Learning to Move Forward: Novella #3.5 by Cynthia P. O'Neill Read Free Book Online Page A

about the other vehicles involved. It turned out that one of the drivers had a heart attack and crashed through the intersection, hitting another vehicle, which turned it toward our car. The man with the heart attack died, but the woman in the other vehicle was alive, but paralyzed from the waist down, having suffered a spinal injury.
    Laurel’s plan had worked. I felt better and knew that my life had been spared and somehow had meaning. I still sought the attention of my parents, but soon realized that I may never have them look at me the same again, so, I opted to live for myself and figure out what I could do with my life and get it back on track.
    When I returned to high school, my boyfriend was already dating someone else, the clique had a new leader, and I was kicked off the cheerleading squad. They’d cited some garbage about being unable to function in the capacity they needed. I almost returned to my hole of despair when a few girls and guys, very similar to Laurel’s temperament, extended the hand of friendship and I took it.
    To my surprise, the kind of people she hung out with were easy to talk to and really listened to what you had to say. They didn’t treat me any different than they acted toward each other. They accepted me as is, flaws and all.
    I had new friends and let my guard down some. I was still testing the waters to see who were genuine and who weren’t. My parents were a lost cause. I felt loved, but not as I had before.
    Over the next year, I had to undergo another surgery and more physical therapy, before being fitted with a prosthetic. The hand looked real, but I could only hide what I looked like by wearing long sleeves. I was torn between who I had been and accepting who I had become.
    I’d given up hope of ever being “Miss Popular” again when one of the seniors, who graduated last year, returned from college and saw me out and about and asked me for a date. I was hesitant at first, but felt the need to belong to the “in-crowd” again.
    Barry and I hit it off on a date to the movies. He didn’t seem repulsed by my missing hand and I was getting attention from some of my former friends. The feeling was a euphoric high. He had a couple weeks off, so we went out a few times and ended up sleeping together.
    I’d been fearful of a sexual relationship with anyone. A guy friend and I used each other to lose our virginity. He’d shown me that I was still a woman, no matter what, and that he found me attractive. We tried dating for a while, but there was a lack of chemistry beyond the lust.
    Barry was gentle with me, trying to take into account my prosthetic. The sex was amazing, making me feel treasured. Just too bad things weren’t as they appeared.
    I felt on cloud nine the following day, only to stumble across Barry talking with some of our mutual friends, or in my case, former ones. He was bragging. “Grace is one hot bitch in heat. She may be maimed, but give her the smallest bit of attention and she’ll roll over on her back and spread her legs for you.”
    One guy I didn’t know stated, “Maybe when you go back to school, I can tap that piece of ass. She’s not good for much else. It’s not like she can give me a good hand job.”
    Laughter filled the area. That’s when I moved away from them quietly, until I was able to run and get further down the road. They all laughed at me. He was using me to get his kicks. I was nothing more than a sick joke.
    I walked home crying, trying to figure out what my course of action would be. I thought about just never talking to him again, but I wanted to teach him a lesson. I decided to go out on one more date with him, to let him think he could get some more, only to turn him down and walk away…
     
    I felt warm lips place a gentle kiss upon my neck. I tipped my head, offering Jonathan more of my neck, when his arms slid around me and held me tight. “You’re lost in thought, darling. I called your name from the door twice to get your