Chapter 12 - These moments

                                    

                                          
He was shaking. His knees were seconds away from giving up on him and he was about to fall. But I couldn't help him. Neither could Mark. We all had to stand and watch him struggle and it was horrible to witness.
                          
Every time his body sank lower, his arms gripped onto the bars harder, his legs shook even more voilently, I wanted to go over and help him up so badly. This was the third appointment he had with the physiotherapist. On that day he had recieved the challenge to walk at least halfway across the entire length of the room, and trust me, it was HUGE.
                          
He had walked about 1/3 of the way when he was really starting to struggle. Every few steps he took he was grabbing onto the handle bars for dear life and standing still for a few seconds, before he was told to 'carry on' by the therapist. I didn't like the doctor. I felt like he was rushing Jack into getting better and actually making it worse for him. It didn't feel right with the way he was 'helping' him.
                          
When he just about reached halfway, his legs gave in, and he fell to the floor. It was at that point that I ran over and pulled him up, holding him tightly.We hugged for about a second. It would have been longer if it wasn't for the doctors piercing stare.
                          
"Well, you got to halfway in the end. Hopefully next week you can get even further, maybe you could even walk the whole length. Possibly, if you try hard enough, you could walk back too." I really hated how he was rushing Jack into things. Yes, I did want him to get better as soon as possible. But forcing him to walk distances he possibly can't walk at that moment in time and letting him be in pain and fall constantly isn't the way to do it.
                          
We left after the doctor made a few more comments about Jack's improvement. We put him in his wheelchair. It was only a short distance to the car, but after that, there was no way I could make him walk. That's what the doctor encouraged us to do: but he had already done enough. He was exhausted now, and was practically falling asleep in the chair as I wheeled him out of the physiotherapists. 
                          
When we got to Mark's car, I woke Jack up. He had actually fallen asleep in the chair. I helped him stand up and got in the car with him as Mark folded up the chair and put it in the trunk. Whilst he was busy with the chair, I helped Jack to sit comfortably and do his seat belt.
                          
"Thank you.." He whispered, not even able to keep his eyes open. I ran my hand through his hair and smiled.
                          
"Don't worry baby. You can rest all you want when we get home." He nodded slowly, moving his lips as if he was about to say something, but then he tilted his head to the side and didn't say a word.
                          
Mark got into the driver's seat and as I grabbed onto Jack's hand, Mark started up the car. Soon enough we were on our way back home, where Jack could rest for as long as he wanted. The therapist always demands that Jack works on his walking at home too, but he always has such a hard time at his appointments, I just can't bare to make him do any more work on that day.
                          
The whole journey, Jack didn't talk or move a muscle. He was just too tired. Even though it only takes about 20 seconds to get from Mark's car to my house, I was still going to let him go in the wheelchair if he really wanted to. And when the time came to get out of the car, that's exactly what happened.
                          
He cautiously climbed out of the car and into the chair. I waved goodbye to Mark, Jack muttering a farewell. I pushed him to the house and unlocked the front door, pushing him inside and then locking the door behind me. When we got into the living room, I helped him get back up, leaving the chair unfolded in the corner of the room.
                          
I lead him towards the sofa where we lay down. He rested on top of me, one of his arms dangling off the side of the couch. After only a couple minutes of cuddling, he was fast asleep, letting out light and gentle snores. I tried my best not to chuckle. Who knew the way someone snored could be so cute?
                          
I ran my fingers through his hair and kissed him lightly on the forehead, trying not to wake him up. Luckily, he remained sleeping and I continued to run my hand throughh his hair unil I eventually closed my eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.