Annie woke up the next day, day five of her rehab, with an excitement to start the day that she had not had in months. She woke at 6:30am before her alarm went off. Today, however, she refused to wait around for someone to help her. She had so much to do. As she stretched her arms above her head she could feel the soreness from yesterday's sessions. Continuing to stretch herself she bent herself at the waist slowly down so that her arms met her toes. This time she didn't feel anything in her feet when she touched them. This didn't upset her though. She figured the sensations would come and go.

She quickly transferred herself to her wheelchair and began the morning routine she had done the day before with Christina. She was slower today, more cautious since she was alone this time, without the watchful eye of her coach. She opted for putting shorts on instead of pants. These went on much quicker. After washing her face, brushing her teeth, and dressing, Annie decided she would do a few of the exercises Marcus had her doing the day before.

Annie still could not believe what had happened. Of course, it was just the two times. But it was hope, right? If she could feel something then that meant she was getting better. That her spine was healing. She could not wait to ask her doctor about this. Today, her day started with physical therapy. So after twenty minutes of some light exercising, she decided going to breakfast would be best so that she had strength to get through the session with as much passion as she felt the task now deserved. For once, she had reason to work hard. This new found hope gave her reason to fight-a reason to want to be stronger.

The psychical therapist, Marcus was a tall, African American around Annie's age. He always had a smile on his face. Even when Annie was uncooperative her first couple days in therapy, he still kept his smile. Today, to Marcus' surprise, Annie worked harder than he had seen her work yet. He noticed immediately when she came in that she was smiling, happy, and determined to complete whatever tasks he had for her. When their session was ending she also asked him what else she could do on her own to strengthen her upper body and how she should best keep her lower body in shape and keep blood circulations going. Of course, Marcus had many things he could tell her, but he started her off with a couple basic exercises and posture techniques that would help Annie.

As exhausted as Annie was after physical therapy, she knew she had more to accomplish after her session with Marcus, she had a daily living lesson at 11am. Annie's new determination during her session was a surprise for Christina. None of her therapists had seen her be so positive in the previous four days she had been there. Annie preformed all of the exercises given to her with the same level passion and strength that she had once used to learn martial arts from Auggie. This new Annie's attitude was a remarkable 180 from what had been seen the three days prior. Today's repetitive task for Annie from Christina was putting on pants. Of course, this slightly annoyed Annie, since she had explicitly avoided this task this morning because it was so time consuming. Nonetheless, Annie still completed the assigned tasks with hard work and seemingly limitless determination.

After working with Christina, Annie went to lunch in the cafeteria and she found herself in such a great mood that she gravitated herself to a table with two other patients.

"Can I sit with your guys" Annie asked as she approached the table with her tray on her lap.

"Of course." A slender dark haired African American man around 35 years old answered.

Annie put her tray on the table where two of her fellow patients sat. Then she pushed her wheelchair up under the table, locked the wheels and began unwrapping her silverware.

"Hi, I'm Annie. Thanks for letting me sit with you." Annie said a bit sheepishly. It had been forever since she went up to strangers without intending to get information from them for the CIA. She felt out of practice on normal social pleasantries.

"My name is Amber and this is Seth." A woman of about 30 answered. Her pixie cut blond hair reminded Annie of an older Tinker Bell.

"It is nice to meet you both." Annie responded as she began eating her meal. She had to admit, the food around here was surprisingly good. For sure not like typical hospital food. Today she had a turkey club sandwich, potato salad, fresh fruit and a warm chocolate chip cookie. Annie chooses to have water to drink for every meal except breakfast, but she is careful not to drink too much. Annie is learning that routine is best.

"So what brings you to our lovely facility Annie?" Seth asked without warning as Annie took a bit of her sandwich.

"Ummm." Annie began as she swallowed down the only slightly chewed bit of sandwich.

"Seth! You can't just ask people things like that," Amber scolded Seth as if he were a child.

"Why not? What else are we supposed to talk about, the weather? Sports? Please, you know me better than that." Seth replied bluntly.

"I do. But Annie does not. Annie hasn't been here very long. I'm sure she doesn't want to talk about how she got to be here."

"It's okay guys." Annie started. "We have to get used to these questions, right? I mean, once I'm out of here, I have to be back in the real world, around people who knew me before." Luckily, Joan, Auggie, and Annie had already thought of a cover story for how and why Annie was shot.

"See?" said Seth. "She doesn't mind."

"I was standing in line at a grocery store when two guys came in with guns to rob the place. My father was in the military, so I knew how to shoot well and always have a gun with me. Unfortunately, one of the robbers got his shots off before I could get any off. He shot me twice. Once in the chest, and once in the lower back. I suffered a T-2 injury to my spine, leaving me with the great parting gift of new wheels. I spent weeks in the hospital and had to endure two surgeries. My heart is still pretty weak and well, the injury to my spine seems to be permanent. No feeling from about my belly button down. And they don't seem to think I will talk again."

"Wow, and I thought I had a story with my bike crash." Amber stated matter of factly after finishing her meal. "It was very brave of you to try to stop the robbers. Were they ever caught?"

"Oh, yes. It is quite a story." Annie said. If you only knew the real story she added in her head, smiling at herself. She felt comfortable around Amber and Seth. They understood what she was going through.

"Well, I was in a car accident. My buddy was driving. He walked away without a scratch. But well, me, they say I'll never walk again as well. My spine was completely broke. No hope of repair. I was in the hospital for two months in a back brace while it healed. The bones healed, but the nerves in the spinal cord will never be repaired. I've been here for three weeks. I've almost mastered everything they have to teach us." Seth said proudly. Annie got the feeling that Seth had been quite a successful man in his former life before his accident. He was confident now. Perhaps he would continue to be successful in his "life after paralysis".

"Well, I have to get back to my room and get ready for a doctor's appointment. I'm supposed to be out front for my ride at 1:30pm. I don't know why the doctors can't come to us. Why do we have to make the journey to them?" Annie complained realizing she was among friends who could relate.

"I know what you mean. There are doctors on staff here, but I think your heart condition might give them reason to want to see you at another facility. You will get used to it all. But that's life as a paraplegic. The constant doctors and therapists appointments will slack off considerably after a while. I hope your appointment goes well." Amber said cheerfully as they all took their trays to the dish line and headed to their respective rooms. Annie liked Amber and Seth. Perhaps this process wouldn't be so bad after all.

Annie headed back to her room. She was grateful that she already had a doctor's appointment on the books before the feeling started again. Waiting for an appointment to come open would have been torturous. She had not had any more sensations in her lower extremities today, but that did not cause her to lose hope. She didn't think it would all come back at one time. She wanted so badly to call Auggie to tell him the good news. But she also wanted to make sure this was all for real and not in her head. She knew that people who lost limbs could have phantom pains where their limbs had been after they were gone. Or people could wish something to be true so hard that their mind actually convinced it self it was true. But this did not seem like either of those cases. The feeling felt real. The pain had been real. But Annie had to be sure.