and stubbornness, you were the first disabled cheerleader on the
cheerleading squad.”

“Yeah but. . .” Stephanie said.

Hannah, “But what?  Are you forgetting the time you tricked me into
climbing a mountain?”

Stephanie smirked, “Oh yeah.  I told you we were just going to a
leisurely camp.  Maybe go on a couple of trails through the mountains.”

“Leisurely my foot!” raising her left eyebrow at Stephanie.

Stephanie loudly laughed, “Yeah, you should have seen the look on your
face when they were putting the climbing gear on you.”

Hannah smiled, “Yeah, you’re just lucky I was in my manual wheelchair.”

Stephanie pushed Hannah’s arm, “Come on sis, you know you got into it.”
pinching Hannah’s cheek, “Besides, you looked so cute in your little
hiking helmet and all.”

Taking a hold of Stephanie’s hand, “I know.” Giving her hand a squeeze,
“That’s exactly what I mean, you have given me the strength to know
what’s best for me.” taking a breath, “Not only that, you showed me I
need to speak up for myself and make my needs known.”

Stephanie, “You do the same for me.  I don’t know what I would do without
you.”

Hannah, with tears in her eyes, “Don’t you understand I need to be on my
own now.  I need to explore all that I’m capable of.” Taking a deep
breath “I can’t do that here, peoples ignorance’s won’t allow it.”

“After a year, will you come back?” questioned Stephanie.

Hannah, “You know I can’t answer that now.  Just know you’re always in my
heart sis.”

“O.k. then, I’ll explain everything to the folks.” Stephanie assured her.


“They’ll understand” Hannah reassured her.

Hannah put on the necklace that Stephanie found, embraced her sister, and
through her tears she said, “Take good care of mom and dad.  I love you!”

Crying, Stephanie said, “I will.  You take care of yourself.  I love you
too!”

Hannah went slowly towards the opened door, turned to wave at Stephanie,
and the foggy mist engulfed her.  Stephanie went to the door and closed
it.  Slowly it morphed back into a wall.  Stephanie put the box back
where it originally was.

“Take good care of her Crystal” she whispered and started to cry loudly.

Gary heard her and came running down, “What’s wrong Stephanie?  Where’s
Hannah?”

Stephanie took his hand, “Let’s go upstairs dad, we need to talk.”