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He drew me into his e it as he spoke in a choked way "He'll survive, darling Isn't that what all of us do when tragedy corin and bear it and et e had yesterday and concentrate on e have today, and e can teach Jory how to accept what has happened, ill have our son back again--disabled, but alive, intelligent, organically healthy"

I was jerking with sobs as he talked on His hands ran up and downways to calm me

"We've got to be strong for hi Cry all you want now, for you can't cry when he opens his eyes and sees you You can't show pity You can't be too sy to look into your eyes, and he's going to read your mind Whatever fears or pity that you show on your face or in your eyes is going to deter to be devastated, we both know that He'll want to die He'll think about his father and how Julian escaped his plight, we have to keep that in mind as well We'll have to talk to Cindy and Bart and explain to them the roles they'll play in his recovery We have to forh this ordeal, for it's going to be rough, Cathy, very rough"

I nodded, trying to controlevery tor to tear me apart, too

Chris went on while he kept his arms about me for support "Jory's constructed his entire life around dancing, and he will never dance again No, don't look at me with that hope NEVER AGAIN! There is soet up on his feet and pull himself around on crutchesbut he'll never walk normally Accept that, Cathy

"We have to convince him that his handicap doesn't matter, that he's the same person he was before And, most importantly, we have to convince ourselves that he's just as e when a member becomes disabled They either become too syes the person they used to love and know We have to keep to th to see this through"

I heard a little of what he said

Crippled! My Jory was crippled A paraplegic I shookthat fate would keep him that way Tears fell like rain upon Chris's soiled, ruffled, dress shirt Hoould Jory live when he found out he was going to spend the rest of his life confined to a wheelchair?

Cruel Fate

The sun was noon high and still Jory hadn't opened his eyes Chris decided we both needed a hearty meal, and hospital food was always seasonless sawdust or shoe leather "Try to nap while I'one, and hold on to your control If he awakens, try not to panic, keep your cool and smile, snizant I'll try to hurry back"

I'd never sleep; I was too busy planning on how to act when Jory eventually woke up long enough to start asking questions Chris had no sooner closed the door behind him than Jory stirred, turned his head and weakly shts? When was it?"

"Last night," I whispered hoarsely, hoping he wouldn't noticefor hours and hours"

"You look exhausted," he said weakly, touchingly showing o back to the Hall and sleep? I'm okay I've fallen before, and, like before, in a few days I'll be whirling all over that house again Where's my wife?"

Why wasn't he noticing the cast that bulged out his chest? Then I saw his eyes were unfocused and he hadn't fully pulled out of the sedatives given him to ease the pain Goodif only he wouldn't start asking questions I wanted Chris to answer

Sleepily he closed his eyes and dozed off, but tenquestions "Moe Never felt like this before Can't say I like the way I feel Why this cast? Did I break so?"