Behind His Eyes - Convicted: The Missing Years (34 page)

There was more than that in Harry’s visit. There was the information about Rawlings. John couldn’t comprehend that Anthony and Claire had given up their security for him and Emily. Then again, he and Emily had given up their life in California for Claire and Nichol. Harry was giving up his dream career for Jillian.

Maybe it wasn’t what you give up—maybe it was what you receive.

Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.

—Wayne Dyer

“What did they say?” Emily asked for the tenth time.

“I’ve told you. They just said that there’d been a development with Claire and we needed to get to Everwood as soon as possible.”

John watched the passing landmarks as he drove toward Cedar Rapids. To his right, Emily fidgeted with her fingernails as she rested her elbow against the lower edge of the window. No doubt, the early morning traffic was heavier than what she usually experienced on her later drives.

“Did they say
what
development?”

“Em, I’ve told you the entire conversation, verbatim.”

“Why didn’t you ask? What if something bad happened? We’re supposed to have that meeting this morning, at 8:30 AM, with that aide who’s been working so well with Claire. Do you think Claire took a turn for the worse? I mean, why wouldn’t they just wait and tell us when we got there? It has to be bad. Otherwise, they would’ve just waited.”

John reached over and touched Emily’s arm. “Stop. Stop trying to second-guess. I’m nervous too, but it doesn’t do any good to overanalyze. We don’t have enough information—yet.”

“I bet it has something to do with Dr. Fairfield’s treatment. So help me… if it did something. Oh, John, you didn’t see how distraught she’s been. She paces. She’s uncooperative. That’s not my sister. I mean, she’s made bad decisions and done things that I don’t agree with, but she’s always been cooperative. Even in that damn book, she talked about how cooperative she was. I never should have allowed him to change her medications and treatment regimen. If something bad happened, it’s my fault.”

“Dr. Fairfield explained that those were good signs, that it showed she was becoming more aware of the world around her, instead of living in some make-believe fantasy.”

Emily huffed. “I don’t care what he said. What if she got upset and they had to do something to her… Oh, I hated getting those reports when she needed to be restrained. If they’d just talk to her… that calms her down. She’s what… a hundred and ten pounds. It’s not like she’s dangerous. I don’t understand. So help me… if they had to restrain her again after how well she
was
doing, I promise I’ll have some heads on a platter, and the first one will be Dr. Fairfield’s.”

John pulled into the gate and down the long tree-lined drive. Truly, the grounds of Everwood were beautiful. He remembered how, even as a child, Claire enjoyed the outdoors. When she was young, her dad used to take her camping. John believed it was good that part of Claire’s daily routine was going outside.

The change in plans both worried and disappointed John. He’d been looking forward to speaking with Claire’s aide, Ms. Russel. Her reports were the most encouraging news they’d received on Claire since her ordeal began. At first, they seemed too good to be true, but her supervisor, Mrs. Bali, confirmed them. The Vandersols had tried to meet with Ms. Russel on other occasions, but each time something caused her to cancel. When Emily’s phone rang this morning, while she was in the shower, John half expected it to be Everwood, canceling yet again. He should have asked more questions, but the call was brief and his initial reaction was relief that the meeting wasn’t cancelled. At least, he didn’t think it was cancelled. Hopefully, after they worked out this
development
, the meeting could occur.

Dr. Fairfield’s assistant was waiting for them within the doors of the main facility. John couldn’t decide if her bright smile was sincere or if she was trying to hide something. It looked, different.

“Good morning Valerie. What’s happening with my sister?” Emily asked, impatiently.

“Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Vandersol. Your sister is fine. Please, come with me.”

When Valerie led them to the elevator and pushed the button for the office floor, Emily questioned, “Why are we going to the offices? After your call this morning, I want to see Claire. I need to be sure that she’s all right.” John wrapped his arm reassuringly around Emily’s waist.

“Mrs. Vandersol, we’re going to your sister.”

