ANEW AWAKENING

chapter thirteen

"Jan held the bar of the wheelchair and stood up he was shaking but Johanna was right there to support him,
"Does it hurt?" She asked
Jan gave a smile, "not more than sitting there with no hope" he turned around and look at the empty wheelchair he was just sitting, although he wasn't walking and it is taking some time but he's moving his legs he could hold on and move around but on his own he can't do those things yet still he has come a long way from two years hopeless he was but today he's a hundred percent sure of getting off the wheelchair,
The hour of session this morning was on the run machine, Johanna help him there for a while she held him up while the machine move beneath their feet Jan felt glad Johanna was standing behind him,
Johanna left him on his own for some time he was struggling to stay up although the thing was just slowly going,
Julia came in the gym with Barry behind her on seeing him Julia responded with a smile,
"Is he ready for that?" Barry spoke and distracted Jan who's knees sank into the machine
"You alright brother?" Barry asked running to him,
"Leave him" Johanna held him back,
"Won't he hurt himself?" Barry asked
"He's find" Johanna told him, "Aren't you Jan?" She asked
Jan felt a pain in his hip line as if he couldn't go on but he gave Johanna the preference, "I'm good" he said
"That's it now get up a little more run and you can rest out today, ok Jan" Johanna said
Her soft sweet voice gave Jan the strength he needed as he pushed to stand up
Julia and Barry look at Johanna who watches Jan as he did,
After ten more minutes she went to him "That's it for today" she stop the machine and held him to her side as he slowly move one leg after another, Julia covered her mouth and a small tear fall though her son wasn't walking on his own seeing him trying this hard now was a blessing for back then they didn't think he would even help himself off the wheelchair Johanna help Jan in to the living room, "bring the wheelchair" she said and Barry pushed it out she let him on to the sofa to sit stretched his feet and sat next to him, "Where does it hurt?" She asked
Jan rub down his thighs then make a face,
"Good you're supposed to feel that when that pain disappear you'll be walking again" she ruffled his hair and smile at him, "May will help you to freshen up"
Jan nod Johanna got up and call may to see to jan she too went and freshen up. After a while she came out her room jan was back on the sofa, he noticed Johanna's attire she was dressed up "Well sir since we have no session for today is it ok to go out?" Johanna asked jan,
"You're going out?" Jan asked turning his feet off the sofa to rest them on the ground, the swiftness of his movement causes pain, he gritted his teeth
"You alright?" Barry asked Julia rush to his side
"He's ok" Johanna said
"I'm fine" Jan said
As he and Johanna said together
Johanna was surprised that he asked straight out where she was going
"I'm just hoping to do a little Christmas shopping" Johanna told him.
"You already shop for Christmas" Jan said
"Jan if you know me well a little Christmas shopping isn't shopping for Christmas, I won't be long" Johanna said
Jan turned his eyes up,
Julia and Barry look at him,
"You should have breakfast and relax" she gave him her book, "Do some reading"
Jan took the book and smile at her Julia didn't miss the look in his eyes
"I should go get your breakfast and get your dad from the pool I wonder if it had swollen him up, he's been there so long" Julia said Making them laugh
Barry left when his mother did giving them space,
"Who you meeting?" Jan asked
Johanna shook her head, she was meeting no one she was just going to shop like she love to every Chrisman she lean over and kisses him the sound of the door make her ease back
"Hey jan" Gary called from the doorway
"Oh good Gary his here you can talk to him" Johanna said
Jan turn to look at the door Gary called again
"I'm coming" Johanna said as she was going to the door Barry, Timothy and Julia came back in the livingroom they came thinking Johanna had left and because Jan wasn't able to walk to the door,
Gary walked in to the living room smiling, "Jan!" He explained on seeing him on the couch without his wheelchair,
"I'm surprise to see you like this" he held up his hands "well I'm not surprised no, no I'm applauded that you're sitting like this without your wheelchair, God is good your therapist is working" he laughed
"What you doing here so early I haven't even eaten breakfast as yet" Jan said with a smile
Gary look at the time "Such a shame with so many people in the house" Gary said
"Very much so I'm going to serve it now, right now" Julia said going off they all laugh,
"I'll be back" Johanna said
"Ok" Barry, Timothy and Gary said
Jan look up at her watch as she turn and walk away, he pulled closer to Jan "Where is she going?" Gary question in a whispered
"How would I know that?" Jan hissed
Gary laugh
How comes you're here though you wouldn't come before Christmas" Jan said
"You know I'm going to check in on you" Gary said
"I'm alright" Jan said
"As I can see" Gary smile
Jan smile back he was brought breakfast and while talking to Gary he ate,
Johanna tries to hurry back much as she took her time to get through her shopping she needed a few more gifts and she got herself a dress for she believed that she like it she got Jan a nice suit and a Santa's hat with plenty of elf hats for who needed one, she doesn't have a clue of how many people will be there, her family will be there her mom and dad her two brothers their women and of crouse the two children, if Celeste decides to show up it is going to be her man and son with her she havent gotten back to her and she think of calling on getting back to Jan's place, Johanna knew that Lauren will be coming tomorrow, and Tony and Keisha will be at dinner she know they mentioned that the masons family are coming she wasn't sure how many people made up the masons family, she didn't bother to try and calculate she just grabbed a couple of them and toss in her trolley, she saw a fine Rolex watch and decided to buy it for jan a early Christmas present after cashing she went back to the villa,
