Paraplegic by Troy Dearbourne

Author:Troy Dearbourne [Dearbourne, Troy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

The Center has designated lockers for boys and girls. I didn't have my swim suit with me, so Desiree gave me one of the rehab center's to use, and then helped me change into it. After I put it on, I look in the mirror. It's this black one piece that augments every flabby piece of skin on my body. It feels like its been suction cupped to me. Overall, it's just plain ugly, though my opinion of my own physical appearance isn't exactly at an all-time high.

Desiree gets behind my chair and pushes me toward the solarium. When we arrive, its packed with residents, some using the pool for rehabilitation purposes and others for recreational. The pool itself is huge and divided into three sections: one for swimming laps, another for personal training exercises, and the last one simply for relaxing.

Desiree stops for a moment, allowing me to take in everything. The walls surrounding us are made of blue tinted glass with structural beams running upward, slanting as they near the ceiling. It's very sunny in here and quite hot; the glass acts as a greenhouse, warming everything inside of it. The water is very clear and looks inviting.

Desiree lowers her head next to mine. "How bout I introduce you to Harvey?"

"Harvey? Who's Harvey?"

She moves me over to this white mini crane that's mounted into the wall of the pool. Instead of having a claw on the end of the crane, there's a seat there instead.

"McKenzie, meet Harvey!"

I stare at the crane chair for a moment. "Um. Hi?" Why was I not expecting Harvey to be anything but a living, breathing human being? "Why do you call it Harvey?"

"Harvey Steel was the man who invented this mechanism. Naturally, the name Harvey caught on rather quickly. It's used for plegics, such as yourself, who are unable to swim." She places my arm around her neck, then skillfully maneuvers me over to the crane. I fasten the seat belt around my waist to prevent me from floating away in the pool. "Ready?"

I give her a thumbs up. "Ready."

She presses something on the touchscreen computer and the crane shudders to life, humming as it lifts me up and over the ledge of the pool, then lowers me down. The rush of water lapping over my skin feels wonderful. It stops automatically; the water level about chest high. Desiree jumps in the pool next and continues with my leg exercises.

"Fancy meeting you here." I look up and see Calix treading water about ten feet away.

"Oh. It's you. What are you doing here?" He's still wearing those dorky glasses.

"Oh, ya know, same as you. Chilling."

"Chilling? I wouldn't call it that exactly."

A squeaky-voiced boy, about Calix's age, calls for him from pool's ledge. "Cal. Um. Are you - are you sure there's nothing in this water? Is it safe?"

Calix turns around. "It's fine, mate. Just jump in."

The boy hesitates. "I don't know, man. What if I catch some sort of disease. You know one in three people contract Shigellosis during their lifetime.

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