CHAPTER THIRTEEN
(chapter title – Sara's POV)
I can't believe that Dad's gone from my life forever. Daddy's sad, of course, but it's been a month since Dad was taken from us. Jennifer went to live with Dad's parents in Scarsdale, so I barely get to see her. I miss not having my best friend around, but I do love having Musetta. She's four months old now and completely adorable. I can't take her for walks by myself, so Daddy has Christopher go with me – he's bigger than me, so I know that he'll protect me. He and I are slowly becoming friends, so that's really good. Also, I've been slowly overcoming my CP – I absolutely HATE it! I've had it since I was a baby. What is it you ask? I'll tell you: it's a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The medical definition of cerebral palsy is a "non-progressive" but not unchanging disorder of movement and/or posture, due to an insult to or anomaly of the developing brain. Development of the brain starts in early pregnancy and continues until about age three. Damage to the brain during this time may result in cerebral palsy.
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I also have some trouble bending my legs – like if I'm trying to get on Zorro from the ground. I can get my foot in the stirrup, but I need to get my leg over his back end without any help. Melanie entered me in a special class at fair this year. It's called PEP and it stands for Proud Equestrian Participants. I'm riding Zorro this year, so I'm so happy about that. Melanie had me try out so many horses – Honey, Zorro, Charm and Clover to name a few of the many, many horses Melanie had me ride until she finally decided on Zorro.
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My dad has always been there for me – when uncle Collins died and when Daddy died. He's so strong and I've almost never seen him cry – except at Dad's funeral, which I completely understand. The other time I've seen him cry is when Jennifer went to live with Dad's parents. I knew that they wanted to do some bonding, which they never got to do.
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Daddy says I'm like everyone in our family – I'm like aunt Angel because of my sense of style. I'm like uncle Collins because of my sense of humor. I'm like Dad because of my love of my stubbornness. I'm like aunt Maureen because of my love of acting and being loud. I'm like aunt Joanne because I love to debate with people. And I'm like mom because of my wild hair and untamed spirit. I try to be like them every single day.
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Daddy has been teaching me how to play the guitar, which I'm getting so much better at. He's starting to call me Little Musetta, so that he doesn't get confused between me and my puppy, Musetta.
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I just wish that Dad was alive to see Jennifer. I talked to her before she went to go with his parents and she really wants to stay with Daddy and me, but she can't. I don't know why Mr. and Mrs. Cohen won't let her. I tried to ask Daddy, but he just shook his head and told me not to worry about it. I'm really scared about what's gonna happen with Jennifer. Will I see her again? What's gonna happen to her? I know that Mr. and Mrs. Cohen (or Jim and Martha) are nice people and I hope that they treat Jennifer OK, which I know they will.