Maybe One Day

12: Secrets Revealed

"So, my surgery is today," Isaac says next to me.

"Are you nervous?"

"Nah, it'll be fine. Right?"

"You'll be fine. How are you feeling today?"

"Worse than yesterday," he answers.

"That's always your response."

"It's true."

As I continually got better, Isaac continued to get worse. He couldn't eat much without throwing it back up, and he had basically stopped walking entirely. He was always hunched over and slept most of the day. I kind of felt sorry for him, because he was telling me about his high school before he got sick.

"Captain of the swim team?" I repeat, impressed.

"Yea, went to states freshman year of high school. I love it, but I haven't swum since March."

"Swum? Is that a word?"

"Swam? I don't know, who cares? Anyway, I was on track to go to nationals this year but, this is kind of a set back." he shrugs.

"Have you tried swimming since then?"

"No. I'd need a trainer and I really don't like a forty year old guy touching me when I'm not wearing a shirt."

So apparently he was a very intelligent and athletic student at Drexel University. I kinda admire Isaac, in a way I can't really describe. He has a horrible thing inside him, and yet he's very friendly and talkative. If I had a tumor, nobody would be allowed to come near me. I would live alone until it was gone.

Later that day, a doctor came in to see me. "Olivia," he says cautiously. "We're going to try to take the braces off. Are you okay with that?"

A little nervous, I reply, "Yea, that's fine."

He and two other nurses slowly and gently take off first the neck brace and then the back brace. I tenderly reach up and touch the back of my neck. It's been a long time since it's felt so...exposed.

"Can you look this way, without turning your shoulders?" the doctor to my right asks. I slowly turn my head toward him. "How does that feel?"

"Okay." There isn't any pain, but something still feels funny.

"Perfect. Take it easy, move around a little bit, but only what feels comfortable. We'll start you on water therapy sometime this week." He recites, writing on his clipboard.

"Water therapy? You mean drills in the water?"

"Yes. You can swim, correct?" He glances up from his clipboard.

"Yea, but am I gonna have a personal trainer or something?"

"Yes." Now he looks irritated, like we've wasted too much of his time already.

"But- I can't even feel my legs yet!" I protest.

"Have you tried?"

"Well, no but I-"

"Wiggle your toes," he instructs.

I wiggle my toes and stare at them. And they move!

"Can you bend your knees?" he asks, bored.

I try, and they bend slightly before falling again. "I can feel my legs!" I cry.

"That's what I thought. Now, today's what, Monday?" The nurses bob their heads in unison. "You'll start water therapy tomorrow. Any other questions?"

I shake my head and he walks out, the nurses right at his feet.

I look at Isaac, who's smirking. "Water therapy. It's gonna suck."