took the chairs closest to the podium. We listened to the speaker as she encouraged us to introduce ourselves and explain why we were there today. I was proud of Kelly as she told her story and expressed the stress her family carried day to day due to Ellie’s injury. Every so often, Kelly would reach over and squeeze my hand when I knew other people’s stories touched home. At the end of the meeting when they were wrapping up, Leslie, a woman whose son was in a motorcycle accident, offered to exchange numbers with Kelly, as she was also new to the group.
“Kelly,” the instructor reached out and shook hands with her, “I’m always so pleased when new members come into the group. The first step is realizing your life is forever changed, and not for the bad, and not for the worst, just changed. The second step is to remember that no two brain injuries are alike. Everyone is different. What might work for one person may not work for you, but that’s why you’re here, to learn all of this and gain some tools.” She stepped a little closer. “Remember you are not alone, and we really hope to see you again soon.”
Kelly quickly turned to look at me and in a panicked voice said, “Oliver and I would really like it if you came to dinner tonight. Please, won’t you join us?”
How could I say no when she had just taken such a giant leap in the right direction? I knew my mother would be very proud of me, and I couldn’t wait to share this experience with her. So much information was at people’s fingertips. It was whether they choose to use it or not that could make the difference in their future.
“I’d love to.” I followed her out to the car. I sent a quick text to Dell explaining I needed more time and asked if that would be all right. He was visiting a friend and was happy to stay longer. When we arrived at the Blacks’ house, I spotted Oliver on the porch swing staring out over his crop. I wondered what was going through his head and how much of it was stuck in the past.
“I’m crashing dinner.” I grinned and climbed the steps. He pushed off the chair and wrapped me in a hug.
“Thanks.” I followed him inside and spotted Ellie in front of the TV watching Saved By The Bell.
“Hi, Ellie.” I sat across from her in the big La-Z-Boy chair. “I’m John’s friend. I was here the other day.”
Her eyes moved back and forth as she tried desperately to recall that memory. She couldn’t locate it, so I just moved on. “Hi,” she smiled politely, “are you here for dinner?”
“I am.”
“Where’s John?”
“He’s at work, but he might be by later.”
“Oh.” She looked at her mother before she went back to watching the show.
Oliver waved me into the kitchen and put the kettle on for some tea.
“You’re good with her,” he muttered like it was hard for him to speak about her.
“I just understand, that’s all.” I wanted to say more, but his face looked a lot like John’s when he didn’t want to talk about something, so I knew better than to push. “How have the chickens been this week? Lots of eggs?” His face instantly relaxed, and I knew he had now had something he wanted to share.
It was like a light switch with the Black family. As long as you kept the conversation on the things they felt safe talking about, they could pull themselves out of their stress bubble and focus elsewhere. So, that was what I did all during dinner, and it was really fun to watch them relax and enjoy themselves for a while.
“So, wait.” I laughed so hard tears leaked out. “He lost his shorts swimming and had to walk all the way home stark naked?”
“Yeah.” Oliver reached over to Kelly, who was in a fit of laughter, and held her hand. Kelly’s face lit up and dropped to his hand on hers like it was something he hadn’t done in years. I saw how hard their love had been tested. “Now,” he continued, “John mostly worked in his jeans, so just image how white his legs and bare butt were!”
I could barely breathe, my insides hurt, but the picture in my head was so worth the pain.
“What’s so funny?” Ellie came into the kitchen confused.