Hello again fellow readers. A slightly early update for me (1 hour until Tuesday)


Okay first off I must address one of my reviewers who was very sad at the turn of events with Kimberly. I am going to say right off that when the doctor says the paralysis is irreversible, it is. Kimberly will never do gymnastics again, but she will also not kill herself either. I have some really good plans down the road that will only work with the way the plot is now, but I do think you will enjoy them. Also, a little quiz for you readers: Kudos to the person/s who can guess where Coach Blair came from, ie where I got the idea for him. Kim fans should know this!


Chapter 5 The Spreading of the Lies

When Kimberly awoke the next morning, she noticed her mother by her side. She hadn't remembered hearing her come in and didn't know how long she'd been there.

"Kimberly, you're awake. How are you feeling sweetie?" asked her mother gently.

"Okay, I guess," replied Kimberly. She really didn't feel too much better about anything.

"Your coach stopped by earlier. He wanted to check in on you, but I wouldn't let him interrupt your sleep. It didn't look like you'd been sleeping well at all."

"Did he say anything?" asked Kimberly.

"Not really. He wanted details on your condition and then told me to tell you that your roommates would be stopping by this afternoon. He was going to allow them to leave practice for a few hours."

Kimberly smiled slightly. Visitors would be nice. She wondered what her roommates were thinking, or if they even knew the whole story. They probably would if Coach Schmidt did. He would probably tell the entire gymnastic compound about it… Kimberly sighed. She didn't want to think about their reactions. It was all too painful.

"Your step-father sends his love and well wishes. I haven't been able to get in contact with your father yet. He must be away on business. I've left him messages to call me at the hotel I'm staying in so we'll see."

"Did Dr. Matthews have anything else to say?" asked Kimberly.

"He did mention taking removing the restraints from your body now that you know about your condition. You were only restrained to keep you from any sudden movements after you first awoke, but now that you are awake and know, they are no longer necessary." There was a knock on the door. "Come in," called Kimberly's mother.

In walked Dr. Matthews with one of the nurses. The nurse was carrying a breakfast tray. She set it on the bedside stand and moved it over toward Kimberly. The nurse pressed a button to raise the upper half of the bed to allow Kimberly to eat breakfast more easily. "Good morning, Kimberly. I take it you slept well?"

Kimberly simply nodded. "I slept okay."

"That's good to hear. I've had one of the nurses bring you some breakfast. Now that you're awake, you need to get some sustenance into your body." Kimberly glanced down at the food she had been given. A bowl of cereal, a glass of milk, a glass of orange juice, and an applesauce cup lined her tray. Ick she thought I really hate hospital food. It never tastes as good as it looks.

Dr. Matthews continued. "I'm also going to remove the restraints on your lower body today. I'm positive that you think us crazy, but we only restrained you for your safety until you woke up and were told of your condition. They are no longer necessary now. I'm sure you'll be happy to have them off."

What good will that do? It's not like I can move my legs or anything. Not wanting to appear unkind, Kimberly smiled at the man. He was trying his best to be friendly. She again stared down at her food and began to eat. As she had thought early, the food was icky. The cereal tasted like cardboard and she had to choke it down. The applesauce cup was okay, but a bit bland. Kimberly didn't feel much like drinking, but did so to please her mother, who was eyeing her like a hawk. A funny feeling went through Kimberly. "Umm… where do I go to the bathroom?" she asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Well, you've been hooked up to a bed pan since you've arrived, but we can also allow you to use the bathroom beside your bed if you'd allow someone to carry you," mentioned Dr. Matthews.

Kimberly made another face. She really didn't want to hear about bed pans. She turned to look at her mother, hoping her pleading look would send her mother the message. Apparently, mothers cannot read coded messages sent by their daughters. "Mom?..." tried Kimberly, trailing off.

"Hmm? Oh I see. You want me to carry you. Well, the restraints need to be removed first… Dr. Matthews?"

