Bitter Treats (BxB Romance, In Progress)

32: Bitter Winds

"Here we go," Shruti announced from behind Tyler when the sliding doors opened for them, allowing them passage to the outside world. Birdsong, temperate winds, and hope filled the air.

The early spring sun tawed Tyler's pale skin and unruly winds tousled his curls. He squinted while his retinas accustomed to the brightness of this whole new world. After suffering the indignance of getting lifted into the wheelchair by a muscled attendant--who Tyler totally took a moment to check out afterward--he was finally, a month after he arrived, leaving the hospital ward, assisted by Shruti. A blanket lay across his lap and a hoodie was draped over his shoulders to protect him from the elements of the outdoors.

The change of scenery already nourished his impression-starved brain. Scattered piles of snow adorned the green-brown grass, making it appear like a map of the known world. A circular footpath led around the lawn, lined with park benches and trash cans, and in the middle was a playground, complete with swings, a see-saw, and a long slide. Tyler took in the ordinary sights like he'd never seen anything so amazing. And there were people! Humans who weren't doctors, nurses, or his aunt. Some of them were walking, while others were, just like him, using wheelchairs.

Anxiously, Tyler peered at them: fellow patients, their relatives, and some nurses. Were they looking at his leg? Were they pitying him? He'd made sure to drape the blanket so the amputation wouldn't be so obvious, but it was probably still quite obvious that there was no foot resting on the left footholds.

But no one seemed to pay particular attention to him. Everyone was wrapped up in their own conversations and thoughts. Tyler supposed that since they were at a hospital, most people had more pressing matters to concern themselves with than to pity fellow patients. It wasn't like he was trying to figure out the exact reason for every other patient's stay there.

A few kids played on the lawn, reminding him of his sister, who was supposed to arrive soon. The sound of a ball being kicked ignited a desire to run, kick, and perform. Maybe one day, Tyler would be able to do those things again. Having received an email in reply that morning from Eric, the fellow amputee Shruti connected him with--who had apparently run a triathlon on his prosthetic leg just the week before--he'd started to believe that may be possible.

"Will this be good?" Shruti asked, stopping the wheelchair underneath a tree. A spotlight of sunshine peered through the budding greenery."We can wait here for your family to arrive."

"This is fine," Tyler replied, turning his face toward the warmth from above.

The sun rays brought with them a sense of renewal. Spring was when everything sprung alive, after months of being frozen in slumber. But now, birds chirped in symphony and snow melted into puddles, taking with it the remains of winter. Tyler filled his nostrils with the fragrance of grass, gravel, and wet leaves. So much better than antiseptic, rubber gloves, and bleach.

While waiting for his visitors, Tyler peered at a couple of chirping birds in one of the bushes. Tyler was far from an aviary expert but suspected they were robins, on account of their red chest. Donna always pointed out different kinds of birds to Emmie, who was fascinated by all creatures big and small, when they came to feed at the bird table in the winter and Tyler had picked up a few facts as well.

Two sweet robin birds in the budding spring, frolicking in each other's company. The birds jumped up and down between the branches and the ground, perhaps looking for food, or they were just playing, free and jolly in the sun.

"Tyyyyyy!" A joyful shriek cut through the courtyard, scaring the shy robins away. From the entrance, a small girl with bouncing braids came careening, having freed herself from the hold of her guardians upon seeing her brother. That Tyler was in a wheelchair, and covered in various casts and bandages, seemed to be of no concern to Emmie.