The Climber (Camren)

Chapter 4

"Come on Laur, try one more." Normani encouraged with seemingly kindness, but we both knew that principally there was no such thing as a choice. All there was, was a demand for me to lift the weights once more, even if it meant I would feel absolutely broken afterwards. But, I'd experienced enough similar situation with Normani to know that neither tears, complaints or pretending to die were going to benefit me so I pressed my eyes shut and clenched my jaw, intentionally forcing my legs upwards to work the training device one final time.

"Well done." Normani smiled when the weights laid still again. My legs trembling with soreness and I let myself fall to the floor on my stomach, an unsatisfied growl escaping through my lips. Never in my life had I experienced being more exhausted after a work out, though I'd listened to my mind telling me that every single time I'd been done with an appointment with her. My heart was thumping rapidly, causing my chest to quiver against the floor.

Normani chuckled and threw a towel at me. She dropped down beside me on the floor while I wiped away the sweat that escalated from my forehead down my temples. Normani was stunning where she sat with her tanned skin and dark hair falling down her shoulders. She stared down at me, flashing me a broad grin, apparently satisfied about the worn-out state she'd successfully put me in.

"You did great today," She commended and handed me the water bottle, which I took a heavy sip of, enjoying the coldness down my overheated throat.

"Mmm, I never thought I would love water, but you, Normani Kordei, are making me into a changed woman. Literally." I joked and pointed to my legs, that quite frankly didn't look as fragile anymore, certainly not like they did when I woke up from the coma. Now you could almost discern tiny shadings of the muscle structure and not the skinny, pale legs that had been there until recently.

"Nah. All the progress you've made, all the effort you put into it...it's just starting to show of results. It got nothing to do with me." She smiled timidly and her eyes were fixated on the window across the room. I'd learned from my daily meetings with her that Normani was a very humble person, never taking credit for anything, especially not when it came to her work. Once she'd mentioned that she wasn't doing anything special, it was simply her job to help others, but I couldn't help but notice the special bond she shared with her patients. Not only with me, but with everyone she so kindly took care of. And if she wouldn't admit her success I felt a need to remind her.

"That's wrong." I shot in, feeling like I should be more grateful, after all. It wasn't a secret that without Normani I'd probably still be in that pathetic wheelchair, lost of hope of a worthy recovery. "Hell, before you came along a bathroom trip was hard climbing Mount Everest." I made a face to emphasize the joking banner. "I mean, I don't know where I'd be today if you hadn't forced me to embarrass myself the first day...wait...speaking of the first day. You let me fall on purpose!" I accused teasingly, followed by a suitable pout at the memory of my face glued to the blue mat.

"That's unfair!" She uttered after being listening in silence the entire time. She simultaneously moved her arms up in the air. "I was doing you a favor. You sat in that chair as if your world had crashed and burned, when all you had to do was to find a way to restore it. And you did. But like I said, it would cost some serious pain."

I nodded appreciatively, "You were right about one thing thought, it was worth it in the end."

She smiled proudly and a calm silence settled between us. It was good to only take in the moment. I was going home, more importantly I was returning in one piece with a virtually functional body and that was without doubt due to this woman.

"Hey Lauren?" Normani asked and I turned to look directly at her. We'd spent so much time together that we'd developed a sort of friendship and her calling me by my whole name was definitely something to notice.