Her tribe had not forgotten her. Through the lonely nights, the lack of escape, and the feeling of being shackled; they waited for her return. And they laughed at the way she kept going, the way she finally stood up for herself like they knew she would. And remembered the times she stood up for them, embraced fear as if it was nonexistent, while staring into the eyes of lost little boys declaring they were men.
The three way call was long overdo. They reminisced about the old days, where they had more freedom, were adventurous spirits on a pathway all the same. Enjoying the days as if they would never end. But distance would never keep them away from one another for long. That feeling was reassuring to Wheels, who now felt isolated in her apartment while watching the would go by outside.
“Hey remember that time you yelled at that one guy for grabbing my behind at the bar? Remember how scared he was of a little petite girl with a big attitude? And he was over six feet tall! Haha!” Sydney exclaimed.
“Yes. Of course I remember that night being the sober Mommy figure, protecting you girls as if you were my daughters! Haha. No regrets!”
“Or how you poured milk in school over your bullies head after the school wouldn’t listen to you? That was priceless! He never bothered anyone in that way ever again.” Angel laughed.
“Yup. Looking back, I hate I had to do it that way but sometimes the world doesn’t operate the way it should. Sometimes you have to teach a lesson so people can grow up and realize there is no elevating by themselves by putting others down.” Wheels said with a kind of tone that mimicked one of a new found maturity.
“Well, that was deep all the sudden. Haha. That’s what I love about you though Wheels. You can go from a joke to a serious remark in seconds. It’s like being on an adventure even just talking to you on the phone.”
“Sometimes it feels I am on a misadventure lately but it is up to me to make a reason for it. With every obstacle we face in life, there is the opportunity to create meaning. At first, it seems absurd but with time the meaning becomes clear.” Wheels sighed.
“Sorry Angel but I have to say something to Wheels. Listen. Don’t you ever forget who you are. I know you lost us for a while, but we were always there and we will always be there when you need us; you just have to ask. And I am so grateful you reached out. Some battles do not have to be fought alone. I know our modern society will say cliché things to you like: No one is going to help you, you must save yourself. But this is not always true. Yes, there are some out there who have no one but you are admired, loved, and some people want to see you do your best. Remember who you are, my dear. You are and always have been the warrior. Even penniless, even with one leg to stand upon, even after some managed to convince you, you are nothing; you still fought for yourself. I don’t think you realize how strong of a person you are.” Sydney said with a gasp as if tears were rolling down her face.
“I second that speech. I knew you were battling a war few survive but I also knew if a person could survive it was you. And there were times where I just wanted to help but felt powerless. Felt as if you were almost programmed to steer away from those who truly loved you and be loyal to those who only wanted to use you. Just know, no matter how much time it took; you won. You were able to get your head out of the dirt and into the water.” Angel said.
“You girls make me cry. I don’t even know what to say. I never thought I was that inspiring to you two. I thought you moved on, had a family, got married, and forgot about me. I really thought I was just a ghost to many people at this point.”
“You will never be a ghost. You have more will than some people acknowledge. And once you can walk again, I have a feeling it will become an explosion of creativity, adventure, and love will follow you everywhere you go.” Sydney encouraged.
“Don’t worry about those who doubt you. They don’t want you to get better, be successful, independent, and show them up. Imagine life is a game of dodgeball, where most are flinging balls at each other faces and there people like us are; standing in the back, barely throwing the ball because we don’t want to hurt anyone. In the end, who has their glasses on their face? haha. Us! Who has a non pelted body? Us! Why? Because we put kindness above competition. Now, that is having class baby!” Angel joked.
“I needed that kind of joke. It was getting too soggy around my eyes. My contacts are falling out girls. Haha. I look like I put marker all over my face from this mascara running.” Wheels chuckled.
“Oh stop! I have seen worse from you and you from me. That’s why we will never not talk. We accept the faults and the greatness in one another. Well, I have to head off to work! Goodbye Sydney. Goodbye Wheels! Love you both!” Angel said as she finally hung up.
“Me too! But Wheels, do not hesitate if you need anything. If you want us to visit just say so. We will pull you out of that apartment and into the fresh air if we have to carry you girl! Love you! Bye!”
“Bye, my beautiful friends! And thank you for being awesome as you always have been!” Wheels said with a new found sense of joy in her tone.
And it was at that moment, she realized they had never forgotten her like so many had said. They were just waiting out the tide like she was, waiting for the waves to settle and set into the shore. They were waiting to create new memories to replace the old turbulent ones that left her mind in a state of despair. There was hope always there, waiting to be rekindled at the perfect moment.
