“No driving?”

“Absolutely no driving.”

“Can I run? I used to jog every day.”

Jax snickered. “You may want to take it easy with that. I don’t think you’ve been running in over a year.”

That was impossible. Jax was crazy or messing with her. “Every morning I get up at six, run for a half hour, and then get ready for my day.”

“That’s what you used to do. Now you have to be at work at seven thirty. You stopped running and opted to get a stationary bike, but it’s just collecting dust.”

“I don’t recall that.” Gretchen used to love her morning runs, and she couldn’t believe she’d give them up so quickly. She had started almost every day with a jog to awaken her body, mind, and senses. She even got Jax to join her most days. She almost proposed they run together again, but Jax’s back was to her. Their connection, their togetherness no longer existed.

Dr. Melendez pursed her lips and looked like she was waiting for her turn to speak. “If exercising is something you’d like to do, I encourage it. It’s good for mind and body—just be careful not to overdo it. Same goes for other physical activities.” Dr. Melendez’s tone dripped with suggestion.

Gretchen gaped, then collected herself. “Oh. No. That’s not a problem.” She pulled at the collar of her pajama shirt. “I will be jogging, though.”

“Okay, then. Someone needs to be with you around the clock until we know you’re less of a seizure risk.”

“When will we know that?” Amanda asked.

Dr. Melendez’s face scrunched up like she was working out an actual word problem. “Probably close to the three-month mark, but this is why the follow-up appointments are important. I’ll keep checking her progress and her brain. She may be in the clear sooner.”

“Three months is a long time,” Jax said.

“And during the first two to three weeks, she needs as much familiarity as possible.” Dr. Melendez finally addressed Gretchen directly. “Daily routines that feel good, not foreign. What’s a typical day for you?”

After over two weeks of doubting everything that was once normal, Gretchen felt blindsided by the question. “Um, a morning run, usually with Jax. A shower and a light breakfast. I don’t like to eat a lot first thing. An early lunch, and then a second late lunch.” Gretchen smiled at the way Amanda laughed at her. “I go to work, then come home to Jax in the kitchen,” she said, finally looking at Jax, her heart forlorn and aching. “I offer to help, but she tells me to sit and have some wine.”

“That was before Caleb.” Jax’s point was made sharply.

“Once Caleb was born, I would get home and nurse him. Instead of telling me to have wine, you’d pour me a Sprite and add a dash of grenadine. I remember all of that, too.”

“I can stay with you, but I can’t promise my cooking is as good as Jax’s.” Amanda’s tone and stance screamed awkwardness.