Lt. Johnson helped to encourage Taylor through her first day or therapy. It consisted of using what movement she could get from her hands to squeeze a rubber ball. They also used a serious of electrodes to help provide some electrical stimulation to her legs.
"All done." The therapist said
"That's it?" Taylor asked
"You suffered a major injury, and recovering from it doesn't happen all at once." The therapist replied. "Give it time; I think that we could have you walking again."
"I don't have time. I want to get better, get out of here." Taylor replied
"Take it easy Taylor. You'll get out of here, but like he said it will take time." Lt. Johnson said
"I'm not going to be an invalid the rest of my life. You can kill me now if that's how this is going to end up." Taylor said honestly
"Well, as tempting as the offer sounds- I think there's quite a few people who want you to stay around." The therapist replied.
Lt. Johnson smiled as he walked back down the hallway beside Taylor's wheelchair.
"I guess I should say thank you." Taylor said
"For what?" Lt. Johnson asked
"For coming and supporting me." Taylor replied
"Your mother figured that it would be better for me to be here than her. But I'll admit that it was painful to watch. I wanted to help you so much, but you've got to learn to do this on your own. It'll get better." He admitted
"Yeah, I suppose." Taylor replied
With that they paused in front of the doorway to her room.
"Well, I'm going to go home and spend some precious time with my family. Taylor, you've once again taught me that our family- and extended family- is the most precious thing that we can have. And if that means balancing my time between home, here and the firehouse, I will." Lt. Johnson smiled
"I don't know what to say." Taylor admitted
"You don't have to say a word." Lt. Johnson replied as he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "You just keep your chin up okay?"
Taylor nodded and watched as he walked away.
"He's right you know?" The nurse said
"I know." Taylor replied
As they entered her room it looked like she had just entered a florist shop.
"Where did all of those come from?" She asked
"Apparently, you are a very popular person." The nurse replied, "I just wish my husband would send me flowers on our anniversary."
Taylor let out a slight laugh.
"Now see girl, that's how you have to look at it. The more positive you are, the better you'll feel."
"Do you mind leaving me in this chair for a while?" Taylor asked, "Laying in that bed gets kind of old."
"That's the attitude to have." The nurse smiled, "I'll be in to check on you in a bit."
Taylor sat admiring the flowers and cards that were placed around her room. It was nice to see that she had something to brighten up her life a little. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Taylor said
"Looks like a greenhouse in here." Ty Davis said
"Hey." Taylor smiled slightly
"Now come on, you should smile bigger than that. It'd be a shame to not show those pearly whites." Davis grinned
"You always know how to make me laugh don't you?" Taylor asked
Davis was slightly uncomfortable with the situation. He held a small Teddy Bear in his hands.
"What's that?" Taylor asked trying to help ease the silence
"Oh, it's just a Teddy Bear, you know. Like for when you just…" He broke off his sentence. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I can use my hands a little." Taylor replied
"I can go if you want." Davis said
"Why?" Taylor asked
"I just wasn't sure how comfortable you'd be, you know with us seeing you like that." Davis said
"I've got to get used to it myself. But I can't deal with the pity that everyone wants to give me." Taylor stopped, "Lt. Johnson was in here this morning and I started to say 'I can't' and I discovered that that was a huge mistake. He wouldn't accept that answer. So I've got to accept the fact that I'm stuck in this chair, like it or not, and unless I sever myself from the world- people are going to see me like this."
Davis nodded his head. "That's the attitude to have then. It's just weird. I mean seeing you in the chair…"
Davis felt like he was stumbling over his words.
"I'm sorry Alex, I got to go." Davis said suddenly, the discomfort of the situation had finally gotten to him. "I'll see you around."
"Yeah, thanks for stopping by. It was nice to have another familiar face." Taylor replied
With that Davis left Taylor in the room alone. She stared at the bear that he had brought. She thought back to when they were dating and she had come to the hospital to see him after he was shot. She realized how much she hated to visit people in the hospital, and she didn't blame him for not wanting to be around her.
Finally, her mom returned.
"How are you doing today Alex?" Beth asked
"I've been better." Taylor replied
"My lands you've gotten a lot of flowers." Beth remarked, "Who are they from?"
Taylor stared at her mother.
"How would I know? Remember, I can't use my arms." Taylor replied
Her mom walked over to the first bunch.
"Well these are from the firehouse." She said as she looked at the card.
Beth went to each set of flowers, some were friends, and others were from family members. It made Taylor feel like she had all of the love and support that she needed to get through this. But she realized that there were going to be a lot of tough days ahead of her. So she made it her goal to take each day as it came to her. And if that meant that she had to try a little harder, that's what she was going to do because she wasn't giving up…