Chapter 44

Five months after the stroke, Clark arrives late to a caregiving lesson with Valerie, who plans to teach him to dress Charly while she remains in bed. Charly asks for her helmet, fearing Clark’s reaction to her injury. When Valerie reveals Charly’s wet brief, Clark reacts with discomfort and calls it a diaper, further humiliating Charly. Valerie pointedly corrects him and changes Charly before guiding Clark through putting on sweatpants and a hoodie.

Clark struggles to thread Charly’s left arm and suggests leaving her in a hospital gown. Valerie’s sarcasm underscores his lack of grasp on daily care demands. Charly worries Clark didn’t understand what he volunteered for and fears he may give up.

In the afternoon PT session, Natalie demonstrates Charly’s progress walking with a hemi-walker, supporting Charly’s weak left side. After short bouts, Charly fatigues and returns to the wheelchair. Natalie explains insurance will fund either a wheelchair or a walker, not both; the plan is to cover the wheelchair and pay out of pocket for the walker.

Clark challenges the need for a walker, arguing he already faces extensive caregiving tasks. He dismisses exercise benefits and declares Charly will be in a wheelchair full-time at home. Under pressure, Charly nods agreement, despite valuing the normalcy walking offers, signaling a looming conflict between her rehabilitation needs and Clark’s willingness to support them.