Back to You

Lauren waited quietly for another minute before he closed the packet and looked up. “So, talk to me a little bit about your pain.”

Lauren explained her issues, stemming back to her days as a gymnast, and he nodded and jotted notes down on her chart, sometimes asking for further clarification or stopping to explain a technical term to her. After a few minutes, he slid her packet into a file folder and pushed back from the desk.

“I’m pretty sure I know what your problem is, although I’d like to take a peek at your x-rays before we decide on a plan of action. Do you mind if we move to the exam table? I’m not going to adjust you; I just want to check your mobility.”

Lauren was surprised to find she wasn’t at all nervous to move to the table. Her friend had been right; something about him was very soothing, very reassuring.

Lauren laid on the table, and he moved her legs and arms into various positions, describing all the while what he was doing and why. In the midst of him testing her flexibility, the x-ray tech from earlier brought her film into his office with a grunt and promptly left.

Dr. Wells glanced down at Lauren. “She’s here to scare off the scam artists who want to fake an injury to get out of work.”

Lauren laughed as he reached out his hand, clasping hers and pulling her to a seated position on the table.

“You doing okay?” he asked, and she nodded. “Great. Let’s take a look at these x-rays and figure out what we’re going to do with you.”

He turned toward the lighted board, but before he slid her x-ray onto it, he turned. “Do you need to take a call from your friend? Or perhaps use the bathroom?”

Lauren smiled. “No, I’m not going anywhere.”

He gri

“Yes. Why is it like that?” Lauren asked, leaning closer to the board to get a better look.

“The bones of the lumbar vertebrae, or the lower back, are more susceptible to injury in a developing adolescent. Now, take a strenuous sport or activity, like gymnastics. That puts a strain on the ligaments and muscles surrounding the spine. Since co

Lauren chewed her lower lip, glancing up at him, and he smiled.

“You’re in great shape, and this is an easy fix. We just have to retrain your spine to sit the way your body needs it to, and then strengthen the muscles surrounding it to hold it in its proper place. That’s what’s happening when your back spasms, by the way. It’s your body’s way of trying to protect itself. Once we fix the problem, your muscles won’t have to work so hard to rectify the problem.”

“Okay,” Lauren nodded. “That makes sense.”

“And I’m thinking I’d also like to put you on a decompression machine.”

Her eyes widened, and he held up his hand. “That’s not as scary as it sounds. It’s just a machine that stretches your back, focusing on designated areas of the spine. It increases the space between the vertebrae so nutrients and fluids can be absorbed into the discs more efficiently. Quickens the healing process.”

Lauren tilted her head at him and smiled.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing, I’m just…I’m impressed.”

“What, that I know what I’m talking about? Were you still convinced I was some frat guy playing doctor?”

“No,” Lauren said through her laughter. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just didn’t expect to be okay with any of this. But the way you describe things, I don’t know. I’m not as freaked out as I thought I would be.”

He smiled. “I’m glad you said that, because—if you’re comfortable—I’d like to adjust you today. But only if you’re comfortable.”

Lauren inhaled a slow, deep breath before she blew it out in a rush. “Okay, let’s do it.”

“You sure?”

She nodded. “I think I trust you.”

“Well then, I think I’m honored,” he said with a laugh, motioning for her to lie back down on the table. He positioned her on her side and placed one hand on her shoulder and the other on her hip. “Deep breath in for me, okay?” Lauren inhaled. “And blow it out.” As soon as she started to exhale, he applied quick pressure with his hands, and it sounded like someone had just stepped on bubble wrap.

She froze and he smiled down at her. “How was that?”

“Not bad.” She wiggled a little bit. “Wow, that does feel different.”

“Like magic, right? Shift onto your back, please.”

She did as he asked, and he came to the head of the table, standing behind her. He slid his hands behind her ears, placing them on the sides of her neck.

She tensedriple chocolate cake"> shoulder instantly.

“Were you freaked out the first time you did this to someone?” she asked, just to be filling the silence so she didn’t jump off the table.

“Um, yeah, I was. But that was only because I ended up killing the guy.”

Lauren blinked up at him, and that roguish grin appeared. “Very fu

“Ready?”

Lauren closed her eyes and nodded, and just like the first time, with a quick flick of his wrists, it was over. She sat up slowly, rolling her neck.

“Feel good?”

She looked over at him. “You’re so smug.”

He tossed his head back and laughed, and Lauren smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Wells,” she said.

“That’s what I’m here for. And please, call me Adam.” He helped her off the table and then opened the door. “Schedule your next few appointments with my receptionist and we’ll get you started on your rehabilitation. I’d like to see you at least two times a week, if your schedule allows it.”

And as Lauren shook his hand, she thought, I’d like to see you at least two times a week too.

The next morning, Lauren arrived at work an hour before her shift started so she could get herself acclimated to the new structure of Learn and Grow’s program.

Deb walked her through the paperwork she’d be exposed to: registration forms, incident reports, and memos, before she introduced Lauren to Delia and Janet, the two women she’d be working with in the pre-K room. Delia was a Hispanic girl a few years older than Lauren with a head full of long dark curls and beautiful caramel-colored eyes. Janet was a special educator, slightly overweight with graying hair and the most inviting demeanor Lauren had ever encountered. She warmed to both of them instantly.

Delia showed Lauren the three different rooms—the infant room for children under the age of one, the tot room for the one and two-year-olds, and then Lauren’s room, the pre-K room, for the three and four-year-olds.

Then both Delia and Janet sat with her, and they explained what a typical day in the pre-K room looked like.

“Do you have any questions?” Janet asked when they were done.

“No, not right now,” Lauren said, “but I’m sure I will as the day progresses.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” said Delia as she patted her on the back. “You’ll be great.”

“Are you done hazing her yet?” Deb said from the doorway.

“We decided not to haze her, although the kids might not be as kind,” Janet said with a wink in Lauren’s direction.

Deb laughed. “I just need to borrow Lauren for a minute before the kids get here.”

“We’re all set,” Delia said, walking over to the wall of books to choose a story for the morning reading circle.

“Great. Come with me,” Deb said to Lauren. “I’m go

Lauren followed Deb behind the front desk and watched as she opened a file drawer. “These are all our registration forms, divided alphabetically by room. These forms are filled out and mailed in { display: block; text-indent: 0%; her voiceso with tuition prior to the students coming here, but on their first day, what we do is take out the forms and go over them with the parents to ensure that none of the information has changed. And then, you have a brief sit-down with them to answer any last-minute questions. Parents of first-timers can be a little nervous.” Deb made a face and Lauren laughed, remembering how anxious some of her kindergarten parents used to be.