That Fatal Night by Pascal Francine

Author:Pascal, Francine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

Nine

"Attitude is everything," Ron Jablonski told Ken. "If I keep saying that over and over again, it's because I want to drill it into your head."

Ken nodded. He didn't know what Ron looked like, but he sure had learned to recognize his voice. Ron had been his counselor, therapist, and friend during the month Ken had spent at Holly field. He had been Ken's eyes for him.

Ken couldn't believe it, but he and Ron were having their last session. At first the days at Hollyfield had seemed to last an eternity. Now, a month had flown by, and Ken was about to return to Sweet Valley to start his life all over again.

Being blind meant learning everything all over again, and Ken couldn't help feeling frustrated at times. He was used to moving with such ease. But now, walking across an unfamiliar room was like climbing Mount Everest. Ken had bumped into walls and tripped over a lot of furniture that whole first week at Hollyfield. He felt as if he had become part of a new, dark world, where he couldn't help but stumble.

"Remember, you're going to need all the courage you can muster now," Ron continued. "The most difficult time of all is still ahead of you."

Ken nodded again, only half listening. How would his friends react when they saw him at school? What would girls think of him now? he wondered.

"Ken? Are you listening?"

"Yeah, Ron. I'm sorry," Ken said.

"Don't forget—you can do anything as long as you count your steps," Ron reminded him.

Count your steps. That had been Ron's first command. Ken had learned to number the steps from his bedroom to the bathroom, from the bathroom to the dining hall. Every place he went, he had to memorize directions, familiarize himself with his surroundings. He had to be precise now, to stay alert at every turn. It was sort of like being quarterback, only the game was now his whole life.

During his stay at Hollyfield, Ken knew he had accomplished a lot. He had learned how to feel ahead of him with a cane, how to handle a fork and knife, how to choose his clothes, and how to shave without cutting himself.

All these things, which he'd done a million times before without even thinking about them, were now challenges.

It had been a long, tough adjustment, and Ron had really pushed him. If Ken could function at all in the world after he left Hollyfield, he knew it would be because of Ron Jablonski.

"By the way," Ron was saying, "I think going to your school was a good idea. Last weekend, when we went there and spent a day just learning the way around, I got a good sense of it. It seemed like a safe, warm environment. Besides, it represents a return to your normal life. The more you can do that, the better."

"Yeah, but I'm still terrified," Ken admitted. "I've kind of gotten used to being around other blind people."

"You can do it, Ken. Remember, attitude is everything.

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