Everyday adventures: Standing tall

by a guy with many hats

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Human
Length: 3574

Right when I woke up it was gone, no warning, no explanation, nothing. Just my leg ripped off below the knee. They sent me out here for some physical therapy or something, they sad it'd be "good for me"

Right when I woke up it was gone, no warning, no explanation, nothing. Just my leg ripped off below the knee. They sent me out here for some physical therapy or something, they sad it'd be "good for me". It wont give me my leg back, I'll never walk right again. I'm tired of this chair, I'm sick of people looking at me weird. Even out here with these weirdos they still stare…did I deserve it?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-22 02:26:10 UTC

Monday

"Mr Donner? Is that you?" A pink pony walked out the front door of the building.

"...you've got to be shitting me, I mean....this is the right address right?" I rolled my chair along the length of the building, "Why would they send me to a building I can't even get into!"

"Lotus! Mr.Donner has arrived," Once she said it a royal blue pony popped into view, "Let's help Mr.Donner," The two trotted over to me.

"Hello Mr.Donner, how was your trip," The blue one hurried towards me while the pink one went back inside, She went to push my chair.

"Don't....I can move myself,"

"Oh my I'm sorry, this way," She trotted past me and around the side of the building, "I meant no offense,"

"...it's fine, I'm just....not exactly ecstatic about all this,"

"Oh...do you want to talk about it,"

"No," We went around the back of the building.

"oh...well here is the ramp," She trotted forward and up the ramp, holding the door open for me, "We have a room ready for your stay,"

"..fuckin horses....euh..." I mumbled wheeling myself up the stairs, "...so...what do you do besides physical therapy," I asked wheeling past her. She followed me in, the room was huge with A large tub in the center.

"Oh...well we are only a spa, we made a special arrangement for you," The entire place smelled of soap.

"...so...they sent me to a spa for physical therapy.....no offense...but I think my insurance might have fucked me,"

"I'm...sorry, you feel that way," She said sounding slightly off put.

"Eh...don't let it get to you...." We made our way through the entire building to a short hall in the west side of the building.

"This is where you will be staying...should there be any problems we will be in the adjacent room," She pushed my door open, "Feel free to explore the town, just be ready tomorrow at ten,"

"Yeah....fine," I wheeled into my new room and closed the door, "...spa...gotta be kidding me," I grumbled as I tossed my bag on my bed, "Explore a town with dirt roads in a god damn wheelchair....fucking genius," I looked around at the pricy room, it was girly...it made me want to hurt something,"...maybe a trip would be nice..better than sitting around here all day..." I rolled myself outside once again, waving awkwardly to the ponies as I passed.

"Would you like one of us to accompany you?" The blue one asked trotting towards me.

"No...I can take care of myself," I rolled back outside and onto the main road out of town, I started off to the more rural areas to avoid gawkers.

I kept rolling down the dirt path out of town, the hills were nice enough, air was clean. I gave me time to think, of course my mind just went back to the incident. I just hurried my pace down the path, "....not fair...." I just occupied my mind with other thoughts.

"Hey look out!" I turned my head just as a rubber ball bopped me on the side of the head, "Oh heck....sorry," A rainbow colored mare ran over to me, "Sorry about that,"

I stared her down and threw the ball in the opposite direction, "Next time watch out," I started my way back down the path.

"Hey!" She flew and landed in front of me, "What the hay is your problem!?" I started going around her, she grabbed the armrests of my chair with both hooves, "Hey! Why are you being such a jerk,"

"Why'd you hit me with a ball?"

"It was an accident!"

"And!?"

"You humans...all so angry," She got off of me.

"What the hell does that mean!?"

She flicked her tail at me, "All you humans are always so angry, I mean your even sitting in a chair with wheels and your still mad," I felt every bit of repressed rage bubble up at once, "I bet a lot of humans would love to be able to sit and move...you guy's are really lazy,"

"I don't have a fucking choice!" I rolled after her, "You think I want to be in this chair!?" I reached out just missing her tail, "You fucking look at me!"

"Hey!" She flew out of reach, "What's the big deal!?"

I pulled the sheet I had over my lap off and pointed at my prosthetic, a running blade modified for everyday use, "This is the big deal you dumb bitch,"

She rolled her eyes, "So you have a weird leg...is that really A reason to be all mad!?"

"I cant walk on this you idiot!"

"What!?"

"I can't walk on this leg!"

"But....is that....chair?" She asked flummoxed.

"Yes...I'm stuck in this chair...."

