The Recovery
Vernon opened his eyes and spoke after three days. He seemed fine but distant and strangely detached. Sometimes he would look out the window in the middle of a conversation. Then he would appear he had completely forgotten anyone was talking to him.

After some examination and a trip back to the Johnson City hospital the doctors declared Vernon was on the road to recovery. He might even be able to return to work in several weeks, they asserted, quickly qualifying that he might have to stick to light work for a time.

Vernon went outside for the first time a week after his injury. He walked out with a smile on his face. He stopped three times. Once he examined a flower. Twice he watched and listened to song birds. He was happy a full of an almost childish wonder. His wife and brother both thought of one doctor’s stark warning “Vernon might not be the same again."

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