Chapter 11 - THE NIGHT GABRIEL LEARNED TO STAND
Three months after the emergency surgery, Gabriel stood without someone holding him.
Only for eleven seconds.
But he stood.
His physical therapist remained beside him.
I watched from the doorway.
Gabriel's hands trembled.
His legs shook.
But he stayed upright.
Then he sat carefully.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then I began crying.
Gabriel looked up.
“Emily?”
I wiped my face.
“I'm fine.”
He smiled.
“You're a terrible liar.”
I laughed.
He reached for my hand.
“Come here.”
I approached.
He looked at me.
“Eleven seconds.”
I nodded.
“Eleven seconds.”
He smiled.
“Tomorrow, twelve.”
I shook my head.
“Tomorrow, whatever your therapist says is safe.”
He laughed.
Then his expression softened.
“Thank you.”
I looked at him.
“For what?”
“For refusing to let me give up.”
My throat tightened.
I squeezed his hand.
“You did the work.”
He smiled.
May you like
“But you stayed.”
And suddenly, the room felt very small.
