She held me for several minutes, saying nothing. Words weren’t necessary; the communication that passed between us surpassed anything that could have been said. Her gentle touch, the caress of her cheek against mine, spoke volumes and I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that my fears were groundless. She raised up, smoothing my long hair from my forehead, and looked at me with those glorious hazel eyes. Welcome home John, she whispered. I love you.
Predictably, with Lauren and Kessler in charge (not to mention Mike), events moved forward at a rapid clip. They conferred and agreed that Woodhaven would be a much more appropriate facility. Kessler worked his persuasive magic and I was transferred the very same day. Who says you can’t get same day service anymore? It was how to read a fertilizer label early evening when I arrived at Woodhaven and I was exhausted. The sheer magnitude of the previous two days’ events had come to bear in my mind and, while I was relieved beyond measure, it had also taken its toll.
One thought kept galloping through my head like a banshee and I couldn’t quiet its shrill proclamation: Don’t you know it’s only by a sheer stroke of luck that you aren’t spending the rest of your life separated from your friends and family? If you had been napping during Berta’s pity party? Or on one of your merry trips through your subconscious, traveling farther and farther away from reality, oblivious the happenings around you? Do you understand salvation almost passed you by?
Even now, six months later, I’m still vulnerable when the demons come, dressed in the guise of dreams and nightmares; I awake dripping with sweat, a scream lodged in my throat, unable to escape. I haven’t confided in anyone about these dreams but I know Kessler suspects. I can see the concern on his face when he arrives early in the morning and finds my sheets soaked through with perspiration.
Anyway, on my first night at Woodhaven Kessler recommended I receive no more visitors until the following day and Lauren agreed. I wanted desperately to see my daughters but I reluctantly complied. Mike left around eight o’ clock, promising to return early the next morning and Lauren stayed until almost ten. As you can imagine, communication was still very difficult and I’m almost ashamed to say I fell asleep on her. Some things never change, paralyzed or not.