"Then...then why the weird leg?" I shifted my weight to the side and started to stand.

"Ah- I...I can't walk yet....but I can stand...." I shakily got to my feet, the pain in my stump unbelievable, "....AHhh! At least for a little while," I felt something catch in my knee and I fell back in the chair, "...Is it still fun to have this chair?"

"I didn't know! Why are you asking me? You blaming me for it?"

"I'm not blaming you! I'm just mad!"

"Why are you still mad!?"

"Because you're fucking rude!"

"Sorry!"

"Fine!....." I don't know why we were still yelling, but neither one of us felt like giving up.

She threw her head to the side, "FINE!....." A short silence fell between us, "so.....why are you in Ponyville?" She asked still not looking at me.

"Physical therapy...so I can walk again..."

She looked at me again, "....don't they have that where you're from?"

"Yeah...but my insurance thought this would be a perfect chance for me to get some time away,"

"That's stupid,"

"I know...believe me, I know,"

Another awkward silence, "....so what happens now?" She asked looking around, "Do...do we just leave?"

I looked around as well, "Why not?"

"Well...ok....sorry for hitting you," She fluttered to the ground and went after her ball.

I gave a quick halfhearted sigh, "Yeah...sorry for getting so mad,"

"It's fine....so....what are you gonna do when you can walk again?"

"...I dont know....it's gonna take months....I'm really not planning that far ahead," She cocked her head.

"Months?! To walk? I bet you could do it in a month!"

"....try flying with one wing for months, then get used to having a fake one....it's not that easy,"

"...then try harder," She flew off.

"Try harder....bullshit," I turned my chair around and started back down the path into town, "...I wish it was that easy," I started back down the path.

"Hey wait!" I stopped and managed to get my chair halfway around before she was in front of me, "What's your name?"

"...Ben..."

"Well I'm Rainbow Dash: best flyer in Equestria,"

"Oh...well if were going into titles I'm Ben Donner.....professional runner...."

".....Thats sad...." She looked around, "If you want to....I dont know....watch me fly, I'm out here all day,"

"Why would I want to watch you fly?"

"Because I'm the best! and....you seem like you could use some cheering up, I figure I owe you...I mean I did still hit you in the head," She said with a half chuckle.

"....maybe....give me something to do in this stupid town," I turned and kept on down the path.

"Ponyville isn't stupid!"

"Yes it is....it's like Kansas out here" Spent a few months in Kansas...boring as hell.

"Hello welcom- Mr.Donner!?" I managed to walked up the two front steps with my chair in hand meeting the pink pony at the door, "Mr.Donner you-"

"Calm down.....it only hurts a little," I said trying to hide my pain, it felt like someone was driving a nail into my stump. I felt my leg buckle and I fell to my knee, "Ah-"

"Mr.Donner! You need to take this slow," She unfolded my chair and helped me up.

"Two steps....I can barely crawl up two fucking steps...."

"Mr.Donner please, you need to relax," She started pushed me towards my room, "You could cause extreme damaged to your leg..."

"I know!" She jolted up and stepped away from my chair, "I know....I just....I'm tired of being in this stupid thing....it's been months..."

"Mr.Donner- We will only do what you are comfortable with....if you want to go bac-"

"It's fine....I just....I need to get started soon,"

"Tomorrow at ten am, we will start with standing,"

"Standing!? I can already stand!"

"Can you stand without pain?" She asked with the tone you would use on a child.

".....fine...." I rolled down the hall and into my room, "Standing.....not even taking a step....." I quickly stood and fell on the bed, "See....I can stand...." I had to remove my prosthetic and the gel layer before I got undressed. With that done I grabbed my bag from the other end of the bed and got dressed for the night, "...I guess it could be worse....I could be missing both...." I rubbed my left leg, "At least I have a chance I guess...."

Tuesday

*Knock knock* "Mr.Donner?" I jolted in my bed, "Mr.Donner?"

"What?" I said in a rather confused and belligerent tone. The door creaked open.

"Mr.Donner, oh, my apologies, I didn't mean to wake you," She bowed her head and started to back out.

"...Wait, I'm all ready up...what did you need?" She walked back in and I finally got a good look at her, it was the pink one, "...what's your name anyways?"

She trotted in next to the bed, "Did we not introduce ourselves? I am Aloe, the lovely mare with the blue coat is Lotus,"

"...Can I ask something?"

"Be my guest,"

"Why do all you pony things have weird ass names? I mean the first person I met in this place was name...like star dust or some weird shit like that,"

".....breakfast in a few minutes.....feel free to join us," She walked out.

