Chapter 29
Green isn't your color
"Ok, let's make it 30 meters of the pool at a slow walk ok," Sarah called. Raising her voice over the noise of the other patients and physios in the area, the hospital aquatic center was next to the large physio room which contained weights and gym equipment, the pool was typical half Olympic with a sloping depth starting at waist depth and finalizing at just under 6 foot. It was laned off in 5 lanes for varying exercises from swimming laps and walking space to supported motion areas.
Ty sessions were in the walking lanes and although he found them repetitive and frustrating, he knew them to be a necessary evil.
Sarah looked up at Ty as he slowly walked down the steps of the pool, his hands firmly on the guide rails, taking each step slowly and carefully. The last time he attempted this he had only made it a few meters before his legs gave out to the exertion and stress, but today, he felt strong and determined, so he was going to give it all he had.
"do you want me to get you the float roll?" Sarah asked, picking up a long Blue plastic buoyancy device that slipped under patient's arms.
"No, "he breathed, his feet hitting the bottom of the pool, "I'm good. Let's make it 1 full lap today hey," the water now around his waist, his hands still firmly holding onto the side of the pool.
"Ty, we have talked about this, 30 meters, then rest, "she replied, coming into the pool behind him and coming up next to him, she took his hand and went to place it on her shoulder, as they had every other time he had done hydro. But Ty took a deep breath and smiled at her.
"no, I'm doing it on my own this time," he said,
Sarah raised her eyebrow at him. "I don't know Ty, its early days, let's not overdo it ok"
"Please, I'll be fine, "he said shortly, "let me try ok, I'm stronger today"
A man who had been assisting another patient waded over to them as they discussed Tys ability to handle his own exercise levels unaided.
"so, Ty, you're looking rearing to go, how are you doing buddy? "
Ty turned and smiled awkwardly at the man, "I'm good Stephan, I was just trying to convince Sarah here to let me go it alone this time,"
"Oh, I see, "Stephan said, "ok, ok, I can approve that as long as Sarah spots you from the wall ok, and its 30 meters only "
Ty looked at Sarah who smiled, and then turned back to the physiotherapist and nodded. "fair enough, as long as I can have a go without kiddie floats and helping hands"
Stephan agreed and waded back towards another patient and Sarah climbed out of the pool and stood above TY as he placed his hand on the edge. He started to walk through the water, allowing the resistance to work his muscles. His steps were slow at first, the determination and concentration showing on his face as he pressed on. Ty lifted his hands from the wall and took a few steps without holding on, smiling slightly as he did. Sarah followed a few steps behind him, allowing him some room to move, her eyes watching him closely in case he faltered.
"Try to lift those knees a little higher Ty, "She encouraged, "deep breathes, that's it,"
Ty pulled further away from the wall, his face etched with concentration as he pushed through the water. His hands gliding in the water next to him. His side was hurting and he could feel a slight tremor run through his legs, but he persevered, determined not to allow anything to slow him down. His eyes on his objective and nothing was going to stop him from getting there. He came to the 30-meter mark and took a breath, his eyes flicking to Sarah who expected him to turn and return to the stairs. But Ty bit his lip and soldiered on, his focus on the end of the pool ahead of him.
"Ty," Sarah warned, "not so fast ok, remember your breathing, slow it down"
Sarah stepped up her pace, as Ty increased his speed slightly again, his hand now on his side. He stopped monetarily, his chest heaving from the exertion. But those green eyes took on a steely gaze and he pushed forward again. Ty's legs felt like lead now, with each step his chest burned, his stomach clenched, his reserves depleting as he moved.
"Ty!" Sarah called, he was not near the wall at all now, and she was watching him intently from the edge of the pool, she kicked off her shoes, and glanced over towards Stephen who had now become aware of what was happening on the other side of the pool after hearing Sarah's raised voice.
