Chapter 12 - THE SECOND TIME SHE TRIEDPhysical therapy changed Rosalie’s days.
Morning stretching.
Strength work.
Supported standing.
Balance training.
Electrical stimulation.
Exhaustion.
Anger.
Progress.
Setback.
Progress again.
Three weeks after Eli’s first visit, Rosalie stood for forty-two seconds with a walker.
Dante filmed it.
Then immediately deleted the video.
Rosalie stared.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want it leaked.”
“Dad.”
“What?”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’m consistent.”
She laughed.
The therapist measured muscle strength.
Improving.
Sensation.
Improving.
No miracle.
No sudden cure.
Work.
That almost comforted Dante more.
It meant the future could be built.
Not simply granted.
Dr. Sloan returned with new test results.
“There is preserved neural function inconsistent with the assumption of permanent complete motor loss.”
Dante stared.
“English.”
“She had more recovery potential than prior records suggested.”
Rosalie looked at him.
He looked away.
Guilt.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Dr. Sloan continued:
“That doesn’t mean anyone could have guaranteed this outcome two years ago.”
“But they should have kept trying.”
“Yes.”
Rosalie spoke quietly.
“Dad.”
He looked at her.
“Stop doing that.”
“What?”
“Making this your fault before we even know what happened.”
Dante almost laughed.
“You’re eleven.”
“And?”
He stared.
Isabella.
Completely.
Same tone.
Same impossible clarity.
Rosalie continued.
“You believed doctors.”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t have stopped asking questions.”
“No.”
“But you didn’t make me sick.”
He swallowed.
“We don’t know that.”
She frowned.
“What?”
Dante regretted speaking.
Too late.
“What do you mean?”
He sat beside her.
“We’re reviewing old records.”
“Why?”
“Because some things are missing.”
Rosalie’s face changed.
“Did somebody do something?”
“I don’t know.”
Fear entered her eyes.
Dante immediately softened.
“No one is going to touch you.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
He exhaled.
“No. I don’t know.”
Rosalie stared.
Then looked toward her legs.
“Then find out.”
May you like
Dante nodded.
“I will.”
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