Fragile Hearts by Colleen Clay Read Free Book Online Page B

training with his mouth full. I'm glad we're
talking shop. I say, "I guess the first thing is for me to let Mrs. Metcalf
know I want to sign up, and then schedule training times."
    "Well, if you need help with anything, just
let me know. If you want me to be there, I'll change my schedule."
    The last thing I want is Tyce distracting me
while I'm in training. I just smile like I'm considering it so he doesn't get
his feelings hurt.
    The next day, I inform my P.E. teacher that I
want to train for the Paralympics and give her my application. She's as happy
as Tyce had been. Because there are three other students wanting to train also,
it's decided that we'll all practice at the same time, not only to encourage
one another, but to compete against each other. Some of the students need to
rearrange their schedules, and Mrs. Metcalf says she'll help with that.
Finally, we agree that Monday through Friday at four in the afternoon works
best.
    The first two weeks are grueling and I think
I've probably made a mistake. Tyce shows up at my dorm almost every evening cheering
me on. Now I can't quit because I don't want to disappoint him.
    During the third week, rolling a large suitcase behind
him, Tyce knocks on my door. Inside my room, he opens it and says, "I'm
going to help you increase your upper body strength," and pulls out
dumbbells of several weights.
    I laugh and point to the DVD I was just about to
put in my TV. "I've been waiting all week to watch that movie. The last
thing I want to do is work out with weights."
    He glances at the DVD, rolls his eyes at the
chick-flick, and grabs it off the table.
    "You put that back," I order.
    He places the movie inside the suitcase.
"You can have it after we work out."
    "So you're going to work out, too?"
    "Of course." He gets a cocky
expression. "I've got to show you how it's done."
    "You are so full of yourself. Suppose I
refuse. What will you do then?"
    He steps until he's standing above me and then
leans over. Next to my ear, he whispers, "Tickle you."
    I gasp. "No. You better not."
    Too late. He's tickling my sides and I try not
to give him the satisfaction of a giggle. I can't hold out for long.
"Okay. Okay. You can be my personal trainer."
    He gives me one last poke and reaches for the
DVD, setting it back on the table. Pulling out two dumbbells, he says,
"Let's start with two pounds."
    "What! I can lift more than two
pounds."
    "Of course you can. But how many side lifts
can you do with them?" He demonstrates and I shake my head, thinking he's
crazy. I hold my hands out for the dumbbells, but he shakes his head.
"Warm-ups first, hot shot."
    I sigh, but follow all his instructions. Before
long, I'm being challenged by my new personal trainer and loving every minute
of it.
    By my fourth week at the pool, I'm feeling much
stronger and enjoying the comradery of my fellow Paralympics' swimmers.
    Because of my training routine, I haven't been
able to accompany Tyce when he tutors Kaylee. He said she keeps asking about
me. I also haven't been able to spend as much time with Lucy as I'd like.
    On Sunday, Tyce and Lucy both show up at my dorm
and Tyce says they're kidnapping me. I jokingly protest, but I really want to
hang out with them. We load into Tyce's truck and he drives the short distance
to Kaylee's. Lucy's never met Kaylee.
    As soon as we reach the gate, Tyce makes faces
at the monitor and it buzzes open. Kaylee meets us on the portico and her nurse
is with her pushing an empty wheelchair. Although Kaylee is standing and
smiling, she looks pale and sick. I introduce Lucy and while she tells Kaylee
about her name being Lucy Arnez and the reason why, I watch Tyce talking to Julie,
the governess/nurse.
    When we start inside the house, Tyce lifts Kaylee
and puts her in the wheelchair. She protests, but he tickles her into laughter.
Julie pushes her through the big door and I drop back, pulling on Tyce's
sleeve. I whisper, "What's going on?"
    He looks grim. "She had to start
dialysis."
    I