Ty faltered, staggering slightly in the water, his body succumbing to the fatigue from the exertion he was inflicting on it. He lent over slightly in the water, gulping in as much air as he could, stress and annoyance on his face.
The water in this part of the pool was around his ribcage, He held his hand to his chest as his knees buckled slightly under him, making him flounder in the water, his hands splashing slightly as he tried to keep himself on his feet.
Ty felt light headed and exhausted, the warm water giving him a false sense of security as it lapped against his body. He took in a deep breath, desperately trying to regain his strength but it was a battle he was losing rapidly. As his legs finally gave way and the water engulfed him he released the air from his lungs and felt arms wrap around him from behind as a large splash and voices came his way from the side of the pool area.
"it's ok Ty, I got ya," a strong voice said into his ear as he felt the water envelop his shoulders and play with the hair at the back of his neck. The exhaustion overtook him, he felt so heavy in the warm water.
Tys eyes faded slightly from focus as he saw Sarah come barreling up in front of him and wrap her arms around him from the front. He felt the two of them take his weight as the they pulled him back towards the shallows.
"No, NO, 'he whispered "let me finish please"
"I think that's enough for today Ty, "Stephan said, as he sat him on the steps near the walk-in zone, "Sarah can you get the pool sling please, "
"NO! "Ty growled, pushing himself up to the next step, annoyance in his voice, he looked over to Stephan and shook his head. "I can get out my goddam self!"
Sarah stood still as Ty pushed her hands from him, his anger at failing, coming to the surface. He pushed with his arms and they shook violently as he forced himself to his feet, standing on the step of the pool, the other patients now aware of what was going on.
"Look, man, "Stephan said, taking hold of Tys arms and supporting him "this is how it's going to be ok, I'm going to help you out and then we are going to have a serious chat"
Ty glared at him but nodded, his anger more at himself than at the physio, He let Stephan wrap his arms around him and guide him into the pool chair that Sarah had brought to the steps. Once safely seated, Ty hit the arm of the chair in aggravation, his face showing how annoyed he was at not being able to finish the session. His chest still hurt and he could barely stay conscious due to the exertion and stress he had put on himself.
"right, "Stephan said as he pushed him over to the side of the pool away from the ears of the other patients. "this is not happening ok Ty, I am responsible for your safety during these sessions and if you disregard the rules of your physio plan your putting yourself in danger"
Ty didn't look at Stephan as he berated him in a low voice, he flexed his hands as Stephan explained the physio regime to him yet again, in a last-ditch attempt to make him understand that his recklessness and overdetermination was not going to make him get better any faster.
"ok, ok, "Ty finally sighed, "I get it, "
"I don't think you do Ty" Stephan said as he knelt down in front of him "pushing yourself past your capabilities is not going to help or make this go any faster, if anything you've just pushed yourself back a few days, "he stood up and looked at Sarah as she wrapped a towel around Tys shoulders. "take him to the showers and then back to his room, I don't want him back in the pool until Thursday ok, we will try again then"
"come on!" Ty complained, angered by the delay in his treatment, "that's three days away "
"and it will be a week away if I catch you not following the rules again! Do I make myself clear!" Stephan eyed him coolly, his voice sounding autoreactive, "30 meters, walking hand on the side, with body floats"
"I don't need to …" Ty whispered, looking away defectively.
Stephan placed his hand firmly on Ty's arm, pulling his attention back to him. "I get it ok, you want out, you want your life back, but this is not how you do that, follow my rules and I'll get you where you want to be ok"
Tys eyes locked with the others, and the message finally got through, he sighed and nodded, frustrated but accepting Stephan's words.
"good, I'll see you in the gym tomorrow ok, for some weights work, "
Stephan looked at Sarah who pulled Ty's chair away from the pool area and headed towards the changerooms noticing Ty didn't acknowledge her when she spoke to him.
Amy returned to the 9th floor in the afternoon after sneaking in some lunch in the cafeteria to find Sarah sitting with Ty on the side of his bed, He was laying down, dressed in PJs yet again and not looking very receptive or happy.
