Chapter 14 - Connor Comes Home
Connor returned from Colorado after twelve weeks.
No miracle.
He did not walk into the airport.
He still used a wheelchair.
But he had improved.
Better trunk control.
More endurance.
Could stand longer with braces and assistance.
Some additional voluntary leg movement.
His doctors were pleased.
Could the Colorado program claim credit?
Partly.
Natural recovery after incomplete spinal injury also continues over time.
No way to isolate perfectly.
Amelia no longer cared about proving the purchase justified itself.
Good.
Connor came to our house.
Maisie had been discharged weeks earlier.
No oxygen during daytime.
Only nighttime monitoring temporarily after illness.
Connor rolled into the living room.
Maisie stared at the chair.
Then:
“Can I ask?”
Connor said:
“Probably.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Sometimes.”
“Can you walk?”
“A little with stuff.”
“Grandma said my money helps.”
Connor looked at Amelia.
She went pale.
“What?”
Maisie continued:
“Hospital money.”
Connor frowned.
“I have my own.”
Good child logic.
Maisie looked at me.
“See?”
I almost laughed.
Connor said:
“Mom says money is annoying.”
Amelia said:
“Correct.”
Then Maisie asked:
“Are you mad I got sick?”
Connor looked offended.
“No.”
“Grandma said—”
“I’m mad Grandma pulled your mask.”
Everyone froze.
He knew.
Of course.
Children hear.
Then Connor said:
“You need air.”
Simple.
That sentence did more than six trustee reports.
Maisie nodded.
They played video games.
Connor destroyed her.
Normal cousins.
No competition.
May you like
The adults had invented scarcity between two children who did not want it.
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