Once More With Feeling by Emilie Richards Page A

Dugan," she said, to
short-circuit the conversation. "Born and bred. But I still feel
like I'm living in a dream because so much is unclear."
    "Good, Gypsy. Excellent. A sense of
unreality is just one of the side effects we expected after
everything you've been through."
    She batted her eyelashes in her best
imitation of the real Gypsy Dugan. "Now, will you tell me how that
poor Elisabeth creature is doing?"
    His smile changed to something more
suspicious. "You need to divorce yourself from Elisabeth Whitfield.
It's not healthy for you to obsess about her."
    By now Elisabeth knew exactly what to say.
Jimbo and his staff were training her well. "It's not unhealthy to
wonder how a woman I hit in a car accident is doing. I don't want
her death on my conscience."
    "Her condition hasn't changed."
    Elisabeth had decided that Jimbo was the
part of her that was in contact with reality. When he gave reports
on Elisabeth's condition, she knew she was hearing the truth about
herself. "Isn't anything being done to help her?"
    "Everything humanly possible."
    "But she's not responding?"
    "No."
    "Please, you're not going to take her off
life support, are you?"
    He seemed to be considering his answer
carefully. Then he sighed. "There's still brain activity. And as
long as there is, her husband won't even consider it."
    "Good for Owen."
    Dr. Roney frowned. "You know Mr.
Whitfield?"
    She hedged. "He's well-known. I've heard his
name mentioned."
    "Concern is appropriate. But stay away from
the Whitfields, Gypsy. Your recovery is far from complete, and the
mind is a tricky thing."
    "I'll say," she uttered with complete
sincerity.
    "I understand the cast comes off today?"
    "So they tell me."
    "You'll need therapy for weeks yet, but I
don't see any reason it has to be done as an inpatient. You'll have
to promise to keep up with whatever regimen we assign, and you'll
need help at home for a while. I've spoken to Perry, and she's
willing to live in with you. What would you think about getting out
of this place by the end of the week if things continue to go
well?"
    Getting out of the hospital. For a moment
the news seemed too good to be true. Could this mean that she was
leaving the persona of Gypsy behind? Or could it mean she was
dying? That the part of her that still functioned and
communicated--even though it was trapped in another body and
life--was about to abandon ship?
    "Are you frightened to go home?" he asked
when she didn't respond.
    "I suppose it's the only way I'll find out .
. ."
    "You'll make it, Gypsy, I promise. I
wouldn't let you out of here if there was any real doubt. You'll be
confused for a while, and we both know there are some serious gaps
in your memory."
    "Chasms."
    He smiled his most patronizing smile.
"Plunging you back into your normal environment, as long as you
don't overdo, will facilitate the quickest recovery. I'll continue
to see you several times a week, and Perry will map out your days
and monitor your progress. If there are any problems, we can have
you back here in a flash."
    If James Roney was her mind's objective
reporter, then Elisabeth had to trust him. Perhaps plunging her
back into her normal environment was psychic code for plunging her
back into reality. Perhaps when Gypsy left the hospital, she would
also leave Elisabeth's mind for good. Elisabeth would wake from her
coma and voilà.
    She could have her real life back.
    "I'm ready," she said. "More than
ready."
    He lifted and squeezed her hand. "Good girl.
And to celebrate, I'm lifting all restrictions on visitors. We'll
have them stop by the nurses' desk first to announce themselves,
but if you're feeling well enough to see them, you may."
    He continued to hold her hand. His
expression changed marginally. "You've been through a lot, Gypsy.
But in some ways it hasn't changed you."
    "Hasn't it?"
    "You're still the most attractive woman I've
ever seen."
    Gypsy, Elisabeth, or any female over the age
of four would have recognized the gleam in Jimbo's eyes.