Page 6 of 21 Years of Jane

And that’s when I felt Xavier’s small hands on my back, holding me upright. Nolan winked at me and then helped Xavier stand on the swing to keep my legs held together tightly, and to still give my back support.

“Ready?” he asked us.

“Won’t this break with both of us on it?” I asked nervously.

“Jane, you can’t weigh more than one hundred and ten pounds and Xavier can’t weigh more than sixty pounds; no way will the chains snap. Now hold on tight, guys!” he shouted as he gave us a gentle push.

We didn’t go very far into the sky, but high enough to make my heart flutter and Xavier squeal happily. Our bodies went back toward Nolan who gave us another gentle shove.

“Wanna go higher?” Xavier asked me.

“Um, sure,” I replied, even though I didn’t want to.

“Harder, Nolan!” Xavier called as we went back toward him again.

I heard him laugh as he gave us another gentle, but firmer push. This time we went up as high as the other children who were now cheering us on. After a few more times pushing us, I was ready to get off the swing. Xavier carefully climbed off keeping a small hand on my back the entire time.

“Did you have fun, Starr?” he asked me with a big smile.

“A lot of fun and it’s all because of you,” I replied over my shoulder.

Nolan came over and scooped me out of the swing.

“Hold on,” I said to him. I looked at Xavier who was now standing with his hands in his pockets. “Thank you. I haven’t been brave enough to do that in years and you being there to help me … it made me feel safe.”

He blushed and scuffed his foot on the dirt, “You’re welcome. Maybe we can play again some time.”

“Next time I’ll bring my brother and sister with me. You’ll have a lot of fun with them,” I replied with a smile.

“Okay. That sounds like a good idea. We’ve got to get going now. Bye Nolan! Bye Starr!” he called, as he and the rest of the children turned and ran from the park.

I smiled when Nolan set me back in my wheelchair.

“Thank you. I never would have tried to do that if it weren’t for you, too.”

“Did you have fun?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

I nodded and rolled myself back toward the bench.

“Stick with me, Jane! We’re going big places; first the swings, next the bathroom! Just you wait and see,” he said breezily.

I just laughed and shook my head.

Chapter Three

Mom, Dad, Stella, Liam, Nolan, and I were all seated at the dinner table. We all had plates full of food and were chatting conversationally. I, however, was more focused on Stella. I was sure she’d eventually bring up her cross examination again and I’d jump in, change the subject, and save the day.

“Starr’s birthday is almost here,” she said to Nolan, twirling a finger in her curly hair. “We want to give her a party, but she doesn’t want one. Would you come if we gave her a party?”

I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t want a party, Rabbit,” I said.

I had nicknamed Stella Rabbit when she was a baby. She was always so fidgety and constantly moving around. Seven years later, not a thing had changed.

“It would be a surprise, Starr. Duh!” she responded.

“It’s not a surprise if she knows,” Liam interjected reasonably.