She climbed the stairs to her bedroom, slowly, catching her breath every few steps. Her muscles were weak from disuse. She’d have to work on regaining strength in her flaccid muscles. She ran her hand along the smooth, dark wood banister. Her eyes took in the colors of her home, so different from the hospital’s green and soft yellow to which she had grown accustomed. Her bedroom was just as she’d left it, except for the giant bouquet of flowers perched on her dressing table. The card read: Welcome home! Mom and Dad. “Thanks,” she whispered. “They’re beautiful.” Tears glistened in her mom’s eyes and her dad cleared his throat. “You hungry?” he asked. “No,” she said. “I-I’d just like to be alone for a while.” “Of course,” they said and left her to settle into her old patterns. The unpacking went slowly as she stopped to rest every few minutes. Dawn decided she’d begin a regular exercise program before school started. She wanted to be strong enough to resume all her school activities once the new term started.
