The Fabulous Flaming Moose

Fast forward

Recovering feels a little quicker at home, most enjoyable is living with Tony and his family, we really are like one big happy family right now.

When Amber had returned the day after the BBQ, she was grateful dad had picked her up, she was however furious at no work being done to her car and that she had been told the day before when she was there with the tow truck driver she can pick up her car tomorrow, that didn't happen.

Not only had she paid the tow truck driver and used up a lot of money cabbing to each client, she now was dad in front of my dad who picked her up to go get her car, that there was a fee to even look at it to see whats wrong with it, my dad was not pleased, that garage doesn't seem to have a clue on running a proper business, so right there and then he called his friend, came and got her car and had him bring it over to the house, "We'll get it working for you" he told her, so she came early, just before lunch.

Amber called her other clients and explained all her car troubles and needed to reschedule everything, even in the wheelchair it wasn't long before the 3 of us had that car sounding smooth, then we all had lunch and down to the home gym for some physio with light weights for leg presses.

Over the weeks Amber made it fun, some times we got in the hot tub and did some aqua fit with the warmth to help my muscles relax, other times in the gym, as I made progress she had me in the pool working on laps for both my arms and legs.

I started to do laps every day after breakfast when she had mentioned she really liked seeing the progress I was making and so did I.

September seemed quick compared to all the time that passed so slowly in the hospital maybe it had something to do with the girls going to school, helping with their home work.

Dad had applied for permits to build a green house over the pool so in the cooler weather I could still use it on physio work, it was granted and we all worked on it, ended up hiring some professionals by the middle of it. We needed help building the roof for it, we didn't have scaffolding to do it.

The professionals did seem impressed with what we were about to do. We all enjoyed when we could still swim when it rained made a party out of it. That last week of September had a lot of rain, was very grateful for the decision.

October saw more improvement, I was doing more laps and increased reps but not heavier weights, I was walking a little bit with some aids, my left leg was still weak so we started to focus more on it.

I was working towards being Ble to attend the banquet without the wheelchair, was even willing to have the walker if need be.

I also started adding some core workouts to make sure I didn't lose any muscle.

Tony was able to find a job and was enjoying being at work, girls still enjoyed school, Tony's wife was not having the best time without a new job and turned to writing blogs, she's a good writer even encouraged me to journal my road to recovery, it does seem soothing.

Thankfully October is uneventful and feels a bit faster the September, pleased with life, feeling closer to myself.

Finally November two weeks to the banquet, I am doing more laps, some cross training and my left leg seems to finally be strengthen, user walker more and wheelchair less, my attendance at the banquet confirmed my doctor appointments have gone well and they approved I attend, it's funny Amber suggested I take her just incase, I am allowed a plus one, she is prettier then dad. I told her we'll see.

"I have a really beautiful dress and very little chances to wear it, please?"

"Are you worried I will misbehave?" I grin.

"A little, I know how far you push yourself, it's like you always have something to prove."

"Amber, is that what I really come off as?"

"Yes Jonathan you do come off like you always have to prove yourself, and from what I witness you have no reason to, you have a incredible family."

"Yeah, Tony and his family do make this house less empty"

"Not just that, I see your dad with you, you wanted to take him for all he has done and supported, I feel guilty for asking, but I am a lot like you, focused on career, I'm two years older then you, I am ready, maybe over due to live a little."

"Is it against the rules? of being a therapist and going on something date like?"

"No, not if I am making sure you don't undo all of the effort into your recovery, I'm there just in case."

"OK, I'll talk to dad, make sure it doesn't hurt his feelings, I will let you know tomorrow, any more exercises for today?"

"No, you're doing well, done for today. I have to push back tomorrow from lunch time to maybe before dinner, but I need to call, I have to take my mom into an appointment"

"OK, Amber no worries"

"Thank you" she finished gathering her stuff and left.

I talked with dad and he thinks it wouldn't be a bad idea, jokes that it could become a romantic affair." I ended up blushing, who knew a guy could do that, looks like I have a date with Amber.

Count down is on, I tell Amber at dinner before going on to our exercises, she has a week to change her mind, but the smile on her face makes that unlikely and before leaving when we finished up, she surprised me with a huge hug and the sweetest "Thank you" I've heard that wasn't from my nieces.