Chapter 10
"Gary!" Melody called, sprinting down the hospital hall to where Gary was wheeling around in his new wheelchair.
Alan came behind more slowly, followed by Ronnie and Petey, Blue, Rev and Louie. When Alan saw Gary, reduced to a wheelchair, he sighed. That dumb Mac truck just had to hit him that night. Gary Bertier, the only All- American on T.C. William's football team, was now paralyzed from the waist down. Seeing Gary in the wheelchair, took away all the glory and excitement Alan had felt from the Titans being state champions. Gary's physical condition had changed, but he had not. He was still smiling, still looking exactly the way he had before the accident. But then, you looked down to his legs and you knew he had to be different. And yet, somehow, he was the same old Gary.
"Hey Melody," Gary said when Melody ran up to him. She bent over and gave him a huge hug.
"Oh my gosh Gary. You look great!" She smiled, a few tears welling up on her eyes.
Alan noticed that what she said was true, almost all of his cuts had healed, and he did look great. He was shinning with brilliance, like he had died and come back. This was Gary Bertier, nothing could keep him down for long.
"Same to you," he answered. Melody laughed, so glad he was there, and okay.
"Come here Rev!" Gary said, pointing at Gerry Harris. He walked slowly up to Gary, in his shy nature.
"Boy, you won that game for us!" Gary whooped, smacking him on the shoulder, "You ran so fast man! That was great!"
Rev smiled in gratitude, "Yeah, but don't forget about Ronnie."
"I was just getting to him!" Gary laughed, "Sunshine! You were awesome, man! You killed them!"
Ronnie laughed, "Yeah well I had to be Rev and make up for you not being there, it's pretty tough."
Gary smiled, wheeling around in his chair. He came over to Petey.
"Hey Petey, nice job on linebacker." Gary said, knowing it was enough praise to get to Petey's head.
"I know, I know! I'm gonna rule linebacker next year man."
Everyone laughed. Alan, thinking of how Petey was a lot better than him, sighed,
"You ruled it this year too."
Only Gary heard him. Gary patted Alan's shoulder, "Hey man, that's okay. You played a great season, just some games, you had off ones, and they needed Petey instead of you. That's all."
Alan smiled. That was Gary for you, always trying to protect him.
"Thanks Gary,"
"Hey man, that's what I'm here for!"
Suddenly, a small girl with crazy blonde hair came hurling down the hall. She threw herself into Gary's lap.
"Gary!" She yelled, hugging him tightly. Everyone laughed, especially Gary.
"Where's your dad?" Gary asked, when Sheryl had let go of his neck.
"He didn't take me. Julius did," Sheryl smiled, pointing down the hall. Julius walked slowly down the hall towards them.
"Superman!" he called, still coming at his own pace.
"I was starting to get worried you weren't coming." Gary said.
"You kidding?" Julius smiled, "I'm always there." Gary nodded, understanding, pulling more meaning out of the words than anyone else in the hall could.
"I know you are, man." S
uddenly, Gary started tickling Sheryl. She giggled and giggled. Alan remembered that Gary used to do this all the time to Sheryl on the football field. He would pick her up, turn her upside down and tickle her until... Alan stopped his train of thought. Until, she started to run away. Then, he would chase her. That he would never be able to do again. Sheryl jumped off of Gary and ran through the hall. After she had gone a few steps, she stopped and turned around, horror on her face.
"Oh Gary!" She cried, "I am so sorry!" She bit her lip and looked like she was holding back tears.
"For what?" Gary asked, grinning. "If you boys will clear out of my way..."
Alan stepped to the side of the hall with everyone else. Gary started wheeling slowly towards Sheryl. Sheryl's face fell. Melody, who was standing next to Alan, looked back at him, pain in her eyes. Alan could read her thoughts; It's not the same. Alan smiled wistfully back at her. Melody reached over and took his hand in her shaking one.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Gary started moving his arms really fast and he was moving quickly behind Sheryl. She started to run, shrieking like she used to do outside when Gary chased her. Everyone smiled and laughed on relief. Gary was the same guy they had known him to be. Melody smiled back at Alan and wiped her tears away.