Nine days after returning to the cabin, Peter was told that he could come and pick Terry up. Terry could continue his recuperation at home. Peter and Bernadette drove the Cadillac to Leesburg, Virginia. The pickup place was a popular restaurant in the historical district.

They found Terry having coffee and a piece of pumpkin pie while reading the local paper. Bernadette slid in beside him and hugged him. Terry said, “No too hard, you Amazon. Your uncle still has some sore spots.”

“Oh Terry, I’m sorry. I was so worried about you.”

Peter sat on the other side of the booth and reached across to shake his hand. “You know your uncle, he just likes sympathy.”

“Where were you treated?” Bernadette asked.

“The truth is I don’t know. I had great care, the doctor and staff were very good, even kind. But no one would tell me where I was and I still don’t know.”

“Couldn’t you look out the car window?”

“No, my Irish Princess. They used the old black hood technique. It was taken off right out there when they pulled into the curb. They made sure I could make it to the door and said goodbye after putting this thick file under my arm. They said this is for the battlefield surgeon that saved my life and you would tell me about my treatment and be in charge of my recovery. If any problems come up, you can call them.”

“Did they give you any prescriptions?”

“Yeah, there’s a bag of pills and stuff in the folder.”

“Aside from all the medical stuff,” Peter asked, “how do you feel?”

“I’m tired and get tired very easily. Pain is not bad. I’ve a lot of work to do to get back. A week or so at the cabin will help. Thinking about that place kept me going.”

It was dark when Peter parked the Cadillac at the cabin and helped Terry into the master bedroom. Peter and Bernadette moved back into their tent camping site. Jack was back on the couch with Rip. The next morning Bernadette took Terry for a walk. A couple of hundred yards from the cabin and Terry said, “How about I sit down for a while?”

“Good sign. You’re in touch with your body. I was afraid you would play macho male and overdo this rehab thing. You cannot hurry or force your recovery. It will be six months to a year before you feel you’re back.”