LEARN TO WALK AGAIN

**Rebecca’s story**

This house was so big for me, and without Dominic in it, it was even bigger. His friend Megan would occasionally come over to help me, just as he promised, but I got the feeling Dominic was actually avoiding me. This week he’s been home with me for barely three hours during the day, every day. He would always say he would have filming and an audition coming. At night, I would hear him coming in so late that I would lock myself up in my room so as not to disturb him. His room was right next to mine. Sometimes, if it was really quiet, I could hear his breathing through the walls.
I was understanding why he brought Megan into the house. And not so I wouldn’t feel lonely. I was sensing certain behaviors in Dominic. But I didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
I didn’t quite know what was happening to me when he was nearby. There were some moments when he would stand so close that I would feel overwhelmed by his masculinity. I had to admit that even without seeing him, I was shattering all the time I had to face him. Even though I still didn’t believe he was who he said he was, he seemed like a wonderful man.
I still remembered little about the night of the attack and still had some nightmares about the attack, even though I didn’t remember it. But I tried to keep them under silence as I didn’t want to worry Dominic. He had been so good to me during the past few days while I was staying in his house. But tonight the bad dreams were a little too disturbing, so I decided, for my peace of mind, to wake up and carefully wheel myself into the kitchen to drink a glass of warm milk. Maybe it would help me sleep. Or at least I hoped so...
For my safety and comfort, Dominic had the house fixed so I could use the wheelchair. I headed down the hall and finally to the kitchen. One of these days, when Megan was here, she showed me where the milk was in the fridge. As well as many things in the house just to make it easier for me. All I had to do was go there, open it and, as she said, it was placed right in front of my left hand. Even though I couldn’t see, I told myself that such an effortless task I could handle.
However, when I reached for the bottle, surprisingly, it was no longer in that place. The only thing I needed to do was attempt to stand up and grab the fridge shelves. How hard could this be? If I was careful, nothing bad could happen to me. I placed my hands on the handles of the chair and tried to rise to my feet. But instead of supporting me, my two legs refused to work together, and the next second I found myself in free falling that my fall would not be so painful. I also closed my eyes just when a worried voice echoed my name.
“My God, Rebecca, what in the world are you doing?”
I was expecting to hit the floor, but a pair of strong, manly arms caught me just in time. Not only did I feel safe, but I let myself drift into those arms, so close to his chest. My instinct was to thank him, but I buried my head next to his heart, listening to it... I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He didn’t fight it and let me enjoy him. This only lasted a few seconds, but to me, it felt like hours. I could hear his heartbeat speeding up with every second I laid there in his embrace. He responded to all of this by wrapping his arms around my waist. I could feel his warmth through my nightgown. My whole body could. The damn heat was descending between my thighs, letting a sweet ache slowly take me over. Without realizing what I was doing, as if my body had a mind of its own, I lifted my lips high enough for him to kiss me. God, how I longed for his kiss! I wanted to know what those lips tasted like, wanted to feel his full weight on me, devouring me, whispering how much he craved me. I was waiting for that to happen and I could almost feel his minty sweet breath on my face. He was going to do it! I was already shivering in his arms, and was sure he felt it because he tightened his embrace, letting his mouth wander so close to mine that I nearly fainted.
“I was just...” I couldn’t even speak. I was so entranced by his presence that my mind refused to cooperate rationally.
“You could have hurt yourself!” His voice was a little raised, and though the tension between us was palpable, he was really worried. All I could do was apologize.
“I’m so sorry. A glass of warm milk is what I wanted. I didn’t mean to...”
“Well, in that case, why don’t you let me help you?”
But I was still in his arms. He placed me so gently in my wheelchair that with each motion he took, his touch became aching. Not physically, but rather emotionally. A shudder swept through my entire numb body when the warmth of his disappeared. Distraught replaced yearning. I craved for more. And I realized this was not his fault, but mine for feeling this way. He was just doing what any gentleman would do. He would not let me fall. So his reaction was as normal as could be.
“Thank you...” I mumbled, with some disappointment in my voice. I didn’t even know if it was that noticeable to him. I really didn’t want him to feel bad.
“You know that you’re more than welcome. But you have to be careful and ask for help when you need it. You know that your condition is not permanent. Now let me give you what you wanted. Warm milk, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right, warm milk...” I confirmed half-heartedly because I didn’t have to see his face to know he was upset about what had happened. Or rather worried that something bad might happen to me. At the same time, I could feel how he tried every time to put distance between us.
“So, do you feel more comfortable here?” He changed the subject almost immediately.
“I guess so...” I muttered, dropping my gaze. Then I continued on a sadder note. “When you’re away, I feel lonely. Lucky for me, your friend Megan still comes over and keeps me company...” I didn’t even know why I’d said that. Someone would think that I missed him when he was gone. But his response was kind of blunt.
“I know I’m gone most of the time. I am sorry...”
I could hardly believe that was his explanation. It was as if he’d built an enormous wall and I couldn’t penetrate it. Like he didn’t even want me to. He clearly aimed this shield of his at me.
“It’s okay...” But my answer wasn’t fully told either. And I really wanted to leave him with that impression.
“Rebecca... can I call you that?” he began with a permission that didn’t seem important to me. Although so far he had only called me Miss Rebecca. It was only when he got scared that I might fall that he called me by my first name. And my God, the sound of it coming out of his mouth. Even now, I shuddered at the thought.
“Okay. I still don’t know if you believe me or not that I’m Dominic Stone, the actor. We haven’t talked about this anymore. But when I leave, I’m going to rehearse my role. I just won an audition for the newest movie my agent Nick set up for me. So if you ever wonder where I am, that’s where I am.”
Ok, maybe we hadn’t discussed whether I believed him, it didn’t really matter right now. To me, he was the man who rescued me from the clutches of death and brought me into his home to care for me. If, in the meantime, anything made me believe him, then I would.
“Congratulations, I suppose. And when will the filming start?” To my surprise, I was very curious about this aspect of his life. Maybe I was the one looking for a reason to believe him.
“Soon, in about two weeks. But until then, there will be a gala, some very important awards in the film industry.”
A gala. The kind I used to see on TV. It was supposed to be interesting.
“Wonderful! And you’re nominated for a category?” My curiosity was overflowing. I hoped he wouldn’t find it annoying too. Yet he answered me quite serenely.
“Actually, to your surprise, I am. I say to your surprise because you still don’t believe who I am. Maybe when that day comes, you’ll really believe me. I couldn’t possibly stage a whole gala, with spectators and moderators and everything just to keep up appearances, could I?”
At first I didn’t realize where he was heading with this comment, then suddenly I did. He wouldn’t even have to say that unless...
“When that day will come... what do you mean?”
“Probably the first thought that popped into your head. You’ll join me!”
The shock was quite a big one. I wonder how I was going to accompany him like that. Was he mocking me?
“You’ve got to be kidding me...”
“No, not at all. But for that, it’s mandatory that in two weeks you learn to walk again.”