Page 19 of Unforgettable
“Again,” Trinity prodded gently.
Randi hesitated.It was painful as hell.
“Just try to flex your fingers.”
Randi swallowed, her jaw tightening as she focused. Willed it. Mentally demanded it. Silently coursed it.
Nothing.
Then ... Wait.
Did my middle finger just flick?That would be a hoot, shethought. Like it was reacting, “There. Now screw off.”
It made her inner-child smile, and she tried to repeat it again, just to make sure.
No, damn it. Just my frigging brain playing tricks on me.
Her cheeks billowed, and she puffed loudly, disheartened.
“I am trying, you know,” she scoffed.
Trinity patted her wrist softly.
“I know you are.”
Knowing it, didn’t change anything, didn’t make the fight easier.
Her discouragement surged, hot and immediate. Her breath quickened as she forced her gaze away.
“That’s enough,” she said suddenly.
“Randi—”
“I said that’s enough,” she snapped.
Her voice cracked. Not from anger.From something worse. Defeat. She hated that word. It screamed It made her feel weak and undeserving.
“I … I’m sorry. It’s not working,” she whispered. “It’s not… coming back. Why can’t I get my hand to move?”
Trinity hesitated, then stepped back, offering space instead of pressure.
Randi knew Trinity’s task was to motivate her, help her to overcome her fear, anxiety, and frustrations. She felt safe in her presence. But no matter how hard she tried, her body wouldn’t obey.
Trinity lowered herself to the floor Indian-style at Randi’s feet, interlacing her fingers into a fist and tucked it under her chin. She looked at Randi with concern-filled eyes, gathered her thoughts briefly,lowered her hands, and spoke in a calming voice.
“The human brain can rewire when severely traumatized mentally and physically. This happens with soldiers experiencing constantly the horrors of combat and serious injury. It causes chronic fear, affects rational thinking, which in turn, hinders physical therapy.”
Randi opened her mouth to speak but Trinity quickly raised her palm in warning.
“Please. Let me finish.”
Randi nodded and remained silent.
“Randi, don’t discount your accident and injury. The trauma you suffered possibly altered your brain’s biology, creating this mental roadblock you’re experiencing.”
Randi’s voice was frantic as her eyes bulged with fear.
“Are you saying, I might have brain damage?”
