Chapter Nine

One week later…

"I still say you went over board on all these hand rails." And I seriously do not think we needed one outside the back door either or the slope leading up to the back door.

Yeah the slope out front is definitely needed but the back entrance I am questioning it. I don't go out back much on my own anyway so yeah totally questioning it.

"Yeah well I feel comfortable that you have them everywhere for just in case." But seriously Sonic you really believe I need three in the kitchen dotted in random places though?

Ok I get the ones in the bathroom, especially around the toilet, and I totally agree the one beside the bed he bolted to the floor is definitely very handy to help me but in the kitchen? What does he think I will be doing in there, wheelchair dancing near the fridge-freezer, the utility cupboard and near the back door?

"I just want to doubly make sure you can move around safely babe and have the aid to be able to hoist yourself up a little to reach things. You have to admit it is a little more easier with them all in now." Why do you always have to make sense with these kind of things?

"Yeah ok I do agree, we probably should have had them installed much earlier, but stil.l What is the purpose for the long rail on the wall in the hallway?" This was puzzling me since there isn't any issues in the hallway for me.

"So you can reach your coat when you need it and hold onto it when you bend down to grab your shoes and put them on." Ah I did not think of that.

"Right, point taken. Forget I said anything." Man do I feel like an idiot right now for not realising that.

"The one in the…"

"Ok, ok I get it, they are all needed for some reason or another. Subject change when is my new wheelchair coming anyway?" Yeah you and Tails promised me a high tech wheelchair with gadgets and gizmos and a slimmer design too. This bulky thing still causes me issues with doorways…or am I just a bad driver? No it's the chair for sure.

"Well Tails is still working on it but he should be finished in a few days hopefully. Lucky for you, you get to be the test subject." Oh goody, I cannot wait and wipe that damn amused grin off your face or I will have Tails make you into the test subject.

"Cheer up babe and drink your coffee, it is almost time to leave." I still never agreed to this outing Sonic and I will make a fuss.

"What is so great about the mall anyway?" Yeah Sonic I thought you hated going to the mall.

"Well we need to go and shop for a few more things that will help you out more. You have to come so you can have an input since it is for you." Ok but I thought we had everything now.

"How about you go and I stay here to test out all these new rails. I'll even type up a huge report for you to read later, how does that sound?" I will and you know it Sonic so please just say yes so I am in this lovely safe environment where no one will see me.

"Shadow you haven't left this house since you came home from the hospital and you are coming with me." Ooo getting all dominant on me, can't say I am not enjoying the tone and expressions.

"And what would you do if I, lets say, grab the rail in the hallway and refuse to let go?" Not a bad plan actually.

"You wont because if you dare to do that then I will bed bound you and take your chair away. Insert a catheter and put one of those nappies on ya, how does that sound love?" He wouldn't dare, he knows damn well I don't like any of that. It is bad enough I have to wear one of those stupid incontinent nappies when out which is why I choose to stay at home.

"You can glare at me all you like babe and yep I will do that. So hurry up and drink your coffee or I'm putting it in a portable flask and you drink it on the way. We also need to put you in your joggers too, more of a reason to hurry up. So what will it be babe, being bed bound or coming out with no fussing?" I hate you sometimes, I will damn well drink my coffee at home and I will take my time in doing so.

"You are diabolical and you know my answer." Totally unfair and I don't care if i am all pouty now, I want to stay home.

"Yeah I love you to babe. Now hurry up or the mall we be extra crowed by the time we get there."

On second thought maybe having my coffee on the go isn't such a bad idea…

Half an hour later…

"I want to go home." Take me home Sonic I do not like the staring I am getting in this chaos forsaken mall and I also think I had an accident too. It is a little squishy under my blanket.

"Shadow we only just got here and of course people are going to look our way, they always have." Just because I cannot see you doesn't mean I don't know you are finding all this funny, I can practically hear your grin in your happy little voice.

"Fine if I cannot go home then at least walk a little faster." You are going slow on purpose hedgehog.

"No can do Shads, I wouldn't want to lose control and have you flying forward out of my hands." You are just loving this far too much.

"Or is this your way of having me out of the house longer?" Yeah I know you Sonic and this sounds more logical than your little excuse.

"Ok you got me, being cooped up indoors is not good for you babe. We wouldn't want a relapse now would we." Curse you Sonic and I didn't have a damn relapse, I just got a little emotional the other day, that is all.

"Where is this place anyway?" Might as well change the subject and except my fate in being here.

"On the upper level, just need to get to the right lift." Excuse me?

"So this disability store is on an upper level. They are aware that most of their customers are either wheelchair bound or have trouble with moving without an aid right?" They should move location to the ground floor so it is easier for people to get to.

"Huh you have a good point Shads but there are lifts in this place and moving stairs so I guess they don't see a problem with others getting to them." Right, more like they are purposely trying to make it a little harder for others.

Oh good the right lift to go up in and no one is there waiting for it, bonus. But people could be exiting it when it comes down which means more looks my way, how wonderful.

"How about a smoothie when we are done?" No I want to go home and I will be calling for the lift so back off.

"Ok you press the button babe." Yeah that's right I will.

"You do know you only need to press it the once right and not multiple time?" Oh shut up and let me have my fun.

"I am aware, I am not a child." Don't even bother Sonic.

