Madison's Journey

Chapter 18

Madison stayed in the hospital for a week. She started her physiotherapy and even spoke to a therapist a couple times. She had a ton of visitors, school friends, teachers, the principal, and Bill and Lisa’s friends and families that she met at Christmas. Even Bill’s mom, Lucy, came to visit her and brought what Grace called Grandma’s famous chocolate chip cookies. Colin and Amy visited as much as possible, as did their parents. Bill and Lisa spent as much time with her as they could, but they were also trying to get everything ready at home. They had decided to turn their downstairs office into Madison’s bedroom. It was perfect, it was on the main floor with the kitchen, dining room, family room and a full bathroom. They hired a nurse and had spoken to both the physiotherapist and therapist about continuing Madison’s sessions at home. The entire Fernie family had helped them pack up Madison’s house. They moved everything from her old bedroom to her new one. Her new room was a bit bigger than her old one had been, so all her stuff fit well still with enough room for her to move around in her wheelchair. The rest of the belongings from her home had been put into storage. Madison hadn’t wanted to get rid of anything, and both Bill and Lisa understood; those were her possessions, the only things she had left of her dad and of her former life.

On the day she was released from the hospital, Madison lounged in the backseat of Lisa’s SUV. Well, lounged wasn’t really the right word, more like stretched out uncomfortably with her legs up. Bill was driving slowly, trying to avoid as many bumps and potholes as possible.  

“So, Bill and his g**g built a wheelchair ramp from the driveway to the front door. We got the office all cleaned up, and we got most of the stuff from your bedroom and moved it over. And we can change anything you want,” Lisa was talking a mile a minute from the passenger seat while Madison nodded at her, her eyes were getting heavy as she continued on, “And George and Mary are getting used to their new digs. But they can’t wait to see you.”

“Thanks, Lise,” Madison replied in a sleepy voice. She yawned and was asleep by the time they pulled into the driveway.

“Maddie, we’re home.” She opened her eyes and saw Bill standing beside her. “Hey, sweetheart. We’re home.”

“Home…” Madison let the word sink in. Her eyes settled on her new home. This wasn’t the first time she had seen it, but today she was seeing it with a whole new perspective.

Bill grabbed the wheelchair from the back of the car as Lisa ran to open the front door. He helped Madison maneuver out of the vehicle and into the wheelchair. She tried to do most of it herself, but it wasn’t easy. As she was trying to get into a more comfortable position, she heard a squeal from the front door. “Maddie!” She looked up and saw Gracie running towards her at full speed.

“Grace, stop. Don’t—” Lisa came barreling out of the door behind her daughter, trying to stop the inevitable.

Bill scooped Grace up just before she reached Madison. “Whoa, little lady. What are you doing?”

“Daddy, stop. Put me down.”

“Gracie, what did we talk about? You need to be careful around Madison.”

Grace looked up at her dad and nodded. Her smile faded and her lips curled into a pout. “I know, daddy. I’m sorry.” She looked down at Madison, who smiled and held out her good arm.

“That’s okay, kiddo. I could use a hug, though. If you want?”

Grace’s pout turned back into her bright smile as she glanced up at her dad. “Can I, daddy?”

Bill smiled. “Okay, munchkin. But only if you’re very gentle.”

Grace crossed her heart with her fingers. “Cross my heart.” Bill laughed and put her down beside Madison’s wheelchair. Gracie was gentle with her hug, but Madison still winced.

“Okay, munchkin.” Lisa grabbed Grace’s hand and led her towards the house. “Let’s get Maddie inside.” Bill moved behind Madison and started pushing her towards the ramp, with Lisa and Grace following close behind. Once inside, Bill pushed Madison into the kitchen, where they were greeted by an older woman with brown and silver hair and a twinkle in her eye.

“This must be Maddie.”

Bill and Lisa smiled and looked at Madison. “It certainly is. Maddie, this is Edith. Edith is here to help you with whatever you need. She’s going to stay with you while Lisa and I are at work.”

Edith reached her hand out towards Madison. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Maddie. It’s very nice to finally meet you.”

Madison smiled, instantly liking Edith. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well.”

There was a sudden flurry of footsteps and Grace appeared in the door way. “Maddie! Maddie! I found Mary and George.” Grace dropped the two kittens on Madison’s lap. 

