About 8 weeks had passed since Shane's accident and March was nearly at its end. Oliver had not returned to work until his presence was required for the Valentine's rush at the DLO. He worked full days mostly, sometimes half, and spent all of his free time with Shane.
Heather was there in the background, doing everything she could to keep Shane's spirits up. When Oliver was busy with other obligations, she stepped right up and filled in. When the nursing care ended, Heather's presence made it feel as though nothing had changed. She successfully sold her home back east and was working from home part-time. Shane and her Mom were already close, but their bond had deepened and they genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
Norman and Rita popped by several times a week for a visit. Rita had begun to show quite a bit and there was much discussion wrapped around that little baby. It was a bright light in the midst of the chaos. They had just found out they were having a girl. Shane tried not to gloat too much about her 'instincts' being correct. Norman was so excited he told everyone he crossed paths with. From the cashier at the grocery store to the members of the couples bowling league, everyone was aware the Dormans were expecting a daughter. Rita was absolutely glowing.
Joe continued to help at the DLO when things got busy. They were all missing Shane though. Her technical skills and out of the box thinking were a huge asset to the team. They all felt her absence. Oliver had almost involved her in a letter case half a dozen times, but didn't want to distract from her recovery.
Shane was doing well physically. Her days were full of rest, therapy, and repeat. Her right leg had regained full feeling about a month after the accident, but was still very weak. Most of her therapy time at Dr. Noom's office involved building up strength to stand on one leg. Her left leg had made no hint of recovery, besides random tingling at times.
She had recently had her cast removed and was enjoying use of both arms again. Oliver noticed that besides being in a wheelchair, the only outward sign of Shane's injuries was the faint bruise on her cheek and the scar on her head that she tried to cover up with her hair.
However, even with all of Shane's progress, Heather began to worry. She had noticed Shane's appetite drop slightly and that she felt lighter when she helped lift her each day. She was losing weight, slowly. She had also begun to sleep more, not less. The only reason she would get up at a normal time was if they had to make it to an appointment. She also spent a lot of time staring out the window or watching TV on her iPad.
She almost always perked up a bit when Oliver showed up. Whether sincere, or so he would not worry, Heather couldn't tell. She tried to keep Shane engaged in life, but she met resistance. Her doctors had given the go ahead for Shane to resume normal activities as she felt ready, but she refused, unless it was a doctor or therapy appointment.
Heather needed to talk to Oliver. He had to have noticed a change, even if he didn't understand it yet. Shane needed to find a sense of purpose again. Life had shifted and she needed to find her place.
Shane mindlessly watched the water droplets drip from the leaves of a tree, unaware of her mom watching her with a worried expression from the kitchen. April 1st already. She'd had a therapy appointment that morning that had been extremely difficult. She hurt and she was tired.
Several cars went by. It was like the whole world kept going by while she sat and watched, unable to join them. The guilt for not being happier to be alive swept over her once again. Tired of the guilt, she shifted to apathy. Feeling nothing felt much easier.
"Shane, lunch is ready." Heather said quietly as she touched her shoulder. "It's really coming down out there."
"Hmm? Oh, thanks Mom. Could you wheel me in?" asked Shane.
Heather stood there a moment. Shane had insisted on wheeling herself everywhere, until the day before. "Of course."
After trying to coax Shane to eat more of her lunch, Heather helped her to bed for a nap. It had gotten slightly easier with Shane being able to use both arms and a leg.
Shane fell asleep quickly. Heather stared at her for a moment, filled with so much love for this daughter of hers. She wished Shane realized how strong she really was. She had spoken to Oliver the night before. She had voiced her concerns and he had voiced his. He didn't know what to do, but he assured her that he had spent much time thinking of the best course of action. They would all keep trying. They just need Shane to keep trying, thought Heather as she quietly shut Shane's door.
Oliver sat at his desk in the DLO with his chair facing the window. He was staring at the rain falling, oblivious of anything else going on around him.
Norman and Rita stood right in front of his desk, hesitant to interrupt his reverie. They glanced at one another, unsure of how to alert him of their presence.
"We're back from our break, Oliver." Norman ventured.
He quickly turned his chair and his mind back to the present. "Oh, good. Have we completed all of the first day of the month tasks?"
Rita nodded cheerfully, "Yes, done!"
Oliver nodded, "Very well."
"Time for a new letter?" asked Rita, gesturing toward the bin on Oliver's desk.
Oliver shook his head, "I actually need your help with a special project."
Norman looked at Rita with raised eyebrows and then back to Oliver, "What kind of special project?"
Oliver stood and buttoned his jacket. "I want Shane back at work by Friday and I need your help to make it happen."
"Oh!" said Rita, glancing at Norman, "It's already Tuesday. I thought she said she wasn't quite ready?"
Oliver nodded understandingly, "Her doctors gave the go ahead a week ago. It's entirely up to Shane, but she may need a little…"
"Motivation?" asked Norman. "I don't think she realizes how much she is needed here."
"And definitely some cheering up!" added Rita. She had also been very worried about Shane, unsure of what to do.
Oliver smiled. They understood. "Let's discuss the details over lunch."
Norman and Rita both nodded and smiled.
That night, when Oliver went to see Shane, he knocked instead of letting himself in as he usually did. What Norman had labeled "Operation Return Shane" had just begun. This was phase one.
