Chasing Lights

chapter 20

Sunday, December 19th 2010

"Ready to go?" Leroy said as he looked at Rachel who was still lying in bed.

"I'm ready." Rachel said with a huge smile.

Rachel was smiling all day. Today she was finally going home. The doctors were very happy with her progress and said she could leave. Rachel had to go back every week for a check-up. Shelby and a nurse helped Rachel get dressed. Rachel was wearing a yellow top and grey tracksuit bottoms. Shelby was with the nurse going over all the medicine Rachel had to take. Leroy was getting Rachel's things ready while Hiram was putting Rachel's suitcases into Shelby's car. Leroy gave Rachel her jacket and Rachel put it on.

"C'mon princess." Leroy said as he lifted Rachel out of the bed and put her in the wheelchair. "You okay?"

Rachel nodded. "I'm fine."

Leroy kissed Rachel's forehead. "Remember baby, If your not happy with Shelby just call and you can come home."

"I'll be fine, daddy." Rachel said.

Shelby walked in, carrying a bag with Rachel's medicine. "You ready to go?"

Rachel smiled and nodded. Leroy pushed the wheelchair out of the hospital-room. They went to the main entrance where Hiram was waiting for them. Rachel said goodbye to her doctor and they went outside.

"Remember Shelby, Rachel is a vegan so she won't eat anything with meat in it." Hiram said.

"I'm a vegetarian, Hiram." Shelby said. "You don't have to worry."

"Thank you, Shelby." Hiram said. He went over to Rachel and pulled her in for a tight hug. "Remember Rachel, If you need anything just call us."

Rachel kissed Hiram on the cheek. "I promise I will."

Leroy lifted Rachel out of her wheelchair and held her close as he carried her to Shelby's car. He put her in the passenger seat and put her seatbelt on. While Hiram folded Rachel's wheelchair and put it in the back of Shelby's car.

Leroy leaned in and gave Rachel a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Princess."

"I love you too, daddy." Rachel said.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said. Rachel nodded.

Leroy closed the car door and went over to Shelby and Hiram.

"Thank you, Shelby." Leroy said.

"No problem at all." Shelby said. "So you two are coming over at four o'clock tomorrow?"

The men nodded.

"Is that okay?" Hiram asked.

Shelby nodded. "Perfect. I'll see you then."

Shelby got into the driver seat. Hiram and Leroy watched Shelby's car drive away.

"I just have to collect Beth from day-care then we can go home." Shelby said.

Rachel nodded. "That's fine."

"You know my friend is a designer." Shelby said. "I was thinking about asking her if she could get you some clothes that will be more easy to put on with your casts. Would you like that?"

"That would be great. Getting dressed is a nightmare with the casts. It took about 15 minutes to put these on." Rachel said as she pulled at her grey tracksuit bottoms.

They stopped at the day-care centre and Shelby got her bag. "I'll be back in a minute."

Rachel quickly grabbed Shelby's hand. "Shelby, I don't want to be left alone."