A few days later the weather is once again sunny and clear. After days of rain the grounds are very soft and moist. The wind is calm today and the birds are out. I am finally able to walk on my own, out onto the grounds and into a chair.
They applaud me. The five of them applaud me as if I've done something spectacular. I haven't. I walked, something I've always been able to do. It shouldn't be anything to celebrate.
"Alright. Alright, enough slacking. There's plenty of work to get done."
"Yes, Master!" they choir to me in unison as they all separate. Sebastian brings me my morning tea and lingers long enough to see me drink it on my own.
"We have work to do," I tell him, "all this wasted time and we've fallen behind. You have better not become rusty."
"No sir," he says, "I'm ready when you are." He gives me a bow with the knowing look I know all too well.
He stands by while I drink my tea and even longer while I watch the late morning turn into the afternoon. By my side until the very end, even if I sometimes forget.