The Accident, the Reason, the Statement

July 14: 5:46 pm
What are they saying? Where am I? Why can't I move? What happened?

"She's awake."
"Tulip, you will be alright."
"Watch her heart rate."
"We need to get her blood pumping"

What happened? Why can't I feel my legs? NO!

"What's going on?" Mom!
"We are so sorry, Julie. There was nothing we could do."
"Will she walk again?"
"We don't know. We will put her in therapy but, that's the best we can do. I'm so sorry. We will tell Tulip when she starts to regain concuss."

Walk Again? Best we can do? Therapy?

"Tulip, Sweetie? Everything will be alright." Jen?
"Ya. What were they saying? I can't walk again?"
"We don't know. You fell off your house and hit you head and fractured your back. As far as I know, you are paralyzed from the waist down. We don't know if you will ride again?"

What? Paralyzed? We don't know if?

"How are you feeling? I got here as soon as I found out." says Jen.
"Ok. It's nice to see you. Is Mom ok?"
"Excuse me, ladys. It's nice to see you awake, Tulip. I'm Dr. Murray and I've been looking over you these few days. I'm sure you have heard that you are paralyzed from the waist down. This was caused by an equestrian accident. Soon after you fell, you passed out and went into a coma. And that brings us to today. Your mother has been informed and you are free to go tomorrow morning. You will have to live in a wheelchair. And I don't think I have to mention that there will be no horseback riding anymore. Due to you condition, if you were to fall again, you may not wake up again. Do you understand, Miss Granger?"
"Yes." I say.
"Great. Now get some rest. I'm sure you will want to see your friend tomorrow. He came by yesterday with his dad in tears. We called him 10 minutes ago. He will see you tomorrow."

Scott!

July 15: 9:24 am
"Are you ready to go?" says Jen.
"Ya. I'm ready to leave."
"Good. Your mom is bringing the car around. Do you mind if I walk with you?"
"No. Please do."

This wheelchair is so hard to manage. Will they mind?

"I know this is probably hard for you to get your head around but, I want to let you know that whenever you or your mom need help, call me. No matter what work I have."
"Thank you."
"No, I mean it. I know ever since your dad left, your mom has tried to get back on her feet. And now that you're in a wheelchair, I know you guys will need every piece of help you can get."
"Thanks, Jen. That means a lot."
"Anytime. I see your mom. Have a safe trip home."

How will they react? Will they treat me the same? This can't be forever. Can it?

12:48 pm
"How much farther do you think, Mom?"

Was I really in a coma for three days? I can't remember the way home.

"Well, I see a 'Welcome Home Tulip' sign in front of our house. Oh look, there's Scott, Daysha, and Mr. Johnson. How nice of them."

They did this. For me?

"Glad to have you home squirt." says Mr. Johnson.
"Oh my God, Tulip. You had me so worried, right Scott? I'm so glad your back!" says Daysha. "I brought fudge and, I know how much you love fudge."
"Here, let's help you get you settled in." say Mr. Johnson. "As you see, Scott and I build you a ramp. Hopefully, this will help you with getting in and out of your house."

That's all I get? He couldn't even look at me!

"Thank you so much, Tim. With the ramp and the surprise homecoming, I think this is exactly what Tulip needed." said Mom.
"No problem, Julie. Scott and Daysha were very happy to help with everything."
"Speaking of which, how was Scott after the hospital trip. Is he ok?"
"Quite the opposite, in fact. I don't know, to be honest. He has never acted that way about anyone. It was strange to me as well."

Strange? How strange?

"Anyway," says Mr. Johnson. " I brought you dinner for the next few nights."
"You didn't have to do that." says Mom
"Well it's the least Shirley and I could do. I think as soon as she is ready to come back to the ranch, she is welcome. But, I would give her some time. She can help me and Scott work in the office."
"I'm sure she would love it once she is ready. My number one priority now is to get her rest and, something to eat."
"Agreed. Well, we will get out of your skin now. Scott, Daysha, let's go."
"No. Do we have to?" wines Daysha.
"Sadly, we must. Let's go"
"Thanks for coming by" says Mom.

Why was he looking at me like that? What planet is his head on?

July 22: 2:16 pm
"Hey, kiddo. Glad to see ya. Scott's in the stable. I'm sure he will be happy to see ya?"
"Thank you, Mr. Johnson."

Why would he want to see me? He hasn't talked to me in a week!

"Hey. Your dad said you would be in here."
"Ya. So?"
"I thought we could talk. You been very distant la..."
"Maybe I have a reason."
"Are you ok? What's wrong?"
"Why haven't you called?"

His eyes are red. Scott?

"What are you talking about? I texted you everyday this pass week. Do you that being in this stupid chair makes my life easier? I was in a coma, Scott."

Why is he crying? Was it something I said?

"Why are you crying?"
"Maybe because I thought I would lose you. It's my fault you're in this chair. If only I came sooner. I can't even look at you because when I do, I think of the horrible mistake I made. I won't be able to forgive myself, you hear me! Never!"

Did he really feel responsible?

"I didn't know you felt that way."
"Are you kidding me? I couldn't live a day if I knew you weren't ok. What a jerk I am!"
"No, your not. You're the best friend I could could ever have. You're the one who got me riding, remember?"
"Ya."
"Now, come on. Dry up your tears. Let's get out of this smelly stable and, go see a movie."
"I would love it!"

Couldn't live a day? Without me?

July 26: 3:37 am
"Scott? Scott, where are you? Faith, calm down."
"I'm coming"
"Hurry"
"Tulip, hold on."
Faith, no. No. NO!!!!
"TULIP !!!"

July 26: 11:26 am

Was it really his fault? Will I ever ride again?

"Hey, Tulip. Daysha is here to take you to the ranch. Ready to go?"
"Ya. Thanks, Mom."
"No problem. Are you ok?"
"What if I never ride again. I mean, there are many programs for disabled people."

Oh, how I hate that word.

"I don't know. I'm going crazy?"

What look is she giving me? Oh.

October 14: 3:57

It's a reality. No, it can't be. Can it?

"Great Job, Tulip." says Mr. Johnson
"So proud of you, Sweetie" says Mom.
"Everyone is here. You're a huge deal." says Daysha.
"Go get them." says Scott.

Is he smiling at me? No. Phhff. He couldn't. Maybe?

"Thank you"

This is the moment I've been waiting for.

"I want to thank everyone for coming. Rides for Tulip is an organization to help kids with disabilities to enjoy what I once did, horseback riding. Not even 3 months ago, my horse bucked me and now I am paralyzed from the waist down. I hope this will help kids to gain confidence and to show them they are no different than anyone. This experience has for me. Thank you."

Ok. It's my turn. Scott, don't let me fall.

"I got you. You won't fall. Just keep your balance. Remember?"
"Ya. I do."

Yes. I do remember. This can't be real. Oh My God!!!!!

"I love you." he says.
" Ya, I know."