The Beginning and the Memory// 13RW

13 Progress

I took a deep breath, gripping the arms of my wheelchair tightly. I closed my eyes, too nervous to move.
    "Come on, Emmalee, you can do it," Cara encouraged me, her voice eager.
      I exhaled through my nose once more, pushing myself up to my feet. I felt myself lose my balance and I gasped, grabbing onto Cara's shoulders for support.
      "Yes, yes, that's it!" She grinned when I opened my eyes.
      My heart beat uncontrollably, but I smiled and let out an airy laugh, realizing that I was standing.
      "That's it, sweetheart!"
      "Oh my god," I breathed, a tear slipping down my cheek, "I'm standing."
       "Alright," Cara stood carefully, raising her eyebrows, "now, let go of my shoulders."
      My eyes widened, "no...."
      "I'll be right here to catch you if you fall."
      I sighed, taking more deep breaths before slowly letting go of her shoulders. I was still standing.
      Everyone around us cheered.
      I tried to step forward unsuccessfully, falling into Cara's arms. I huffed, and she repeated the phrase that I had heard a thousand times.
     "Baby steps."

      "Mom, come here," I called from the living room, "I want to show you something."
       She walked into the room, drying her hands on a dish towel, "What is it, sweetie?"
       I took a deep breath, gripping the arms of my chair once again before pushing myself up and standing.
       She dropped the towel, her hands flying to her mouth before she screamed with happiness, pulling me into her arms.
      "Oh my god, my baby. My baby is standing again!"
       I laughed, "careful, mom, I can stand but I can't move an inch without falling over."
       She held me at arms length, brushing a strand of hair from my face with tears in her eyes.
     "You've come such a long way," she cried, "you are so so strong, and I love you so much."
      She helped me sit back down, and I hugged her once again.
      "I love you, too, mom."
    
      I lay in my bed, listening to the sound of the steady rainfall outside, a crash of lightening and boom of thunder here and there. Storms relaxed me, no matter how weird that may sound, but they really did. I loved laying in bed on a rainy day and just doing nothing but listen to the rain patter on the window.
      I looked over at the sound of my phone vibrating, seeing that it was Zach I picked it up, tapping the green call button.
     "Hello?"
      "Hey, Emm, how was therapy?" His voice was music to my ears.
       I smiled, "good, good. How was practice?"
       "Exhausting," he groaned, and I laughed.
      "I'm sorry, cutie. Maybe you should get some rest."
      "Nahh, I'd rather talk to you. I haven't heard your beautiful voice for six hours."
     I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me.
     "Oh, hey, good news."
     "Yeah?"
     "Alex woke up."
      A huge weight lifted from my chest, and I sighed in relief, "thank god."
      "Yeah, would you want to skip school and go see him tomorrow?"
     "Of course," I nodded, "Will you pick me up?"
     "Yeah, Yeah, of course."
     "Okay, I'm gonna head to bed, though, and get some rest. I've had a pretty busy day."
     "Alright, goodnight Emm, sweet dreams. I love you."
     I bit my lip, "I love you, too."
     "Bye."
      I hung up, placing my phone onto the nightstand and switching my lamp off, pulling the comforter to my chin.

     "Zach is picking me up today," I told my mom the next morning, finishing off the Eggos on my plate.
    "Alright, sweetie," she nodded, "tell him I said hello."
    I nodded, "I will. Love you."
    "Love you too!"
    Zach was waiting for me, leaning against the passenger door of his car. He smiled when he saw me come out the door, opening the door and hurrying to my side.
     "Good morning, sunshine," he laughed, kissing my cheek.
    "Good morning," I smiled, "dork."
     He pretended to be offended before he laughed and lifted me into the car, shutting the door while being careful not to hit me with it.
    "I can't wait to hear his voice again," Zach told me, "I'm never going to leave his side when he gets out of the hospital. I'll help him with therapy, everything. I can't believe I left him alone for him to do that to himself."
     I shook my head, "don't blame yourself, Zach, it doesn't help. Just be grateful that he didn't succeed and that he's still here."
    He paused for a moment before saying, "yeah, I know. You're right."
     
     Zach wheeled me into Alex's room, Jessica already being there laughing and smiling with him. I smiled at the smiles on their faces, I hadn't seen such genuine smiles in so long it was a relief to know that they were still capable of them.
     "Hey, look who's awake!" Zach laughed, grabbing Alex's hand and squeezing it before returning to my side.
    "It's good to see that you're okay, Alex," I nodded, reaching out to him. He smiled, gently grabbing my hand.
     "I feel like shit," Alex muttered, "but I'm glad I'm alive."