Rolling in the Deep

Part Two

Group time Suzy called into the room brightly, and you smiled in acknowledgement. Stretching, you pushed the sheet off and pulled yourself into the chair. Wheeling over to the mirror you, took the ponytail that had gone crooked and frizzy in your sleep out and re adjusted it into a messy bun. Ahh fuck it you groaned at your reflection. Like it matters in here you moaned loudly to Suzy as she moved toward the sleeping stranger.

Good Luck you chuckled, remembering the trouble you gave the staff when they tried to get you into group when you arrived. Most new admissions followed a similar pattern, unless they we returners. Sam was a returner, she had MS and every so often as it progressed, she would be back in for a short while, until she managed to cope with her new deterioration of mobility. She was the third to your trio. But thankfully she was at home and hopefully in a respite period of the evil disease.

JoJo was another returner; he too had a degenerative illness. Born with osteogenesis Imperfecta or OI. She was back and forth depending on the damage her recent injury had caused. Her bones were like glass and she had been a chair user from an incredibly young age, not because she couldnt walk, but because it simply was too dangerous to do so. Physio was mainly water based for her, anything else was too much for her bones to cope with. She was much younger than your little trio and had been coming to the unit so often, that she was more in with the staff than the patients, as the patients changed more often.

Group was all but set up, Marley arrived with his knew walker and showing off his progress, Marley had fair case of Cerebral Palsy which affected his muscle tone and stability. He was nonverbal but made up for it by learning all the swear words in all types of sign language including Makaton, BSL and ASL. Come on Moaned Rich Richard, the second newest admission, he was still in the resistant phase, much like the new guy. He had come off his motorbike, well over both the speed and alcohol limits. He thought he ruled the world, despite shattering his entire pelvis and both legs.

For Fucks sake Bill, can we just get this shit over with, I need a fag he shouted again. were waiting on one more counsellor Bill called over to the group as he poured himself a coffee. He brought it over and placed it under his chair, placing his notebook on his chair. Oh, great here we go he said, and the group turned to see the new guy. Welcome David, well done, well done thats a great start Bill cheered at the new guy was wheeled into the circle next to Amita.

He was wearing a baseball cap and hoodie, the hood of which he had pulled right up so his face was barely visible. His arms were crossed and head down. pssst do you think he had much choice Amita laughed and you smiled OK coughed Bill. Starting the session as they always did with a round of My story It was a pointless exercise, as the group hadnt changed much in the last week, you could probably do everyones for them, it would be much quicker. But it was apparently meant to help you to Own your story thus making it easier to come to terms with and chare with others.

Everyone began and soon it was the newbies turn. He coughed Dave, Spinal fractures to all lumber vertebrae partial tear at L1, compound fractures of both legs and shattered right hip. He mumbled. And what happened Dave, how did the injury occur Bill drew out his story, Stunt gone wrong he said quickly. Amita and you shared glances, Stunt Amita mouthed Hes the celeb she grinned. You smiled back. You felt bad for Dave, remembering how much you just wanted to curl up and hide away, pretend it wasnt happening. This had been torturing for you too, but as you sat there, you felt glad you had done so.

Would you like to elaborate Dave? Bill asked and Dave shook his head, he stared at his hands and began to fiddle with a piece of blue tack in his hands. The group moved on to the activity of the day, which was to split into twos. With your partner, you had to write a list of things that brought up strong feelings about your current level of ability. Differently Able was the buzz word they used, rather than disabled, which was now faux pa.

Amita and you turned to each other grinning, y/n I think you and Amita have been partners now a fair few times, how about y/n and Dave you go together and Amita you and Rich partner up this time. Amita groaned but moved to Rich and you turned to Dave. Pen and paper in hand you positioned you chair facing his. Drawing a line down the centre, you wrote his name above one column and yours at the top of the other, drawing a squiggly line underneath.

Do you want me to start? you asked If you want Dave said softly. You began by writing a list of different emotions down the columns, leaving space under each. Its easier to cover all these this way and should mean Bill wont moan that we havent considered more than anger and frustration you said tapping the paper with your pen. Basically, just think up an answer as to why you feel each one in relation to whats happened you sighed beginning to fill in your column. Whats the point? Dave said eventually Is this going to make me walk again? he grumbled quietly. You put your pen down. How long ago was the accident? you asked, week and a half he answered why? well, mine was 6 months ago, but I was where you were a week after, trust me and I know you dont want to hear it, but it wont always feel like this you tried to reassure Dave, recognising so much of yourself in his demeanour.

And this you said again tapping the paper believe it or not does help. If you want to get back walking then your head needs to be right, you will get it when you start physio, anger and resentment only get you so far you told him kindly I mean look at Rich you both turned and saw Amita with steam coming from her ears as Rich swung his chair back and forth dangerously. He could be out of that by now, but hes still refusing to face his own responsibility in the accident. As you turned your attention back to the paper, you noticed Dave was no longer staring down at his hands, A flash of green blue in his eyes took your breath for a moment. They were stunning, sad and mournful, but utterly beautiful and familiar.

Moving back to the paper, Daves head lowered again. Having completed the assignment and the session. You moved off to the food hall to eat. Dave collecting a tray and headed back to the room you shared. So, so who is he? Amita begged as soon as she reached you I dont know, he is familiar, but he doesnt make it easy to see his face. urgh, we need a plan to get that hoodie off him so we can get a proper look she said planning already. Munching on your food and chatting Amita continued with her questions about the new guy well you spoke to him so is he English or what? Did he have an accent? What about his skin colour? What did he write in the assignment? Any clues? nearly choking on your mashed potato you laughed Amita Jesus you should work for MI5, bloody hell Nah I want to be an investigative reporter, celeb scandals and all that she grinned.

You could always rely on Amita to cheer you up, even when she first came onto the unit. She was the one cracking macabre joke and using gallows humour in sessions with Bill. Amita hes hardly going anywhere, we will find out soon enough, leave the poor guy alone, hes one of us now, after all you sighed, seeing your wheels in the window. Hes got a long way to go, dont think he will appreciate being the subject of your investigations you warned here. She too looked at her wheels in the window and then to you Yeah ok, I will leave off. Besides did you see what that Meghan Markel said now you laughed and listened to Amita, but in your mind, you tried to place those eyes, and the voice. It really was all so familiar. But Dave, David it was all still a bit curious.