Chapter 22 - The Verdict in My Body
My arms healed.
Scars remained.
Two pale lines across left elbow.
One wider patch near forearm.
My waist scar from rope mostly faded.
Paralysis remained.
For first two years, strangers often asked:
“Was this from your husband?”
Meaning wheelchair.
I hated question.
Eventually I answered:
“The spinal injury came from a crash. Yes, he was convicted in connection with causing it.”
Then changed subject.
I refused to let Brent become introduction to my body.
At rehab, a new patient once recognized me from local news.
“You’re the woman whose husband…”
“I’m Rachel.”
He stopped.
“Right. Sorry.”
We laughed.
May you like
Identity is repetition.
Each time I introduced myself without him, I rebuilt something.
