Miles to Go Read Online Free PDF

Either the pain had relaxed or my determination had grown sufficient to match it. I took a few more steps, then reached out and grabbed the bathroom’s handle.
    Norma smiled. “You did it.”
    I took a deep breath. “Now, let’s see if I can make it back.” I slowly turned around, then, without pausing, walked to the bed. Norma clapped.
    When I was lying comfortably in bed, I asked, “Would you take my catheter out now?”
    “Gladly.” She shut my door, then put on latex gloves, pulled aside my gown, and removed my catheter.
    “Finally,” I said.
    “You earned it.”
    As she was taking off her gloves, I said to her, “How did you know to ask me why I wanted to walk?”
    “It’s my experience that if you focus on the why, the
how
takes care of itself.” She walked over and touched me on the arm. “I’m proud of you. I knew you could do it. I’ll check on you again before my shift ends.” She started to the door.
    “Norma?”
    She turned back. “Yes?”
    “Thank you.”
    She smiled and walked out.

    I spent the rest of the morning reading. Norma came back in around two with a stack of color copies. “I brought you something.” She handed me the papers.
    I shuffled through pictures of beaches and ocean. “What are these?”
    “Pictures of Key West. I printed them off of the Internet.”
    “I mean, what are they for?”
    “Reminders,” she said. “I’ll hang them up if you like.”
    I handed them back to her. “Sure.”
    “Good. Are you ready to go for another walk?”
    “Yes. To the bathroom, please.”
    I put my hands on the edge of the bed and pushedmyself up. I walked to the bathroom in about the same time as before, went inside and locked the door, and used the toilet. I came out a few minutes later. “I feel human again.”
    “One small step for man, one giant leap for dignity.”
    I smiled as I slowly walked back. When I reached my bed, she said, “That’s awesome, Alan. Well done.”
    “Thanks, coach.” I sat back on the bed.
    She lifted the Key West pictures from the nightstand. “I’ll hang these for you.”
    There were six pictures in all. She began hanging them on the wall in front of my bed.
    “So do you have big plans for tonight?” I asked.
    “My husband has to work late, so I’m going to my mother’s to help her clean out her basement. She’s been on this cleaning kick lately.”
    “Sounds fun. Wish I could help.”
    “I bet you do,” she said sardonically. “How about you? Any exciting plans? Skateboarding? Tennis?”
    “I thought I’d just hang out here.”
    She smiled. “Good idea. Is your friend coming today?”
    “You mean Angel?”
    She nodded.
    “I think so. She didn’t say.”
    “I had a good talk with her yesterday. She’s really quite interesting. How long have you known her?”
    “Actually, I don’t.”
    She finished taping the last picture and turned back. “What do you mean?”
    “I met her just a little over a week ago.”
    “That’s funny. She talks about you as if you were her best friend. You know, she did something really surprising.I was admiring her sapphire necklace and she took it off and gave it to me. I’m sure it was worth at least a thousand dollars.”
    “She gave you a sapphire necklace?”
    “Well, she tried to. I didn’t accept it.”
    I wasn’t sure what to think of that. “She’s a bit of a mystery. I can’t figure out why she’s been so good to me.”
    “Maybe she’s one of those rare people who sincerely cares about others. Or maybe she’s an angel.”
    “An angel?”
    “Well, that’s her name, isn’t it?” she said, patting my arm. “Dr. McDonald will be in to see you before her shift is over, so in case she releases you, don’t go running out of here without saying goodbye.”
    “I don’t think I’ll be running anywhere. Have fun at your mother’s.”
    She grinned. “You know I will. Take care. And good job today. You’re my hero.”

    After she walked out, I thought about our conversation