Important to me

Journey to hell

"What's this"? "Permission slip for Scotland" "I can go can't I"? "Of course luv it's just a surprise I didn't think you would be asking me yet it's come around fast". It was a couple of days later after school and Megan had surprised Gillian with a permission slip to go to Scotland to play in the school's tournament over the summer. She had finally plucked up the courage to ask her for her permission to go to Scotland. "This is it sis" smiled Megan to Cody. "Yeah" replied an unenthusiastic Cody."What is wrong with you"? It was around 6pm and Megan was confronting Cody upstairs about why she was so off with her. "I can't believe everything that's happening and you're just gonna do one and go to Scotland" said an angry Cody. "It's not like that" protested Megan "you know this has been planned for months and I won't be on my own because you're coming.""I'm not" admitted Cody. "What the hell you talking about"? Said a confused Megan. "I don't want to play football anymore" said Cody "I'm fed up of it.""You know what they said never give up" protested Megan. "I'm not giving up" explained Cody "it's got nothing to do with what happened at Man United this is by choice I've lost the love for the game I'm concentrating on school now""This is just the nerves talking" said Megan. "Trust me it's not" said Cody "this is me saying I've had enough.""You're being serious aren't you"? Admitted Megan "I can tell" "Yeah" said Cody "we are 15 soon it's not going to happen it was good while it lasted but now it's time to move on.""I can't move on" admitted Megan "I still want to play.""Maybe it's time you did move on" said Cody "I'm not being harsh but look at the way things are Max is leaving, Dad's all over the place there's Sam to think about if you go what sort of impact is it going to have on the family"? "I know" said an upset Megan "this isn't me being selfish this is me trying to do something with my life football is my passion Cody Mum is fine with me going I just can't turn this opportunity down." "Trust me I've been in her shoes before this is something she really wants, her school work has been great she's at that age now where she's maturing how can I say no to her?" Cody and Gillian were having a private conversation about Megan. "Maybe I was too harsh on her" admitted Cody."You were just doing what you thought was best" insisted Gillian "anyway are you sure about you're decision"? "Yeah" admitted Cody "my heart isn't with football anymore but part of me feels guilty for letting Megan go there alone" "Megan would go there on one leg if she could" said Gillian "don't feel like that she's buzzing I'm so happy for her ,yeah football has brought its highs and lows on this family the last few years but if it's what makes her happy then football it is." "I love you sis." "What's brought this on"?"Nothing can I not be proud of my own sister? You go to Scotland you smash it" after finishing chatting with her mum Cody had gone upstairs to see her sister to give her blessing. "Won't be any two footed lunges this time" laughed Megan trying to bring a sense of humour into the conversation. "Hey you lunge in for the ball" smiled Cody "just make sure you timing is right and the studs aren't up." Two months later "So I've got an Oxford University student and one is off to Scotland for three weeks looks like I've got a quiet house"! Things had changed dramatically in the last couple of months. Max had got his place at Oxford actually securing two As and an A star on his A Levels and Megan was packing ready for the football tournament. Cody meanwhile was using the summer to refresh. Her end of year 9 assessments had come back brilliant even getting 9's in some of her subjects, yeah her summer was going to be quiet but she was happy she didn't want to play football again she just wanted a break now ready for Year 10. Things had got better for Ben too and his family. Emily had completed her treatment and the doctors were now looking at other options like surgery. The tumour had shrunk massively and the treatment appeared to be working. It was far from over though but there was fresh hope for Ben, Grace, and Emily. The next couple of days were going to be crazy though. The whole family would be driving down to Oxford to bid Max farewell with even Ben coming. Ben and Gillian's friendship was still strong and you could see that. They wasn't getting back together but the fact they had remained friends was brilliant. After saying goodbye to Max 3 days later the family would be driving Megan down to Glasgow to bid her goodbye for the next three weeks. Megan would be returning though Max wouldn't be for a couple of months which was going to be so strange. They did argue but they were a pretty close family. The girls and Sam and Max all thought a lot of each other and would do anything for each other. "It feels so weird facetiming you and then having to ring