Reaching Rose (Hunter Hill University Book 3) by J.P. Grider Read Free Book Online Page B

She takes my body in hers so fiercely I think I'm going to fall out of my chair.
    "Please come back, baby," she whispers in my ear.
    I give her a whimper. Because, really, I do want to come back. I just wish I could come back as a whole person.
    When my mother pulls away, she wipes away her tears with a tissue and smiles. "Can we go into your room? I'd like to brush your hair."
    Because it probably looks straggly and unkempt, is what she's thinking. It's bad enough Lou has to wash me. I can't expect her to spend time keeping my waist-length hair neat.
    "I brought a pair of scissors too. Maybe I can trim it up, like old times?"
    Mom always trimmed my hair. It's not like it's hard to do. I have thick, straight, one-length hair. She liked to keep it tidy for me, because it was so thick, it would tangle easily. Anyway, I offer my mom a simple nod. It's the least I can do.
    I use my electronic controls to wheel myself to my room, so my mom doesn't have to push me. When we get to my room, she asks if I want to move to the regular chair. I shrug, not sure where I want to sit.
    "You can stay where you are if you want."
    My mother's gentle touch as she brushes my hair makes me sad. I'm not sure why, because even when I had two legs, I still loved when my mother would bring a brush to my hair. There's just something about your mother's touch. But now I feel sad. I think I'm always going to be sad.
    I close my eyes and try not to think. Instead, I pay attention to each brush stroke and try to bring myself back to my life before.
    But I can't.
    It was so easy three days ago to sink into my past and leave this place, but now...I can't. I'm too much here...in the present. I focus on the wall in front of me, because sometimes that would work, but today it doesn't. Dammit, I don't want to be here. I want to forget again. Just for a few moments.
    I sigh in resignation and let more tears fall.
    Before I realize it, my mother has brushed and trimmed my hair. When I turn my chair around and look at the floor, all I see is red. Snapping my head up, I silently ask my mom why she cut so much off.
    "It was all dead, honey. You haven't been conditioning it, or even hardly brushing it. It looks healthy now. Take a look."
    She wheels me to the mirror that hangs along the bathroom door. My hair now comes to just above my breasts. I guess that means it falls right about to my bra strap in the back. But it does look healthier.
    "I know I should have wet your hair first," my mother says, "but I think it looks nice. Don't you?"
    I bring my hands up to touch it, and for the first time, I nod. A real nod. Accompanied with a smile. I love you, Mom. So much.
    She kisses the top of my head, and starts braiding my hair. "Now, I know you don't really want to fuss with your hair while you're here, so if you just keep it in a braid, it won't get all knotty. Can you at least do that, Rosie?"
    I nod. Sure, Mom .
    Mom leaves, and I'm back in therapy with Nina, who says I look a little brighter since Mom came to visit. Yeah, well, I love my mom.
    "If you're willing to try today, Rose, I have your temporary prosthetic." She looks at me, hopeful, and begs me with her eyes to be cooperative.
    I'm the one who’s been holding this whole process up. My temporary prosthetic was ready when I first got here, but the new uncooperative, impolite me refused to let Nina put it on. Allowing them to put this fake leg on me cements the truth. Makes it real. I'm so not ready for real. But I do want to get back home. And to begin the journey back home, I guess I have to take the first step. I shake my head at the pun and give Nina a distinct nod. Why not?
    "You're shaking your head, you’re nodding, which is it, girl?"
    I nod.
    "Good. Now let's get you on your feet."
    My half-leg had already been prepared with a rigid dressing, but Nina slides on a couple of socks before she attaches this thing to me.
    "Okay, we won't be needing this pillow underneath your hip," she says, as she removes