Fix Me

“Hi,” a soft female voice filtered around the room.

“Lisa, this is Bree. Bree, this is my sister Lisa.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said with a smile. “Have a seat, please.”

I moved my foot back, finding the couch and taking a seat. I could feel a weird tension in the room. “You’ve done well for yourself, little brother,” Lisa said.

“I live in a cottage on the grounds,” he said in a tight voice. “This isn’t mine. I work here.”

“Oh, that’s right, you’re a caregiver. I guess you haven’t changed much. You’re still doing what you do.”

The tension amped up. I had no idea what the hell was going on, but I imagined there were some pretty angry stares bouncing around the room. “Can I get you something to drink?” I asked trying to break the tension.

“You don’t need to do that,” Luke said.

“I can. I want to.”

“Why don’t we all go?” Lisa said.

“Great idea!” I said, infusing my fake cheer and falling into old habits of playing hostess. I got up and waited to move. I knew Luke was on my left but I wasn’t sure where Lisa was. I felt Luke’s familiar touch on my elbow as he led the way.

“Wow,” Lisa said. “This is nice.”

“Thank you,” I replied. “Why don’t we go out back and I’ll show you around.” I realized what I said and burst into laughter. “You know what I mean.”

Lisa laughed as well. “Yes, I did understand.”

We went outside, just the two of us. “Your brother has been a huge help.”

“I’m sure he has. He’s an excellent nurse, caregiver, or whatever he’s calling himself these days.”

Her comment sounded like a dig. Subtle, but still a dig. “He’s a good guy.”

“So, can I ask about your situation?” she asked.

“Are you referring to my blindness?” I asked, not used to such bluntness.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I’m blunt. British and Texan, if you get me. I find it’s a lot easier to just get right to the heart of a matter instead of beating around the bush.”

Her and Luke couldn’t be more different. I was a little irritated by her rudeness, but she was Luke’s sister. Older sister at that. She was looking out for him. At least that’s what I hoped she was doing. “I was in a car accident. I bonked my head and now I’m blind.”

Her laugh was a little boisterous. “You bonked your head. Alright. I get it.”

I knew where the table was and moved to take a seat. She sat down at the table with me. “Your brother wants me to have surgery to fix the blindness.”

“Is that an option?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I’m still uncertain. Every other doctor has told me no. Then some woman from out of the blue shows up and says she can wave her magic scalpel and help me see again.”

“It’s not magic,” Luke’s voice came from behind me. “It’s Ellis Tanner.”

“What?” Lisa gasped. “Ellie lives here?”

“For the time being. She travels a lot. She’s got some new surgery that could work to give Bree her sight back.”

“That sounds awesome. Ellie is a genius. If I was sick or dying, she is the woman I would want working on me.”

“You know her, too?” I asked.