| Chapter 18 |
| After Lance and Josh's talk, Lance felt a mixture of emotions. He felt horrible about lying, especially to Josh, but at the same time, he became even more determined to learn to walk again. No one, not even Josh or Joey, believed that he could do it, and it was his goal to prove them all wrong. He had wanted to start therapy right away, but Josh refused, saying that he needed time to rest. Meanwhile, they all had an even bigger problem on their hands. Two days after Lance's diagnosis, Wade stopped by the house. "What the hell are we supposed to do Josh?" he asked angrily. He and Josh had stepped into the kitchen to talk, and Lance had rolled his wheelchair just outside the door so that he could listen. "I gave you a contract for *six* months. You can't just back out now!" Josh sighed, running a hand through his long hair. "I know that Wade," he said. "We didn't exactly *plan* on Lance getting hurt!" Lance heard Wade sigh. "I know that," he said tightly. "But hey, this is show business. Shit happens. And right now, you have a show in two days." "There is no way I can get another rider in two days," said Josh. "No way." "Well, you better think of something quick," said Wade, grabbing his coat and heading for the door, "or else my boss is gonna take your ass to court." He sighed. "I'm sorry Josh. You're my friend and all, but business is business." Lance sat still, wondering what Josh was going to do. A few minutes later, he heard shuffling around in the kitchen, and then someone picking up the phone. He watched Josh dial slowly, and then six awful words leave his mouth. "May I speak to Bobbie please?" Lance was speechless, his mouth dry and hanging open slightly. Bobbie? Bobbie was coming back? Lance shook his head violently. 'No,' he thought silently. 'There is no way *she* is taking my job back. No way in hell.' That night, as Lance and Josh lay in bed, Lance brought up the idea of starting his physical therapy. Josh sighed sleepily, rubbing his eyes. "Lance, it's too early," he said. "I don't want you getting hurt." Lance rolled his eyes. "I won't get hurt," he said. "If I don't start soon, I may never walk again. I can't let that happen Josh. I have to start, and I have to start now." Josh was silent for a long time. Just when Lance thought he had fallen back asleep, he felt a large hand squeeze his own. "All right," said Josh, "we'll start." ~*~ Physical therapy was the worst thing in the world in Lance's mind. It was exhausting both mentally and physically, and left him weak and out of breath at the end of the day. After only a week of sweat, blood and tears, Lance was ready to give up. Luckily, it seemed that fate had other plans. Lance had the phone in his hands, finger poised to dial the doctor and cancel his sessions when the doorbell rang. Josh walked into the kitchen. "I'll get it," he said, heading for the door. A second later, Lance heard a squeal and nearly dropped the phone. "Joshy!" "Hey Bobbie." Lance clenched his teeth, and dialed the doctor's number. When he picked up, Lance forced a cheerful tone. "Yeah, hi Doc," he said. "I was wondering if we could double our physical therapy sessions..." Nobody but Lance knew what happened after that, but suddenly Lance became focused on learning to walk again. He was still dead tired by the end of the day, but he never gave up. They all figured he just wanted to walk again, but only Lance knew the real reason. He still attended all of the shows, pretending he wasn't upset or angry over Bobbie being there. He ignored her for the most part, and wished she would do the same. "...I mean, as soon as Josh called me and said that you were hurt," said Bobbie one day before a show, "why, I just dropped everything I was doing and came right away." She gave Lance a pitiful look and patted his cheek. "You poor dear," she cooed. Lance gripped his wheelchair, forcing himself not to slap her. 'Just a few more weeks,' he told himself. 'Then you can trample her with a bronco.' Somehow, that always managed to bring a smile to his face. ~*~ The first time that Lance learned to walk again, was a day that none of them ever forget. Everyone was all gathered together in the house they had rented, having a party in honor of how well the show was going. Britney and Joey were flirting in one corner of the kitchen, Josh was cooking by the stove, Bobbie was breathing down his neck, and Wade was boring Lance to tears about contracts and business blah blah blah. Distracted by Bobbie's rambling, Josh accidentally knocked the pepper onto the ground. It rolled on the floor, landing a few feet away from Lance. "Shit," said Josh, wiping his hands on his apron and moving to get it. "Don't worry Josh," said Lance nonchalantly, getting up out of his chair, slowly for dramatic effect, and picking up the pepper. He grinned brilliantly at Josh and held out the bottle. "Here ya go." Lance didn't even have time to blink before Josh was hugging him tightly and swinging him around the room. Between Josh, Joey and Britney, Lance was pretty much crushed with congratulation hugs. Bobbie looked pissed, which just served to brighten Lance's day further. They made eye contact over Josh's shoulder. Bobbie glared at him and Lance grinned evilly, giving her a wink. 'Just wait Bobbie,' he thought to himself. 'This isn't over yet.' |