| Chapter 14 Nick was staring at the TV blankly, not really paying attention to what was on, but just trying to avoid everyone's stares. He knew they meant well, and wanted to help him, but he just couldn't take much more of their pity. He sighed, glancing at the door as a young man walked in. He was around Nick's age, maybe a little older, tall athletic looking, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a white coat with a badge on it. "Excuse me, is this Nick Carter's room?" the man asked. "Yes," Bob said, "Can we help you?" "Well, that's what I'm here for. I'm Carter, I'm Nick's speech therapist," he replied. Nick watched as Bob introduced Carter to everyone, then finally to Nick himself. Carter smiled, offering his hand, "Nice to meet you." Nick nodded slightly and shook his hand. Carter looked around the room, "Now, if everyone could step out for a little while, Nick and I can get started." Everyone filed out. Nick grabbed Diane's hand, stopping her from leaving. She smiled at him, "Nick, you need to do this on your own. I'll be right outside if you need me, OK?" Nick bit his bottom lip for a moment then nodded, slowly letting go of her hand. Diane leaned down and gently kissed him on the forehead, "Just have Brian yell if you need anything, and have fun," she said before leaving the room. Nick carefully touched his forehead, smiling. Brian giggled, causing Nick to look over at him. "Someone likes you," Brian teased. Nick blushed, shaking his head as he looked up at Carter. He smiled, "So you guys are friends?" Nick nodded. "Yeah," Brian answered, "Best friends." "That's cool," Carter said, looking through the chart he brought in with him. Nick watched him, wondering what he was reading. Finally Carter looked up, "Mind if I sit down?" Nick shook his head as Carter sat next to his bed, pulling out several cards from the back of his clip board. "We're gonna start off a little easy today since it's your first time and all," Carter said. Brian and Nick both laughed. Carter looked between them, "What?" Nick and Brian looked at each other. "Nothing, just the way you said that, it was funny..... starting off easy because it's his first time," Brian said, giggling. Carter laughed, "Oh my, I see now I've got my work cut out for me." All three laughed for a minute. "OK, we need to get going here," Carter said, pulling Nick's tray table over and placing it in front of him. He handed a card to Nick that contained several words on it. "I know the doctor explained what was wrong to you yesterday, but do you have any questions that you want to ask me?" Carter asked. Nick grabbed his notebook and slowly wrote: Will I be able to talk again? "That's what I'm here for," Carter said, "I think we can get back your speaking ability, but it won't happen overnight." Nick nodded, satisfied with that answer. "OK, this is for me to evaluate where you are and where I need to start with you. I see that you have no problem following conversation, or writing. But let me ask you this, when you write, does it take you a little while to think of the right word?" Carter asked. Nick nodded. "OK, see the card in front of you...this is what we're gonna do. I'm gonna show you a picture and I want you to point to the word that describes it, alright?" Carter said. Nick nodded, watching as he held up the first photo. Nick pointed to the word apple. "Very good," Carter said, presenting another picture. Nick correctly named pictures for several minutes until Carter showed him a photo of a pick-up truck. Nick stared at the photo for a long time, getting upset with himself for not knowing what the word was that described it. He scanned the list for the tenth time, finally pointing to the word car. He knew it wasn't quite right, but it was as close as he could get at the moment. "Having trouble with that one huh?" Carter asked. Nick sighed, nodding. "It's OK, you're doing really well. Most of my patients don't get this many right the first day," Carter said, smiling at him. Nick felt a little better, looking down at the list again. He saw the word he wanted and pointed to it�truck. "See, you just needed a little time," Carter said, laying the cards down on the table. "Nick, that's what this is going to be like. It will take time and it will be frustrating, but you can't give up on it," he said. Nick nodded, watching him take a small mirror from the bag he'd carried in with him, "OK, this next task is your assignment for tomorrow. I want you to practice saying the letters in the alphabet, and watch your mouth as you do it." Nick shook his head. "I know you can't speak, so don't even try to verbalize, I just want you to practice moving your mouth. Forming the letters. We have to retrain your brain to make your mouth move the way it's suppose to when you talk. So, if your friends will help you, have them say a letter and watch how their mouth moves as they say it, then I want you to practice in the mirror, alright?" Carter said. Nick stared at him for a moment then reached out and took the mirror from him. Carter grinned, "OK, I'll see you tomorrow then, same time." Nick nodded, watching the man gather his cards and head out the door. Nick stared into the mirror, seeing his bruised face looking back at him. He hadn't really seen his injury until now, and what he saw frightened him. The entire left side of his forehead was black and purple. His stitches were visible, and he knew he'd have a scar there for the rest of his life. "Nick, you OK?" Brian asked. Nick looked over and shrugged his shoulders, he really didn't know if he'd ever be OK again. "I know it's hard to look at, but it'll heal," Brian said, trying to encourage his friend. Slowly everyone came back into the room. "So, how'd you like your therapist?" Jane asked. Nick took his notebook out: He's nice. Jane smiled, "Good, I'm glad you like him." "Nick, Carter told us about your homework," Kevin said, "Do want one of us to start practicing with you?" Nick looked at all his friends and family, all anxious to do anything to help him. He smiled and nodded, pointing to Kevin. "You want me to start?" Kevin asked. Nick nodded, smiling at Diane as Kevin sat down next to him. Diane and Leighanne watched as Kevin helped Nick with his assignment, even congratulating him when Nick was able to make his mouth move the way it was suppose to. Leighanne looked over at Diane, seeing the love in her eyes. "You know, they say things like this can bring people together," she commented. Diane looked at her, "What? Like the accident?" "Yeah," she said smiling. Diane blushed. "So how long have you liked him?" Leighanne asked. "Um, well .... for a long time," Diane said, "He was always my favorite of the group. I even met him at one of his concerts a few years ago." Leighanne grinned at her. "Stop that," Diane laughed. "So when did you fall for him?" Leighanne asked. Diane shook her head, looking back over at Nick. He smiled at her as Kevin was trying to show him how to say the letter E, exaggerating his face as he did. Diane sighed, "I don't know,....... I just know I did." Chapter 15 |