Somewhere along the way, I’d handed all of that to Brian, one small piece at a time, until it became a habit, and the habit became who I was. For the first time in a long time, I was choosing on my own.
I’d handed all of that to Brian.
***
The following morning, Marissa was on my doorstep with coffee and a bag she’d packed for the clinic.
“Are you still sure about this, Gina?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything.”
***
Dr. Halim was gentle, methodical, and honest about the risks. The procedure itself was quicker than I’d imagined. What came after was the strange part.
“Are you still sure about this?”
***
For the first two days, everything was a smudged watercolor.
Then, on the third morning, I opened my eyes and saw the ceiling fan. I actually saw it! The blades, the little pull chain, the dust on the edges!
I cried for an hour!
***
Marissa drove me home a few days later, once Dr. Halim was satisfied I could be trusted on my own.
I stood in my own hallway and stared at things I’d forgotten existed.
