Contents
Chapter 59
Overview
On the eve of discharge, Jamie tells Charly he is leaving the next morning, prompting painful goodbyes. He returns to kiss her and confesses he’s in love, clarifying he wasn’t reconciling with Karen. Charly, believing he must focus on recovery and his son, refuses, and Jamie departs.
Summary
In the hallway, Charly sees Jamie greet Karen with what appears to be a kiss and notes he skips dinner with her that evening. Later, Jamie visits Charly without his cane and reveals he’s being discharged the next morning. Charly breaks down, and Jamie promises to visit, though she doubts it.
They discuss Jamie’s recent neuropsychological testing; he struggles with math and money tasks and isn’t ready to return to bookkeeping, considering bartending instead. A nurse ends the visit, and Jamie says goodbye.
Jamie then turns back, decides he can’t leave without acting, and kisses Charly. He confesses that seeing her helped clear his post-injury haze and that he fell in love with her. Charly questions Karen, and Jamie insists he wasn’t kissing Karen and was only negotiating custody.
Despite wanting him, Charly refuses to encourage a relationship, believing Jamie needs to focus on recovery and his child. Jamie accepts her decision and leaves, whispering a final goodbye.
Who Appears
- CharlyNarrator; devastated by Jamie’s imminent discharge; kissed by him; declines a relationship to prioritize his recovery and parenting.
- Jamie KnoxRehab patient; announces discharge, struggles with neuropsych math tasks; kisses Charly and confesses love; denies reconciling with Karen.
- KarenJamie’s ex and Sam’s mother; meets Jamie to negotiate custody; seen by Charly as possibly kissing him.
- NurseInterrupts the visit, reminds Jamie of rules and prompts him to return to his room.