Cut Off

Chapter 5

It has now been a week since Liam died. His mom decided to pull the plug not long after I left the hospital that day. It is also the one-month anniversary of my accident. One month with no leg. One month with Zach. And only one more week until I can get my prosthetic leg. I've gotten more used to the crutches, so I use them more often, but I'm still ready to be able to walk again. I know it won't be the same as before, but it has to be better than what I have now.

School ended two days ago. I never ended up going to prom. I did go to graduation, but it wasn't as exciting as I was hoping for it to be. Zach went to support me since his school was already over. We have been spending a lot more time together lately. A month isn't long, but it has been great with him. We are actually hanging out in a few minutes. We aren't going anywhere special. I'm just going over to his house. We spend most of our time either here or there since I need the wheelchair when I am in public.

My mom takes me over to his house and when I ring the doorbell, his mom answers.

"Hello Skylar," she says to me.

"Hello Ms. King," I say back.

"Please stop calling me that. It makes me feel old. Plus, we know each other now. Call me Nancy."

"I'll try to remember that. Where's Zach?"

"In his room with Ryan. You can go ahead and go in."

"Okay. Thank you."

I head to Zach's room, and he is playing video games with his brother. I didn't know he was back from college yet. I don't think they notice me, because they just keep playing. Then Ryan looks over because he probably heard me move. He puts down his controller and starts signing with Zach. I'm kind of jealous that they can talk so easily. I've been trying to learn ASL, but it's harder than I remember it being when I was 8.

After their conversation is over, Zach looks up at me and smiles. Ryan leaves the room, passing me on his way out.

I head over to Zach's bed and sit down. I sign 'HELLO' to him since it's one of the only words I know. He signs it back.

I grab the notepad I always have with me now and start writing.

How are you?

Good. You?

Good.

What do you want to do?

I don't care.

Want to play Call of Duty?

I can try. My brother says I suck though. Which I do.

I'll teach you.

Okay.

We play for a while but Zach realizes that I really do suck and we just lay back on his bed.

I start thinking about what today is. How it marks an eternity. The 8th of every month will now have significance to me. That is until I reach a year. Time will keep going and I will keep having no leg. I miss it. I miss walking. I really miss running. Track was everything to me. Running was literally my whole world. And then it disappeared in one night. One night. It can change everything. I think Zach starts to notice my distraction because he grabs the notebook and starts writing.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Skylar? What is it?

I've just been thinking.

About what?

Everything.