Amy pushed the door open further and noticed Sarah turned to smile at her and released her hand from Tys.
"Ok, well, I'll come and check on you later if you want, "she said softly as Amy walked over, "maybe after dinner?"
Ty nodded and smiled weakly, "thank you,"
"no problems, I finish my shift at 5 but I'll pop in after that ok,"
Sarah stood up and smiled at Amy again, waving to Ty as she walked out the door, a look of compassion and understanding running through her brown eyes.
"Hey," Amy said, watching the door close, the exchange between her boyfriend and his physio she just witnessed making her feel uneasy. " you ok?"
Ty took a deep breath and nodded, he looked exhausted as he lay there on the bed, his eyes were half closed and his breathing was low and slow.
"should I call the doctor?" Amy asked,
"No, Amy, I'm fine, "he said in almost a whisper, "I don't want to talk about it right now ok"
Amy looked at him perplexed, his reserved demeanor towards her concerning her slightly,
"but your happy to talk to her about it I take it?" she snapped, biting her lip when she heard how harsh her words had come out,
"Amy, it's not like that" he pleaded, rubbing his tired eyes, "please don't "
"Don't what?" Amy asked, seeing his annoyance, "what's going on Ty, why won't you talk to me"
"Amy! I am talking to you, "he growled, sitting up slightly, 'it's just something happened today that I feel like crap about and …." He dropped his words, not wanting to relive it.
"what happened, "Amy pushed,
"I did something stupid ok, "he barked, "and now I'm feeling like a bit of an idiot, "he sighed heavily and rubbed his face, "please can we just drop it, "he changed his tone and smiled at her trying to deflect her questions. "how was your day? Tell me about the family and what you've been doing "
"What happened Ty, "Amy persisted,
"It doesn't matter Amy, it's over now, "he replied, "just let it go, "he shut his eyes and ran his hands through his hair, "you wouldn't understand!" he breathed.
"Oh, really! but she would! you seemed happy to talk to Sarah, have her hold your hand" Amy spat, her insecurities coming through in a flood of emotion,
"come on Amy "Ty breathed, he was tired and not up for a confrontation.
"and why is she coming back? "Amy retorted, her temper cutting through, "in her own time I might add! is this part of her job or something more"
"Amy! "Ty pleaded, "Sarah was just trying to help, it's nothing more than that, "
Amy turned away and walked over to the window, her heart pounding,
"will you come and sit down "he asked softly, realizing he had hurt her by shutting her out, "please, so we can talk"
"why," she whispered under her breath, refusing to look at him, "I won't understand remember"
Ty curled his lip as her words stung him. He slowly sat up and took a deep breath and slid his legs over the side of the bed, as his feet hit the floor he grabbed the bed with his hands suddenly as his legs buckled underneath him.
Amy heard him groan and then stumble as he grappled at the bed with his hands and fell to the floor.
"Ty!" Amy yelled, running back from the window and sliding in behind him as he desperately tried to claw himself back up off the floor. Amy wasn't strong enough to lift him alone so they both ended up sprawled on the floor, Ty leaning against her.
"If you wanted to get me on my back all you needed to do was ask," Ty said with a grin, his breathing heavy as he tried to regain his composure,
Amy rolled her eyes and pulled herself out from underneath him. "what happened to you today" she asked again, "why are you so weak?"
"ok look, help me up and I'll tell you everything, "he said softly pulling himself onto his knees and grabbing the side of the bed again, Amy wrapped her arms around his torso and between the both of them they managed to get him to his feet and back onto the bed.
Ty made himself comfortable and took a few cleansing breathes before he tapped the bed for Amy to lay down next to him. He moved over and opened his arm to her as she slid in and cuddled up to his side.
