New Miserable Experience
Chapter Eleven
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Part Eleven
Thursday
found Josh working with a new frame of mind.
Between physical therapy and his two hour session with
Donna or his co-workers.
He
had just picked up the phone, Friday morning when John walked in.
“We
do, but there’s something we need to talk about.
“Oh.”
to apologize.”
“Well
you can give them some good news then.
We’re tossing you out of here on Monday.”
“Tossing
me out?” Josh was confused.
“More
like transporting you to the rehab facility.
Don’t worry, it’s connected to the hospital so
we’ll still get to work together.”
“Darn,
I was hoping for a sweet, young, girl to work on my legs.”
“If
you apologize correctly, Donna might help you out.”
“Listen, I’ll give you an hour to make your calls and get ready.
ask Joan. She knows them by heart.”
Josh
sat for a few moments before hitting the nurse call button.
After
much teasing from the nurses, Josh got the number and placed an order for a
dozed yellow roses and an ‘I’m Sorry’ balloon.
It was going to be delivered tomorrow morning.
He
next place call to Leo.
Margaret answered.
“Hi
Margaret is Leo available?”
“Josh,
how are you?”
Can I talk to him?”
“Let
me see.”
A
few seconds later a new voice came on the line.
“I’m kind of busy Josh. What do
you want?”
Josh
gulped. Leo sounded pissed.
time?”
“Just
spit it out Josh.”
“Yes
sir.” He sat up a bit straighter in
bed. “Donna came by yesterday with my
letter of resignation.”
“You
didn’t throw anything at her. She didn’t
say anything but if you did, so help you Joshua.”
didn’t. I was wondering if that was the
only one or if a copy was made.”
“No,
Josh. That was the original.
“If
I tore it up could we forget that I ever resigned?”
“Are
you saying that you changed your mind?”
“Leo,
I was wrong. I was upset and not
thinking properly. I once again acted
without looking at the whole picture.
I’m sorry Leo.”
“Have
you spoken with anyone?”
“
“Good.
too well.”
“It
seems that Donna once again had to kick my ass into gear.
rehab facility on Monday.”
“That’s
great.” Leo said encouragingly.
together today. “You
doing that well?”
“I’m
getting there. I’m not going to walk on
my own, but I’m not going to give up.”
“That’s
really good Jospanspan style='mso-spac:yes:yes'> I’m happy to hear
that. I’m sorry to cut this short, but
the president needs me.”
“Okay
Leo. Tell everyone I say hi.
and let them know where I am.”
“That’s
a good idea. Bye Josh.”
When
John came back, Josh was sitting on the edge of the bed with the braces
on.
Friday
and Saturday flew by for Josh. Between
physical therapy and his doctors at the hospital, he met with doctors at the
rehab facility. They discussed what Josh
wanted and how to go about getting him there.
Sunday
was a slow day and he was feeling a bit lonely.
He was going to give Donna a call to apologize once again.
throwing the bed pan at them.
He
didn’t really expect to hear from them at all after storstory of the bombing in
Aa
Friday morning. But according to CJ’s
press briefing on Sunday morning it sounded like it was all taken care of.
John
noticedt Jot Josh seemed a bit down when he came to get him for his last
session as a hospital patient. “You
heard from Donna yet?” He asked.
I’m gonna give her a call when I get back and after a shower.”
“You
are definitely going to need it. Today
we are going to play with the steps.”
When
John wheeled Josh back to his room Josh was drenched in sweat and has his eyes
closed. “You okay?”
“I
think.”
“You
sure you want to shower? I can have a
nurse give you a sponge bath. Or help
you in the shower.”
“No.
“If
that’s what you want. I’ll hang here and
make sure you’re okay.”
“Thanks.”
bathroom using the crutches. John laid a
fresh pair of clothing on the shelf by the shower and then left Josh to do what
he needed.
Josh
maneuvered himself into the shower and onto the bench that was there for
him. First the braces came off and then
his clothing. The hot water felt
wonderful on his sore body and he took his time.
After
30 minutes he dried off put on his clothing and leg braces.
periods of time, especially when he decided to go back to work.
He
put his clothing in the plastic bag and carried them back out of the
bathroom. He ran through the things he
wanted to do. Call work,
eat lunch and then a blessed nap. Steps
were gonna kill him.
Josh stumbled back into the door frame at the yell as he walked out of
the bathroom. Quickly he regained his
balance and looked around. Leo, CJ,
Toby, Sam, Donna, Ed, Larry, Margaret, Bonnie, Ginger, and Carol where all
crammed in his room. He even saw John
and Tasha standing with a grin on their faces.
“What
are you guys doing here?”
“We
wanted to see how your were doing.”
“And
Toby was afraid of flying bed pans, so we came to protect him.”
at least blushed at that. “There is also
nasty rumor that I had to see for myself.
They thatthat you were up and walking.”
CJ said.
“I
would like to clarify that it is not a rumor.”
Josh said proudly. “Watch
this.” He waited for his friends to step
back before walking towards the bed. When he sat down the room erupted in
applause.
“Thank
you.” Josh then waited for everyone to
calm down. “I owe some of your apologies.
at you. I know you were trying to
help. I’m sorry.”
“That’s
okay.” Sam commented.
“You
know, you might want to work on that throwing arm.
“I
knew whawas was doing.”
at them. “CJ I should not have hung up
on you. Nor unplugged
the phone for the next few days.”
CJ
gave him a kiss on the cheek. “All’s
forgiven Mi Amore. Do it again and we
can leak some very interesting stories about you to the press.”
Josh
gulped. “Uhm, yeah.
Again I am sorry. I will be
calling the president later to apologize to him too.”
“And
Donna, I’m sorry for upsetting you. You
should not have had to deal with me on top of everything else that you had on
your plate with your family. How are
your parents by the way?”
Donna
made her way to the frof tof the crown and put her hands on heps.
won’t worry about. Another good step was
apologizing and asking about my family.”
“So
does this mean that I still have you as my assistant?”
“That
you have to ask Leo.”
“Leo?”
“Josh.
resignation like that from you?” He
laughed. “I know you better than that
kid. Welcome back.”
“I
guess I’m stuck with you.” Donna mumbled
with a smile as she leaned down to kiss himthe the cheek.
“If
you are nice to me I’ll give you free rides y why wheel chair.”
It
was then that a delivery man came with five pizzas and soda.
to him too. He said that he would visit
once he was situated in his new room.
After
about two hours of company, Josh started to yawn uncontrollably.
Everyone out.
Josh still needs to rest. You all
have his new room number. You can visit
him there.” Tasha said.
“They’re
right. I’m exhausted.
crash.” Josh admitted.
They
all wished him well and promised to call or visit in the next few days.
room. “So you still want to work?”
“Yes.
right away.”
“I
wouldn’t expect you to. How about
this? Donna tomorrow afternoon you will
stop by Josh’s room and see about arranging a schedule that you can come in and
bring him some work and keep him in the loop on certain things.”
“I
can do that.” Donna answered.
“J'>“Josh
if ets ets too much I expect you to tell me and Donna.”
“I
will. I know I need to take it
slow. Especially if I want to make it
all the way back.”
End
of Part eleven