"All right, we'll remove them now." Dr. Matthews instructed the nurse to follow his lead. The two of them removed the restraints, which were then stored underneath the bed. Kimberly felt more human after they were gone. The nurse then removed the bed pan as well. Kimberly's mother stood and lifted her daughter, who wasn't too heavy. Kimberly felt a small wind go up her hospital gown, alerting her that underneath she wore nothing. A slight blush crossed her face as she realized this. It didn't seem to faze her mother though, but then again, mothers have seen everything. Her mother sat her gently on the toilet, helping Kimberly to raise her gown. Then, she stepped outside of the bathroom and closed the door to give Kimberly her own privacy.

How things had changed. Even going to the bathroom had become more difficult. Kimberly felt worse. She wasn't used to relying on others for simple things. It wasn't right. Kimberly called for her mom when she finished; her mom held her up while she washed her hands at the sink. Kimberly felt like such a lowlife.

When Kimberly was back in bed, Dr. Matthews had more news for her. "Kimberly, how would you like to try using a wheelchair today? You wouldn't have to stay in this stuffy room all day and you could wander the hallway. There's a lounge down the hallway for patients on this floor, and the children's room is right next to it if you'd like to visit them. Before we can allow you to do any of that though, you have to learn how to use a wheelchair."

As much as Kimberly hated to admit it, the room was stuffy and not something she'd like to stare at all day. "Maybe this afternoon. Can I make a phone call?"

"Why yes. You'll have to use a calling card if you're going to call long distance though," answered Dr. Matthews.

"Mom, do you have a calling card?"

"Yes, there's one in my purse…."

Kimberly cut her off. "May I use it? I'd like to call Trini."

Her mother quickly surrendered the card. If Kimberly was going to contact her best friend, her mother wouldn't stop her. She was hoping that the promise she'd made to Kimberly would soon end. After all, if she was calling Trini, the others couldn't be too far behind. "Kimberly, I'm going to go back to the hotel room for a little bit and maybe look around town. I'll be back this afternoon around two though."

"Okay. Bye mom."

As soon as her mom, Dr. Matthews, and the nurse left the room, Kimberly reached for the phone beside her bed. She flipped the phone card over and followed the instructions before dialing Trini's dormitory number. Once Trini had returned from the Peace Conference, she'd begun taking summer courses at the college of her choice – MIT. She was majoring in computer science with a minor in communications.

The phone rang three times and Kimberly didn't think anyone would pick up. After all, it was ten and Trini could be in class for all she knew. Halfway through the fourth ring, the other phone was picked up. "Hello? Trini speaking."

"Trini!" cried Kimberly.

"Oh hey Kim. This is an unexpected surprise. Aren't you supposed to be training at the gym right now? Pan Globals are just a few weeks away."

"Well… yes…" answered Kimberly softly, sadness coating her voice.

"Kim you sound upset. Did something happen between you and Tommy?"

Not yet…thought Kimberly. "Trini, my life has changed forever," answered Kimberly, beginning to sob.

"Calm down… tell me what happened," soothed Trini.

Kimberly then began to tell her story and everything her mother and Dr. Matthews had told her up until that point in time. Trini let her friend pour her heart out; that was the best route to go with Kimberly. Trini was shocked and saddened at the same time. She never expected something like this to happen to her best friend. She remembered back when they were kids how Kimberly would dream of being an Olympic gymnast and Trini would take about being a genius with computers who brought peace to the entire world. Sure, they were what, eight years old, but the dreams still held true, until Kimberly's was shattered. "Oh Kimberly…. Do you want me to come visit?"

"You have classes, remember?"

"I don't care about my classes when you've been in something as serious as this. It's only the first summer session; I can take more classes during the second one. You need me more than I need to be hitting the books."

A few silent tears fall. Kimberly is thankful for having a friend like Trini. "If you want to…"

"I'm going to, and you can't stop me. Have you talked to the rest of the gang yet? Does Tommy know?"

