Chapter 14 - MY ARM HEALS
The cast came off.
My arm looked smaller.
Weak.
Pale.
Physical therapy hurt.
Good hurt.
Repair hurt.
Different from Derek.
At first I hated anyone touching my wrist.
Therapist asked permission every time.
That mattered.
Three months later, I carried a tray again.
Only four drinks.
Carmen watched like a nervous mother.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t sue me.”
I laughed.
The first night back fully, a customer snapped his fingers at me.
Old Lena would smile.
New Lena said:
“I’ll be with you after I finish this table.”
Normal boundary.
No applause.
No crime boss entering.
Just life.
I kept working despite the trust.
People asked why.
Because I wanted to.
Not forever maybe.
But money did not automatically decide who I became.
The trust paid for therapy and legal fees where permitted.
I accepted.
No performance of poverty.
I also opened my own bank account at a new institution.
Derek had never had access.
Then froze my credit.
Updated passwords.
May you like
Legal mundane work.
Safety is paperwork too.
