Chapter 5

After breakfast, Stacy helped with the dishes. While the two of them were putting away the cutlery, Mrs. Wong said that she needed a day or two to read up and consult with some of her doctor friends about Stacy's condition.

She also offered to do everything she could to help Stacy with her problem.

Stacy was glad to hear that. It was comforting to know that she had someone with medical knowledge who could help her in her predicament. She thanked and kissed Mrs. Wong on her cheeks before she took leave.

Stacy decided to walk to the park opposite her house instead of going home.

She wanted to have a few moments to herself, to reflect on her conversation with Mrs. Wong, and sit amongst nature and beauty. The scenic view always cleared her frazzled mind.

She sat down on the wooden park bench and looked around.

There were a few people standing around and talking. A gentleman walked his dog and another was jogging. A group of ladies was doing their tai chi workouts, and she saw a couple who sat across her having a meal together. The lady was feeding the man and they looked like they were deeply in love.

The air was refreshingly cool. Stacy loved the feel of the fresh breeze blowing across her face. The fragrance from a rose bush nearby was simply invigorating.

She looked up at the sunny sky. The tall trees in the park provided shade where she sat. However, the sun’s rays streamed through some of the leaves, and she could feel its warmth on her bare hands.

The music from the tai chi group, though loud, was soothing. The ladies were moving in slow-motion to those soothing sounds. Stacy thought that it was a terrific way to stay calm and focused as she watched their movements in a rhythmic motion.

The park was the one place where she felt free and liberated. The tranquil surroundings made her forget her fears and anxiety.

From where she sat, she could see that her Mom had opened the windows to the living room of their house. The sunlight would be raking through their windows to warm their house too, she thought with a smile.

She sat there a little longer, thinking about the trauma her Mom would have experienced during the accident. She was in her teens still. Stacy couldn’t imagine how she managed to keep a tiny baby safe in her arms throughout the ordeal.

Stacy got up and walked slowly back to the house. She didn’t want her thoughts to stray in case the flashbacks recurred.

She hoped she would get some feedback from Mrs. Wong by the end of the day. She wanted so badly to be free of the anxiety and fear that had besieged her so suddenly in recent months.