home"! "How you doing you look shattered and are you sun burnt"? "Ha they say it's always cold here but it's actually really nice here we've just played game one we won 2-0" It was a couple of days later and Megan was facetiming Max from the lodge she was staying in. "Most importantly though how is the Oxford genius doing"? Smiled Megan. "Positive" smiled Max "we've had the big welcoming ceremony and our induction lectures are later this week the people are pretty sound too.""Well they're smart so of course they are" smiled Megan. "How's mum"? Asked Max changing the subject. "I haven't heard from her since yesterday I am going to ring her in a bit" said Megan "but you know she'll be alright have a good cry and that and then be fine afterwards she'll be happy for us even though she'll be sad at the same time". "Getting the hang of this aren't you"? "Look how much you've remembered" Meanwhile Cody sat with Sam at home helping him with a writing exercise. "His process speed is amazing" said Cody to Gillian "he's dead fast." "The way you are with him you're so lovely dead proud of you" smiled Gillian. "I love him he's my brother" insisted Cody."And he loves you too" said Gillian "I just wish he was more confident.""It will come though" said Cody "secondary school is where your true self develops" They were interrupted by the phone ringing. Gillian quickly went and answered it. She stayed silent and just listened. "What"? She suddenly said and all went silent again. "Get in the car" said Gillian walking over to Sam and Cody. "Mum what's going on"? Asked a worried Cody Gillian started to cry. "Megan's been injured" she sobbed "they said they think she's done her ACL and she's got injuries to her back and neck". "She went into a tackle and fell awkwardly but there were two players in front of her and she collided with them as she was falling she's ruptured her cruciate ligament and the scans are showing two broken bones in her back". It was a couple of hours later and a stunned Gillian had got to the hospital with Cody and Sam to hear the stunning news. "So she'll need surgery cruciate ligament are 6-9 months aren't they to recover"? Asked Gillian. "I don't like having to break this to you" said the doctor. "You're scaring me but I need to know" insisted Gillian. "She'll need surgery on the ligament and the back" said the doctor "ligament injuries are often career ending injuries but not so much in our days like you said 6-9 months recovery but it's the injury to her back I am concerned about there may be a chance not only of her football career being over but the ability to walk again being affected" "Can I see her"? Asked an upset Gillian. "Of course" said the doctor a horrified Gillian made her way into the ward to find her distressed daughter. To her surprise Megan didn't react when she seen her mum. "Luv" said Gillian. "That's it" replied Megan Gillian didn't respond. "Are you in pain? Asked Gillian. "No I'm all drugged up" responded Megan."What happened"? Asked Gillian. "It's all a blur" responded Megan "I remember sliding in and falling but that's it I didn't even feel it it's like I passed out" There was silence. "They've said I may not ever be able to walk again" said Megan. A stunned Gillian hesitated"They don't know that" she responded. "I said to Cody and she didn't mind if I seen you on my own to start off with" said Gillian changing the subject "but she will be coming to see you shortly she's so worried about you". "Yeah" replied a dull Megan "Mum tell her it's ok.""OK what"? Asked a confused Gillian. "I don't want to see her at the minute" insisted Megan. "But she's worried about you" protested Gillian. "Tell her from me there's no need to worry" snapped Megan."She's distressed on lots of drugs and snappy luv I think she just wants to be on her own she only wanted to see me I think because I'm her mum" meanwhile outside Gillian was explaining to an upset Cody why Megan didn't want to see her. "Max"! Gillian was shocked to see her son making his way towards them. "I got here as quickly as I could" said a distressed Max "it's weekend and that but even if it wasn't I'd be here what on earth is going on"? "It's bad" admitted Gillian "ruptured ACL and surgery required on back too her football career is pretty much over but it's the implications of the back injury which may have a worse lasting impact.""Can we see her"? Asked an upset Max."She doesn't want to see us" explained Gillian "she's in a pretty bad way emotionally too she'll come round but to be honest I don't think she wants any of us to see her in that state it's about her dignity she's a very proud girl" there was silence. "You're dad should be here soon" said Gillian "he's had to attend another hospital appointment with Emily." "He should be here" protested Cody "we're his first born we matter more than a daughter from a fling.""Cody"! Shouted Gillian "that's a terrible thing to say Emily's