Chapter 8: End of Rehab

It had been over a week since Jimmy’s last session. He wasn’t really that eager to make it to his next one because it was likely going to be his last. That meant he wasn’t upset to have to cancel his appointment for the following day. He did find the reason why upsetting, though. Meredith had called and said that Ernie passed away a few days prior. They were going to have a combined viewing and funeral service on Monday, so Jimmy needed to reschedule his rehab.

At 10:00 Monday morning Jimmy exits his car, sans crutches, and slowly walks into the funeral home. The place is very crowded. It makes sense because Ernie was the owner and long-time operator of one of the most popular locally owned restaurants, and he took pride in getting to know all of his customers.

Jimmy spies Meredith near one end of the open casket. When there is a break he approaches and sees his friend lying in repose. He pauses for a moment then turns and approaches Meredith.

“Meredith, I’m so sorry,” he says as he gives her a brief hug.

Meredith hugs him back and then says, “Thank you so much for seeing him at the nursing home. I know he wasn’t conscious, but it meant so much to Karen and me.”

“Of course,” replies Jimmy.

Meredith goes on, “He never did regain consciousness. He died the following afternoon. Karen, Junior, and I were all by his side.”

“That’s both great and awful, I guess,” says Jimmy. “Great that you were there, but awful to see him go.”

Meredith nods her head in agreement. Jimmy sees Ernie Jr. and Karen nearby and excuses himself as another person approaches to offer condolences.

“Karen, Ernie, I’m so sorry,” says Jimmy as he shakes Ernie’s hand and gives Karen a hug.

“Yeah,” Ernie starts, “we knew it was coming, but being here is harder than I thought.”

Karen is standing tight-lipped, not out of disrespect, but in an effort to keep herself from losing control. The person speaking with Meredith was already departing so Jimmy wraps up his time with the kids.

“I don’t know what I can do, but if you need anything, please let me know.”

The two nod and then turn their attention to the latest guest.

Jimmy was stopped briefly a few times as he worked his way to the door to say hello or chat with a friend or colleague. He may not have been as well-known as Ernie, but with both he and Betty working in education they met a good deal of people around town over the years.

At 9:00 AM Wednesday morning Jimmy parked the car and walked into the rehab facility for what he assumed would be his last time. The receptionist’s eyes light up when she sees him without crutches.

“Jimmy! You look great and seem to be walking really well.”

He smiled in return. “Almost. I still have a bit of a limp, but it doesn’t really impede my walking.”

Sharon comes around the corner as Jimmy finishes speaking. “There you are. Right on time.”

The two walk side-by-side toward the rehab room.

“How are you feeling?” asks Sharon.

“Physically? The knee seems to be doing fine. Like I just said, I have a bit of a limp, but I think that will slowly disappear. Mentally? Not as good. I told you a friend had a stroke? He passed. It’s why I had to reschedule our last appointment. It overlapped with his service.”

“Oh, Jimmy, I’m really sorry,” says Sharon. “Are you going to be OK?”

“Yeah, it just gets harder each time I lose someone in my cohort. My generation is fading quickly.”

“But you’re still going strong,” encourages Sharon.

Jimmy nods and with a burst of determination says, “I am, so let’s get this test over with.”

Sharon moves him from one apparatus to another, or asks him to do a variety of tasks that he may encounter when at his home or around town. He easily completes each one with minimal effort. After each one Sharon makes a mark on her notepad and gives Jimmy a sly grin.

After the last one she makes an exaggerated check and says, “Let’s go get some ice.”

The shock on Jimmy’s face is obvious, “Ice? What are you talking about?”

Sharon turned and entered a nearby office that Jimmy had not noticed on his previous trips. He follows her in as she reaches into a refrigerator and then stands and turns with two small glasses filled with ice in one hand and a bottle of tequila in the other.

“Sit, you’re the man of the hour,” beams Sharon.

Jimmy sits and has a childish grin on his face as Sharon hands him a glass and then adds a shot of tequila.

“Congratulations, you are officially done with rehab,” states Sharon as she clinks her glass against his.

Jimmy clinks his glass back on hers then lifts the glass and throws back the shot.

“Just so you know,” Sharon says, “you are the first person I have offered a drink to after rehab. Some of my colleagues will do it with almost all their patients, but I wanted to wait and have a drink with someone special.”

Jimmy is visibly touched by her sentiment. Her next words open the watery floodgates.

“In fact, and I don’t think I’m being too presumptuous, I hope you would do me the incredible honor of walking me down the aisle at my wedding.”

It takes Jimmy a moment to register what Sharon has just asked, then when the meaning fully clicks, he stands quickly and pulls her into a giant hug. He is speechless for a few minutes.

“I am so touched that you would even consider asking. Of course, I would love to give you away at your wedding.”

Sharon’s eyes mirror the wetness she sees in Jimmy. She smiles widely and pulls him back into a tight embrace.

When the waterworks subside they both sit. Jimmy reaches for the liquor and starts to pour them both another shot when he pauses with the bottom poised over Sharon’s glass.

“Is this OK? You are still on duty,” says Jimmy.

“A small shot,” says Sharon.

Jimmy pours a drop into her glass, and then a larger portion into his glass. He raises his glass and clinks it against hers for the second time.

“And this one is to you,” he says with a hint of fatherly pride in his voice. “Now, tell me how this great news came to be.”

Sharon tells him that after their weekend trip JT started coming over almost every night. They would cook dinner together, then retreat to the living room and watch TV, or on a few occasions, pull out a board game.