"Could have fooled me love, only a child would keep pressing the button to call the lift down. How about only pressing our floor instead of all of them when we get inside ok." You bothered and now I am totally not talking to you.

"Aw is Mr Grumpy upset with me?" Shut up Sonic.

Finally the lift is here and people are coming out. Stop looking at me damn it. Yes I am in a wheelchair big deal, do you all really need a reminder of why I am? Do I need to get Amy to explain?

"Ahh Sonic you did that on purpose!" You sly little annoying hedgehog, why did you almost tip me over?

"Well how else am I going to get you to stop giving me the silent treatment love. Besides I am only messing about, I had total control and would never just let you fall." Again I need a seatbelt when Sonic is pushing me around, maybe a crash helmet too oh and padding, lots of padding.

"Top floor babe and only top floor." Shut up and quit laughing.

"I would if you could move me closer to the damn buttons Sonic." This is not a good morning so far.

"Well I am not stopping you from getting closer to them but you better hurry up. The doors are closing and the lift will either stay here or move to a floor we do not need." Cocky little shit, this was your plan all along.

Well two can play at this game or not, I don't exactly have a lot of space to remover about. This is going to take too long and Sonic is right, damn him.

"I can't." Just press the button and stop looking at me with amusement.

"What was that babe? Couldn't quite here you, speak up please." Mocking me will only be bad for you.

"I don't have enough space in here to move this stupid chair to get closer and you damn well know that. So just press the button so we can get out of this stupidly small lift, please." Yes Sonic you have pissed me off further now.

"Ok calm down love, I'm sorry. Just thought you might want to do some things for yourself while we are out." Really and why don't I believe you?

"Fine then I want to push myself to the store we are going in." Ha take that.

"Great and as soon as those doors open you are in control of your chair." I am now having a bad feeling about this decision, his overly cheerful tone and smile is a clear sign.

But I cannot back down now, I cannot give him the satisfaction of winning this. The doors pin and I watch them slowly open but can I really make it out without getting a little stuck where the little gap is?

"Better hurry up babe or the doors will close and you will end up someplace else." Yeah I bet you would just love that wouldn't you?

Ok I can do this, just take it easy and do light forward pushes on the wheels. Damn it that stupid gap, going over it is a little tougher than I first thought.

"Need help?" No I can do this.

Yes, the front wheels are over it and now the back are approaching it. Ha I did it, take that Sonic. Yeah ok I admit it was a little bumpy going over the gap but I did it.

"Ok this way and try to avoid running people over, we don't have insurance for ya." Sonic don't give me ideas and maybe you should get some out for right now I really feel like running you over.

Sonic slow down a little please, I am not used to pushing myself in a busy place. In fact I haven't pushed myself for this long before. My arms are getting tired but I can't stop or I will lose Sonic and he is the one who knows where we are going.

"Keep up babe!" Shut up, I swear you are seriously enjoying me struggling right now.

I bet you knew I would which is probably the reason why you didn't protest me pushing myself. Smart in a way but also very cruel. Damn I love you more right now, tough love is exactly what I need to become a little more independent.

"Almost there Shads, you are doing very well!" Yeah and me doing well is me falling behind?

And yeah don't patronise me either, I am not a child. I am over fifty years old damn it and I want to be…actually no I don't want to be treated as such. That will not be a good thing since I am almost sixty, well in a couple of years I will be. From what I know, that is considered old and old people are somewhat frail which means Sonic will up the babying on me.

"Damn it I am slowing down." I should really keep my mind on moving rather than thinking upon other things for the moment.

"You sure you don't want me to take over?" Oh great he had to pause in his walking so I could catch him up. No need to look at me with concern my love I can do this.

"N-no it's fine, we are almost there right?" I am really hating the fact I sound out of breath.

"I know you are like totally proud but maybe I have pushed you a little too far." Here comes the guilty look and tone.

"I am fine but if it makes you feel better than please take over. I simply just need to do more of those arm exercises and not avoid them every day." Oh crap I have dropped myself in a very dark hole now.

"You are what now babe?" Shit, he doesn't look happy now.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. Say lets get to this store so we can get those smoothies quicker yeah?" Distract and smile Shadow, keep smiling at him innocently and he will forget that little slip up.

"Sounds like a plan love." Thank chaos I am saved and we are once again on the move.

"Oh and by the way when we get home you are doing those exercises in front of me so I know you haven't skipped out on them today." Crap but I am glad he chose to bend forward and whisper that in my ear, I do not need others listening in and finding out I avoid such things. Don't want them thinking I am giving up this battle and relying on those around me too much.

"But why, I practically did the exercise a moment ago?" Why punish me further?

"Sonic has spoken babe and here we are." Speaking in third person isn't cool Sonic, it just makes you sound stupid.

Automatic doors are my favourite kind of door and the wider they are the better they are. This place seems nice and spacious too, even Sonic can't possibly bump me into anything in here. Then again if he really wanted to he could but I don't think he does.

"Ok I am parking you here, why don't you have a little look at the grabbing sticks. You did after all break yours and need another one. I'll be back soon, I need to speak to the owner of the store." Oh yeah I forgot I broke that stick.

"Don't be too long you might get a ticket, I don't exactly have a disability sticker ya know!" Yeah see I can still joke about and make him laugh, I do love his laugh.

(Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Things will pick up soon and Eggman will make an appearance too, well at some point. He is still in the planning stage and isn't done yet so yeah. Until the next update…)