Jan was left alone for a while for Gary had gotten a phone call and went out to take it, and his brother before went to talk to Lauren both his parents were doing time together and may and miss Maclean make themselves busy he had spoken to Celeste since he took her number only once and decided to call her he was hoping to invite her to the dinner party as well, he called her up and chatted with her a little before telling her and inviting her to come,
Celeste didn't mention Johanna inviting her and simple accept, Gary walk back in the livingroom and Jan said goodbye to Celeste,
Gary sat and Jan look is way "Everything alright?" He asked
"Yeah, yeah yes everything is fine" Gary said
Jan nodded and smile, he came to remember that Johanna had gone out a long time and it was evening now and she has not returned, she isn't with Celeste for she's at work, it makes him think what if she was seeing doctor kane, levi as she called him, he felt as if getting impatient and wanted to know what she's out doing and who she's with, he wonder if he should call doctor kane but how would he explain why he called up now and he wasn't making any appointment,
"Are you two thirsty?" Julia asked coming into the living room her husband behind her and Barry came shortly
"I am how about some cool grape juice" he said
"How about some cool grape juice for everyone?" Julia said they all agree she went and get it and they sat together in the livingroom,
"She's taking awfully long" Jan said looking on his wrist for the time forgotten he wasn't wearing a watch it's a long time since he wear a watch for he didn't need to keep watch of the time he didn't have anywhere going, the clock on his bedside table tells him what time it is to meet for his sessions if he's in the livingroom there's a clock on the wall he remember and look up at it,
Barry look at him then at their parents and to Gary who smile "Who Johanna? I'm sure she'll be here soon" He said
"So much for not staying long" Jan grumbled
Gary and Barry smile but neither said nothing,
"I'm sure she's just caught up in the festivities" Julia said as she got up to fix dinner
"Who shop for a whole day?" Jan hissed
Timothy smile,
Johanna pulled in the drive way quarter passed five
On hearing the car Jan sat up right he was starting to
think that she wouldn't come back today,
She came through the door and he caught her eyes and gave a smile,
Gary look from her to Jan,
"So much for not staying long" Jan said
Johanna smile "I got carried away in the Christmas store, I didn't expect to be gone so long... myself"
"Men won't understand my dear they just pick off the shelfs and cash" Julia said on coming back out the kitchen,
"They won't understand" Johanna said she turn to go down the hall way to leave her bags,
Gary pat Jan's shoulder and he frowned
she came back and sat facing Jan "I got you a gift, well it's a early Christmas present" she extended the small bag to him he took it with a smile he didn't wait to open it up smiling on seeing the Christmas hat and a watch,
He look at Gary and widen his eyes he had earlier looked at his wrists forgetting he didn't wear one he used to have want to think he still does but was sure they has stopped working a long time a go,
"Thank you" he said putting it on his hand
"You're welcome, so how are you doing you feel rested?" Johanna questioned
Jan nodded though he didn't quite rest for his mind became cluster thinking about what she was doing he's starting to feel a little better now with her back, it sure felt ad if he's getting addicted,
"I'm going to say goodbye and Ilk see you on Saturday" Gary said
Johanna looked up and came to remember that Gary will be here that too with his wife Mel and the children Amy and Dugaune he didn't even think of levi since he was at Thanksgiving and who knows he might bring the lady, Johanna smile she remember what he told her about how their relationship started wondering if jan will become apart of her life after his sessions are over,
"See you then" Johanna said
"Ok miss kartwell" Gary said
"Call me" Jan said
They shook hand
Gary left when he bid them all goodbye Johanna moved over to the spot he was next to Jan he turn in order to face her,
"You like it, the watch?" Johanna asked
Jan look at the watch on his hand it wasn't lock on he just have it there, he nod, "Yes I like the watch" he said "but does a therapist get pay that well to have you shopping a entire day?" Jan asked
Johanna giggle aloud "Jan thats very funny, maybe I'm doing other jobs on the side, probably what kept me that long"
Barry and Timothy smile as they look at them,
"I worked with an agency but recently I decided to take on a single job so the agency paid me off so I got enough to spare" Johanna said
"Doesn't being attached to an agency paid better?" Barry intervene
"I guess it does I've been with the same for eight years" she said
Jan wonder how she just left after so long but didn't question,
"What make you quit?" Barry asked
Johanna look at him but didn't answer,
Barry held his hand up and got up leaving them a lone,
Dinner was serve and they got together to eat,
"I've invited someone to dinner" Jan said pausing everyone
"Why didn't you say something earlier?" Julia said getting up to get another plate,
"No mom not for today" Jan said
"Not for today why didn't you say so, that it's jot for today" Julia said
