Chapter 9

Gerald

I had spent the past few weeks mostly at the hospital. Christina’s legs had been put in a cast. On the day I finally took her to her house, I had been grim.

The doctors had told me that, over time, Christina would be able to walk again. But she would never be able to dance.

The news had sunk my heart. I had no idea how to break it to her. I had decided that I would wait until she was able to walk again before giving her the news.

Every day, I had flowers sent to her house: pink and purple orchids, her favorites.

And every evening after work, I would visit her. I tried to help her out of her depression – escorting her wheelchair out into the garden, ordering her favorite foods, taking her out for drives – but Christina hardly ever wanted to do anything.

She had once been the liveliest person I had ever known – a beautiful ray of sunshine. And now, she looked so helpless and sad in her wheelchair and spent most of her time watching ballet performances on television.

It broke m