Family Matters

Family Matters Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: Family Matters Read Online Free PDF
Author: Deborah Bedford
Cody thought that mattered.
    â€œHow’s Mason?”
    â€œHe’s good, too.” Cody glanced at Andrea. “And so’s my new friend. That’s Andy. My new…”
    â€œPhysical therapist,” Andrea helped him out, winking at him.
    â€œI’m Cody’s mom.” She extended a hand. “Jennie Stratton.”
    Andrea stepped forward to take Jennie’s hand. “I’m glad you’re here. I need to start working with Cody this morning and I wanted you to be in on it so I can teach you what to do when you get him home. You and your husband are going to have to work just as hard as Cody does.”
    Jen said sharply. “Cody’s father and I are divorced.”
    â€œWho does he live with?” Andrea asked. “The parent he lives with will be the parent to administer his therapy.”
    â€œHe lives with both of us. We have joint custody.”
    â€œEventually, then, your ex-husband—”
    Cody interrupted both of them. “Dad was here all night. He slept in that chair.” Then, to his mother, “How come you didn’t stay, too?”
    Jen couldn’t answer. She’d left because she’d been exhausted and scared and angry. What had she expected? Michael to come running after her?
    The therapist straightened the bedding around the little boy and when she took Cody’s hand, she massaged his palms. As she worked, Cody’s fingers began to spread apart. Then she took his hand, pushed it flat and straight against her own, so the little boy would bend his elbow. “See,” she said, grinning at the bunny. “That’s all there is to it, Mason. You can do it, too. What do you think, Cody?”
    â€œI don’t know,” the little boy told her dubiously.
    â€œI’ll never be able to do that,” Jen commented.
    â€œYou will. Just wait.” Andrea continued to manipulate Cody’s muscles. “It’ll get to be second nature to you. Every time you talk to Cody or do something with him, you just do this a few times. See…watch this.”
    â€œWhat if I hurt him?”
    â€œIt’ll be painful some days. You can’t get around it.”
    Jennie looked doubtful but she gamely rolled up her sleeves. With a deep breath she turned to her son. “You’re sure about this?”
    â€œI’m sure about it,” Andrea said.
    â€œI’m sure about it,” Cody said.
    Andrea held on to Jennie’s hand, helping her feel the way it should move against Cody’s muscles. “There you go. Look at that! ”
    â€œ Great, Mom!” Cody cheered from the pillow.
    â€œHey,” Andy told her. “You’re a natural at this.”
    â€œGo, Mom!” Cody said, grinning. And with a sinking heart, Jen realized that this was the moment he ought to give her a high-five, only he couldn’t.

    Michael stood in the shower, his back against the tile, hot water running down his skin. Every muscle ached from sleeping in that chair. He stuck his head under the steaming water and held his breath. The pain in his muscles began to ease. The pain in his heart did not.
    Jennie’s words from the night before continued to echo in his head. Just as they’d done all night long.
    â€œWhy couldn’t you have done something?”
    And it turned into a futile prayer. Dear God, why couldn’t I? I have helped so many others, why not my own son?
    He stayed in the shower until the hot water ran out on him. Shivering, he stepped out and toweled himself dry.
    He had already telephoned his receptionist and instructed her to cancel his appointments for the rest of the week. A colleague had agreed to take care of emergencies. Michael had nothing left to do except dress and get back to the hospital again.
    Jen would be there.
    He still knew her, knew how she thought, knew how she struck out in frustration. He’d heard the same words so many times. It seemed she never tired of
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