I spent the next month recovering in the hospital. Physical therapy was going really well. My legs weren't a hundred percent yet, but they were getting better.

   Aileen stayed with me every night, ensuring I got to sleep. And, with sleep, came that dream. Every night without fail. Emily asked about it every Friday, but it never changed. Everything happening exactly the same way each time. It was maddening.

   Today was a big day, though. Today I was cleared to leave. Michelle would drive me home and Emily would visit me tomorrow for my first at home session. Honestly, all I could think about was sleeping in my own bed. Sitting on my own couch. The comfort that my home brought. I was elated...

Michelle held the door for me, allowing me to limp past, holding most of my weight on my crutches.

"You're getting pretty good with those things." Michelle said, closing and locking the door.

"Thanks. Don't forget the deadbolt." I said, slowly dropping into the couch with a relived sigh, leaning the crutches next to me.

Michelle locked the deadbolt before walking into the kitchen. "I'll go up in a little bit to grab some groceries."

I nodded, allowing my eyes to fall closed. Even the smell of my house put me at ease.

"Any special requests?" Michelle asked, plopping down next to me.

"Yeah, whiskey." I replied.

   She chuckled a little, looking down. "How're you feeling?"

   I rubbed my hand over the familiar fabric of the couch, breathing in the familiar scent. "A lot better."

   She smiled, taking my hand in hers. "I'm glad..."

   A long breath slipped past her lips. "When you were in that coma, I..." She looked away, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "I thought you'd never wake up..."

   I focused on her, giving her hand a squeeze. "Hey, it's ok now. I'm fine."

   "I visited you every day... I'd sit there for hours, begging you to just wake up... I didn't know what to do with myself. First mom, then you, I just-"

   "Michelle..." I cut off. "I'm right here... Calm down, everything is gonna be ok." 

   She shook her head, more tears spilling out. "Carla... I have to tell you something..."

   "What is it..?" I asked, the nerves building in my stomach.

   She finally looked at me, shame and regret hiding behind her eyes.

   Then, she wiped the tears away, suddenly standing. "Nothing... Don't worry about it... I should go grab those groceries. I'll be back later..."

   I watched her leave, confusion swirling around my head. "O-ok, uh, I'll see you later then?"

   She just nodded, closing the door behind her.

   "That was weird..." Aileen said, suddenly appearing next to me.

   I jumped a little, resting my hand on my chest. "You should really warn me before you do that."

   She flashed me a smirk. "Sorry."

   I returned it before looking back at the door. "Do you know what all that was about?"

   She followed my gaze. "How about I get you that whiskey?"

   I turned to her. "How do you plan on doing that?"

   She snapped her fingers, a tray appearing on the coffee table. Whiskey bottle and two glasses sitting on top of it.

   My eyes widened a little. "Neat trick."

   Aileen leaned forward, opening the bottle. "How do you take it?"

   I leaned forward as well. "Straight up."

   She smiled, pouring out two glasses. "My kinda gal."

   We shared a laugh as she handed me my drink. She took a sip, inspecting my living room. "Nice place. How'd you wind up here?"

   I averted her gaze, taking a big swig of my drink. "My... Mother willed it to me after she... Well, you know."

   Aileen nodded. "She wasn't much of a gardener, huh?"

   My mind wandered to the dead bushes and plants lining the flower bed. "She loved gardening actually... She always had the best flowers on the block..."

   "You didn't keep up with it afterwards..?" She asked, taking another sip of her drink.

   I downed the rest of my drink, setting the empty glass on the coffee table with a sigh. "I don't get out much..."

   She nodded, refilling my glass. "I know... But, what could happen to you in your front yard?"

   I took the glass from her hand. "A car could lose control, jump the curb, run me down."

   Aileen laughed. "You have quite the imagination, you know that?"

   I returned it. "Yeah, I know..."

   We spent a little while longer drinking and getting to know each other before Michelle returned with the groceries.

   I held the door open as she brought a few bags in.

   My eyes traveled to the dead garden, a little sigh slipping out.

   As Michelle loaded the fridge, I gingerly stepped out onto the front porch. My chest tightened as I looked across the street, then over to my neighbors house. Everyone's grass was a beautiful, dark green, while mine was dried out and dead.

   Michelle stepped up behind me then. "Alright, you're all set."

   I just nodded, my eyes still focused on the dead grass. "Thanks..."

   I laid awake that night. The dead garden still on my mind.

   "Alright, kid, what's keeping you up tonight?" Aileen asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.

   I shook my head. "That damn garden..."

   She flashed me a little smile. "Get dressed and meet me outside, I wanna show you something."

   I raised my eyebrow at her. "Aileen, it's two in the morning."

   "I promise this will be worth it." Then, she snapped her fingers, disappearing from sight.

   I let out a sigh before rolling out of bed...

   The crutches held me up right on the front porch, the moon hanging high in the sky. "Alright, Aileen, what is it you wanted to show me?"

   She helped me down the front porch, holding me in front of the dead flower bed, before placing her palm against the side of my head.

   The garden transformed before my eyes, colorful flowers sprouting through the soil, the bushes blooming with dark red leaves.

   I covered my mouth. "Oh my God..."

   She pulled her hand away, the garden returning to its dead state. "I think you know what you need to do."

   My lips quirked up in a little smile. "Yeah... I think I do..."