- 30 -
Therapy
Phos still had to pretend to be Carter, so he left the hospital once visitor hours were over. He promised to return the next day after school.
When Mary woke in the morning, she saw that the skies were gray and the window was wet with rain. After breakfast, Mom got off work and came to see her.
"How are you feeling today?" she asked.
Mary shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Aren't you tired? Shouldn't you go home and rest?"
"I wanted to be here for your first PT session," Mom said. "She's supposed to be here any—"
"Hiiiiiii there!" a bright voice sang.
They looked up as a young woman with thick hair came into the room. She brought a wheelchair with her. "I'm Steph!" she said. "I'm your physical therapist. Pleased to mee'cha."
Mom and Mary shook hands with her. Then Mary looked at the chair. "You're going to teach me how to use that?"
Steph giggled. "Yeah, and some other things. But before we get started, I like my patients to pick a name for their wheels."
Mary wrinkled her brow.
"Come on!" Steph said. "It'll be fun. Pick a good one. Like Lightning Bolt or Rocket Booster or something. I had one guy who was into anime, and he called his Deathscythe. He was kinda weird."
Mary and Mom looked at one another.
"So!" Steph continued. "What'll it be?"
Mary figured that if she didn't choose something, she might not hear the end of it from Steph. She groped about in her brain for an unusual name. "How about Michelangelo?" she said.
"That's a good one!" Steph cried. "Ninja Turtles fan, huh? My fav was Donatello 'cuz he was all nerdy and stuff."
"What?" Mary asked.
"Ninja Turtles," Steph repeated. "The TV show? It was about mutant turtles who lived in the sewer and they were always fighting with this—you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
Mary shook her head. "I was thinking of the Renaissance artist. He painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and sculpted that giant David statue."
Steph blinked. "Awkward! Well, Michelangelo it is. Let's get to work, huh?"
For the next hour, Steph taught her how to sit up in bed and how to move her legs with her arms. Mary had never realized before how heavy her own legs were, or how hard it was to roll over when you had no ability to move your lower body. Steph also showed Mom how to help her get in and out of bed and then in and out of the chair. At the end of the session, Steph showed Mary some exercises to get her arms and upper body stronger.
When they were done, Mom kissed Mary goodbye and went home to sleep for a while before she brought Ba to the hospital. Mary spent the next few hours mostly bored and watching TV. Sometimes, she just stared out the window and watched the rain.
Afternoon came, and someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Mary said.
Phos entered the room, followed by Sienna and David carrying flowers and balloons.
"MARY!" Sienna ran to her and threw her arms around her.
"What are you doing here?" Mary asked in surprise.
Sienna looked at her. "Really? No, 'Hey Sienna. How's it going, Sienna? Awesome of you to take time out of your busy schedule to see me, Sienna.'"
Mary stared at her. Then she smiled. "It's good to see you."
"We come bearing gifts," David said as he set the flowers and balloons on the table. "And your school work."
"You have extra time to do it all, of course," Sienna added. She then grew solemn. "Carter told us that you couldn't walk. I'm really sorry about that."
Mary shrugged. "I'll manage. I've got Michelangelo now."
"Who?" she asked.
Mary laughed. "Never mind."
The four of them talked and did some of their homework together. It made Mary feel good to have people with her on a rainy day in the hospital. Later, Mom and Ba came, and Raj personally delivered dinner for everyone. He also stayed until visiting hours were over.
"Don't you worry about that, Ms. P," Raj said when Mom tried to pay for the food. "You let me know when you want food, and Gita or I'll bring it as a gift from my family while Mary's recovering. And it doesn't have to just be Indian. My aunt is from Mexico, and her enchiladas will make you think you're in heaven." He then flashed his winning smile at Mary. "But the minute you're better, all the menu prices double."
Everyone laughed, and Sienna threw a plastic spoon at him.
"Seriously though, get better," Raj said. "Later everyone."
"We should get going, too," Sienna said as she hugged Mary. "Can we come back in a couple days?"
Mary smiled "I'd love that."
"I'm going to get Ba back to Agape," Mom said. "See you later, Sweetie."
The last person to leave was Phos.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Mary asked.
He looked down. "I won't be able to come for a few days."
Her smile faded. "Judges?"
He nodded.
"When will you be able to come again?" she asked.
"Probably not until next week," he said. Then he added, "Maybe a little longer."
Mary swallowed. "Okay. I'll see you then."
"Good night, Mary." He kissed her and left.
Mary breathed a heavy sigh. Today had been a great day with everyone there. They were good therapy. But knowing that she wouldn't see Phos again for a while made everything gray and dreary again, just like the rain clouds outside.
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