Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

“Hey,” he said in a soft, silky tone.

“Hi,” she replied, her smile growing wider.  “The girl was right.  You were amazing last night.”

Michael propped himself up on an elbow.  “Thanks.  Coming from you it actually means something,” he teased.  Then swung his legs off the bed and onto the floor.

“How was Brian?” she asked.

“Apologetic.  And he should be, for acting like he did.”  Michael got off his bed and sat on the edge of Annie’s.  “But after I told him our fight brought you out of your coma, he said I should have been grateful.  Can you believe him?  Sometimes he can be such an ass.”

Michael leaned closer to Annie and pressed a firm kiss against her cheek.  “I love you,” he whispered, then began to chuckle.  “You know, us sleeping in separate beds is getting old.  Not exactly how I’d like to be waking with you, if you know what I mean.  Which reminds me, I want to talk to your doctor today about getting you out of here.”

“Yes, it would be nice to sleep in my own bed for a change,” Annie replied.

“Oh,” Michael sighed, a hint of dejection in his voice.  “I was hoping you’d move in with me.”

Annie’s eyes widened.  “Into your house?”

“Yeah.  I’m sure you’re still going to need someone to help you get around until the cast comes off and I’d like to be there to do it.”

Annie didn’t get a chance to answer when the doctor in charge of her case entered the room.  “Good afternoon.  Glad to see everyone is up and about today.”

“Like we had a choice,” Michael snarled, heading toward the bathroom.  “I’ll be in here if you need me.”

A few minutes later Michael returned to Annie’s bedside and watched as the doctor finished up his exam.  “So, what’s the verdict, Doc?  When can I bring her home?”

“Home?  That may be a bit optimistic, Michael.” the doctor replied.

“How do you figure that?  You just told me everything is healing properly.”

“True, but she is still looking at months of major rehabilitation on that ankle if she intends to walk on it normally in the future.  The most likely scenario for her at this point is to get her into a good rehabilitation hospital and into an active regime of physical therapy.”

“Can’t we establish a schedule, such as you’re suggesting, at my house?  That way, I can be there to help her and for moral support.”

“She’ll need a nurse and a physical therapist.  Can you supply all that?”

“Not a problem.  I can arrange for anything she needs.”

“How about wheelchair accessibility?  She’ll need ramps.  How is your house set up with stairs?  There are a lot of issues that would need to be addressed before we even think of moving her into a situation like that.  She is going to need a lot of care.  Are you sure you’re capable of rendering it?  What about your job?  Who would be there while you had to work?”  The doctor shook his head and rubbed his chin.  “Your offer is very commendable but I will have to go with what I feel is best for my patient and at this point, I think I’d rather see her getting round the clock care at a rehab facility.”

“I’m more than willing to do whatever is necessary to make this work.  Give me a list and consider it done.  I can have contractors at my house this afternoon.  Bottom line, Doc, I don’t want to see her go to another hospital.  She’s already been cooped up in here for close to a month.”

“Well, see what you can do with your contractors and we’ll discuss this again in a few days.”

“How soon do you think she’d be ready for discharge?”

“A week, maybe two.  I’ll have to get back to you on that after I have all the results from the tests we ran.  I’ll know more then.”

Michael shook the doctor’s hand and thanked him.  Then he pulled out his cell phone and quickly called the home improvement contractor he used when he remodeled his house.  The plans were set in motion for the installation of an elevator and wheelchair ramps.  The cost of the project was irrelevant but the deadline was non-negotiable.  Michael didn’t care if the construction team worked round the clock, as long as they had the job done before Annie was discharged from the hospital.

The days leading up to her discharge were long and tiring but Annie was determined to take back her life and get healthy.  Her speech was still slow, and at times the correct word remained elusive.  By the end of the first week, Annie was up and walking with the aid of crutches and then a cane.  Otherwise, Michael pushed her around in a wheelchair.  A few days before her release, Annie was fitted with a much smaller cast, which would enable her more mobility.  Finally, after six weeks in the hospital, Annie was ready to be discharged.

Many of the hospital staff stopped by her room to personally say goodbye to Annie and Michael.  Some had tears in their eyes while others requested a last minute autograph from Michael or a photograph taken with him.  It was an inconvenience but Michael didn’t complain.  He was too happy to care.

While Michael was tugged out into the hall for a series of group photographs with the nurses, Annie took the opportunity to talk to her doctor alone.

“I need to ask you a few questions about my recovery limitations, Doctor.”