"I'm just tired," Ellie whispered. Tired of nothing happening. Charles didn't have an answer. He hadn't seen any progress since last week. No new movement, no sparks of sensation.
It had all stopped. After so much hope, it felt like they'd hit a wall. Eventually, he opened the door and helped Ellie into her chair. She didn't protest, but she didn't speak either. Her shoulders were hunched, her eyes distant.
Malik was already under the tree towel, laid out his supplies, organized as always. But even he looked different today, quieter, like he'd sensed the change in the air before they even arrived. He stood when he saw them, gave a small wave. "Hey, Ellie," he said. She didn't answer.
Charles pushed her over slowly. As they reached the mat, Ellie crossed her arms tighter. "She doesn't want to do it today. " Charles said, voice low. Malik looked at Ellie. She wasn't crying, but her jaw was clenched.
Her eyes were wet. He crouched down next to her. "What's going on? " he asked gently. Ellie finally spoke her voice shaky. I tried this morning.
Tried to move my legs before getting out of bed and nothing. It's like it's like they forgot everything again. Like none of it worked. Malik nodded. I get it.
No, you don't. Ellie snapped. You walk. You're not broken. Her voice cracked.
Charles started to step forward, but Malik held up a hand. I'm not mad. Malik said quietly. You're allowed to feel like that. Ellie wiped her face with her sleeve, frustrated.
I hate this. I hate hoping and then getting nothing. It's like I'm stuck and I'm scared it's always going to be like this. Charles turned away slightly jaw tight. Malik sat down cross-legged on the grass.
He didn't reach for her legs. He didn't reach for his bag. He just sat. I get scared too, he said. Ellie glanced at him.
Malik looked at the grass as he spoke. You know what scared me? Watching my mom get sick and knowing we couldn't afford her medicine. I remember sitting outside the pharmacy while she tried to beg for a discount. People walked right by her.
I couldn't do anything. I was eight. Charles's shoulders tensed. Malik kept going. She passed the next year.
And after that, I didn't know where to go. I stayed with people sometimes, slept behind the hospital sometimes, drew in my notebook because it was the only thing that made sense. And I thought about quitting every single day. Ellie's eyes were locked on him now. But my mom used to say something.
He continued. She said, "You can stop if you want, but the part of you that wants to live might stop, too. " He looked up. "It's okay to stop, but you need to know what you're stopping. " Ellie swallowed hard. "I don't want to give up," she whispered. "But I don't know how to keep going if it never changes. " Malik leaned closer.
"You're scared," she nodded. "So am I," he said. "But scared doesn't mean stop. It just means you're close to something big. Sometimes that's what fear is.
It's the sign you're almost there. Ellie was quiet for a long time. Then she wiped her eyes again, sat up a little straighter, and nodded. "Okay," she said. "Let's try. " Charles let out a slow breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Malik reached for the rice pack, warmed it against his hands, and placed it gently across her thighs. "Same as before," he said softly. "No rush. " He didn't talk much during the session. Neither did Ellie. The mood was different, more fragile, but still determined.
When he touched her foot and asked if she could feel it, she shook her head. No disappointment this time, just honesty. When he stretched her toes and they didn't twitch, she kept her eyes open. No tears. When the session ended, Malik gently covered her legs and sat back.
"You did good," he said. Ellie managed a tiny smile. Charles stepped forward, crouched beside her. "You okay? " She nodded. Better than before.
Charles looked at Malik. There was a moment of silence between them, heavy but not cold. I didn't know about your mom, Charles said quietly. Malik shrugged. Most people don't ask.
Well, Charles said, voice catching a little. I'm sorry. No kid should have to carry that. Malik nodded once. They packed up in silence.
Malik folded the towel neatly. Charles wrapped Ellie in her blanket and wheeled her to the SUV. As he lifted her in, she looked at Malik. Next Sunday," she asked. "I'll be here," he said.
When they drove off, Malik stayed sitting under the tree, arms around his knees, eyes staring out toward the basketball court. That day hadn't gone the way any of them had hoped. But something had shifted. Not in Ellie's legs, in her voice, in her choice to stay and try. Because the truth is, the hardest part of healing isn't the physical pain.
It's believing in the process when nothing seems to be happening. It's choosing to keep showing up even when every sign says give up. That's where the miracle starts, not with movement, but with refusal to quit. And that's what Ellie did that Sunday. She refused, and so did Malik.
Because sometimes the most important steps are the ones you can't see, the ones that happen inside, where fear lives, and where courage quietly begins to answer back. The following Sunday came with a breeze that carried the smell of grass and fried chicken from the corner gas station. The trees were just beginning to butt again. Derby Green Park, while still worn down and neglected in most corners, had started to feel different. Not better, just alive.
Charles parked the SUV as usual. But today, he didn't move with caution or hesitation. He was already out of the car before the engine went quiet, unfolding the wheelchair with practiced hands. Ellie leaned toward the window, grinning. "He's already here," she said.
Charles looked across the field. Under the same oak tree, Malik stood with his back to them, laying out the towel, lining up his supplies just so. Socks, cocoa, butter, rice packs. Even the tennis ball had a designated spot. It was ritual now.
I told you, Ellie said, "He's always early. " Charles gave a short smile like clockwork. He lifted her into the chair, blanket tucked around her legs, and pushed her across the grass. Malik turned as they approached. His hoodie was pulled over his head, but his eyes were alert focused. Morning.
Charles said, "Hey, Malik replied, "You both good better now? " Ellie answered. Charles crouched beside the mat, smoothing out the edge of the towel. "You ever take a day off? " Malik Malik shook his head. "Not from this. There was no pride in the answer.
No boast, just fact. " They got to work quickly. The routine was smooth now. Heat. The muscles rotate gently feel for signs. Malik didn't rush.
He kept his eyes on Ellie's face, not her legs. He watched her reaction before he ever looked for a result. But today, Ellie was different, too. Not just cooperative, engaged, stronger. Molly tapped her calf.