Epilogue

Y vonne Britman stood outside the front doors of Hathaway House. Lord, this was not how she wanted to return. When she'd left, she had been in tears, a broken woman in so many ways and yet one put back together in so many other ways. She'd been so determined to be someone—someone new. Someone who could handle the changes in her life, prepped to be a success regardless of physical injuries. She'd been so sure she could rise to the top…

As she stood here for a long moment staring at the entrance, a woman opened up the door and asked, "Are you coming inside? Would you like some help?"

Yvonne smiled and nodded, and, using her arm crutches, made her way slowly up the ramp.

"Most of the time," the woman noted, "people come by ambulance."

"I was really hoping not to," Yvonne replied.

At the sound of her voice, the other woman gasped. "Oh my. Yvonne?"

Dani . Yvonne let Dani's arms wrap around her in the gentlest of hugs, bringing tears to her eyes. "As much as I love you guys to bits, I really, really, really didn't want to come back here."

"Not like this, I'm sure," Dani noted. "However, anytime we can help a former graduate of this place, we're here for them. When you called back about the IT interview, your request to return as a patient was not what I expected."

"Well, a car accident was not what I expected to happen either."

"Nor having it happen on a crosswalk either," Dani added. "You certainly didn't have to drive yourself here today."

"Yet it was hard for me not to," she replied. "I… I left this place. I left it in good conscience. I left it thinking that I was done with rehab forever. And yet here I am."

"I'm not sure if anybody's injuries are ever healed forever," Dani clarified. "So don't put that kind of pressure on yourself," she whispered.

As Yvonne made her way into the front lobby, she collapsed onto the nearest chair, the shudders racking through her body.

"And, of course, you did too much already," Dani scolded her.

"No, just a show of pride. Stiff, ugly, cold-at-night pride."

Dani winced. "I haven't told him, you know?"

She nodded. "That's probably for the best. He'll see me when he sees me, and we'll deal with it then."

"Are you sure?" Dani asked. "If it were me, I would want a little bit of notice."

"Nope, maybe we'll hash it out this time around."

"I hope so," Dani said. "He's a good man."

"He's the best, but that didn't mean it was right to leave at the time."

"That's for you guys to figure out," Dani suggested. "In the meantime, I'm so sorry for what happened to bring you back to us, but you're here now, and we'll help. We will take care of you."

Yvonne looked up at her old friend and nodded slowly. "And you have no idea how grateful I am for the opportunity to come back."

"Even with Dennis here?" Dani teased.

"Maybe especially because Dennis is here," she admitted, with a nod. "It's time. Whether that guy knows it or not, it's time."

"Good luck with that. Dennis is many things, but he cares for everybody else first. His needs come dead last."

"Well, this time," Yvonne declared, "he just might have to deal with his own feelings because I'm not going away. Not again."