Chapter 9

Recovery was an ordeal for Ryan. He was released from the hospital after five weeks to go directly to a rehabilitation facility. Luckily, the facility was close to the hospital, and Francine and Leona were able to stay in the same short term apartment, where they alternated living there for a week at a time.

On a daily basis, Ryan endured learning how to walk again. How to strengthen and move his shattered leg so that it would support him and allow him to stand and step forward. Little by little, as bones slowly began to knit back to each other and the artifical joints were accepted by his body, mobility slowly returned. And thankfully, the pain receded.

After three and a half months, Ryan was cleared to be released. He wondered how he would manage the drive from Bozeman to Choteau, since it was nearly a two hour drive. Sitting in a truck or car wouldn’t be comfortable.

A customized Ford van with a wheelchair lift and luxury captains seats in the back was parked and waiting in the loading zone when Francine and Leona walked with Ryan as he was wheeled out by a nurse from the rehab center. Yzzy sat in the driver’s seat and Cameron was leaning against the side.

“I’m going to drive with Mom back to the ranch,” Cameron said after giving his brother a hug. “We’re going to finish getting a few things out of the apartment first and then head out. You get to ride home with the girls. Good luck.”

“Good luck?”

“Oh, brother of mine, Yzzy got here three days ago and set up this purchase for you. It was paid for from the settlement. But I had to listen to her and Leona plan a VERY slow and violent ending to your life functions if you ever do something like this again,” he snickered. “I have no doubt that you will be informed of all this on the relaxing drive back to Choteau.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Why do you think Nichole and Logan stayed home? Little kids shouldn’t hear that sort of talk!” he laughed. “The best thing you can do is just agree to whatever they say. Mom will treat you like when you were nine and we took turns jumping off the roof of the barn into the snowdrifts, as kids. You will recall that sprained ankle. And Leona? She says this will give her experience dealing with a stubborn teenager when you guys have one of your own!”

“And what did Yzzy say?”

“She was fast to say that while she had no dog in this fight, she would stand behind any decision mom and Leona made concerning your feeding and care. Face it,” he laughed, “you’re screwed. Just accept your fate and smile!”

“I was just trying to have a little fun,” Ryan sighed. “I didn’t expect it to blow up like this.”

Cameron opened the side door to the van and activated the electric lift to drop so Ryan coulds step onto it and be raised up to go into the van and sit. “Okay asshole, serious talk. Your ‘little fun’ almost destroyed our mother. She is still grieving our father and then she is facing the possibility of your death. The woman you are supposed to marry was doing all she could to not fall apart. At least once you got to the rehab center things calmed down for them a bit.” He looked into the van. “I have no clue how you managed to meet Yzzy on the internet, but that woman has been solid gold. She has stepped up to help in ways I didn’t even start to think about. She’s the reason you got the care you did and we didn’t lose the ranch to pay for it.” Cameron had a look of near reverence in his eyes. “The person she ends up with is going to be blessed in more ways than they realize. We’re lucky to have her as a friend!”

“She’s not a friend,” Leona called over. “She’s family! Now get in the van so we can go home!”

“Yes, dear,” Ryan sighed and sat down.

“That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard him say in a long time!” Yzzy giggled.

One of the first things Ryan noticed when they got back home, was that a wheelchair ramp had been installed to the front porch. While he wasn’t going to need a wheelchair, it was good to have because he WAS going to need to use a walker at times and this would allow easier access to the home. The second thing he noticed was that the main bathroom had been modernized. The old claw foot tub was removed and a large ADA compliant walk in bathtub with a bench was installed. Several hand bars were also installed for stability and support.

“Uncle!” Logan chirped happily as he came in, “Uncle, up!” he held out his arms to be picked up.

“Hey, big guy! I missed you!” he sat so the toddler could climb up, with assistance, into his lap.

The following day was Sunday and Reverend Smith was thrilled to welcome Ryan home and the rest of the congregation made sure to let him know that they entire town had been praying for his recovery. He was greatly humbled as he heard all this.

Yzzy was going to return to California on Thursday, and had spent the first part of the week going into town on her own. Sometimes she would drive herself in one of the ranch trucks, or sometimes she would have someone drop her off and she would get a ride home, most often with Mickey. While there was friendship and affection between the two, there were no further activities like the ones they had shared at the emergency shelter. Each knew it was a one time thing that was a treasured memory.