Days began to pass by in a blur. My parents came by every day to help me change my clothes so that I wouldn’t have to let the nurses do it. Both turned out to be just as embarrassing though. I felt like a child, unable to use the toilet or get out of bed by myself. My only consolation was that I felt no pain despite my injuries. Although, in hindsight I would have preferred discomfort over the complete numbness. Heck, I would give up anything to be able to feel my legs and walk again! But I knew that just wasn’t possible for someone like me.

On the bright side, I was able to stop caring about Katie’s absence, once I realized our relationship hadn’t been all that great to begin with. For a woman who constantly claimed to love me, she never really seemed to show it. Sure, we’d go on dates and spend countless hours together, but Katie didn’t act any different around me than she did with other people. I recalled the times we were at movies and she would be texting someone else, or when we were out to dinner and she’s just look bored. It was clear now that were we more like convenient friends than an exclusive couple. I wonder, had she merely been going through the motions all along? Was I just the better option to being single? Was I just a second thought? Even so, I know I can’t blame Katie for feeling that way, but it sure hurt to know that some other guy could entice love when I clearly couldn’t. I mean, where did I go wrong? What more was she looking for? What did this Mike have that I didn’t? Well, besides full functioning legs. I guess that could be seen as a deal breaker…

After about a week of recovery the hospital consented to release me. I went home with my parents, staying in my old room on the first floor of their house. It was both comforting and depressing to come back to the place of my childhood. After all, I was just like a kid again, helpless and unable to care for myself. Just where was I supposed to go from here? How was I going to go to work and live my own life?

That night, my mom made beef stew, my favorite food. Due to some maneuvering, I’m able to sit the table with them via wheelchair. I eat in silence, still unable to wrap my head around how drastically my life has changed. I feel angry, sad, shocked, but most of all, wronged. What had I ever done to deserve this fate?

“Honey?” My mom calls.

I’m pulled from my thoughts. “Yeah?”

She gives me a warm smile. “Don’t be so down. Lots of people are born with deformities or disabilities, yet they live just fine.”

I scowl. “Well, I don’t want to live just fine. I want to go back to my old life!”

My father sighs. “I know it seems hard. But son, this isn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened to someone.”

“Oh yeah? Why should I be made to reap the consequences of someone else’s carelessness? It isn’t fair! I wasn’t born this way! I shouldn’t be living in a wheelchair!!” I snap.

My mother puts down her spoon, tears pooling in her eyes. I scoff, unable to handle her pain as well as my own. With a huff I wheel myself away from the table and go back to my room.