September

Kathy arrived at college with her parents. Her dad and Brad would not allow her to carry anything. Even worse the college had learned of her accident. She was assigned to a room on the first floor of Benson Hall. The first floor of Benson Hall had been reserved for people with handicaps or mobility problems as the college called them. The dorm was close to the center of campus, had great access and the lower floor had been modified to make it easier for people with physical problems. Since the accident she couldn’t walk as far and she couldn’t run but she was mobile. But for a small reduction in strength and agility she was normal in every way except she had to charge her batteries every day. That had become so natural to her it was just like sleeping. Why couldn’t she just be treated like the other girls? She wasn’t a gimp like the others on the floor. She hated herself for feeling that way but that was how it was. Seeing a handicapped person reminded her of too much.

Her roomie wasn’t there when she got to her room. The other girl had obviously arrived. Her things were in the room. Kathy got things put away and left with her parents to get lunch. When they finished eating they took her back to the dorm and left for home. They had several hours of driving and wanted to be home before evening. She was alone and on her own for the first time since the accident. She went to the room, picked up her walkman and a book. A few minutes later she was seated under one of the trees in front of the dorm.

About forty five minutes later she saw two girls come by in wheel chairs and go into the dorm. She swallowed hard. “That could have been me.” She had not begun to realize some of her feelings about not being on the floor were attempts to deny what had happened. She picked up her things and went into the dorm. The girl at the desk wasn’t busy so she stopped to ask about her roommate.

“Can I check if my roomie is in yet? I wasn’t sure I’d be back this fall so I wasn’t registered in time to get her name.”

“Who are you and what’s your room number?” the girl at the desk asked.