9:15 PM . BACK IN THE GARDEN STATE
Colleen in settled into her room at an acute PT rehab center in Vineland, thirty-five miles inland from the Shore. We checked into the center around 4:30 this afternoon, the interstate drive from Baltimore uneventful but smooth-going. Being finally discharged from the hospital today brought a feeling of relief, but Colleen not being able to come directly back to her own home didn't feel so good. I'm already in bed in my room on Village Drive, but it's not the same without Colleen being here. And I know her new non-Hopkins surroundings aren't feeling remotely cozy to her on this her first night. Nothing and no one is familiar. Fortunately, although she's in a double room, she's by herself at the moment, assigned to the bed by the window. From Vineland I caravaned down wooded backroads to the Shore behind Camille, who'd come to meet us at the rehab center. Saw two lithe deer dash to safety across our path.