I'd like to keep you as a friend."
"Me too. Well, I'd better get going. Good luck on finding a new house and everything else. Although I know you don't need it." Isabelle hugged Auggie tightly and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks. I'll do my best to keep in touch and I hope it won't be a year 'till we se each other again."
"It won't be if it's up to me."
After another hug Isabelle headed down the street to her rented car and Auggie headed back to the rehab facility.
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