"NO!" Kimberly said, a bit too sternly.

"Kimberly, why haven't you told anyone else?"

"I… I have my reasons."

"Kimberly Ann Hart…."

"Don't take that tone with me, Trini. I'll tell you more when you are here. Don't you dare tell any of the others though. Not even Tommy."

Trini sighed deeply. This was worse than she could have ever imagined. She wondered why Kimberly had told no one, not even the boy who loved her so dearly. "All right, Kimberly, but you'd better have a damn good reason for not doing so. I'll book the next flight I can get. Is your mom there?"

"Yeah she flew in yesterday."

"Can you give me her contact information so I can get in touch with her after I finalize my plans? I don't want to bother you in case you are sleeping, all right?"

"All right." Kimberly recited her mother's hotel and the phone numbers to get in contact with her. "I'll see you soon Trini."

"You just take care of yourself, Kim. Bye."

"Bye." Kimberly replaced the phone back on the receiver. She knew Trini was not happy and would not be happy when Kimberly actually told her everything. It was nice to talk to her again though, even if the news had been bad. Her eyes began to droop and Kimberly drifted back to sleep.

Kimberly's Dream

Kimberly found herself sitting by the lake. As she glanced around at her surroundings, she realized that she was back home in Angel Grove. She smiled to herself, but then looked down. Once again, she was stuck in a wheelchair. However, dream Kimberly didn't make any connections to real Kimberly. Dream Kimberly was happy to be home, mostly because she could be with her friends and Tommy again. She was looking forward to seeing his face, hearing his voice, and touching his skin. She didn't think of how he would react to her; she thought he would understand completely.

As she glanced across the lake, she realized how the setting sun beams hit the lake at just the right angle, creating a ray of spectacular colors. Kimberly delighted in the simple beauty of it all. It felt so good to be home again. She backed her chair up, and turned it again, heading toward home. "Home" right now was with the Campbells. Even though Aisha had gone to Africa, they had been kind enough to loan her a place to stay until she could find a new apartment. Kimberly was grateful to them for everything.

As Kimberly wheeled herself home, she smiled as she came upon a familiar figure. "Tommy! It's so good to see you!"

Tommy didn't answer. Instead, he continued walking down the street, not giving her the time of day. Kimberly's mouth dropped. She had to be seeing things. This was not her Tommy. Kimberly turned her chair around and began wheeling toward him. "Tommy! Tommy did you hear me?"

Tommy stopped suddenly and turned. Kimberly quickly put on the brakes to avoid running into him. "Oh… it's you…" he commented rudely.

"What do you mean? Thomas Oliver, you'd better have a reason for saying that!"

"Kimberly Hart, I don't need a reason," he replied, mocking her.

Kimberly couldn't believe he'd said that. "But you said… on the phone…"

"It's so easy to lie on the phone, isn't it? Sorry beautiful, I lied." He turned and quickly strolled off.

Kimberly wheeled after him, but he was too quick for her. Her hands quickly grew tired of going so fast and she stopped, long to chase after the retreating shadow. "Tommy! Tommy!" she yelled after him.

"…Tommy…. Tommy…." Kimberly mumbled in her sleep. She awoke with a start, and realized she'd been crying again.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Kimberly called miserably.

Dr. Matthews entered, carrying a folded-up wheel chair. A different nurse than Kimberly had seen that morning was following him. Dr. Matthews looked at her face. "I'm sorry. Shall we go?"

"No, no," replied Kimberly.

"As long as you're certain," he responded. "Kimberly, I'd like you to meet Nurse Megan. She's going to help you learn how to use a wheelchair, that is, if you're ready to try."

Kimberly nodded. She had to get her mind off of Tommy. Sleep wasn't helping her at all. It was only making her feel more guilty and depressed.

