Chapter 36 | Great News!

                                    

                                          
The warm sun-soaked into my skin through the window pan, the welcoming sunshine of June shining with all its glory. Today was a very big day for me. Six months since the accident. Although each day felt slow since everything happened, the time had flown by, now that it was the big day. Today I would go into the building, and be able to walk out, yes, walk out, and greet my friends and family. No back braces, no leg braces, no railings. Just me. Throughout the whole time I spent in rehab, I had to maintain a positive outlook on the situation. What kept me going was the idea that by the time I reached my senior year, I would be running in cross country and track again close to how I could last fall. If I did conditioning nonstop.
                          
I had not seen my extended family since Easter, so it was going to be a huge reveal for them to see me walking out of the rehab building without any help. I thought back to four weeks ago, the first time I started walking without leg braces. I was walking with a cane and a railing.
                          
Sweat dribbled down my forehead, feeling like I could die at any moment. Of course, I was being overdramatic, but I felt like I had the right to be, given all that I've been through. My legs shook with exertion as my being put all my focus on walking forward. This was a much different finish line than what I was used to. 
                          
To think that over five months ago I wasn't walking at all is truly mind-blowing. It was amazing what perseverance and amazing physical therapists can do. February was a dark time for me. It felt as if I was never going to be able to walk again. My greatest passion was taken from me, and I wasn't able to be with my running friends either. I was so fortunate to have such great friends. Sam. Jackson. Little Molly. And of course, Jeremiah.
                          
My heart ached heavily. Whenever I thought of the accident, I thought of Liam. He was too pure for the world, and like that, he's basically gone. He's gone. That limp body on the hospital bed is still there, but I wasn't sure if he was there anymore. A stray tear rolled down my cheek, causing me to wipe it off in an instant. I didn't realize I would lose my balance from doing such a human thing, but before I knew it, I was on the ground, tears welling in my eyes.
                          
"Ada? Are you okay?" June, my current physical therapist asked, getting on her knees at level with me. I looked up at her, my nose stuffy. 
                          
"Yeah. I-I just thought of Liam again." She looked at me with an endearing smile, my smile in return as pathetic as ever. 
                          
"Come here, girly," she said, tilting her head slightly. I scooted over to her, her slender arms tightly wrapping around me. I nuzzled the side of my face into her neck where it met her shoulders. 
                          
"Thank you for everything," I said, moving away from the hug. I grabbed onto my walker and clutched on tightly to the railing, determined to get back up without help. 
                          
"Here, let me help you," she replied, grabbing my arm.
                          
"No. I've got to do this myself." I looked upward, determined to get up. 
                          
"Today is the big day," June said, taking my hand. "It's so nice to see you standing here, looking at me tall and strong. You've made the speediest recovery that I've seen in twelve years. I'm going to have to be honest with you. I wasn't sure if you'd be able to recover. Fortunately, your athletic background and resilience proved me wrong." She smiled, squeezing my hand tightly before dropping it. We walked toward the exit of the therapy building, the tinted glass doors wide. She stood at the closed door, waiting.