"ok, "he said as he kissed her forehead, "I had Hydro today and…"
It was just after 5 pm when Amy slid herself out from Ty's embrace, he had explained to her what had happened at the pool and how his physio had berated him about his recklessness. She listened to him tell her how frustrated he was with the slow progress he was making and how he hated people treating him like an invalid. Amy didn't say much, she just let him talk it through and helped him put his fears into perspective. Tys need to recover and return home to her and his life was causing him to cut corners and push himself way past his abilities. She knew he was not one to take the safe easy option, he was not scared of hard work or a little pain, but she now realized just how desperate he was to be free of the hospital and its confines. He had also mentioned the trial, which was also weighing on his mind, the lawyers had called him and told him the continuance was only until the following week, and Bens day in court was fastly approaching. They had taken his statement yet again, and as he was still unavailable to appear they were hoping that his words on paper would suffice.
All these things had been weighing on Tys already tired and exhausted mind. And Amy could hear in his voice that he wasn't far off breaking point.
After they had talked, they had cuddled for a while until he had drifted off into a deep sleep, the exhaustion from the day finally claiming him. He hadn't eaten his dinner and Amy didn't have the heart to wake him as he looked peaceful for the first time in days.
Amy brushed his hair from his face and pulled the blankets up over his slumbering form. Pushing the table tray out of the way. She took a seat on the armchair next to him and took out her phone, deciding to text her grandpa to tell him she was going to be a little late home.
The room's door squeaked open and Amy turned to see Sarah come into the room, she was dressed in a soft blue top and pale jean with a suede jacket. He hair was now down around her shoulders in soft brown locks and she had a scarf draped in soft loops around her neck.
"Oh, he's asleep, "she whispered, "I'll come back later"
Sarah went to leave when Amy stood up and came over to her at the door, looking back at Ty who hadn't moved.
Amy motioned to Sarah and the two girls walked outside the room, letting the door shut behind them.
"how long has he been out to it?" Sarah asked,
"about an hour or so," Amy replied, "we had a talk and he told me about what happened today"
"Oh, "Sarah said, smiling awkwardly, "he's not one to take thing slow hey, "
"no, Tys never been shy of putting in the hard yards, "Amy agreed,
"he's an amazing guy Amy, "she said quietly "I hope you appreciate what you have there"
Amy looked at Sarah, a little perplexed at her words.
"I know how special he is," she said in reply, her blue eyes eyeing Sarah skeptically.
"I'm just saying, that he's a special guy that's all, "she laughed as she walked further down the corridor" And I'm so lucky he sees me as a friend" she giggled lightly, "he said we were special friends actually "
"special friends?" Amy questioned
"yeah, we kinda hit it off and he likes a lot of the same stuff I like, we just clicked you know"
"really!" Amy couldn't believe her ears, Ty had told her that Sarah was just his physio nothing more, and now this young attractive girl was telling her that she was his special friend.
"Oh, don't worry Amy, you've got nothing to worry about, trust me, he just seems to have a connection with me that's all, something profound, on another level you know "Sarah stopped walking and turned to look Amy straight in the face, her eyes locking to hers, "it's not like you're the jealous type or anything right, cos, Ty doesn't need that kind of pressure right now, he needs people around him who love and support him, not stress him out or make him feel less than whole"
Amy felt her hackles go up on the back of her neck,
"Ty and I are as strong as we have ever been, I'm always going to support him and be there for him no matter what," she said coolly,
"that's good to hear, "Sarah responded, her tone level and clear as well "it's just when he told me that you two where putting the brakes on for a bit while he recovered I just thought you know, there was pressure there, He deserves so much, and I just hate seeing him so lost, "
"he told you about that?" Amy asked in a whisper,
"We share lots of stuff Amy, special friends remember"
She smiled a plastic smiled and lent in and fake kissed Amy on the cheek, "tell him I called in will you, I'll see him tomorrow in the gym, nice chatting to you Amy,"
With that Sarah bounced off down the hall leaving a very concerned and riled Amy in her wake.
to be continued