"Great! This will really help your progress along. You'll feel much better when you don't have to stay in this room all day. I know it mustn't be pleasant." Dr. Matthews understood some of Kimberly's pain. His daughter was paralyzed as well from an accident as an early teenager. He remembered well the pain she went through; it was hard to pull her through. Thankfully, that had been ten years ago. Dr. Matthews knew Kimberly could live just as happily as his Jenna did. It was going to take a lot of work. "All right Kimberly, all we have to do is lift you into the chair, and see how you get used to it."

Kimberly looked at the nurse, who had already set up the wheelchair. It was black in color, and had a black mesh bag on the back for any items to be carried. The bright chromed wheels shined brightly. She suspected that the chair was brand-new. Dr. Matthews lifted Kimberly from her bed and placed her in the chair. At first, Kimberly felt odd; she had never sat in a wheelchair before, but the feeling soon subsided.

As soon as the nurse began wheeling her into the hallway, Kimberly began feeling helpless. She wanted to be independent again. It wasn't fair. The nurse stopped just outside of her room. "All right Kimberly, now I'm going to show you how to work your wheelchair. I'm very sure you'll catch on quickly." The older woman smiled down at her.

For the next hour, Kimberly worked with the nurse. It didn't take long for her to get the hang of navigating around the hallway. The nurse was pleased with Kimberly's progress and allowed her to visit the patient lounge room. "I'll be down the hall if you need anything dear," called the nurse as she left the room.

Kimberly wheeled herself over to the giant window. She looked out at her surroundings. The hospital was overlooking the downtown shopping district, a place Kimberly would much rather be. She sat by the window, just gazing down at the city below. She didn't notice other people join her in the room.

"Kimberly! There you are!"

Kimberly jumped, the noise startling her. As she turned around, she smiled at the two visitors. "Sarah! Lacie! It's good to see you! Oh I've missed you guys so much!"

"Coach Schmidt let us come right after lunch. I can't believe it, Kim. The whole gym was in shock," explained Lacie. "How're you holding up?"

"I'm… I'm making it," sighed Kimberly.

"What do you mean?" asked Sarah. "I'm sure all your friends from home are wishing you the best."

"They… they don't know about my… accident," muttered Kimberly.

"Kimberly! How could you do such a thing? Why haven't you told them?" asked Lacie.

"Because…. Because I haven't!" she yelled.

Lacie recoiled at Kimberly's sudden anger. "Kimberly…. Why are you keeping this a secret?"

"It's my choice… and it's best if you keep it a secret too…"

"Kimberly, Tommy's been calling the apartment for you. The machine's picked his calls up every time because we've always been out. He's worried and upset," replied Sarah.

"Tommy doesn't need to know. And I don't want you trying to contact him either. Or any of my other friends. I'll tell them when I'm ready," Kimberly lied.

Lacie shook her head. She'd known that this accident could have a major effect on Kimberly's mood and thoughts, but she hadn't suspected it would be this bad. It was even worse than when Sarah was depressed. "Okay, Kimberly. We won't contact them, but you've got to tell him soon."

"I will." Kimberly realized how easy it was to lie. She knew these two would believe her. They couldn't read her as well as Trini and she was using this to her advantage.

Sarah and Lacie stayed for a couple of hours before heading back to the gym to finish the daily practice. Before leaving, they gave her a card that the entire group had signed for Kimberly. Kimberly gave each of the girls a hug before they left.

"Remember Kimberly, we won't tell your friends anything as long as you tell them soon," warned Sarah.

Kimberly nodded and smiled. It was fake, all of it. She hated to do it, it wasn't her. If anyone saw her like this… well she didn't know what they'd think, but they'd disapprove of what she was doing. She sighed as she turned back toward the window and stared out at the city below.

Next time on Windmill into the Fall: Kimberly learns another side of the wheelchair lifestyle from someone she never would have expected (and it's not Trini; she'll be in chapter 7). What is going through Tommy's mind? What is Rita really planning to do? Find all these answers out in the next few chapters! And remember my quiz question! The first person to answer correctly will get a two page preview of the next chapter so make sure you leave your email addresses with your response.