A SEAL at Heart by Anne Elizabeth Read Free Book Online

if you want to return to full duty—at some future point, that is, after you’ve gotten your memory back.”
    There was the rub. He would kill to be operational again. With the hole in his memories, no one would approve it, and “group” was a waste of his time.
    He searched his brain for a loophole as he started toward his car. “Didn’t you suggest that I seek other forms of healing—acupuncture, or something like that?”
    “Oh, yes, physical therapy as well as biowave sound therapy and visual training have been shown to be extremely useful in memory loss and perceptual difficulty. Are you going to do that now?” asked Dr. Johnson with a note of surprise in his voice.
    “Sure,” agreed Jack, lying through his teeth. He could always make the call later in the day and arrange something, or perhaps he could poke himself with a few needles and call it done. There couldn’t be that much to the acupuncture process.
    “Well, that’s interesting. I didn’t expect this proactive behavior from you. I’m pleased to hear you are taking an active role in your healing process. Who is the therapist? Is he or she on the Department Of Defense approved list?” The sound of Dr. Johnson tapping his pencil on a pad of paper was a loud and impatient thunk, thunk, thunk .
    Shit! Was she approved? “Laurie something. I’ll have to get back to you, Doc.”
    “If you can provide me with her information, we can add it to your record…” began Dr. Johnson. “Oh, and don’t forget our upcoming appointment. We have a lot of ground to cover, Petty Officer First Class Roaker.” Using rank to remind Jack who was in charge of his future was a nice touch. Bummer, that he didn’t particularly give a shit. He’d always be the master of his destiny.
    “Uh, I’m late, Doc. I’ve got to go!” Jack entered the car in one motion as he shut off his phone. Tossing it on the seat, he spied the business card he had dropped the other night. Picking it up from the floor, he studied it.
    Laurie Smith
    Physical Therapist
    Make appointments in advance.
    Physical therapy takes your commitment.
    619-555-5569
    Sliding the key into the ignition, he shoved the gear stick into reverse, backed up briefly, and then quietly left, resisting the urge to peel out of the parking lot. No one would have access to his true state of mind unless he wanted it.
    At the next red light, he dialed Laurie’s office number.
    “Hello, Laurie Smith, physical therapist, this is her assistant Frannie. How may I help you?” asked a clipped, authoritative female voice. She was also shuffling papers at the same time she was extending the greeting. “Hello, is anyone there?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’d like to speak with Ms. Smith,” he said, uncertain of the precise words he would use to cajole her into giving him an appointment, but he thought the use of formality might help.
    “She’s booked up through next week. Did you want to make an appointment? Is Thursday morning okay?” Her brisk tone was not pleasant to his ear.
    “No. Um, I need to set up an appointment today.” He paused and an inspiration made him take a different tack. “I need to see her and apologize. My name is Jack.”
    “Oh, that sounds interesting. Let me check her schedule.” The call was put on hold and Native American flute music with a new-age edge came wafting over the line.
    The light changed and Jack flipped on his Bluetooth. Connected , the speaker said, and then the sweet-toned music was flowing into his car. As he reached the next traffic light, the man next to him rolled up his window to block out the melodic sound. It isn’t that bad.
    Just as another call was beeping in, the voice came back on the line.
    “She can see you at five thirty p.m. You’ll be her last appointment of the day.” There was a click, and a dial tone blared on the line before the Bluetooth spoke to him: Call ended .
    “Great job, boy genius. You were thinking on your feet, that Laurie was the lesser of the