Chapter 16
December 18, 1994
Two days later Jo and Mrs. Garrett were talking in the kitchen.
"Blair's finally asleep," Mrs. Garrett said. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."
"I know what you mean," Jo said. "I'm so frustrated with Blair, even I feel like crying."
"Blair can't talk, so I can't figure out what she wants. Her handwriting is illegible, so that doesn't help either," Mrs. G said. "She has to have help with just about everything. I don't know if I can do this anymore."
"I don't know if I can either. My patience with her has run out," Jo said. "Every time I turn around there's a new mess to clean up."
"You know what I really hate? I hate when Blair's in a bad mood and I can't figure out why," Mrs. G said. "I hate seeing her like that."
"This is going to sound really selfish, but sometimes I wish Tad had never found her," Jo said.
"You don't really mean that," Mrs. G said.
"No, I don't," Jo said. "I used to feel that way, but now I'm glad he did find her."
"I'm glad he did too, but I wish things were normal around here," Mrs. G said.
"Mrs. G, around here normal is only a setting on the dryer," Jo said.
Mrs. Garrett and Jo were not aware that standing on the other side of the kitchen door was Blair and that she had heard the whole thing.
The next day Natalie went into the rehab center to pick up Blair. Natalie found Blair crying in the lobby.
"Hey Beth, why is Blair crying?" Natalie asked the woman at the front desk.
"Oh, she fell during physical therapy," Beth said. "She's pushing herself too hard."
"OK, thanks for telling me," Natalie said. "See you tomorrow."
"Come on Blair, I know what will make you feel better," Natalie said. "Going home and taking a nice long nap."
On the way home Natalie talked to Blair.
"You know everybody falls down once in a while," Natalie said. "But we also get back up and try again. You just need to practice, but don't push yourself too hard. You'll walk again someday; you just need to be patient."
When Natalie got home, she told Mrs. Garrett what happened. Mrs. Garrett helped Blair upstairs to the bedroom.
"You heard Jo and I talking yesterday didn't you?" Mrs. G asked.
Blair nodded her head.
"I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll still love you whether you can walk or not," Mrs. G said.
"I…love…you…too," Blair said.
"You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that," Mrs. G said. Tears were streaming down both of their faces as Mrs. G gave Blair a hug. Blair had said her first words in over three years.