Episode 29: Christmas Miracles

CHAPTER 1: SALLY COMES HOME

A few days before Christmas, Sally was cleared to go home. She had recovered from the surgery on her spine and now all she needed to do was try to walk again. Rehabilitation for her would start in about a week. For now she was to relax and take it easy and let her body heal even more. Charlie Brown was glad to have her home, but was still worried about how she was acting. Sally had been depressed since she found out that she wouldn't be able to walk for a while. The damage to her spinal cord required surgery and it needed to heal some. Plus it had to regenerate so that the sensation to her legs could come back.

When the siblings, along with Frieda and Michael, walked in the house, they were immediately greeted by Snoopy who was happy to have both of them home. Trevor, who stayed a little longer and still had time off from touring, was happy that his cousin was home, as well.

"Welcome home, Sally," greeted Trevor.

"Thanks, Trevor," said a melancholy Sally.

"Everything okay?" asked a concerned Trevor.

"After the surgery, Trevor," Charlie Brown began, "Sally's spinal cord needs to heal up, but she isn't able to walk right now. So she's sad about that. But she starts rehab in a couple of weeks."

"Well that's good," Trevor replied. "At least you'll be able to walk again."

"Maybe," said Sally. "Maybe not. For all we know I'll be stuck here in this wheelchair for the rest of my life!" And she wheeled herself to her room, crying."

"I'm worried about her, Trevor," said an equally sad Charlie Brown.

"I don't blame you, Charlie," said Trevor. "I couldn't imagine going through what Sally has to right now."

"All we can do is pray," said Frieda.

"And I'll help out as much as I can," added Michael.

"We appreciate that, Michael," said Charlie Brown. "Right now, I think she needs to process this. She's not going to be in any mood for talking."

"I understand, Charlie Brown," said Michael. "I better get going. I'll come back over around Christmas. That'll give Sally some time to adjust, if she can." And Michael headed out the door.

"I better get going too, sweetie," said Frieda to Charlie Brown. "I'll see you tomorrow." After kissing her boyfriend, she too headed for home. Charlie Brown, Trevor, Snoopy, and Spike all went into the living room to watch some TV before bed. All were wondering what the next few months were going to be like for Sally.

Around the same time, Lucy was walking with Schroeder as the snow began to fall. He was a little better than before, but was still sad about Sally's situation. He wasn't blaming himself like he was before, but he still felt bad for what had happened to her.

"Charlie Brown told me that Sally was coming home today," Lucy began.

"He told me, too," said a gloomy Schroeder.

"I wonder if she'll ever walk again," Lucy wondered. "I couldn't imagine going through what she's going through right now. At least there's a big chance she'll walk again. We can be thankful for that."

"Yeah, maybe," Schroeder replied, "but what if she doesn't?"

"Don't think like that, babe!" said Lucy. "Try to be optimistic. It could have been a lot worse than it is now. Sally might not had been here right now. It may not seem like it now, but she was really lucky to not get killed."

Schroeder sighed. Deep down he knew Lucy was right. But at the same time he was thinking things looked very bleak for Sally. And unbeknownst to him, Sally herself was thinking the same thing as he was. She knew she'd be going to rehab in a couple of weeks, but she didn't think she would ever walk again.

NEXT CHAPTER: FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS