Chapter 10

Ray was allowed to go with Ben to his room, but would have to leave once Ben was settled. It was important for the rehab process as Ben would to fully focus on it. It turned out that Ben was in a two person room rather then a private one.

Ben settled onto the bed with an inward sigh or it could have been a groan Ray didn't know which.

The nurse covered him, "Ben I'll leave you to get settled and your physiotherapist will be along shortly to tell you what's happing. Now Ray is it. You'll have to leave soon I'm afraid. You can come back tomorrow between seven and nine".

Ben gave her a tiny smile, "Thank you kindly".

The nurse left leaving them to say their goodbyes in private.

Ray took Ben's hand in his it was shaking, "Ben you'll do fine. I wish that I could stay with you. You'll see it won't take long and you'll be home with Dief and me. We can start training for the marathon can't we"?

Ben held Ray's hand close to his heart, "I wish that you could stay as well Ray. I'll do my best to get home fast to you. So we be together and yes Ray we can start training for the marathon".

Ray felt tears sting his eyes but kept them in check. The nurse came in and in and told him that it was time to leave.

Ray leaned in and kissed Ben as if it was going to be their last kiss, "I love you Ben, and I'll see you tomorrow at seven sharp".

Ben didn't want to let go of Ray's hand but he had to, "Love you to Ray. Sleep well Ray and tell Dief not to worry I'll be home soon to you both".

Ray left giving Ben one last kiss. Only when out of the room did allow his tears to fall.

Ben lay in the bed dropping his head back onto the pillow. Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. Ben was interrupted in his thoughts by the physiotherapist in charge of getting back on track.

She was a tall beautiful woman, "Hello Ben I'm Emma and I'll be both your technician for the building of your legs but I'll also be your physico to build up your strength. I know Gill Kennedy would normally be yours but she is fully booked. So I hope I'll do for you Ben"?

Ben nodded and shook her hand, "That's fine Emma. Just as long as I get back on my feet so to speak, that's all that matters to me".

Emma sat by Ben's bedside, "Good attitude you have Ben. That's what I like in my patients.

Emma sat back and opened the folder, "Ok Ben, now this is what I have lined up for you. First we are going to measure and make a mould for your legs. We'll take in to account your height so don't worry. Then we are going to work on building up your strength make you fit and healthy. I know we will have up and walking again. I believe your going to try and take part in the marathon at the end of the year. I'll have legs made for running so that won't be a problem. So Ben do you have any questions"?

Ben felt the terror run through him. It all sounded so hard and impossible.

Ben rubbed his forehead, "Can I wear my legs full time or do I still have to use the chair"?

Emma put the folder down, "You can wear the legs as much as you want. But I'd say take breaks use the chair. You'll only wear out the skin and cause damage if you wear them all the time".

Ben now rubbed his face and sighing deeply, "Thank you kindly Emma. When do we start"?

Emma stood, "Tomorrow I'll leave you to get some rest tonight and we will start fresh in the morning".

Ben nodded, "Ok thank you".

Ray got home safely and sat with Diefenbaker having supper. Ray never felt so alone sitting in the house alone with Diefenbaker. Out of the corner of his eye Ray saw Ben's Mountie boots. Ray felt sick to his stomach knowing Ben would never wear them again.

Ray sat on the floor holding them to his chest crying for the loss of that life Ben would leave behind him now.

Ray was broken out of this by a knock on the door.

Ray opened the door to find his parents standing there, "Mum, Dad", Ray sounded like a little child.

Mrs Kowalski frowned on seeing her sons tear stained face, "Oh Stanley what's the matter. Did something happen to Ben my dear"?

Ray went into his mothers arms, "Mum Ben went into the rehab centre today. I just found his Mountie boots that he'll never wear again".

Mr Kowalski put his hand on his son's shoulder, "Come on son lets get you inside".

Ray nodded wiping his face, "Ok, ok come on in I'll make us some tea and coffee".

Ben had been dozing but was awoken by someone coming in to the room. Ben saw that his roommate was a little boy who had lost his leg.

The little boy was sitting up in the bed smiling at him, "Hi Sir my name is Shane, what is your name"?

Ben smiled at Shane, "Hi Shane I'm Ben, how are you"?

Shane fixed the covers on his bed, "I'm fine. I'm just in for my new leg. I'm growing to fast so I'm too big for my old one. What are you in for Ben"?

Ben didn't know weather or not he should tell Shane but knew that it was ok somehow, "I lost both my legs in an accident a few weeks ago".

Shane's face looked sad, "I'm sorry Ben that must have been scary. I lost my leg in a car crash".

Shane kept taking, "What did you used to do"?

Ben fiddled with his sheets, "I'm a Mountie, or was a Mountie".

Shane smiled big time, "A Mountie like for real from Canada. Can you still be a Mountie now"?

Ben looked away, "I can still work from behind a desk or teach other Mounties how to be Mounties. I can't work the same way that I used to now".

Shane looked sad for Ben, "I'm sorry Ben. At least you can still teach them how to be better Mounties. If my sister had lived she would have been a nurse. My sister would have been a great nurse. She died in the car crash".

Ben felt guilty for moaning about losing his legs when Shane had lost his sister.

Ben spoke with sadness in his voice, "I'm sorry Shane about your sister. Shane are you here all by yourself"?

Shane shook his head, No my daddy is staying with me. He is in the parents rooms sleeping he was very tired".

Ben and Shane chatted about everything and anything for a long time. The nurse came in with something to eat for them both.

The nurse explained that Shane had to be put into this room as he was afraid to be on his own in a room. His dad gave permission for him to share with Ben as the nurse explained that Ben was a Mountie so it would be safe. Shane's dad remembered Ben from him talking at the school where he worked.

Ray sat at the table with his mum and dad sipping his now cold coffee.

Mrs Kowalski spoke softly, "Stanley you have to eat something. You'll need to keep healthy for Ben, how did he settle in"?

Ray's eyes were sore and swollen from crying, "Ben settled in fine. He is stronger then me. This won't stop him. I can't eat right now I'll try later".

Mr Kowalski took Ray by the arm, "Come on son go lye down. I'll take the wolf for a walk ok".

Ray nodded and headed to lye down on the couch the bed would be to hard right now.

While Mr Kowalski was out with Diefenbaker he was soon joined by Ray Veccico.

Ray Veccico walked beside him, "Hi Mr Kowalski, how is Ray. I saw him come home. I was just about to go over when I saw you arrive".

Mr Kowalski kept walking as he talked, "Raymond is not taking it well. He was crying when we arrived at the house. He was holding onto Ben's Mountie boots. I don't know what we can do for him"?

Ray Veccico put a hand on his shoulder, "Just be there for them both and he'll be fine. Benny is strong and loves your son he won't give up without a fight believe me".

Mr Kowalski smiled a little, "I hope your right"?