A few minutes later, Stormy emerged from the boarding house carrying a final small bag, which she placed in the backseat, and climbed in beside Melissa.
“All set?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she answered.
“Let’s drop by and pick up sandwiches and then go home.”
“That sounds good to me. Thanks for taking such good care of me, Mrs. Conway.”
Melissa smiled at her as she put the truck in gear. “You’re part of our family now, and we take care of each other.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said and laid her head back against the seat.
“It’s time for some ibuprofen, isn’t it?” Melissa saw Stormy nod. “I’ll get a bottle of water when we stop for sandwiches and you can take a dose.”
When they reached the deli, Melissa told her to sit tight and went in to grab a bottle of water. While they finished the sandwiches she brought it to her then returned inside. Five minutes later, they were on their way home.
†
Coal looked up from the tractor to see Melissa’s truck kicking up dust as she drove toward them. She turned and motioned for Harley to break for lunch and as she finished the row, she hollered for Gene to hop on the truck and then drove to where Melissa had parked.
“Hey there, what did the doc say?” she asked Stormy.
“He says I’ll live. I have to stay in this sling for a couple more days, but otherwise I’m good. No permanent damage done.”
“That’s great news,” Harley said. He introduced her to Stan.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you,” he said.
“Thank you, sir, I will work my best for you,” she promised.
“Why don’t you take the afternoon to get your stuff settled. We can put you to work driving the truck tomorrow, if you’re up to it,” he suggested.
“I’m good to go now, sir,” she said.
“Maybe so, but we’re going to make it an early day anyhow, so get settled in and rest up. Can you cook?” he asked.
“Some, but I’m no gourmet.” She grinned.
“Well, I believe it’s Gene’s night to cook and he’s laid out cubed steak to smother. I’m sure he would appreciate some help with dinner.”
“I’ll take all the help I can get,” Gene said. “Coal has taught me some things, but I’ll always welcome learning something new. Can you make biscuits?”
“Yeah, but not out of a can,” Stormy said.
“We will get along just fine then.” Gene smiled.
†
Melissa and Coal spread out the sandwiches, chips, and drinks on the truck tailgate and the crew shared lunch together. After the meal, they walked back to their equipment to return to work. “Are you sure I can’t help today?” Stormy asked Stan.
“Don’t worry. There will be plenty for you to do tomorrow, and we have two dozen colts being delivered Wednesday that we need to green break next week,” he said. “So, get all the rest you can.”
“Yes, sir,” she said and climbed into the truck beside Melissa.
†
Melissa helped her carry her belongings into the house and settle into her room. “The crew will be done in an hour or so, if you want you can catch a quick nap.”
“Could I ask one more favor of you?”
“Certainly, what can I do?”
“Could you make me an ice pack and wrap me?” Stormy asked shyly.
“No problem, get ready to lie down and I’ll be right back,” she said and left the room.
Stormy pulled off her boots and jeans then slipped into a pair of shorts. She had just finished sliding her arm back into the sling when Melissa returned with an ice pack and a bottle of water.
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to take some more ibuprofen,” she said as she gently placed the ice pack on Stormy’s shoulder and wrapped the bandage around to secure the pack.
“That feels so good, thanks,” she said.
Melissa walked to the bathroom, poured a pill into her hand, and took it to Stormy. “Try to get some rest if you can.”
“Will you wake me when Gene is ready to start dinner?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Melissa said and closed the door behind her as she left the room.
†
When Stan called work to a halt for the day, Coal drove the partially loaded truck to the barn and helped Gene and Lucas store the bales in the loft. Then Gene drove her home so she could shower and dress for her appointment with Del.
†
Mary Leah was just pulling into the drive when Coal finished dressing and walked to the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“Hey, baby,” Mary Leah said as she walked into the kitchen and hugged her. “You smell nice.”
“Thanks. Did you have a good day?”
“Yes, not bad at all and you?”
“We got a couple loads of hay done,” she said.
“What did the doctor say about Stormy’s shoulder?”
“No permanent damage, but she’s got to wear the sling for a couple more days.”
“That’s great news. Have you decided what we are having for dinner?”
“I was thinking I would buy you a steak,” Coal said with a grin.
“That sounds delicious. Are you ready to go?”
“Just waiting on you, ma’am,” she said as she kissed Mary Leah softly.
†
Coal’s heart began to race when they pulled into the lot at Del’s office. Del had warned her that this week’s sessions would be difficult for her and anxiety threatened to overwhelm her.
