Brain Damage

Five months after Charly’s injury, Clark is late for a lesson on how to dress her. Her needs immediately overwhelm him when her occupational therapist, Valerie, points out that her incontinence brief is wet. When Clark hesitates, Valerie changes it herself. He struggles to dress Charly, expressing frustration. Later, at physical therapy, her physical therapist, Natalie, explains that walking is excellent exercise, but insurance will only cover a wheelchair. Clark objects to buying a walker, stating that Charly will use the wheelchair full-time at home, as he’ll be too busy to help her practice walking. Overwhelmed, Charly silently agrees.

In her hospital room, Charly has a bowel movement just before Clark and her therapist arrive for a care lesson. Her shame deepens when Clark makes a negative comment about her unshaven legs. When the odor becomes apparent, the therapist uses it as a teaching opportunity. Clark reluctantly helps clean and dress Charly but avoids eye contact with her. He gives her a quick, perfunctory kiss on the forehead before departing.

The novel returns to the “before” timeline. Two months before the shooting, Charly finds a suspicious text on Clark’s phone, reading, “Is she gone yet?” (278). After consulting