Paralyzed

Jay welcomes Rosetta into his arms, returning just as strong and long of a hug. Smiling as she pulls away, he's so glad she welcomed him so warmly. Despite being on good terms with everyone, he knew that he was an outsider in many ways, so knowing his sister wanted him there was a relief. 

"I'm glad to see you too." He nods to the hallway, leading her out of Jeff's room where they could talk louder without disturbing him. 

"So what's going on? I called Mick late last night and he said Jeff had a heart attack but thought everything was going to be okay?" 

Looking up at the door, Hunter quickly finishes tying his boot. Going to the door and opening it, he grins, seeing Katie. "Mornin', you. I was just ready to come looking for you." 

Stepping out onto the porch, he takes a deep breath of the fresh air. It really was different from city air. "So... what's on the agenda for today? Anything about your dad?" 

Perhaps Jared's smile was a little bigger since Grace couldn't see it. She'd known his comment would be coming... which made teasing and flirting with her all the more fun. 

Once outside, the sunshine felt so warm and good. Jared didn't know if he'd ever appreciated the outdoors before, but he certainly did now. Being cooped up inside 24/7 was getting to him. Arriving at the shady spot and having Grace offer him a hand, he looks at it for a moment before looking up at her a bit wide-eyed. Seriously? She wanted him to try getting himself out of the wheelchair? He could barely move his ankles, let alone his legs. He didn't know if he had any strength left in his muscles at all - probably not much. He hadn't yet been able to try walking at all. And yet she was asking him to try this? 

All those thoughts flash silently across his face and in his eyes, there was a bit of fear for the first time. He'd known she would push him but... but this? 

Swallowing hard, he looks down at the ground then back up at her again. He didn't know if he'd been a strong person before, or a wimp... but the adrenaline rushing through his veins right now told him that at least now, he was not one to turn down a challenge.

"Alrighty..." He musters up his bravery. "If you say so." 

Taking her hand, he braces his other on the arm of the wheelchair, not even quite sure how to do this. Somehow he does manage to turn just a little and hold himself up on his one arm while using Grace's hand to help him gain balance and leverage. Slowly, slowly, he pulls himself up, using his legs to keep himself upright, despite not even being able to feel what he was doing. 

Halfway there though, he can't hold himself anymore. With a little wail, he falls forward into Grace, knocking her to the ground. Only after landing does he take a moment to regain his senses and he realizes that he'd landed on top of her. Blinking, he raises himself up on his arms, but that's all he can do. Looking down at her, his cheeks flush with embarrassment, but that doesn't stop his wit. 

"Well now... this is just a little awkward." A sheepish grin emerges and he bites his lip. "Your beauty has left me rather paralyzed so, um... I'm gonna need a little help here getting off... that is, if you really want me off." His sheepishness turns into a teasing sparkle in his eye as he turns the situation around to his advantage.