A Collection of Short Stories

The Amputee

White. Everything was white. The walls, floors, even the uncomfortable plastic chair I was sitting in.

¨Cassidy Jones,¨ the receptionist called with a bored expression. I glanced up, and saw Dr. Gage waiting for me. She smiled, and motion for me to follow her into office. Walking down the hall, I noticed some of the posters on the walls. I think they were meant to give some sort of support, but to me they were just a waste of paper. Dr. Gage opened the door to her office and going inside. I sat down in another chair, not saying anything.

¨Now, where did we leave off?" Dr. Gage asked pulling out a notepad.

¨With the crash," I mumbled, wrapping a strand of my brown hair around my finger.  “Could I just write it down this time?”

“Sure whatever feels right.” Dr. Gage said, handing me some paper and a pencil. As she went to go sit in her desk, I started writing.

“‘Cassidy did you empty the dishwasher before we left?’ my mom asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. I shook my head, I had meant to but procrastinating got in the way.

‘This is the third time this week!’ she yelled slamming her hands on the steering wheel. I flinched, it was never good when she got mad. ‘You have a responsibility in this household, but you never seem to hold up your end, do you?’

‘I’m sorry mom, I won't do it again!’ I said, leaning towards her. She opened her mouth to say something else, but the on coming truck stopped her mid sentence. We were so caught up in our fight, my mom had turned into the other lane. It happened in slow motion, her flying into the windshield, me slamming my head against the roof of the car. Our car rolling over and over. I felt the pain in my legs, but all I noticed was I the shards of glass flying everywhere. The last thing, before everything turned black was my mother’s motionless body hanging over the dashboard.”

Dr. Gage nodded, and handed me a tissue. I didn’t even realize I was crying.

“Are you going to be okay?” she asked, I nodded and proceed to explain how things had been going.

"Here," I said handed her the paper. "I can tell the rest."

Dr. Gage nodded, grabbing her notepad again.

“As you know I live with my aunt because my mom had suffered severe brain damage and died.” she nodded and I continued. “In the crash the car rolled, and crash into more cars. My leg was destroyed so bad the had to amputate it. I go to Princeton High, this school is full of bottle head blonds, and dimwitted jocks. No one talks to me, and people are always giving looks. They look like they want to ask what happened, but they’re to afraid to be seen talking to the new girl with one leg. Some just laugh, and whisper as I limp by. Living with one leg is hard, but going to this school is even harder.”

I sighed, looking out the window. That was the first time I had ever stressed my feelings to someone. The only other person who knew was my Aunt Charlotte. But that didn’t count because she had to know, it was her sister who died. Though I didn’t like this school, Aunt Charlotte couldn’t afford to have me transfer.

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” Dr. Gage asked pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah,” I said. “There’s tryouts for the track team on Tuesday, and I think I might go for it.” This was the one thing I was looking forward too, but the look on Dr. Gage’s face made me rethink it.

“Are you sure?” she asked, looking skeptical. “You haven’t been in physical therapy for that long.”

“I know,” I said, ignoring the frown that was plastered on her face. “But Sandra said things were going really well, and now I can get around on my own.” She still looked worried, but didn’t push it any further.

The following Tuesday, I tried out for the track team.

“Hi Coach Johnson!” I waved.

“Cassidy, what brings you to the track field?” she asked, looking confused.

“To try out,” I said grinning. Coach had the same look as Dr. Gage had.

“Are you sure?” she asked. I nodded. Coach blew her whistle, and called everyone over.  I got many strange looks from other kids. I just ignored them, it wasn’t there business as to why I was here. I was here to prove a point. A point that even with one less leg, I can tryout just like everyone else. With that in mind, I followed the group the hurdles.

I didn’t make the team, but that doesn’t matter. After tryouts this girl; who I’ve never seen before came up to me. At first I thought she was going to insult me, but then she said.

“You know, that was really brave of you,” she said, smiling. “My name’s Jamie.”

“Cassidy,” I said, grinning. I heard a car beeping behind us.

“That’s my mom,” Jamie said. “See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Bye.” I don’t know what just happened, but I think I just made a friend.