Imitating his mother, Kyle says to her, “Now I want you to call me as soon as you get home. I don’t want to worry all night about you; you call me, you understand?”


    Liz chuckles and gives Kyle a long heart felt hug, “Yes dear we will call as soon as we get in, I promise.”


    Roger says to Kyle, “Take care of yourself and call if you need anything.”


    “Yes Dad.” Kyle’s yes is dragged out and in a joking tone. Deep down Kyle is appreciative of his parents support through all of this. They say their goodbyes. Liz and Roger leave for home. It has been an extended stay for them with helping Kyle through his accident, the grieving process and the work that needed to be sorted after someone has passed. Kyle closes the door with Smarty in hand, as he peers out the side window looking at an empty driveway. He is at a loss with what to do with himself.


    Smarty, realizing that something is off in Kyle starts to lick his hand, Kyle startles, putting the little dog down and goes to the kitchen looking for chores. Liz had already cleaned up after this morning’s breakfast. The kitchen is spotless. Kyle goes to the bedroom where Liz and Roger have been staying. The bed has been made, and their room is clean. He looks outside, Roger cut the grass yesterday afternoon. His parents are wonderful guests, but they left Kyle nothing to keep himself busy.


    Kyle decides that he hasn’t taken his four-wheeler out in a while; maybe he can ride into town and grab an iced cream. He changes into some different clothes for the ride and goes to grab his helmet, opening the closet only to see that Robin’s helmet is still placed on the top shelf. He grabs hers, holding it. All the rides and adventures they had shared; her screaming at the top of her lungs and holding him so tight as he sped up and down countless trails. The helmet smells of Robin, a combination of her sweat and the dirt from the trails. He can’t do it, not today. He puts the helmet back and slams the closet door. One moment he is okay and the next he is brought right back into the realization that Robin is gone. Smarty scratches at this leg and whimpers.Stolen story; please report.


    “No Smarty.” Kyle snaps at the little black dog and paces trying to pull it together. This is such a simple thing why can’t I do it?


    Kyle finally resorts to sitting on the couch to take a breather. He was fine when his parents were with him, helping him get through it all. He thought he was ready to do this on his own, but he knows in this moment that he can’t.


    After a long sit in silence, he turns off the television. Kyle decides and picks up the phone to make a call. He knows that a new contract should be ready and waiting for him with work.


    “Hello, this is Charlene Mackhey speaking.” It is Kyle’s boss.


    “Hi Charlene” Kyle says, clearing his throat.


    “Oh, Kyle, how are you?” She asks, doing a poor job at hiding her surprise. She was not expecting his call for at least a couple more weeks.


    “I’m okay,” he lies. There is a pause. Kyle thinks about the words then says them aloud. “Charlene; I want to come back to work.”


    Silence again. Charlene says, “Oh, um well Kyle, that’s great to hear, but are you sure you’re…”


    Kyle interrupts, “I want to come back now, my body is healed, I feel better I want to come back.” Kyle still has some faint bruising.


    “Well, um okay that’s good to hear.”


    “Can I come back tomorrow? He asks.


    Charlene takes a deep breath before answering, “Kyle, we weren’t expecting you to be ready to return this soon, to be honest. Let me re-phrase that, we do have a contract that needs to be filled, and we had set it aside for you, anticipating that you would only be ready near the end of the month. If this is what you want to do, I will need to contact Human Resources and see what needs to be done first before you can return.”


    Kyle persists, “So how soon do you think?”


    She answers carefully, “Let me place a call to Human Resources, I will do that today and find out what they need. We will not have it sorted out by tomorrow, but I am guessing it may take, two, or three days.” Kyle sighs, but Charlene continues, “I will get this done for you, can I reach you at the number on my call display?”


    This is better than staying by himself at home for another two, or three weeks so he doesn’t push it. Two, or three days is reasonable, Kyle confirms, “Yes, thank you Charlene.”