Heather opened the door with a peculiar expression on her face. "Oliver, why did you…"
"Good evening. Would you please promptly deliver this to Ms. Shane McInerney?" he said very properly with a smile and a wink.
Heather grinned, "Why, of course! Please wait here."
After a few minutes, he heard Shane's chair approaching the door. She appeared with a smile, but Oliver couldn't help but notice she looked a little pale.
She cleared her throat:
"Dear Ms. McInerney,
Please allow me the honor of your presence for an evening on our porch swing. A meal of homemade sandwiches will be provided. As well as stimulating conversation.
Yours Truly, Oliver O'toole.
PS: I included chips and potato salad this time."
Shane chuckled and carefully placed the note back into the envelope. "What is this for, Oliver?"
"Well, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. I knew we were bound to have a beautiful sunset. I didn't want you to miss it." he replied warmly. "Now, may I help you to the swing?"
Shane's smile disappeared. "I don't know, Oliver. I'm kind of tired tonight."
He stepped towards her, got down on one knee, and took her hand, "Please? I would love to sit next to you. And I promise to bring you inside if you get tired."
He looked so hopeful, Shane nodded reluctantly, "Alright."
Oliver carefully lifted Shane to her spot on the swing. He felt a jolt of worry as he noticed the change. Heather had mentioned Shane had lost weight, but Oliver hadn't noticed until now. He got her situated and prepared their food. Shane stared intently at the sunset, not saying much or eating much. Oliver watched her out of the corner of his eye.
On the surface she was polite and sweet, but he knew there must be a storm brewing underneath. It seemed like she was focused on making sure everyone was not worried about her, but in so doing she was isolating herself. He had considered several times simply confronting her with his concerns. But he had a feeling this would not go well and may push her further into the hole she was sinking into.
Shane was fiercely independent, a quality he very much admired. She had recently had to listen to a lot of people telling her what to do and how to do it. Even with the best of intentions, he knew she would not respond well to interference into her emotional or mental state. Oliver did not want to even hint at the idea that her efforts were not enough, that somehow more was required. She had been working so hard to recover her physical independence, but even her desire for that seemed to be waning. He was fairly certain she had no idea they were all so worried about her.
She simply needed inspiration to re-enter life again. And that is exactly what they intended to provide this week. Oliver found himself praying that it would work. He glanced over and felt so much love fill him once again. He'd do anything to see her happy and full of life again. He sighed out loud without realizing it.
Shane instantly looked at him, "Something on your mind?"
He almost said no, that he was just enjoying the sunset, but he couldn't lie to her, ever. "Yes...you." he said as he put his arm around her.
She raised her eyebrows, searching his face.
He changed the subject. "We had a new letter today that I'm not quite sure what to do with."
Shane was surprised. Oliver had specifically avoided talking about work so as to not distract her or make her feel bad for not being there. "Oh?" she said curiously.
He nodded. "We already found the sender and the address of the recipient, so there shouldn't be a problem, but…"
Shane blurted, "But what?"
Oliver smiled inwardly. There was a spark of Shane he hadn't seen in a few weeks. "It was from a young teenage boy, 14 years old, to his father in prison. The address was smudged, but Norman was able to discern it using several methods."
She stared at him, waiting for more.
"The letter was sad, but also inspiring. James, the son, talked about how he wasn't mad at his father for being arrested again, that he knew it was hard to give up his addictions. He expressed how much he misses his father. There was no anger. It was astonishing. He explained how nice his foster family was this time, but that he missed helping at the veterinary clinic near his previous placement. He wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up." Oliver paused and took a breath. "That's when Rita noticed his address was very near where Doctor Williams office was located and we thought that maybe…"
"Oh! He might allow James to job shadow or help out a bit? Brilliant, Oliver!" Shane smiled excitedly.
Here was his opportunity. "We were all hoping you could arrange things, seeing that you had talked with him before. Maybe you could come to the DLO in the morning or work a bit from home?" He had asked very casually, as if it were no big deal, but he could feel his heart pounding. She had expressed more than once that she would let him know when she was ready to return to work. He didn't want to cross a line.
Surprisingly, Shane shrugged. "Sure. I'll need Rita to email me some details, but I can do it from home first thing tomorrow."
He looked at her, so relieved but trying not to show it. "Thank you." he said.
Shane noticed his voice was different, but couldn't quite catch the meaning. She smiled and leaned in for a kiss, just as the sun was setting.
Oliver noticed she shivered slightly and pulled the blanket tightly around her as he held her close. They both watched the sky change into various shades of pink, orange, and purple.
"Shane?" said Oliver.
"Hmm?" she replied, not turning her head
"Remember our first time on this swing?" he said.
She smiled, "Of course."
"Thank you for not stabbing me with my letter opener." he said in a serious voice.
She chuckled. "It was a close call. That definitely would have put a damper on things."
Oliver wore a satisfied smile. He had done the two things he had meant to do tonight. First, an invitation to get involved in DLO work again. Second, to make her laugh. He felt hopeful.
"I love you, Shane." he said as he rocked the swing back and forth. She didn't respond and he realized she was asleep. He looked down at her, thinking about how much had transpired from that first night in the swing until today. He sighed once again. This had to work. It simply had to.
