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A Very Rough Draft of A Wildcat Fall 5

Teri stared at her portable keyboard, which she had brought along on their summer tour, as it was added to her luggage cart. Conor collected her headphones, laptop, and electronic piano, taking them down to the large SUV. She felt excited because she was being released today.

Jenn and her mom had vanished, clearing everything out of the room just as Robyn and Julia arrived. The nurses were pushing a wheelchair adorned with pink balloons tied to it.

Julia called out happily, “Hey, Rock Star. It’s time.”

Teri smiled. They’d heard Jenn calling her that, and it had stuck. She laughed inside and thought it was better than everyone calling her Little, short for Little Shit. She was waiting in the chair for them. Jenn had helped her get dressed and was fidgeting. The long peasant skirt that Jenn had brought her hid everything between her legs.

When Teri complained, Jenn reminded her, “It’ll be comfortable to wear in a wheelchair and in the car. When we get home, you can run around naked if it makes you feel better.”

Teri frowned. “All this gauze and packing is crazy. But wearing an oversized adult diaper is just downright embarrassing.”

Jenn kissed her and whispered. “It would be a lot more embarrassing if you started leaking everywhere. You know what Robyn said. After a while, you won’t need any of that.”

Teri shook her head. “Yeah, I know what I need to do. And I’m working on contracting those muscles right now. I’m going to tighten up everything as soon as I can. I just want to put on baggy sweats and get out of here.”

Jenn smiled as Amy arrived. She nodded to the nurses, and the entire group made their way to the elevator.

Amy spoke. “Conor is sitting in the car out at the entrance holding a space.”

After kissing her nurses goodbye, Jenn handed each of them a gift. Teri had asked her to buy them a trinket and a gift card. When she saw the Tiffany blue wrapping paper, she smiled. “Tiffany?”

Jenn whispered, “You’re a rock star, baby. You have to give them something fitting of a national recording artist from a top-selling band. After all, they got to meet all the Cats, and the two of them couldn’t have been nicer to you. I talked to Richard, and he arranged it all.”

“What did we give them?”

“Real pretty pearl bracelets with a silver clasp. The two gifts cost you a grand. But remember, you’re their Rock Star.”

Teri leaned over to give her a hug and a kiss. “Thank you.”

After they settled into the car, Amy asked if they could stop to pick up dinner on the way to their condo.

“Sure. I feel like a kid wearing diapers and sitting on an inflatable donut. But I’ll be all right for a while before I start to ache. What’s for dinner?”

Amy turned and looked at the two of them in the spacious back seat of Conor’s large Chevy. “I called Vertri Cucina and asked for take-out. When I explained the circumstances, they were happy to help. So tonight is roast pork, potatoes, and lots of delicious vegetables.”

“Dessert?”

“Strawberry shortcake and chocolate mousse.”

Amy knew she made the right choice when she heard three cheers fill the air.

After they stopped, they watched several staff members carrying the containers and bags to the back of the SUV.

Teri’s eyes were wide open. “Wow, that’s a lot of food for the four of us.”

Amy smiled. “Well, maybe I overordered. I figured it would be better to have leftovers that you could snack on later.”

The aromas of the food urge Conor to drive faster to return them to their new home.

As they rode up in the elevator, everyone grinned. Teri said, “I’m looking forward to getting a shower, putting on soft pajamas, then getting in bed.”

Jenn looked at Amy. “Sure, that sounds good, honey. I’ll help you shower, since you need to watch your incision. That’s not supposed to be scrubbed hard or get wet.”

“Great. I can’t wait.”

“Well, the PJs will have to be put on hold. I’ve got some oversized yoga pants and promise that everything is loose-fitting. But we’re going up to the roof to have our dinner.”

Teri knew their condo had a shared rooftop area with tables, chairs, and loungers for the other occupants. There were umbrellas and some canvas shade coverings, too. “Okay. I don’t know how much partying I can do, but that sounds like fun. I guess I’m ready for a change of scenery.”

Amy gave them both a kiss. “Well, Conor and I will meet you guys up on the roof. Don’t forget about us. I’m already hungry after smelling all that food.”

