Ruby
Mom helped me as I pulled myself up from the wheelchair, using the bathroom sink for support.
"Mom, I can manage ... sort of." I gripped the edge of the basin while balancing on one shaky leg, hardly mustering the strength to bear my body weight.
Mom hovered behind me protectively. She placed her hands on either side of my waist, ready to catch me if I fell.
My eyes drifted up to the bathroom mirror, wincing at the sight of the dark jagged scar that ran from my left cheekbone, all the way down to my left shoulder blade. The scab and stitching reminded me of a thorny vine, except there wasn't a beautiful flower to deter my eyes from the ugliness. It was by no means pretty, but I was fully prepared for that.
The reflection staring back at me was a pitiful sight. The right side of m