“Why isn’t she in her room?” Emily looked at her watch. “It’s still early. She should be in her room, and someone should be there helping her—”

The elevator doors opened and Valerie stepped into the hallway. Emily glared up at John. With her lips pressed together, John knew she was refraining from commenting about Valerie’s departure during Emily’s speech. Inhaling deeply, she followed, as did John.

“Let me show you, before you go in,” Valerie said, as she opened a door with a plate beside the frame that read
Observation
.

“Show us?” Emily asked.

“There’s no sound, but you can see.” She flipped a switch and a large mirrored surface became a window. In the next room, they could see Claire sitting in a chair with Dr. Brown facing her and Dr. Fairfield standing near. Dr. Brown’s lips moved and then so would Claire’s!

Emily covered her mouth as large tears flowed down her cheeks. “Oh, my God! Is she talking?”

“Yes, Mrs. Vandersol, she is.”

Had it not been for John’s steady footing, Emily would have knocked them both to floor as she fell into his chest. Valerie flipped another switch that must have signaled Dr. Fairfield. He looked up and said something to Dr. Brown, who nodded. Within seconds, Dr. Fairfield was opening the door to their room. His normally stoic expression was replaced by the largest smile John had ever seen on the good doctor’s face.

“Mr. and Mrs. Vandersol, we must continue to have a guarded prognosis, but this is good. This is very good.”

Emily shook her head. “I can’t believe it. I want to talk to her.”

“And you will. I wanted to explain a few things first.”

John watched through the window as Dr. Fairfield explained the happenings of the day. The staff had entered Claire’s room to wake her: when they did, she was already showered and dressed. Then, she proceeded to tell them that she didn’t want eggs for breakfast; she wanted fruit. The staff was so shocked that they called Dr. Brown, who called Dr. Fairfield. The entire facility was abuzz with the news.

“Is it permanent?” John asked.

“I can’t answer that with one-hundred-percent accuracy. The human brain is an amazing organ. It makes a path when medically we don’t see a possibility. Something was stopping your sister-in-law from facing reality. Her DTI images told us that she was living and experiencing sensations during her episodes. The change in medication and intensive therapy has worked to essentially bring her two worlds back to one. We all dream; we all have memories. The trick is to only visit those fantasies, not to live there. Ms. Nichols was stuck in that other world. I was hopeful during her recent bouts with agitation that we were on the right track. You see, no one wants to leave that other world, assuming it’s a pleasant place to be. From Ms. Nichols’ tests and behaviors, I believe that where she was, she enjoyed being. As the therapy began to work, her episodes decreased. The agitation was her frustration at losing what she enjoyed. My goal was for that frustration to build to the point of action. I believe that’s where we are. Ms. Nichols took action. She knows where she is. She knows her name and her daughter’s name. We’ll have to wait and see if her brain can handle the onslaught of information that she’ll encounter with this new awakening. I recommend that her therapy be increased.”

Emily’s chest heaved with deep sobs. “Please, I need to see her.”

Valerie handed her a tissue, as Dr. Fairfield warned, “She knows that you’re on your way. She’s expressed concern about you being upset with her.”

“Oh God, no,” Emily exclaimed. “I’m not upset. I want my sister.”

“Please, calm yourself. Understand that this is very overwhelming for her.”

Emily nodded. “I understand.”

As John worked unsuccessfully to hold back the tears, he gratefully took a tissue offered by Dr. Fairfield’s assistant. This development was more than they’d dared to hope. Taking a few deep breaths, John and Emily followed Dr. Fairfield out the door, down the hall, and into the next room. When the door opened, Claire kept her head bowed, and peered up at them through veiled lashes.

“Claire!” Emily cried, as she ran to her sister and wrapped her in her arms. The rest of the room stood by helplessly as both women hugged and cried. Eventually, John joined his family, wrapping them both in his arms.

