Life Lessons - 750 words

Considering this website, it must seem strange but most of my stories are non-erotic. I do like the freedom to include at least the hint of sex but only if it fits naturally within the plot. And, while many authors on Literotica are masters in a particular category, I try to make each story different. For me that's a challenge. Two of my other stories have included disabled characters (one physically and one emotionally) but this is my first with a disabled child. Needkess to say, there is no sex in this short story.

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"Would you like to go to the park?"

"No."

"How about the movies?"

"There's nothing I want to see."

"You know, you can't stay inside forever."

"Why not?"

"You're only nine-years-old. You have your whole life ahead of you."

"A life stuck in this wheelchair. You have no idea how it feels to watch my friends having fun doing all the things I can't."

"Think about all the things you can."

"Try living one day like I do, then tell me how happy I should be."

"Okay."

"You'll do that?"

"Yes, I just have to get some things from the grocery."

"How will you get there?"

"Drive, of course."

"Sorry, but you can't drive if your legs don't work."

"Then how do you expect me to get there?"

"Use one of my wheelchairs."

"The nearest supermarket is eight blocks away!"

"What is it you always tell me? Oh yeah, it'll be good exercise. Of course, you could always have it delivered."

"I can handle any challenge you give me."

"We'll see, but I have two conditions. You can't tell anyone why you're in a wheelchair and no one can push you."

"What if someone asks?"

"Tell them you had an accident and the doctor said you have to use a wheelchair for a while."

From the window I could see one of our neighbors running over to my mom when she left home in the wheelchair.

"Marjorie, what happened?"

"I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking. I twisted my ankle and tore some ligaments."

"Will you need surgery?"

"The doctor hasn't made that decision yet."

"Need any help with the wheelchair?"

"Thanks, but I can handle it"

According to my mom, that scene was repeated many times during the shopping trip. Whether it was out of pity or real concern, others treated her differently because of the wheelchair. Back home, as she started to put the groceries away, I stopped her.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Putting the groceries away."

"But you're standing. Get back in the wheelchair."

"What about the groceries?"

"Place the food that doesn't go in the refrigerator on a low shelf that you can reach."

My mom was starting to understand my limitations but the best was yet to come. Pushing that wheelchair had given her a good workout.

"After that trip to the supermarket, my arms and shoulders are killing me. I'm going to take a hot shower."

"You mean a bath, don't you?"

"A bath?"

"People who can't use their legs take baths not showers. Call me when you're ready and I'll help you get in and out of the tub."

Getting in wasn't too difficult but getting out without using her legs was a humbling experience for my mom.

"You've made your point."

"Have I?"

"Yes, I'll cut down on the nagging but I have one request. The company that I work for has organized a softball game. All employees are encouraged to attend and I'd like you to join me."

The weather for the game was perfect and it seemed almost everyone wore sunglasses. Mom and I sat in the bleachers when another woman and her daughter joined us. The girl, about my age, sat next to me while her mother sat on the other side of her. What was strange was that the mother kept whispering to the girl during the game especially after an exciting play. Curious, I decided to start a conversation with the girl.

"Hi, my name's Mattie."

"I'm Gail."

"Is your dad playing today?"

"Yeah, he's the third baseman."

"Oh, wow. He's doing really great today."

"That's what my mom told me."

"Don't you understand baseball?"

"Oh, I understand baseball. The problem is I can't see."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's okay. I consider myself lucky. I lost my eyesight two years ago. Some people are blind at birth and never get to see their parents' faces or the beautiful colors of flowers."

"Losing your sight doesn't bother you?"

"Truthfully, in the beginning all I did was stay in my room and cry but my parents never gave up on me. When I screamed about not being able to see, my mom would say that everyone has something they can't do."

The message wasn't anything I hadn't heard before but coming from Gail it felt different. With a choked up voice, I responded, "I can't walk" and started to cry. As both mothers looked on in awe, Gail reached out and hugged me.