Physical Therapy Read Online Free PDF Page B

around randomly. And yeah, Pedro owned Thai Wonder; he hated tacos.
    ****
    “Well, then. I’ll see you on Monday.” Ethan smiled at me, but did that shuffling/palm-rubbing thing. “Do you want to keep the same days?”
    “Definitely. I’m so glad you got the doc to extend my therapy. My shoulder still feels really stiff and weak,” I said confidently, even though the last part was complete rubbish.
    My injury was almost unnoticeable now, and I felt healthier overall because of his workout regimen, even hefting the textbooks in my classroom without too much pain. When I’d walked in to see Ethan on Wednesday afternoon, I almost shook from the overwhelming sadness, knowing it was my last prescribed appointment with him.
    I couldn’t find the guts to tell him I wanted to see him again, outside of any medical setting. I spent the two days between appointments working on ways to ask him for a simple cup of coffee, but all the words failed me with that little crooked grin he liked to flash in my direction.
    And then he gave me the best proposition I’d ever heard.
    “Tasha, I really think you need to continue your therapy here. Your muscles are re-acclimating slowly, and I don’t want you to suffer a setback. Would you be opposed to extending your appointments for another four weeks?”
    “No! I mean, I don’t mind. I’m good with it.” I shouted and babbled ridiculously.
    “Good, I’m glad. I’ll call your doctor and get the extension for you. Don’t worry about a thing.” His soothing tone melted my insides.
    Sure. Nothing to worry about at all, at least for another month. Yay insurance!
    And so we kept meeting, day after day after day, and I remained a spineless idiot.
    ****
    “Tasha? What does this mean?” Nell shouted from somewhere downstairs.
    “What’s what?” I yelled back, not really wanting to pause in my reading of Utopia , the book that maybe, perhaps, Ethan might also have been reading that we possibly might have spent half our appointments discussing.
    “This bill from your insurance.” She appeared in my doorway, and I had no idea how she made it up the stairs so quickly.
    I took the envelope from her outstretched arm and ripped it open. What?
    “What what ?” Nell asked.
    I apparently said that aloud. “It says I owe $900 for the last two weeks of PT appointments. Ethan said he got me an extension from the doctor, so this must be a mistake.”
    “Call them.”
    I picked up my phone right away, but I had to stay on hold for close to an hour before I got an actual breathing person to yell at. I hung up in a huff when it was done and stomped down to Nell.
    “The clinic must not have put my paperwork through correctly. The insurance says I’m only covered for the original prescription of sixteen sessions.” Even to my own ears, my voice sounded dismal, hating the idea of being unable to continue with Ethan.
    “T, why the hell don’t you just ask him out? We both know you’re crazy about him.” Nell squeezed my arm comfortingly, but I just shook my head.
    “I can’t. I’ve tried and failed so many times, and I don’t think he’s interested in me like that. He would have said something by now.”
    “That’s stupid and you know it! You told me he’s kind of shy, so he’s probably too nervous to make the first move. You have to go for it before it’s too late.”
    I couldn’t find a reason to contradict her, so I remained quiet.
    ****
    “I’m sorry you were freaking out, Tasha.” He awkwardly patted my arm, but his eyes flashed real sympathy.
    “Oh, it’s fine. I was just nervous about the cost if we couldn’t resolve this.” I shrugged, downplaying the extent of my anxiety.
    “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got it all taken care of, and you’re good to go.”
    I was too distracted by Ethan’s hand lingering on my shoulder to pay much attention to his words. I did register the relief that washed over me with the knowledge I could still see him.
    “Thank you