Fragile Hearts

2: Home Away From Home

I reach the gym without incident. I'm looking forward to water aerobics with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Before the accident I loved to swim. I'm relieved when the teacher says we won't get in the water today. For the next hour I listen to the monotone voice of Mrs. Metcalf as she outlines safety precautions and the semester's activities.

I leave the gym and easily locate Building G following Tyce's instructions. The teacher is nice, just like he said, but it doesn't change how much I hate the class. Speaking in front of people is something I can't do. I'm going to flunk this class.

After we're dismissed, I'm emotionally exhausted. I push the joystick on my wheelchair, which is actually a top-of-the-line, lightweight, Smart Chair that my parents spared no expense for, and propel it as fast as it will go toward my dorm. I'm on the ground floor in rooms specially designed for physically challenged students. I still can't believe my parents are making me live on campus. Our home isn't that far away, and I thought I'd attend college via the internet, like I did high school.

But then again, maybe I'm not surprised by my parents' decision. A couple of years ago they told me I needed to become independent of them. They made me get a driver's license after they had the family van converted so I could drive it. I fought them tooth and nail not to get the license, but they wouldn't back down. They said they won't always be around for me.

After I got my license, I was glad. Once, however, I deviated from my usual route to the grocery store and ended up on a country road. It was in the spring and the desert was blooming. For a time I just enjoyed how pretty everything was, but then I had to pull over because of panic. The terrain had changed to farm land and the road suddenly reminded me of the one the accident had happened on. After that, I never deviated from my route again.

I'm relieved when I reach the entrance to my dorm. I just want to disappear inside. I'm lucky because I don't have a roommate. The counselor told me I might have to share the room if another physically challenged girl enrolls and lives on campus. So far, there's only me and three other girls. We each have our own room. The opposite side of the dorm is for boys with challenges and there are six students there.

I unlock my door and wheel inside. My cell phone vibrates and I reach in my pocket. It's my mom.

She always sounds cheerful. "Hi, honey. How was your big day?"

"It was...long." I don't want to worry her, so I say, "But I made it through and even met a girl in my psych class who might become a friend."

I can hear the excitement in my mother's voice. "Oh, Morgan, that makes me so happy. What's her name?"

I laugh and then tell her about Lucy Arnez. I don't mention Tyce Brandon because I'll probably never talk to him again.

My mom wants to chat my ear off. She's only on the other side of town, maybe fifteen miles, but it seems like thousands. I hope I can adjust to being on my own. I know my parents are doing what's best for me, but I still hate it.

Finally, I crash on my bed.