Halfway Heroes
Page 36
Chapter 23—Homecoming
Lydia reported to Barrett’s waiting room the next day after class for her physical therapy. Before she entered, Barrett left the room, motioning for Lydia to follow. “How’s the arm doing?”
“Good,” Lydia said.
“Good. We’ll run you through some easy tests today. Nothing too strenuous.” They stopped in front of a door down the hall. Barrett opened it and ushered Lydia inside. The room was small and cozy. The carpet and soft lights offered a homey atmosphere. There was another girl already inside. She was supporting herself between two parallel bars, taking small steps forward on a mat. A woman walked beside her every step of the way, offering support and coaching. All around, equipment was tucked next to the orange walls: braces, wheelchairs, canes, medicine balls, and more.
“Now,” Barrett said, guiding Lydia away from the girl, “since your arm is still healing, we’ll focus on controlling your strength. We’ll see how far along you are, and then we can design a plan around your therapy. Soon, you won’t need to think about controlling your strength. It will be as natural as breathing.”
For the next hour, Lydia wrote, shook hands, played catch, and performed ordinary, everyday activities. Some were easy since she’d already become accustomed to restraining herself on a daily basis. However, the first time she threw the apple-sized medicine ball back to Barrett, she knocked the doctor flat on the ground. She improved with each successive throw, although Barrett braced herself anyway.
After an hour, Barrett decided she had enough data for the day. “I’ll meet you here the day after tomorrow,” she said. She told Lydia she was free for the rest of the day.
Lydia left in search of Wren, but ended up running into Aidan near the game room.
He didn’t notice her until she walked by. “Hey, wait!” he called, running after her.
“Why should I?” Lydia asked. She peered inside the game room for Wren. Nothing. Maybe she’s back at the dorm. Lydia headed in that direction, passing by Aidan again. He caught up to her. She powerwalked, hoping to deter him, but he continued to keep pace with her.
“Because I wanted to say something,” he said.
“It better be an apology,” Lydia said.
“Look, I might have acted like a scumbag yesterday,” Aidan began.
“Might have?” They reached the Center’s exit.
“Okay, okay. I acted like a scumbag yesterday.”
“Acted?”
“Hey, I don’t have to put up with this,” Aidan said. He stood in front of her, holding the door open. “Now, do you want an apology or not?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” she said, walking outside.
“I acted like a scumbag yesterday,” Aidan repeated. Lydia slowed down for him. “I just get pretty defensive. It can bring out the worst in me. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Lydia said.
“Anyway,” Aidan said, his frustration clear to Lydia by his louder tone, “I wanted to say I’m sorry.” He dropped his voice on the “sorry,” and looked away.
“What was that?” Lydia asked. She was quite enjoying this.
“Don’t push me,” he warned her.
She relented, smiling at him. “I forgive you. I know how bullies can be.”
“I take it you do,” Aidan said, glancing at her arms. “But I’m fine. I don’t need your sympathy.”
“Are you really going to start this again?” Lydia asked, already preparing for another argument.
“No,” Aidan said. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s just forget it. People like Jando never change. They are, have been, and will always be like that.”
“He’s not so bad,” Lydia said.
“Of course you would think that. He doesn’t pick on girls. He picks them up.”
“Not this girl.” Lydia thumbed her chest. “Besides, that has nothing to do with it.”
They stopped in front of the dormitories. “Anyway, thanks,” he said, mumbling. “You know, for yesterday—and now.”
“Thanks for apologizing,” Lydia said. “Sorry I was kind of harsh.”
He scratched his head. “I guess I’ll see you around.” It sounded more like a question.
Lydia smiled. “Yeah. See you around.”
In the dormitory’s lobby, Lydia found Wren reclining in a seat. Her legs were scrunched up to her chest and she was flipping through a textbook. She twirled a pen in her fingers and stuck her tongue out, biting it as she read. She looked up when Lydia walked in and grinned. “Hey! How did physical therapy go?”
“Good,” Lydia said, sitting beside her.
“Anything happen?” Wren asked.
“Lay off it, Wren. Aidan was simply apologizing for yesterday.”
“Why, whatever do you mean?” Wren widened her eyes and tilted her head, trying to look innocent.
“So you’re saying you weren’t watching us?” Lydia asked. She looked at the doors. “You have a pretty good view from here. You’re not allowed to write in the textbooks, and,” she leaned closer, ducking her head and peering at the book’s cover, “your book is upside-down.”
“Alright, alright, Sherlock. You caught me,” Wren said, flipping her textbook around. “But I really am studying for our quiz next week. Honest.” She held up one hand and covered her heart with the other. “Can you help me study?”
“Alright,” Lydia said, standing. “Let me get my book from our room.”
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