Mary Leah sensed her anguish. “You will be fine. Del won’t push you any further than you’re willing to go,” she said.
“I know,” she answered. “I guess the sooner we start, the sooner I’ll be done.”
“I’ll be waiting for you,” Mary Leah said and reached over to squeeze her hand.
“Thanks for being here for me,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” she answered.
†
The first thing Coal noticed when she entered Del’s office was the lighting had been dimmed.
“I want you to sit in the recliner and relax. Feel free to close your eyes, while I talk for a few minutes,” Del said.
She sat back on the recliner and leaned her head against the cool leather.
“Pull the footrest up and get comfortable,” Del said as she walked to the chair across from her carrying two bottles of water. “Are you thirsty?”
Coal’s mouth was dry, she felt like she’d been sucking on cotton balls. “Yes, I’m parched.”
Del handed her the bottle. She took a long drink and placed it on the table beside her.
“There is plenty, so if you need more, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Doc,” she answered and relaxed back in the chair.
“Tonight we are going to begin working with the Virtual Iraq software. It has been programmed with several of the scenarios you have described to me during our sessions.”
Coal felt her heart lurch in her chest as a bead of sweat broke out on her forehead.
“In just a few minutes, I will place a helmet on your head. Similar to your standard-issue helmet, modified specifically for use in therapy. It has built-in headphones and video goggles. I won’t lie to you and say it’s cool to wear, because it will be hot, but that will also help with the simulation of the heat in the desert.”
Coal listened to Del’s soft voice and tried to calm her racing heart.
“There is no timeline for your therapy, so if you become too uncomfortable and feel you need to stop, we will. I do want to encourage you to push your limits as far as you feel comfortable with.”
The leather that had been cool against her skin just minutes before was reacting to the increase in her body temperature, and she felt perspiration soaking through her T-shirt. She felt her fingers digging into the arm of the chair and opened her hands to flex her fingers.
“How are you feeling?” Del asked.
“I’m anxious as hell,” she stated without opening her eyes.
“Do you need a few minutes or can we get started?”
“I’m ready as I’m going to be, Doc,” she said.
“Okay then.” Del stood and walked to the cabinet beside her and opened the door. She took out a helmet and told Coal, “Open your eyes.”
She opened her eyes and they landed on the black helmet Del held in her hands. Del offered her the helmet.
Coal took the helmet with unsteady hands. “It’s heavier than I thought it would be.”
“It’s still a prototype; hopefully they will fabricate a lighter version soon,” Del said.
She turned the helmet in her hands inspecting it closely, and then bent her head forward to place it on her head. She positioned it comfortably then attached the chinstrap, slowly releasing the breath she had been holding.
“Good so far?” Del asked.
Coal nodded. “Yes, Doc.”
“When you’re ready, position the goggles over your eyes,” she instructed.
Coal waited a few seconds to adjust to the weight of the helmet. She pulled the goggles over her eyes and was panic-stricken when she could see nothing through them.
“I should have warned you that you wouldn’t be able to see through them,” Del apologized.
“That’s okay, Doc,” she said as calmly as she could.
“I’m going to turn some music on when you’re ready so we can test the sound,” she said.
“Ready when you are, I just hope it’s country,” Coal teased.
“Only the best for you,” Del said. The music started playing. “How’s the volume?”
“It can come down a notch,” she said.
Del used a remote to lower the volume. “How’s that?”
“Much better, thanks.”
“Have you played many video games, Coal?”
“No, not really,” she answered.
“In just a minute, I’m going to place a joystick in your hands. You will need to use this to move the soldier forward, backward and from side to side. This is one way you will have control over the simulation. The video will not move forward without your command.”
“That sounds easy enough.”
“Are you ready to move forward?”
“Yes, Doc, I think I am.”
“Very well then.” Del walked to the cabinet and retrieved the wireless joystick that she placed in her hands. “On top of the joystick is a button, when you push it the video pauses. I am going to start the video. I want you to practice pausing and moving for a few minutes before we attempt the first scenario. Is this okay with you?”
“Yes, Doc,” she said as her heart hammered against her chest.
Del sat close to her to monitor her visible signs of distress as she used the remote to turn the video to play.
Coal waited in the virtual darkness for several long seconds, then she began to hear a faint sound as the screen began to glow and slowly brightened to a scene of a deserted street. Heat waves danced across the broken asphalt and the sound grew louder.