Emily took Dr. Brown’s chair and leaned forward, with her knees touching Claire’s and their foreheads mere inches away, Emily held tightly to her sister’s hands. “Tell us how you’re doing.”

“I’m… tired,” Claire replied.

“Oh, Claire, thank God.”

Claire’s eyes widened. “You’re… not mad?”

“No, no, I’m not mad. I’m thrilled. John’s thrilled. We’ve missed you.”

“I had to go,” she said, her words running together.

Emily questioned, “You had to go? Where did you go?”

“Away… for N-Nichol.”

“Honey, we know all about that. It’s all right, you’re back.”

Claire sighed. “Yes.”

Her sentences were short, but it was obvious that she was fully comprehending every question that anyone asked. Eventually, John knelt beside them and touched Claire’s knee. When her piercing green eyes met his, John grinned. “Hey, lady, I’ve missed you.”

Claire leaned forward and wrapped her arms around John’s neck. “Thank you… thank you… for not being… upset.”

“At you? Never.”

Claire sniffled. “You were… I’m sorry.”

“Hey, don’t be sorry. Just stay with us, okay? No more going away.”

She nodded. “I don’t know… where… I’d go.”

Everyone giggled. “That’s good,” Emily said, “you just stay right here with us.”

“And… Nichol?” Claire asked.

Emily nodded as her gaze went to John and back to Claire. “Yes, eventually, of course, she needs you, but not yet. We need to get you better first.”

A tear escaped Claire’s lower lid and descended her cheek. “I understand… but… I’ve missed… too much.”

Emily looked up to Dr. Brown. “Where’s Ms. Russel? She should be here. Dr. Fairfield, I know it’s been your regimen, but Ms. Russel has helped to get my sister to this point. I want to thank her.”

“She should be at the meeting downstairs. I’ll ask Valerie to bring her up,” Dr. Fairfield offered.

John had never experienced a more emotional morning. He didn’t know for sure how long they stayed in that room, but by the time they helped Claire back to her room and joined her for lunch, he knew he’d be no good to anyone at Rawlings for the rest of the day. He was spent. It was all too much: hearing his sister-in-law responding, seeing the comprehension in her eyes, and watching her feed herself, was truly a dream come true.

They never were able to thank Ms. Russel. Valerie said that she brought her up to the floor, and they’d watched through the window. She said that Ms. Russel didn’t want to interrupt this important family reunion, and said that she was too emotional. She was afraid she’d upset Claire.

“Oh, I wanted so much to speak with her,” Emily replied, though she and John completely understood. It’d been more emotional than either one of them had expected.

“Please… don’t… stop… her from… coming,” Claire said.

Emily grinned and patted Claire’s knee. “Don’t worry about that. Of course, we wouldn’t stop her. Do you like her?”

Claire nodded. Between her posture and drooping eyelids, it was obvious she was getting tired.

“Why don’t we let you rest?” John offered.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Emily said, “to see how you’re doing. Will you be all right?”

“Yes… Tomorrow… will… you bring, Nichol?”

Emily pressed her lips tight and shook her head. “Honey, let’s wait on that until we’re sure you’re all right. I showed you her picture. I’ll bring some tomorrow for you to keep here in your room.”

“She’s so… big.”

John replied, “She is, but she’s still little. You’ll have plenty of time with her. Right now, you concentrate on getting better. Listen to the doctors. I know you’ll be feeling like your old self in no time at all.”

Walking from Everwood into the autumn air, Emily squeezed John’s hand. Although he felt as though he’d been through an emotional roller coaster, he couldn’t help but smile. His wife looked beautiful. With her makeup gone and her eyes red, Emily’s smile was the brightest he’d seen in years. “You’re lovely,” he whispered.

“Ha. I’m sure I look stunning. My head is throbbing and I’ve never been happier. Honestly, I could use a nap. Then,” she added, “let’s get the kids and celebrate. This was a miracle.”

“I think that sounds like a great plan,” John replied.