Hed had a dreadful car accidentcompletely mangled both legs. And that was the end of everything, really
Thered been a promising job on the cards, with a lovely corner office, a proper CEO title, and a salary big enough to make his bank manager blush. Weekends with mates at the pub, cheeky trips to the cinema with his wife, a skiing holiday in the Alps. Poofall gone.
In hospital, the surgeons did an impressive puzzle job and sent him home. What else could they do? All he could do was hope for a miracle and perhaps a bit of luckwell, and complain a lot. At night, hed bellow from the pain, sounding off like an alleyway tomcat. Only the injections twice a daymorning and eveninggave him any sleep at all.
For months, he couldnt get out of bed, using a hospital bedpan for, well, everything. God bless his wife. When he finally managed to get upright and try hobbling about with a zimmer frame, the pain returned tenfold.
Has anyone here ever had injections in the belly to stop blood clots and bedsores from setting in? Allow me to paint the picture, ladies and gentlemen: you cant sneeze, cant cough, and forgive me, but even a trip to the loo becomes a covert operation. You need nerves of steel.
But what nerves? By this point, theyd all run off for a holiday. He hadnt an ounce of patience left.
But time marched on, as it tends to do, and he began learning how to walk againsort of. Hed totter, trip and nearly go flying with every step. Still, progress is progress.
His friends vanished into thin airno phone calls, not even a text. At work, his CEO seat was filled before hed managed his third hospital meal. As for when the suffering would endand if it would end at allwho could say?
You get the picture: spirits low, prospects bleaker still. Thank heavens his wife hadnt run for the hills.
The first time he shuffled out the front door on crutcheshis wife close bythe sunlight stung his eyes so badly he stopped breathing for a moment. He wept, truly wept. Who was he now, but a burdensome invalid on sticks? That was all that was left of the old life.
His wife stepped aside to give him a moment alone. He squinted into the morning glare, wincing and trying to get used to the feel of the spring breeze.
Suddenly, from somewhere near his left crutch came a bossy little meow. Looking down, he saw a tiny grey kitten.
And what do you want? he asked.
Hed never paid much attention to animalsnot his area, really. Still, the kitten gazed at him with a plaintive expression that said quite plainly: Food.
Could you bring some meatballs, love? he called to his wife.
Obligingly, she returned with a treat. He bent (slowly, wincing) and handed it to the kitten, who gave him a thoughtful look and tucked right in.
The next day, when they made it back into the garden, there were three cats waiting. Seemed theyd been there for some time.
Well, this is impressive, he grinned.
The ache in his legs faded for just a second. His wife grumbled but fetched three more meatballs, which he divided among the lot, wincing as he bent to deliver each one.
The following morning, they faced five cats and two small terriers, all in an eager queue. His wifes complaints were fully vocal this time, but he insisted she nip to the corner shop for a kilo of sausages. These he shared out righteously.
The animals, in turn, dashed rings around him. He was grumpy and amused in equal measure, taking a few more steps each time; the terriers barked with delight (which is, of course, just canine laughter).
The day after that, drizzle set in. His wife threatened to take away his crutches, but he was having none of itdown he went anyway, for the first time in months.
Theyre waiting for me, he explained. How can I not come? Its my duty.
And there they all danced aboutfive cats, two dogs, a man on crutches, all in the rain. He laughed and stumbled along among them while his wife watched from under an umbrella, a smile threatening to break her face.
Time shambled on. Soon, one crutch was enough. Then he didnt need that eitherhard to keep up with so many wagging tails and twitchy whiskers lugging sticks about.
He soon realized, much to his surprise, that his legs hadnt twinged in ages.
Work? No, his office didnt want him back. Compensationa handsome sum in pounds sterlingwas handed over, and he resigned himself. Suddenly, he had more free time than a cat in a sunbeam. He sat down to write about everything that had happened.
Dont ask how, but out came a play, long enough to test anyones patience. He sent it to the theatres dotting the cityManchester has plenty, after allbut nothing. No one called, no one cared, except for one tiny community theatre squashed into a poky basement.
A week later, the director rang up: Well stage it, but it needs trimming, snipping, bit of rewriting.
He and the director spent a month at each others throats over every word. Another month later, opening night arrived.
The little theatre couldnt have had more than fifteen seats. Not even half full, but for him, these were the fifteen most important people in the world.
He was terrified, cheeks burning. When the final line sounded and the curtain fell, a heavy silence swallowed the room. He felt his soul, heart, and hope fade away.
But after what felt like half an hour (probably three seconds), the place exploded with applause! The actors beamed and bowed again and again for encores.
The second show was standing room onlypeople wedged in the aisles and foyer. The applause thundered until the rickety curtain nearly fell down.
Soon, the troupe took over the citys central theatre, where all the local dramatic types gathered to discuss the rising stars latest work.
He bought himself a very snappy suit. Whenever he took his bow, his wife stood proudly beside him. How could it be otherwise?
Youll want to know, of course, what happened to those five cats and two dogs in the garden. Two dogs and two cats found a home with him and his wife. Admirers of his newfound talents adopted the rest.
Whats this story about? Well nothing much, really.
Or perhaps, its about discovering what matters, when you look down and see hopeful eyes at your feet, making it impossible to fall. When that happens, you simply have to keep standing.