“Hey, guys! I missed you.” Madison snuggled her babies, who were just as excited to see her. They began rubbing up against her and purring. “Are you guys getting used to the new digs?” She nuzzled the kittens as Lisa, Bill and Edith went back to the car to finish unloading. They hadn’t realized how many flowers and gifts Madison had accumulated until they had tried to get them all into the car. Once the car was unpacked, Bill and Edith helped Madison get comfortable on the couch in the family room.

She wiggled around a bit, trying to find the best position. “Mm, this couch is pretty comfy, not too soft, not too hard. Too bad every inch of my body hurts.” She tried to smile up at the three adults watching her but it ended up being more of a wince.

Bill stepped towards the couch. “Can I help you, Maddie?”

She shook her head and smiled through the pain. “Thanks, Bill. I’ll be okay.” Bill, Lisa and Edith continued watching her move around on the couch until she found the perfect spot. “Okay, I think this is good.” She glanced up at them and laughed slightly at their concerned faces. “I’m sorry. I really am okay. Just sore, but what do you expect, right?” She tried her best to smile brightly, and they all nodded. Once she found a comfortable position, it didn’t take her long to doze off. Grace had vanished with the kittens, so the adults retreated to the kitchen.

A little while later, Madison yelled from the family room. “Hey, anyone out there.” Edith hurried to go see her and the two of them entered the kitchen a few minutes later.

“She was already in the chair when I found her,” Edith beamed down at Madison.

“Really? You didn’t have any trouble?” Lisa’s voice dripped in worry.

Madison smiled and held out her casted arm and wrist. “A little. This thing doesn’t help, but I managed. I can’t wait till it’s off, so I don’t have to use this stupid chair.” Unfortunately, everyone knew that was going to be at least a month, if she was lucky. “I have to use the bathroom.” She announced to the room. “I think I can do it on my own, but I need a push.”

Edith maneuvered her down the hallway and was happy to see that the bathroom was wide enough for her chair. “Are you sure you can get yourself turned around?”

“Nope,” Madison grinned up at Edith. “Stay close?”

Edith nodded and left the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She waited patiently in the hallway and heard the occasional murmur from behind the door. It was a full ten minutes before she heard Madison call for her.

“I’m done, Edith.”

When Edith pushed her back into the kitchen, Madison was smiling triumphantly. “I did it! But now I’m exhausted.” They all laughed as Bill wheeled her back to the family room with a snack. Madison and Grace sat together eating a snack, watching TV, while the adults returned to their coffee’s in the kitchen. When Edith left an hour later, Bill, Lisa and Madison, who were sitting in the family room together looked at each other. Bill was the first to speak.

            He let his breath out slowly. “We got this. It’s a piece of cake.”

            Lisa nodded and Madison grinned at them both. “Thank you, guys, again. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you guys. And yeah, we got this.”

            Lisa’s smile was warm and full of love. “Maddie, it’s us that’s lucky.” She turned to Bill. “And yes, we got this. And Edith will be here for Maddie when we aren’t. Everything’s going to be great.”

            Bill nodded at his wife and then turned his eyes towards Madison. “Can I get you anything?”

            “I think I just want to have a little nap before dinner. I’m exhausted again.” All three of them laughed, then Bill and Lisa left her alone so that she could have a nap.

Two hours later, the Shipyard’s, Madison, and the Fernie family were gathered around the dining room table toasting Madison and her recovery. Bill and Lisa had invited the Fernie family over to help celebrate Madison’s home coming.

“To the newest member of our family. Lisa and I are so grateful to have you in our lives.” Everyone nodded and raised their glasses.

“To Madison.”

Madison smiled, her cheeks flushing. 

“And to our new friends,” Lisa smiled at Sherry and Dale. The four of them, who were separated by a decade in age, had become fast friends as they spent hours together at the hospital with Madison.

The two families ate, laughed and enjoyed each other’s company, and when the pizza was all gone, the adults went out to the deck for after dinner coffee while the kids sat in the family room watching TV and chatting. Grace was right in the midst of the three teenagers, and they didn’t seem to mind having her there at all. They were like four siblings now, and the parents wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was the perfect first night in her new home, and when her friends left, she was exhausted but ecstatic. Madison felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders, no longer did she have to worry about the bills or rent. Her heart was full of love for her new family, and she fell asleep with her kittens beside her and a warm feeling growing through her whole body.