Ryan Phillips, a speech and language pathologist in the physical rehabilitation unit of a major university hospital, has recently been wounded by the ending of a relationship. He is called in to treat a patient suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In the course of his treatments, he begins to have feelings for the man.<br><br>But is he ready to be healed, and will the patient heal enough to be able to return the love growing between them? Can he find the words to express it?

Finding the Words

“What about the dogs?” he asked as he helped André to exit the car.


“Yes, yes, fine, okay, Ry, okay,” he said, impatiently.


André seemed confident, so Ryan stayed beside him as he made his way up the walk to the five steps that led to a half-wall porch that covered the entire front of the small house. Ryan had to assist him a bit navigating the stairs, as there was no railing; just a two level wall on either side of the steps. He made a mental note to have a rail installed. 


André stopped outside the door. Ryan could hear the dogs on the other side. They were whining and boofing. He could imagine them writhing in excited anticipation. He hoped André knew what he was doing. Ryan took the key that he had been given at the hospital from his pocket, pulled the screen door open and inserted it in the lock. 


André raised his hand holding the tripod cane, indicating Ryan should wait. He moved in front of Ryan and took a deep breath. “Okay,” he said and gestured to the door. 


Chapter 14