Jenn helped Teri in the shower. With a big sponge and plenty of hot water, she carefully washed away all the hospital sweat. The two of them did a lot of squeezing and hugging. Jenn breathlessly said, “We need some catching-up time.”

Teri was kissing her all over. “You bet. But you’ll have the advantage because I’m still pretty numb down there.”

Jenn giggled. “We’ll find a way to make you happy.”

I’m just happy to be home and in your arms.

“Good. Now, I’m going to dress you and assist you with your hair and makeup.”

“Makeup? Why would I need to wear makeup?”

“Listen to you. You need to be a beautiful woman inside and out. You need to feel good by looking good!”

Teri shrugged and did as she was told. She had to apply her mascara while standing and looking in the mirror, since sitting was still uncomfortable.

After dressing, they rode the elevator to the roof. When the doors opened, Teri heard a lot of voices. The first thought that crossed her mind was that someone else had already claimed the space and was celebrating their own Friday night happy hour. She really wasn’t ready for a crowd of strangers. She almost grabbed Jenn’s hand to pull her back in, but Jenn was already stepping out onto the roof.

As she turned the corner, the voices grew louder until all she heard was everyone yelling out, “Surprise!”

Teri looked around to see the entire rooftop filled with familiar faces. She turned to Jenn and exclaimed, “Oh, wow! A real party!” She spotted Jessica and Mac, DJ Blank and his beautiful girlfriend, Richard, Phil, Tiffany, Mike, Gina, Grace, Zoe, Bruno, Smith, and Lisa. As she received kisses and hugs, she struggled to see everyone through her tears.

As she was hugged and kissed, she listened to all the well-wishes until Amy’s voice rang out, “C’mon, party goers. Get yourself something to eat and drink!”

As Teri walked around and mingled, she approached Jessica Jade. The wonderful hero who had saved her life that day in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, gave her a long kiss on the lips. She whispered in her ear, “Now we truly have something in common besides saving each other’s lives.”

Teri recalled how Jessica had been struck by stray bullets while they were escorting a family away from a motorcycle gang. They remembered needing to get her to a makeshift surgery to stop the bleeding.

Teri kissed her back. “I love you, Jessica, and always will. But I’ll bite. What do we have in common?”

Jessica whispered in her ear. “We both have surgically constructed vaginas.” She grinned and kissed her again.

Teri looked her in the eyes. “I totally forgot that. Oh, my gosh. In my mind, you have always been a wonderful woman.”

Jessica smiled. “Well, that's the idea. I was just helping nature make everything right.”

Teri thought for a moment. “So I can count on you to help me through all of this?”

“You know it. We have a true bond through fire. You are the closest thing that I will ever have to a little sister. We’ve moved on from our past lives and are standing together as one. No one could ever know how we feel.”

Teri whispered, “Is it hard to become whole? I just want to live my life and stop worrying. Does that ever happen?”

Jessica wiped a tear from her eye and touched her wet fingertip to Teri’s nose. “You are so beautiful. But truthfully, you’re always going to remember where you’ve been and who you are. However, those memories make you a better person because you understand that life is challenging. Without all your tests and trials, you wouldn’t be the superwoman that you’ve become.”

Teri hugged her. “So it’s okay to be scared and worried about all of this? This surgery and healing. Is it all going to be okay?”

Jessica turned to find Jenn standing there. Reaching out with her arm, she pulled them both into her embrace. “You’re not alone. You have a wonderful woman who loves you. You have me and all these wonderful folks in your life to love and protect you.”

Teri kissed Jenn. Then she turned to Jessica and whispered, “Do you still help people like we did together those times?”

Jessica nodded. “There are more families out there that need our help. Their numbers are growing.”

Teri looked at Jenn. “Can we help? You know, like Lisa and I did with you?”

Jessica smiled and kissed Jenn on the cheek. “Of course. You and the band have been supporting many needy people wherever you go by donating your ticket money and drawing attention to the groups that help those in need. But if you want to go with me sometime, you’re going to have to recover and regain all your energy and strength. Do whatever Dr. Jenn tells you and take care of yourselves.”

They hugged and kissed. Then, more people gathered, waiting to share their love as Jessica smiled and then winked.