Dream On

Chapter 15

I have the other operation and now there's more cast to me than there is girl. I'm a mess. I spend most of my time in the hospital staring out the window and thinking of all the happy times I used to know. I don't cry though. The tears that I thought would come by the bucket full, don't come at all.

After what seems like an eternity. I'm discharged. I'm casted up and in a wheelchair but at least I'm home. Mom makes me a little area on the couch since I can't get up the steps to my room. I lie there and take in the features of my home. The light brown walls, the family pictures, the knick-knacks on the shelves, the aroma of mom cooking supper in the kitchen. I never realized how much I missed home. I doze off and on until supper.

It takes some shifting around because I usually sit in the corner but we make it work. Mom made my favorite, spaghetti. It tastes so much better than the food at the hospital. After supper I take what would be a shower but all I really do I wipe myself down with a wet cloth. That's all I can do with all the bandages. I fall asleep on the couch and realize. Tomorrow is the last day before school. I'm a mess. How can I walk-- or roll into school like this? I can't. I can't do this anymore. I break down. Finally the tears come. And come. And come. On and on in till Mom finally asks what's wrong.

"What am I supposed to do? I can't go back into school like this. I can't." I figured shed ask why but she just takes a minute to th I k and the looks me in the eyes with a hand on my cheek.

"Tell you what, how about we keep you home in till you can be out of the chair and on crutches? Would that be better?" I nod.

"Thank you Mom. I love you."

"I love you too baby now get some rest. I'll call the school tomorrow." I nod again and try to get comfortable on the couch. I eventually do fall asleep.