Being Neighborly by Carey Heywood Read Free Book Online Page B

Partial paralysis is not unheard of, and unfortunately, only time will tell if it is temporary or not.”
    He start s to explain a condition called foot drop or drop foot. This is important; this is stuff I need to know about. Unfortunately, my body has other ideas, and exhaustion claims me.
    The next time I wake , the room is much darker, only dim lights above a sink in the corner are on. I’m less disoriented and dizzy this time around. Light breathing to my right draws my attention. Even in the dim room, I know it’s Bethany. She’s curled up on a recliner, a long sweater as a blanket, her shoulder a pillow. Not wanting to wake her, I watch her sleep.
    Her being here, not leaving me is an unexpected relief in this otherwise scary moment. I’m not sure how long I’ve been watching her when a nurse, a different one from before , comes in to check on me. Her movement wakes Bethany. She rubs her eyes, groggy in a way I’ve grown used to from our occasional overnights. It takes a moment for her to realize I’m awake.
    When she does, she takes my hand in both of hers and presses it to her cheek.  “Beau.”
    “Hey ,” I rasp.
    “Are you thirsty?”
    I nod and she releases my hand to get me water. I only take a few sips before shaking my head to let her know I’m done. Then her hands grasp mine again.
    “I’m sorry I fell asleep before.”
    She squeezes my hand and kisses it. “You need your rest.”
    “I feel weak ,” I grumble.
    For a moment , she looks as though she might cry. “Shh.”
    “I do ,” I argue.
    One of her hands comes up to push hair back from my forehead. “Just give it time. The doctor said you’re going to be just fine.”
    “What about my foot?”
    “You might be unsteady but you should be able to walk, and since it’s your left foot, drive an automatic. He said something about needing to lift your leg higher when you walk since you won’t be able to lift your toes.”
    I rub my thumb back and forth across the back of her hand. “How are you?”
    She gulps, dropping her forehead onto our joined hands, her body shaking.
    “ Get up here,” I plead.
    She shakes her head.
    “Dammit, Bethany. Get up here.” I just about beg.
    She slowly climbs up onto my bed and tucks herself against me. Sleep finds us both not long after. When the nurse comes back around to check on me again, Bethany doesn’t wake. The nurse takes pity on me and doesn’t make a fuss about her sleeping on the bed with me. After she leaves, sleep eludes me. Each time I wake, I’m not as weak. Relieved to be feeling like myself again, I just want to go home.
    Bethany wakes first the next morning, her sleepy stretching against me waking me as well. I’m sitting up comfortably the next time a nurse comes to check on me. The doctor visits me not long after. He’s pleased my strength seems to be returning and has me stand next to the bed. After he seems happy I won’t keel over, he okays the removal of my catheter. Thankfully, Bethany steps out of the room for that.
    The mind is a curious thing . No matter how many times my foot and leg have been poked and probed, I’m still surprised the first time I go to put weight on it that I can’t feel it. If Dr. Vanson hadn’t caught me, I would have fallen on my face. There’s just nothing there, no pins and needles, no soreness, nothing.
    I’ve delivered a couple of foals in my days, and I’m pretty sure my first steps weren’t that far off from theirs. I am motivated though, not wanting to piss myself in front of Bethany is inducement enough for me to figure it out.
    Hobbling over to the bathroom takes some getting used to. Getting to shower and brush my teeth makes it worth it. Bethany brought some sweats I was able to change into. It’s hard to feel manly taking small uncertain steps with your ass peeking out from a hospital gown.
    The next day , I still haven’t regained feeling in my foot, but it hasn’t stopped me from walking though. Reminding myself to lift