I'm Blind Not Fragile

Chapter 11

For something to do I go into the kitchen and poor myself a bowl of captain crunch. I can smell it as I open the box.

Delicious. There's nothing like artificially flavored carbs in the morning. Once I finished my breakfast I went upstairs to change.

Sherry will be picking me up here around 3:00, so she can take me to my torture session, AKA hair and dressing. No makeup. Howard said he wanted me to look presentable, not like a slut. So judgmental.

I go to my closet and pick out black leggings, a black top, and a maroon jacket. I also put on some maroon sneakers before I step outside. Maybe going for a walk will get me out of my head. I grab my cane phone and wallet and head out.

1 step, 2 steps, 3 steps, fire hydrant, 4 steps, 5 steps, tree. I know this route like the back of my hand... But does that analogy really apply to me? I mean considering I can't see the back of my hand.

I start to head towards the small park, down the street from my school. I've always loved this park. My mom would bring me here and read to me and other children.

My mom was a saint. She and Howard built Lewis Corp together, but she just wanted to help people. She built a free clinic for people who needed care but couldn't afford a hospital visit.

Another thing I love about this park is that in the months after my mom died, Howard built a memorial for her here.

The memorial is a copper statue of a my mother holding a small boy in her arms and reading to him. On the base of the statue is inscribed: IN MEMORIUM OF HARTLY LEWIS

I walk into the park with it's smell of dirt and cut grass. I continue walking until I reach the center of the park. My cane finally hits the base of the statue and I take a seat, leaning my back against the cool copper.

I run my fingers over the inscription for my mother and close my eyes. When I breath in deep I smell copper, dirt, grass, and fresh air. I hear dogs barking and children screaming.

When I think of my mom, this is what I think of. Just like this park is a sliver of nature in a city, my mom was kind in a world full of cruelty. Oh mom how I miss you.

I must have fallen asleep because next thing I know I'm being woken up by a big furry something.

"Zija come back!" I hear a young tenor voice yell. Almost immediately the big something barked and jumped off me.

"Hi! My name's Phillip! I'm 8!" the young boy chirped.

"Hello Phillip, my name's Raine. Nice to meet you." I reply a bit more composed.

"'M sorry 'bout my dog. She just likes to snuggle." the boy-Phillip apologizes and I detect a sweet British accent.

I hear the boy down next to me and his dog next to him.

"Are you blind?" he asks me in his 8 year-old bluntness.

"Yes. When did you move to America?" I ask.

"Last month, from Rawtenstall. How'd you know?"

"Your accent's a dead giveaway." I reply

"Right. Did you know that Starbucks in America serves a bunch of coffee instead of tea? It baffles me." Phillip exclaimed.

"Starbucks in Rawtenstall sells tea instead of coffee? How do you guys live without coffee?"

"Well they do have some coffee, but it's mostly tea." he explains.

"That's very interesting. Where in England is Rawtenstall?" I ask curiously.

"It's kind of in the north western part of England." He replies.

"So Phillip, where is your mother? Surely you're not here alone?" I inquire.

"Of course I'm not here alone my mother would not allow it! She is somewhere sitting on a bench, reading a book." There is a pause "Hey did you know that studies show that bald people have no hair." He asks as I try and make sense of all the 'thats'. I'm unsure if I should laugh or not because he said it so seriously.

I simply smiled at him and chuckled a little.

"I like you! You're my friend now. Come meet my mother." He exclaimed, and without waiting for my response he pulled my hand and started walking away. I got up as he grabbed my cane. "C'mon Zija! Up and at 'em"

As the little boy drags me off to meet his mother I can't help but smile. He reminded me of myself at his age, smart and outgoing, but also incredibly naïve.

"MUM look this is my new friend Raine! She's blind and drinks coffee!" Phillip's adorable little accent squabbles.

"Now Phillip, let's not forget our manners. Hello Raine, my name is Kathryn, but people just call me Kat." Kat explains

"It's nice to meet you Kat, I'm Raine, but you already know that. I heard you both just moved to America, how do you like it this far?" I asked politely

"Oh its very nice, It has better facilities fo-"

"Mum I feel rather knackered, can we go home now?" Phillip interrupted

"Phillip! What have I told you about interrupting? But yes we can go him if you're tired. Do you feel sick? dizzy?" Kat asks concerned

"No, just tired and sore. Bye Raine! It was nice to meet you!" He exclaimed, as he came over to hug me

When he hugs me I feel my heart break in two, suddenly realizing why Kat sounded so concerned. Phillip is very small for 8. He's very thin too, sickly thin. His bald head leaned into my shoulder as I crouched down to meet him.

"I'm glad you're my friend Raine," He whispers in my ear, " I like who we're both different. Most people just cant see past my disease, but I know you do. I hope I see you soon."

And with that Phillip and his mother walked out of the park.

That little boy is so strong. They pump poison into his veins and yet he is still so brave and hopeful. I can be brave for one night. My watch announces it is 2:45 so I decide to leave. I walk out of the park with my head held high. No more moping around today Raine. She wouldn't want you to do that. She'd want you to be brave, like that little boy named Phillip who is seen as his disease, yet he still plays hard until he can't anymore.

Be brave, get through this night.