In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

32

"I did see you T. You did amazing. I don't think you're quite ready to dance yet, but you'll get there in no time." I let him hold me for a few minutes while my mind started thinking of everything that I had been missing. Everything that I was working to get back too. "Hey Sam," I said, leaning back so I could look up into his blue eyes. He raised his eyebrows in response. "Think I could get my camera, and go outside to take some nature shots? I've missed doing that so much." I knew that voice sounded like I was begging, and I was, if I were being honest. He smiled. "If you're still feeling okay, then I don't see why not. Just do me a favor and take your cane, just in case." In sight, and nodded with a smile. "Deal." So we did just that. Sam grabbed my camera and my cane for me, then we went outside to my backyard. He trailed close behind me, while Jake just walked around, looking for things he thought was cool for me to get pics of. The afternoon was so amazing, and it made me feel like I was almost my old self again. I missed that. Before long, Denise and the girls got home from work, relieving Sam and Jake from their babysitting duties. "We'll see you guys this weekend. Proud of you T," Sam replied, giving me a quick one armed hugged. Jake wrapped his arms around me and picked me, giving me the biggest bear hug I'dever gotten before. "Ow," I whimpered, when he squeezed a little too tightly on my sore body. He set me down quickly with a sheepish look on his face. "Sorry," he replied. I laughed a little, and leaned on my cane. "It's okay Jake. Not your fault. I'm just fragile right now. Thank you guys for today. It really means a lot to me." I looked from Jake to Sam, smiling as I held up my camera. "You guys helped me feel normal again." Sam rolled his eyes. "Now why would you wanna be normal? That's boring." I laughed, and shook my head, knowing he was throwing his brand out there. "Yeah, never normal right?" "That's right," he replied, grinning. "Okay, I promised Tara that I would meet her in like 40 minutes. We need to go," Jake replied, sticking his phone back into his back pocket. I wondered how many he had shattered it doing that. Everyone said goodbye, and Neece helped me back inside, to sit on the couch. Sarah and Kenzie were both already in there, watching YouTube. I hissed in between my teeth a little, when I sat down. I hadn't realized how much I was hurting when I was outside. I think that my mind was keeping itself busy, and I was just so happy to be able to take pictures again, that I didn't register the pain. "You good?" Sarah asked, glancing over to me from the big comfy chair she was sitting in. I nodded, pushed my hair back from my face. "Yeah. Just not used to doing this much. Think I might've overdid it, but it was worth it." Denise handed me my camera, and I started going through the shots that I had taken, to see which ones I wanted to keep. I had caught the sun just starting to set. You know that perfect moment when the sky is just full of colors? The different shades of blue, pink, and purple were highlighted just right with the glow from the sun, causing a halo effect. Definitely keeping that one. There were random pics of butterflies sitting on leaves, birds in mid flight, and and beautiful roses from the bush we had out back. I stopped swiping and smiled at the picture I had stopped on. Jake was lying on the grawss, his hand reaching towards the stray cat that always climbed over our fence. The look on his face could only be described as childlike. "So, you think you're up for some cards or something tonight? Or do you wanna go rest?" Kenzie asked, shuffling the deck of cards on the table that I didn't notice before. I sighed and let my mind settle on exactly how my body was feeling right now. I hurt. My legs and arms were sore and stiff, my abdomen cramping a little with every movement, and my feet felt like they were actually swelling. "I don't know. I know that I've done more than usual today and my body can definitely tell. I think I might rest for a while, but maybe later." Kenzie nodded, then dealt the cards for a game of Spades with the girls. Denise came back into the living room then, balancing four cocktail glasses on a tray. "Okay ladies, let's get this party started!" I stared at her wide eyed for a moment. There was no way that she had really just brought me an alcoholic drink when she knew that I couldn't have it. She glanced over to me, then grabbed on the of the glasses that was set off a little from the others. She raised it to her lips, tasted it, then nodded. "Yep, virgin margarita. This one is for you T." She passed it to me, and I slowly reached out to get it. I should've known that she would think about my addiction. She always does. I tasted the drink, and sighed, settling back into the couch, letting my sore body relax. I could almost imagine that everything was normal, and I wasn't an addict who could barely move. Normalcy was what I needed. "On second thought," I spoke up. "I think I will play a few hands. Deal me in." All three girls smiled at me, and cheered. "Woohoo! Alright, now I get to kick T's ass too," Sarah said, rubbing her hands together. I rolled my eyes. "Bitch, you wish. I am the Spades Master. You can't defeat me." She flipped her hair back and picked up her cards. "Wanna bet on it?" I smirked at her and nodded. "Bet." So we played cards, laughed, raged, and just had a great time.