Chapter 66: Physical Therapy
*Do what you can with what you have where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt*
Jolene was doing better and would be moving to the rehab floor today. It would be a while before she could walk on her own. Colleen had already had a therapist in to evaluate her. Both ankles were looking better her knee was healing after surgery.
Her wrist was still in a cast and arm in a sling. She would try to push through the pain but Bonnie, her therapist, stopped her.
“Sweetie, if you push yourself too much, you’ll do more damage.” Bonnie told her gently. “Listen to me and your body.”
“And don’t skip your meds.” Colleen advised. “It’s not just for pain but also for the inflammation.”
“That’s true” Bonnie agreed.
Jolene looked back and forth between the two women.
Colleen was tall and slender with black hair. Her hair was cut perfectly to easily be put up out of her way. And to show off the bright blue under color. Today she wore blue slacks, a cream-colored cable knit sweater and hot pink tennis shoes. She smiled at Jolene, trying to let her know that they were not ganging up on her.
Bonnie was roughly a foot shorter at only four feet nine and was a little plump around the middle. Her light brown hair was peppered with silver strands. Amusement filled her green eyes as she smiled at her patient. She wore black scrub pants with a black top with light blue trim and pockets.
“I promise, we’ve only got your best interests in mind.” Colleen told her patient.
“I…” Jolene swallowed hard and swiped at the tears forming in her eyes. “I don’t know how I’m going to pay for all this.” She said softly.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Colleen sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up Jolene’s good hand. “You’re a princess now. Whatever you need, Owen will get. Anything that is not being covered by Crime Victims Fund, he’s covering. You’re not going to be responsible for any of it.”
“Why?” Jolene croaked out.
“Because whether he wants to admit it or not, my brother is completely in love with your mother. If she’s worried about you, he’s worried about you. And damn is he ever protective.”
Jolene smiled at the older woman. “He threatened to ruin Hank and his family.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.” Colleen agreed. “He has this mean streak that runs through him. If you never experience it, you would never believe he can be such an asshole. Trust me, he can be an asshole to the thirty-third degree.”
Bonnie snickered. “Doesn’t he have a PhD in Assholery?”
“If not, he should.” Colleen agreed. “And ruthless business tactics done so smooth you thank him for taking over your business.”
Colleen laughed as he shook her head. “You should ask him about Mrs. Perkins.”
Jolene looked at her confused and Colleen just shook her head. “Do it when the rest of your family is around. And Dean. She loves the story.”
“Perkins?” Bonnie asked. “As in Perkins Place? Isn’t that the shopping center he bought a few years back?”
“That’s the one.” Colleen said just as her hospital pager went off. She looked down at the screen. “Looks like I have another patient that I need to tend to. Do you need anything else?”
“No.” Jolene answered.
“Okay, as soon as your room is ready, the nurses will move you. Or, if I know my brother and Neo, the nurses will move you and the guards will move your belongings. You can have the nurses page me if you need anything.”
“Willow will be here soon.” Jolene whispered. “She had a baby appointment.”
“I’m surprised one of the others aren’t here.” Bonnie smirked.
“Probably because someone asked for a break.” Colleen said as she stood up.
Jolene blushed as she nodded.
“No shame in that. I’ve known his sisters most of my life. All together we can be a bit overwhelming.” She said as she walked towards the door. Stopping at the door, Colleen turned back to Jolene. “You’ll learn that being a princess comes with a lot of benefits. It also comes with a lot of people up in your business.”
With that declaration, Colleen left the room.
“Isn’t she one of his sisters?” Jolene asked Bonnie.
“She’s one of the stepsisters. There’s nine sisters and Owen. Then there’s all the next generation and I think that there’s only two or three boys and like thirty something girls. Of the ones that have kids for the next generation it’s still mainly girls.”
“It’s just mom, me and my brothers.” Jolene paused. “And I guess my older brothers’ girlfriend and boyfriend.”
Bonnie held her hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at me to judge. You can write in the sand and I’m guilty of something.” She shrugged. “You ever play with play doh when you were a kid?”
Jolene looked at her confused as the other woman walked over and grabbed a container of putty. “Yes.”
“Good. This is nothing like that.” Bonnie pulled the putty out and offered it to Jolene. “This is what you get when play doh and slime have a wild night. It’s not quite silly putty. My daughter calls it serious putty.”
Jolene laughed as she squeezed the putty with her good hand. “It feels …”
“Weird.” Bonnie supplied and Jolene laughed as she agreed. “Squish it, play with it, roll it on your table. Have fun with it.”
“This is therapy?”
“Ehhh.” Bonnie shrugged again. “It’s more of a way to help break up your day. Daytime TV is not all that great.”
“I like Wayne Brady.”
“He ain’t bad to look at either.” Bonnie grinned and Jolene laughed. “I’m married, not dead. I window shop all the time. You should meet Colleens’ new intern. Tasty.”
Jolene laughed. “I don’t think that I need to even window shop. I don’t have a good track record.”
“I’m not saying take him for a test drive. Pretty sure his husband would not like that. But he’s like a sunset while you’re sitting on a cruise ship.” Bonnie advised as she gathered up her tools of the trade. “It’s a nice view, but not where I want to live.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I ever meet him.” Jolene said as her therapist moved towards the door.
“And as for finding a place that you do want to live and watch the sunset,” Bonnie said from the doorway, “don’t rush into anything. Not even swearing off men. Take some time before you make that decision.”
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