"That means I'll be able to see you. Really and truly see you. No more envisioning what this magnificent world looks like, no more wondering?"
"That's right. All you have to do is say yes."
He doesn't hesitate for a second."Yes! Yes, yes, a million times yes! I look forward to seeing you, Milady."
"I look forward to that, too." I leave him standing in the field as I move towards my car. Opening the driver door, I turn around one last time. "Oh. Did you hear the good news? Pluto is a planet once again."
He smiles, that signature goofy smile I'll surely never forget. "It always was to me."
There comes a time in every person's life when they have to right the wrongs that they've committed. I have plenty of those. But perhaps the biggest wrong I have ever done is the one I'm about to make right. At least I hope that's the outcome.
I safely come to a halt outside a small split-level house before checking my phone's GPS – the flashing green dot is directly on top of the checkered flag. Rebar is fastened over the face of every window and the gray exterior paint has peeled off in many places. It's difficult to spot the front door through the overgrown front lawn; a mixture of grass and weeds that easily reaches knee-high. Am I at the right house?
I reach for the pink gift bag in the backseat, closing the driver door with a thud, then wade through the tall grass and up to the front door. A ratted welcome mat is laying crooked at the base of the door. I press a sparkly fingernail against the doorbell button and hear a ding from the other side. No one answers after a few seconds of waiting, so I ring it again. More waiting. Doubt starts to creep in. I check my GPS once more – I am at the right place.
After two minutes of no response, I turn to leave when I hear the doorknob jiggle. The door creaks open and a man sticks his head through the slim opening. "Can I help you?"
"Um. Yes. Is this the Emming residence?"
His shifty eyes look me over. "Yes."
"Dad, who's at the door," a girl calls from inside; her voice distantly familiar. The girl then appears in the doorway, pushing the man aside. "Oh. What are you doing here, McKenzie? It's been like, what, a year?"
"Rhea. Hi! Oh. Um . . . here." I thrust the gift bag towards here. "This is for you."
Rhea hesitates, glancing at the bag with suspicion. "What? No oaf girl comment?" She takes it from my outstretched hand, then looks up at the man. "It's fine, dad. You can go back inside." The man slowly withdraws from the doorway.
I feel sorry for them. This place isn't exactly a castle. Back when we were in school, I remember Rhea saying something about needing to get to her job, lest they face being kicked out of their home and tossed into the streets. I'm glad that didn't happen.
Rhea peers inside the gift bag cautiously before removing its contents. A navy blue hoodie unravels. Her face changes expressions; I can tell she's utterly surprised, almost shocked. Meanwhile, I feel enough silence has passed.
"I know it's not the same one you had, being your mom's and all . . ." slowly letting my words fade.
Rhea's mouth opens, then closes, then opens again, like she's struggling to find words of her own. "This . . . this looks exactly like hers. How did you find this?"
I shrug. "Turns out I can do some pretty amazing things when I set my mind to it," glancing at my legs in reference.
"I heard what happen. I'm sorry. But it looks like you're okay now?"
"Yeah. I'm okay." I look over my shoulder at the empty road. "Anyway, I should probably be going. It was nice seeing again, Rhea." I start for my car when I hear her call.
"Wait. We were just about to have breakfast. Pancakes. You can stay if you'd like."
I smile at her. "I'd like that." She takes me inside. The house is surprisingly organized; the flavorful smell of bacon immediately filling my nose.
"Who was that at the door, Rhea?" the man asks from the other room.
Rhea glances at me, then at the hoodie in her hand, lips spreading apart into a white grin. "Just a friend, dad. A really good friend."
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Six Months Later . . .
Paraplegic Page 28