"You didn't let me finish" Jan said
"Ok" Julia said
"It's for Saturday" Jan said
They look at him in wonder
"It's an old friend, from school" Jan said
Johanna wonder who that could be,
"I've invited Celeste" he said to Johanna
"Oh Celeste" Johanna nod and smile, she didn't know that she gotten an official invitation after she had told her about it, she wonder when he had called her, she plan on calling her soon after dinner,
Johanna was the first to excuse herself when dinner ended and head down to the hall way to the bedroom she stayed, just as she took up her phone to call Celeste she realized she missed three calls from her she call her back Celeste open the line and before saying hello she blurted out "Jan had invited me to dinner party"
"So I heard he mentioned it earlier at dinner I was wondering why you didn't tell me" Johanna said
"He only called me earlier" Celeste said
Johanna figure it must be when she wasn't here, "have you made up your mind to come?" Johanna asked
"I've made up my mind since you told me" Celeste said
They both grin,
They talk for a while before saying goodbye, Johanna took a shower freshen up and went back our the others were gathered in the living room watching a movie and joined them, Jan eyes became focused on her watching more of her and less of the movie, it was finish when Barry got up "I have to go to the airport in the morning" he said
"Goodnight" they all told him,
Julia went off as well and soon Timothy followed
Johanna pulled close to jan they were alone now for may and miss Maclean went to bed before now,
Jan rest his head on her shoulder and she hug it they grin at each other,
"I'll make love to you" Johanna whispered
Jan looked at her and smile, "only if you can walk for it"
Jan frowned
"I'll challenge you" Johanna said as she got up Jan force himself to stand feeling all his muscles in his thighs aches he cringed
Johanna move towards him and he held his hand up to stop her, she remained where she was and wait for him with pain he made it to her she hug him and smile, she hug him at the waist and they slowly made it to his bedroom to lay together in bed, they played a little love game before calling it a night, They lay with each other they had a hour of therapy in the morning have breakfast, later went down to the park for Julia and Timothy went shopping Barry went to get Lauren and may and miss Maclean were busy in the house, by doing so they won't be caught in the way,
Jan lay on the grass relax his head with out stretch legs he lay looking up in the sky, feeling at ease, it's been a while since he felt this great relaxation and peace a sense of hope fill him deeply,
Johanna got closer to him resting her head in the crock of his arm, "I could lay here all day" she murmured
Jan smile he too could for knowing she will be laying next to him he could forever,
"Don't you feel it Jan, don't you feel that sense of peace?"Jan giggle,
"It's hard to even explain what I'm feeling right now" jan said he turn an face Johanna both caught in emotion as he leaned over and softly kisses her,
Lauren look at the empty wheelchair then to Barry with questioning eyes,
"He's using it a little lesser these days" Barry informed
"Ohh yeah really, that's great" she laughed excitingly
"He's coming on" Timothy said
"He's much better for two years a go he didn't have the belief he would walk he was even effortless to even try" Julia said
"Honey he wasn't the only one who didn't believe" Timothy said
"Yes mom we all didn't think he would I felt he would go broke trying to walk and it wasn't possible" Barry said
Julia shrugged
"I'm glad that this therapist didn't gave up ad the others I only see this wheelchair empty when it's Jan bed time Lauren said making them laugh
"Where did they go by theway?" Lauren asked
"Miss Maclean, May" Julia called
Both came from the kitchen
"Did Johanna took jan out?" Julia asked
"They went to the park for sometime now mam" may said
"You think I should go check for them?" Barry asked
The door push open and Johanna walked in leading Jan as he held her shoulder they both walk slowly in,
Every one were back when they returned they all look at them Lauren with a grin as she come to up Jan he couldn't stand that long on his own so after a quick hug Lauren help Jim to the sofa,
"But be feeling real good" Lauren giggle
Jan smile he nod
"Does it hurts?" She asked
"Not that much it's getting better every day" Jan said
"Yeah I van see that" she smile at Johanna "I'm glad you decided not to give up"
Johanna wouldn't give up on Jan she had spent all those years in high school wanting him thinking about him now that she's this close to him she have no intention of giving up,
"Miss Maclean should I prepare dinner or will you?" Julia asked
"Can we some how go out and have dinner?" Jan suggested
Lauren ease back to have a good look at him,
Julia stood still
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea" Timothy agrees
"Can you afford it?" Barry tease
Jan smile "I can give it a try" Jan said
They smile,
Jan was able to afford anything he want because he had made some good money throughout the years of cycling billion of dollars he had made even now he's living off the years he spent doing so, he had spent a lot but he had saved so much more so he's still able to live a luxurious life and care for himself the business his parents ran kept growing so financially he's well comfortable,
"What a way to celebrate the Christmas season i have to go seek something to wear" Johanna said turning to go to her room they all look at each other and smile.
Jan haven't gone out to dinner in two years a week before his accident she went out with Gloria and he is looking forward to tonight's dinner and tonight he'll have Johanna next to him.