The Gender Lie(46)

Violet cocked her head at me. “You okay?”

I nodded, plastering a smile on my face. “I’m okay. I’m just worried that there might be more important things you need to be doing, and I’m keeping you from them.”

Violet leaned closer. “Nothing’s more important than being here for you, and helping you get better,” she declared, giving me another kiss.

As her mouth touched mine, I knew it was better to let it go. I didn’t want her to think I was ungrateful for the support she was giving me. I just wished I could find the right words that would encourage her to let me do this alone.

“So, what exactly can we expect today, Doc?” she asked, leaping off the bed. I watched her walk, envying how she could do it so casually. The emotion caught me by surprise. I shouldn’t be jealous of her ability to do something as simple as walking.

“Nothing too extreme today,” the doctor said. “We’re going to work out his legs, which have suffered some mild atrophy from the duration of his coma. It’s going to be a few days before we can build up to assisted walking. For today, just getting back some flexibility and mild re-strengthening.”

I frowned. “We aren’t going to try walking today? Then why did you have that set up?” I asked, nodding toward the makeshift handrails.

Dr. Tierney smiled at me, setting the pen she was holding down on the table. “For convenience’s sake,” she said, standing up. “Are you ready to get started?”

I glowered at her, until I saw the naked hope and sparkling eagerness in Violet’s eyes. I swallowed my frustration and nodded.

Dr. Tierney approached the bed, Violet at her heels. The doctor grabbed my blanket and tossed it back, revealing my stupid hospital gown and my legs.

My legs looked… thinner and less muscular. Not much, but weeks of no activity had left their mark.

“All right, Mr. Croft. All I want you to do is lift your left leg off the bed and hold it for as long as you can.”

Taking a deep breath, I focused on my left leg, lifting it as high as it would go. I got about a foot off the bed before my muscles began to protest the move. I gritted my teeth, straining hard, but I could only manage another inch before it was too painful. Clutching the sheets, I felt a tremor roll down my thigh and into my calf as I tried to hold it up.

I released my breath and let my leg collapse back on the mattress. I had started to sweat, which unnerved me, and I felt like that little bit of movement had drained me of more energy than I had to spare. I met Violet’s gaze and then looked away, humiliated.

“That was very good, Mr. Croft,” Dr. Tierney announced with a sickly sweet smile. She pulled a pen out of her pocket and grabbed the file at the end of my bed, jotting a few notes. “Five seconds is an excellent start,” she added, clicking the pen. She lowered the chart and turned back to me. “Now for the other one.”

I tensed my jaw and concentrated on repeating the move with my other leg. I got it slightly higher off the bed before the pain set in, but I fought it off, determined to hold it up longer. The shaking started almost immediately, but I ignored it, trying to will my leg to stay up. Just like before, however, the pain became unbearable. It fell back to the bed and I loosened, panting.

Dr. Tierney nodded again in satisfaction and scribbled another note. “Two extra seconds on that leg—it’s very promising. Now, try to lift your knee up to your chest and hold it.”

Aggravated, I looked at her. “Is that all we’re going to be doing today? Holding my legs up?”

Still smiling, the woman crossed her arms and shot me a look. “What did you expect? Squats?”

Defeated, I slumped back into the pillows and forced myself to look at Violet. Her face had once again turned sympathetic, and as much as I cared about her, looking at her was making me angrier. I didn’t want her sympathy. I wasn’t even sure I wanted her here.

I forced my mind back to the task at hand. Groaning, I lifted my thigh toward my chest. I could only work it up to a forty-degree angle before the muscle spasms and discomfort started. Biting my lip, I focused on my breathing. I forced myself to breathe slowly, in and out of my nose. I was only able to hold the position for a few seconds before the pain forced me to drop my thigh.

“Excellent! And the other?”

Exhaling, I started to lift it when there was a sharp knock at the door.

Violet looked at me and then Dr. Tierney, and I relaxed my leg back on the bed, both grateful and irritated by the interruption.

“Yes?” Dr. Tierney called, turning toward the door.

The door swung open, revealing the same blond man who had called for Violet before. I thought Violet mentioned his name was Owen, but there were a few holes in her story that were a result of me falling asleep during parts of it.