A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 36

Georgia was more than ready for Gavin's first physical therapy session. She even arrived so early that she almost ran into Gavin's father. He apologized on his way out, yet he smiled very joyfully at her, clearly in a good mood himself. Georgia was unsure of what Gavin had told his parents, but when Georgia entered, she was hugged by his mother, who almost suffocated her with her embrace.

"You must be God-sent," she mumbled.

"Um, I don't think so."

"I know where you two are going later, and I can't even explain how happy this makes me. I know he has a long way to go, but this is going to help him move forward," Martha said.

"Let's hope so. Physical therapy can be hard. It's a harsh reality we meet when we need to overcome our struggles."

"I know, but it means so much he is even trying."

Georgia smiled, feeling good about it as well. Martha had already everything prepared, and when Georgia went to find Gavin, he was ready as well. She had had a small hunch he might have been making excuses about not wanting to go, having gotten cold feet. But he simply rolled past her, telling her not to be so slow. She chuckled, glad he had found some enjoyment in it all, even though it was going to be hard.

On their way to his first session, Georgia did notice a slight shift in the energy. Gavin wasn't very talkative after leaving the house, and she wondered if it was simply because they had left the house or if it was about his therapy. Nonetheless, she gave him his privacy until they arrived at their destination. As Gavin left the car, she stood ready outside, smiling at him, yet his eyes were on the building in front of them.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied, yet she sensed nervousness in him.

She didn't want to shake his confidence, so they went inside the white building, and they quickly found the receptionist. As Georgia checked them in, Gavin took a look around, feeling his heart beating fast in his chest, wanting to explode. He looked down at his hands that seemed to almost tremble. He knew what he had agreed to, but now that he had to face his demons, it was much harder than expected. But then he glanced at Georgia, remembering the demons she had fought as well, and it gave him a small sense of hope as he watched the woman beside him. He had found her completely infuriating to begin with, but now she gave him almost a sense of peace. It was unbelievable how quickly it could switch, he thought.

When everything was settled, Georgia turned to Gavin, smiling, and soon they were led down a long hallway. Georgia had to wait outside as Gavin entered a room with a trainer who was going to help rebuild his muscle mass in his legs. It would take some time before he got to even try standing again, but this was the first step forward.

Georgia couldn't help but tap a finger against her arm as she waited. Not because she felt impatient, but anxious. Gavin could be rather cold and unwelcoming because of what he had been through. She was almost scared to sit outside the room if Gavin perhaps scared off the trainer. She smiled a little at her own thought. She knew he could be awful sometimes, but he had sweet sides to him as well. She just hoped his sweeter side conquered his bad one, and he wouldn't make too many awful remarks.

Time seemed to move faster than she expected, and when Gavin came out again, he did seem rather exhausted. Sometimes simply trying to overcome your demons was a harsh challenge in itself and could leave you completely drained, so Georgia understood the look on his face. However, as the trainer told her, it all went very well, and Gavin had accepted a second meeting.

"Thank you so much," Georgia said as they left the building, Gavin once again remaining quiet. "How was it?"

She looked nervously down at him, his clothes now a bit messy. He seemed to enjoy keeping such things in order. It was interesting seeing him like that.