17 August 2000
The summer before second grade was spent lying in a bed, allowed to get up only to use the bathroom, and even that was only under supervision and with a wheelchair. He cried himself to sleep every night when his mother still hadn't come in to see him. His dad recovered quickly, having to work extra hours to pay for the live-in nurse they had to hire to take care of Kurt and Emily.
The nurse was nice, good at her job. She introduced herself as Susanne and looked fresh out of school. She always had a smile for Kurt and didn't complain even when he threw fits about being confined to the bed. The only time she left his side was when Emily called for something. Kurt always asked about his mom, but no one would give him any answers. They just said she would be fine. But why had it been three months without seeing her?
"I think you're ready to start physical therapy," The doctor said at one of his many appointments. "And we can take this cast off and replace it with a brace. How does that sound?"
Kurt smiled hesitantly, looking up at his dad whose smile was much broader. He just nodded, withdrawing away from the doctor by a fraction of an inch. He hated the doctor; they never said anything good and always poked him and took his blood. He still wasn't sure the promise about taking the cast off was true.
"Well then, I'll go get the tech and we can fit you for a brace." An hour and a half later, Kurt could move for the first time in three months. Each movement sent a jolt of pain through his body that had him whimpering until the brace was secured. Then his movement was restricted again, and the pain was less.
"Mr. Hummel," The doctor turned his attention to Burt. "Here's the card for Dr. Gunner – the physical therapist I told you about. He's expecting your call. I need you to understand that this is where the hard part starts. The surgery was successful, but Kurt's going to have to work hard to get the muscles back into condition. And there will always be ramifications – the rods we had to insert will keep his posture proper and the chance of reinjury will be great. So no contact sports. But I'm sure Dr. Gunner will go over all of this with you in more detail. Provided he keeps up with the physical therapy, there's no reason Kurt shouldn't go on to live a completely normal life."
"Thank you, Dr. Sean," Burt said, shaking the doctor's hand. "I can't thank you enough."
A/N: Thank you Sarahamanda, Maiqu, glee4ever4ever and Holly-Anne Rivers for the lovely reviews! From now on updates will be every day except Wednesday and Saturday (because I update my other story on those days).