The Running Dream

The two sisters accidentally run into each other in the laundry room. When Kaylee makes a dismissive sound, Jessica sarcastically says, “Good morning to you too” (67). This comment causes an argument between the girls, with Kaylee pointing out how hypocritical it was for Jessica to comment on Kaylee’s grumpiness. When Jessica says it would be nice if Kaylee was civil to her, her sister fires back with, “Why don’t you try it?” (67). Jessica wants to tell Kaylee to try losing a leg, but insteadshe goes to her room and pretends to be asleep, so she will be left alone.

Fiona calls and tells Jessica she is coming over to pick her up after school lets out. She asks Jessica if her parents are aware of how depressed she is, and how badly she needs to get out of the house. Fiona declares that she is coming over to take Jessica to a restaurant, Angelo’s, for food. Jessica panics, wondering how Fiona can think that she would be able to go outside. She states, “I know [Fiona] means well, but she obviously doesn’t understand what I’m going through” (69). Angry at both Kaylee and Fiona, Jessica tries to hop up the stairs to the bathroom, to attempt to shower. She manages to make it up the stairs by pushing herself up backward and feels a sense of accomplishment when she gets to the top.

With some maneuvering, Jessica manages to get into the bathtub, to run the shower. She uses a collapsible step stool stored in the bathroom and swings herself over and into the tub. She considers how much easier things would be if she had lost a hand as opposed to her leg. She would even still be able to run that way.

However, as she showers, she reconsiders her position. She used her hands for so many daily activities like dressing, making meals, driving, and writing that losing a hand would be as hard as losing her leg, but in a different way. As she lathers shampoo into her hair, she is suddenly thankful that she has both of her hands.