Taylor woke up feeling groggy and sore, his mom was standing next to his bed. He closed his eyes, and listened to her and the doctor discussing what he should do, and not do in the following months.
His mother noticed that he is awake, "hi darling, how are you feeling?"
His voice sounded strange to his own ears when he replied softly, "I'm fine mom, can you get me a glass of water please."
The doctor moved to the side of the bed, "Welcome back to the land of the living Mr. Miles, we will have you up and running in no time at all."
Taylor looked at him, "running?"
"Yes young man, you will never become the star athlete you once were with your damaged knees, but you will be able to run and walk normally, as soon as your leg muscles develop enough."
Taylor's eyes brightened, "how long do you reckon Sir?"
"Well that all depends on you young man, if you follow the program, in about six or seven months you can throw away those crutches, and walk normally on your own."
"Six months," Taylor replied despondently.
"Yes, about six months. The crushed bones have healed nicely, and your leg muscles will heal and build three times as quick, so a year from now, your lower body will easily match your upper body in look and strength."
Taylor's face expression became resolute, "don't worry about that Sir, I will exercise every single day."
The doctor smiled, "I know you will, just take it easy in the beginning okay."
"Sure thing Doc, I promise."
Since it was November, and with everyone studying and writing end of year exams, most of the usual student hot spots would be empty. Frank told Taylor to concentrate on his studies and getting better. Paul can play the guitar, so they could handle things without Taylor. The first month after the operation, Taylor took it easy, and kept to the doctors strict exercise routine, he had allot of studying to do so he concentrated on that.
December the campus closed, so everyone went home, and away for the holiday's. Taylor increased his exercising routine after the first month, and although it was very painful, he was determent to be off the crutches in less than six months.
The day after Christmas, he was busy exercising in the basement, when a "holy shit," behind him, made him realize that he wasn't alone. His mother and sister were visiting family in another town, leaving him on his own. He was busy on the rowing machine, his shirt off, and his upper body muscles flexing with every movement, when Jenny surprised him.
"Oh...hi Jenny, if you can just give me a moment I will be upstairs in a flash."
Jenny could not believe her eyes, the timid mouse Taylor, the man with the golden fingers that makes a guitar sing, is ripped. She enjoyed the sight of his muscles moving, as he hastily pulled a T-shirt over his head. She wanted to cry out, "no, leave the shirt," but then it was too late. He always dressed in large baggy clothes, the pants being baggy she could understand, he had to wear them to get over the leg braces, but why the large shirts. She knew he had to be strong to handle dragging his lower body around, but she never suspected that he was build this nicely. She liked the shy younger man right from the start, he is very attractive, but Laura warned her that Taylor has a very low self-esteem. To get him talking was worse than interrogating a suspect.
She knows that he was in a car accident, and that's why he is crippled, but allot of people all over the world faced the same difficulties everyday, and they rose above their disabilities. Jenny thinks it is just sad the way that he keeps on cutting himself off from the world. He is a very talented musician, but wastes it by always hiding in a corner. She loves flirting with him, trying to draw him out, but nothing penetrates the thick armor he has around him. A few girls have come up to her, asking about him, but knowing him, she told them to stop wasting their time, and go fuck someone more accessible.
Taylor worked his way up the basement stairs, and found Jenny helping herself to orange juice from the fridge. She turned around, gave him a good looking over, before asking, "You want some juice, I hope you don't mind that I helped myself?"
"Yes please," he replied, while making his way to the other side of the kitchen counter, so that she could not see his legs.
Jenny watched in fascination as the muscles on his arms moved, while he maneuvered himself to the other side. His T-shirt wasn't big or loose hanging like the normal ones he wore, and his well-defined upper body is clearly on display under the tight material. She pored him a glass of orange juice, before saying with a smile, "you stink, want me to help you clean up?"
Taylor smiled, used to her playful flirting by now, "no, but thanks for the offer, were you looking for Laura?"
"No, I said to myself, where can I find a nice looking bloke to play with, then immediately thought off you." When she got no response, Jenny continued, "I'm joking, we have a New Year gig, and Frank wants us to start practicing today."
