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"Where would you like to live?" Jessica asked. Breakfast done. Another cup of coffee out on the back deck. Nice spring day. Fifteen pushups this morning. Adding one every two, three days now. Time to see about starting to drive again. If he couldn't to that... Jessica would drive me the rest of my life. And I don't want her giving up more than she already has. No problem. I can do it. "Here would be good. Close to Jonesboro, but I don't want to live there. Guess we should look around at houses. See if there's something on a place like the farm. Doesn't have to be as big, but a few acres at least." "There's always plenty of real estate for sale." Jessica said. "We can look at the listings, see what's available and where. Between here and Jonesboro, there should be something you'll like. "The other thing we need to do is find someone to talk to. Someone in the medical industry, not compromised." "Compromised?" "Anyone in the mainstream is potentially compromised." Jessica said. "The Covid thing showed us that. Most, doctors and nurses alike, either signed on or allowed themselves to be coerced into playing the game. Mostly from fear, but still, if they gave in they're not to be trusted. So our options are limited." I really don't need this. But Jessica knows what she's doing. "Kasey's boss is back. I'll give her a call and see if she can set up a meeting. See what he thinks. So I'll get that started, see about getting you a place. What else do we need to work on?" "I need to get back to driving. Soon as I can. Probably not on public roads for a while. Maybe go out to the farm and see how I do." "Sounds like a good idea. I should be back early afternoon, we'll go out and give it try."
"That looks better," Alex said, looking out over the field. "Looks like Henry got it done quickly." Jessica said. "They're good people here. Ready to give it a try?" "Might as well. Let's see what happens." Alex laid his cane on the back seat and got into the driver's seat. It had been well over a year since he had driven. Let's see how this works. Fire it up. Hands on the wheel, touch the gas with the right foot. Rev it, tach bounces over a bit, let off. OK. What now? Brake, push the button on the side of the shifter with the thumb, pull back. Neutral, Drive. Natural as anything. I didn't have to think, it was just there. Muscle memory. But that's a type of memory. Even if I'm not consciously thinking it. Right? So it's still there. I guess. Ease off the brake, rolling slowly. OK, a little gas. Turn a little. Easy, can probably use one hand. But not yet. Go around the side of the big shop. Towards the fence. Where's the gate. "Hang on," Jessica said, "I'll get it." She opened the door, got out and jogged to the fence. Opened the gate and pulled all the way open, held it, motioned to him. You got a lot of faith in me.. The gate was a good ten feet wide. He eased the vehicle forward. Look at the gate. Jessica can move quickly if necessary. She's moved behind the fence. Through the gate, into the grassy field. The ground felt firm, no wheelspin. Stop. Jessica gets in. "How does if feel?" she asks. "Good so far." Slowly. Big grassy field a quarter mile across, should be safe. Alex drove slowly towards the south end, where a ridge of some sort blocked the way. Big hay bales. A row maybe a hundred yards long? Ones on the bottom decaying, newer ones on top. Someone building a wall? Don't remember. Turn, drive alongside. Turn back north, towards the buildings. Along the fence. Looking at the fence posts. What is it? He drove back through the gate, waited while Jessica got out and closed it. Back to the shops, parked. "You did well." Jessica said. "I don't know if I could do better after not driving for a year. Even without with what you went through." She was encouraging him of course. But she was right. He'd been worried, but that worry was gone. I can do it. |
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