his daughter no matter what.""Mum why you defending him all of a sudden"? Snapped Cody "it really annoys me.""Because it's not all about me"! Shouted Gillian "for god's sake can you not see things are bad enough without you starting"? "I'm sorry" said an understanding Cody quickly calming down and backing off. "Surgery went well Megan is responding well in recovery" It was a couple of hours later and after surgery the doctor was providing an update. "So what next"? Asked Ben who had not long arrived. "Megan will require at least a year of physio and rehab" said the doctor "I would say with the success rate of the surgery Megan could be walking again within a year to 18 months small steps to start""So she's gonna need a wheelchair"? Asked a concerned Gillian. "Yes" replied the doctor. "She will walk again won't she"? Asked a concerned Ben."That is a strong possibility" said the doctor "but I do have to warn you with traumas like this there is no guarantee.""It's gonna destroy her either way" Said an upset Gillian "she won't be able to do any sport in school and what about her career?" "With recovery I think Megan will be allowed to take part in light running PE lessons at school, but in terms of playing intensive sport there is a danger she could repeat such an injury" said the doctor "but at this rate I do have to warn you she does face a long road to recovery" An emotional night followed. A distressed and lonely Megan refused to see anybody and sat the following night in hospital alone and completely broken. Not only had she had been rejected by a professional football team her whole world had now come crashing down on her but worse was to come. The next couple of weeks she would be coming home but she didn't want to see anyone. "Let's get you inside luv" It was around two weeks later and an emotional and powerless Gillian pushed Megan in her wheelchair into the house. "Cody go and get her a drink and I'll be in in a minute" said Gillian "Max I need to see you for a minute""You should be getting back to Oxford" said Gillian to Max. Max had delayed his return to Oxford so he could be there for the family. It had been hell with work and school starting again the family couldn't stay in Scotland so they were restricted to seeing Megan weekly and with regular phone calls. Max wanted to be a part of that traveling to Scotland and back to see his sister but with Megan now home he thought it was now even more important to be there for the family but it had concerned Gillian. "What now"? Asked a confused Max "look's what happened how can I go"?"You've got a place" protested Gillian "at one of the world's best universities you're going back.""Well there's a way around it" Insisted Max. "What"? Said a confused Gillian. "They know the situation" said Max "and they've said I can put off a year and be at home with you and they'll save my spot next year they call it personal circumstances.""Max you don't have to do that" said a caring Gillian "you've earned this you should be having the time of your life." "In a year's time everything could be ok" insisted Max "Megan could be well on the road to recovery.""I know she's not saying much at the moment but she wouldn't want you to do that" insisted Gillian "she cares about you if she knew you were staying for her she'd be gutted." "Mum if it's alright with you I'd like to stay" said Max "just a year my place is reserved it will have no effect on me but Megan needs everybody around her she says she doesn't but she does." "You are just lovely I'm so proud of you" said Gillian hugging him. There was silence the TV was on but hardly anyone was paying attention. It was just Cody and Megan sat in the room. Cody was heartbroken. She just didn't know what to say, she also felt guilty because she had left Megan to go to Scotland alone. "I'm sorry" Megan suddenly said. "What"? Said a confused Cody. "'I've been lashing out" said an emotional Megan "if you want the truth I've been blaming people.""Don't you ever apologise" said Cody who was now crying "I'm sorry." "What we gonna do ay"? Cried Megan. "It might not feel like that way now but in a year's time things could be so different" said Cody trying to stay positive. An emotional Gillian meanwhile was sat in the kitchen trying to process her thoughts. She'd been crying but was trying to cover it up. "Luv got that birthday party in a bit best start getting you ready" she said to Sam who had just walked into the kitchen. "I don't want to go" said a firm Sam. "I said this to Max everything has to be the same or it will make Megan even more unhappy" said Gillian. "Why do bad things happen to good people mum"? Asked a saddened Sam Gillian hesitated. "It's just life son I guess" she said gently "but not all good people suffer it's just at times it happens to the good.""I just wish Megan was ok" said Sam. "So do I" said Gillian trying not to cry "but she will be she's going to get better."