Chapter 11 - THE FIRST STEP
Lily returned home four days after surgery.
Her wheelchair rolled through our apartment doorway, but something felt different.
For the first time in months, she wasn't asking whether the pain would get worse.
She was asking when physical therapy would begin.
Dominic stood behind us carrying the hospital bags.
“Tomorrow,” I said.
Lily groaned.
“Already?”
“You said you wanted to walk.”
She looked at him.
“Did I?”
Dominic smiled.
“You told me.”
She laughed.
That afternoon, we rearranged the living room to make space for her therapy equipment.
Lily tried to stand with support.
Her legs trembled immediately.
I reached for her.
“Easy.”
She clenched her teeth.
“I can't.”
“Yes, you can.”
Then Dominic spoke quietly.
“You don't have to do it today.”
Lily looked at him.
“But I want to.”
“Then try again.”
She did.
For three seconds, she stood.
Only three.
But when she sat down, she was smiling.
I started crying.
Lily laughed.
“Mommy, why are you crying?”
“Because I'm proud of you.”
May you like
Dominic looked away.
I knew he was smiling too.
