Happy final Criminal Minds premier day! I admit, I am a slight emotional wreck over the show going into its final stretch.
Chapter Forty-Two:
"One, two, three," Sage said.
Reid kept tripping over his left foot.
"Again," she said. "One, two, three."
His left foot couldn't keep up.
"Again," she said calmly.
"No!" Reid said with a burst of anger. "This is the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing, over and over and expecting the same results!"
"Dr. Reid, I read the writeup. It is possible that you will get more movement back with the strengthening of your left leg."
"Possible, but not likely," Reid said.
"Dr. Reid, have you given yourself a chance to take in what happened? You were hurt badly. Have you let yourself cry?"
"I've talked it over with Juno and Ormes," he said.
"Talking isn't the same as feeling sometimes."
"It doesn't matter," Reid said.
"It does. Walk me through the pain, Dr. Reid."
"Why do bad things keep happening to me?" he asked. "Haven't I suffered enough? When will it all end?"
He realized he was crying.
"It doesn't," Sage said. "The hardest truth to accept in life is, that it isn't fair. That some people hardly ever suffer while others suffer enough for at least two people. It isn't fair. The only thing we can do is take things one step at a time and hope for a better tomorrow."
"Hope is all we have?" Reid said.
"And faith," she said. "Has anyone discussed God with you?"
"I'm agnostic," he said. "I believe there is a heaven, hell, and divine creator, but not much else. I don't like talking about faith as, what god would let me suffer the way I have?"
"I believe, the healthiest relationships in faith are built on questions. There is a greater plan for you at play, I believe. You are a beacon of light to so many in ways you can't begin to imagine."
"What do you believe?" he asked.
"Episcopalian," she said with a smile. "I used to be Catholic, but I couldn't handle all the abuse in the church."
"Do you really think my suffering is part of some divine plan?"
"My faith teaches me that all suffering brings us closer to Jesus. As a medical professional, I feel I cannot live by that belief. So, I'm a cafeteria Episcopalian. I believe there is something brilliant planned for your future Dr. Reid. What, I don't know. But you did not suffer, only to suffer more. Great things are ahead for you, Dr. Reid. I believe it in my heart."
Reid looked at her.
"Can I have a hug?"
"Absolutely," she said.
She hugged him gently. It was soft and sweet. Reid liked her hug as it gave him the faith and confidence to move forward.
…
Juno and Ormes drove Reid up to Morgan's house. It was a sizeable two floor addition. Reid looked forward to the idea of living there.
Morgan was waiting outside.
"Hey buddy," he said.
"Hey Morgan," he said.
"I can't wait to show you the place."
"Thank you for agreeing to house me," he said.
"Reid, you aren't a burden. I'm happy to have you live with me."
Morgan waved them forward.
"Come on. The inside is awesome."
They entered through the side door.
"This is your own entrance," he said.
There was a mudroom in the front, and they walked down the hall and entered the first door on the left.
Reid was stunned.
There were three floor-to-ceiling book cases in the corner that were partially filled. A bed was in corner, desk in the other, and TV mounted on the ceiling. It was a perfect room.
Reid looked at some of the books.
"Some of these are mine," he said.
Morgan nodded.
"Rossi put all your stuff in climate-controlled storage and gave me the key. Look in the closet."
Reid opened it and found some of his favorite clothes. Touching them nearly brought him to tears.
"Do you like it?" Juno asked.
He looked at the three of them.
"I love it."
"Come on," Morgan said. "There is more to see."
They walked down the hall and found an entertainment room.
"This is yours to use whenever, when you don't feel like going down to kitchen."
It had a minifridge, sink, toaster oven, and coffee machine, in one nook surrounded by cabinets. There was also a popcorn maker.
"The kids love this thing," he said. "I swear the first word Sharon learned was 'pop' from the sound of it."
"Where is everyone anyway?" he asked.
"Hank is at T-ball camp and Savanah and Sharon are with her mother's. She is probably spoiling Sharon's dinner with sweets no matter how much Savanah fights it. The place always smells like cookies are being made."
Reid laughed.
"I look forward to beating you at foosball," Morgan said with a grin.
"There isn't a sport you can't beat me it, but I bet I can still beat you at poker."
Morgan went to the table in the corner and flipped the halves, revealing a poker table.
"Savanah and I fought over this," he said. "So, we compromised: She got a spa tub and I got the poker table."
"That sounds like a win-win," Ormes said with a smile.
"Come on speaking of bathes," he said. "Let me show you yours."
They walked down the hall and found a decadent tub and shower combo in shades of gray-blue.
"Morgan, this is too much," Reid said.
"The idea would have been to rent this space out to the kids once they're grown. I also have another spare room in case my family comes up. It's long term investment, kid."
"I'm not a kid anymore," Reid said suddenly.
"You will be to me," Morgan said with a laugh.
"Kids don't go through what I went through!" he said angrily.
"I'm sorry, Reid," Morgan said.
"No, don't. I'm the one who's messed up."
Reid turned angrily and stumbled over his left foot. He landed on the ground.
"F**K! F**K! F**K!" Reid screamed. "I screw up everything."
Morgan knelt by his side and hugged him. Reid fought it at first.
"You're not a screwup, Spencer," he said as his voice filled with emotion. "I thought I had lost you. I thought I had lost my little brother! But you came back. You saved yourself. From the moment I heard you were back, I vowed to do whatever it took to make your life as happy as possible as long as I lived. You can't scare me away Spencer. I won't let you."
Reid sobbed into Morgan's arms.
"Thank you for being my friend," he said in a low tone.
"You don't need thank me when it is a pleasure," Morgan said.
Once they both stopped crying, Morgan helped him up, and they continued the tour.