"....I am the most charismatic mother fucking in the world.....Hey wait! I could use some help getting down! ....no?"

"Sorry for....you know,"

"It's....well it's not ok...but I don't really hold grudges," We made our way into a small dining area away from the acutal business part of the building. I rolled up and took my space on the table.

"So...is this normal for this town, living in the same building you work I mean," Aloe took the seat next to me.

" Well not for everyone, most specialized businesses do, but people don't live inside barnyard bargains," She continued on about local shops until the blue one walked in with a few plates on her back.

"Good morning Mr.Donner," She set the plates down, "I'm glad you decided to join us.

I looked down at the plates, hay, fruit, and steamed vegtables, "Uh....I don't really think this is gonna work...."

"What do you mean," Lotus asked taking the seat across the table.

"He means his people need high protein...meat," Aloe cut me off.

"Oh....but we-"

"There is a new restaurant in town, I've heard they serve-"

"...uh...not to rush but I really need to eat," I rolled away from the table, "I'll find something,"

"Would you like one of us to-"

"Lotus...he doesn't like it wh...." I rolled out of earshot and outside. I'm a smart guy, I can find a place to eat.

"Tofu?"

The man shifted his weight to the side, "Yeah...it's not great but it's ok....I mean at least it kinda tastes like meat,"

"So....there's really no meat in this town?"

"I've been here....a few months, I haven't seen any,"

"Jesus....and whats your name again,"

"Uh.....Brass....."

"Brass? Not  like John or Clark or .....something normal?"

"Shut up! I made my choice...."

"Sure....what ever, so which way is this place," He pointed down the street.

"Just follow this road and look for the place with all the humans..."

"Uh...thanks," I started rolling off.

"Yeah take it easy man,"

God dammit.... "Really?!" I could see it from all the way down the street, a small crowd of six or so humans standing outside the building, "No fucking access!?"

The group heard me yelling and momentarily glance over at me, I rolled to the front steps, "God dammit...."

"Oh holy shit!" I heard a voice from the inside of the shop, "Vinyl wait here!" I heard someone knock something over and before I could find out who a slightly short man with glasses ran over to me, "Are you Ben Donner!?"

"Uh....yes,"

"I knew it was you! I heard about the crash....I didn't know it was that bad," I felt my fist clench.

"Heh..yeah...apparently I'm lucky!" I said very aggressively, "Only lost my fucking leg!" The guy took a step back.

He looked back at the shop, "Uh....hey...you uh...you want me to help you out?" He pointed to the stairs, "I mean....with the chair and all,"

"....just....just help me up the stairs, I can stand if you help support me," I wheeled over to the stairs, "Cant believe this...."

"Uh...you sure about this?"

"No, but I'm damn hungry," I prepped myself to stand up.

"Uh...I can just bring some food out to you..."

"Screw that, I'm not getting beaten by stairs," I quickly forced myself up,  using the guy's shoulder to shift the weight off my prosthetic, "Go go go, get the chair up," He grabbed it with his free hand and pulled it up the steps. Next he carefully walked me up the steps and back into the chair, "Ah- ...man...still hurts, thanks man,"

He wheeled his shoulder, "No problem....hey you wanna eat with us?" He pointed to a booth with a white mare sitting at it, "Be nice to talk with someone I kind of know,"

I looked around, the place was half empty, "...yeah sure....maybe you can help me figure this place out anyways," I looked at the resturants menu, nothing made any sense on the list "Uh..."

I felt something tap my shoulder, "Go take a seat, I'll find something good," I took one last look at the menu and decided to take his advice. I rolled over to the booth he pointed out.

"Hey man," The mare said, "Whats up?"

"Uh hi....your friend said he'd help me out,"

She looked at the man waiting at the counter, "Heh...friend....anyways you gonna take a seat?"

"I am sitting," The mare lifted her glasses and looked off the side of the table.

"Awww man, sorry dude,"

"Yeah...." We sat there and waited for the guy.

"Sorry bout that," He set a styrofoam box in front of me, "Bacon and eggs, pony style," He said with a quick laugh.

I popped the lid off and just like he said fake meat and real eggs littered the box, "So....are these good,"

"Eh their an aquired taste...but it's a nice change from oatmeal and fruit."

I took a bite of the fake meat, it felt waxy, "Eugh...so this is it?"

"Well....I heard they import meat in Canterlot sometimes,"

"What the hell is Canterlot," The guy look at me, then the mare, then back at me.

"Uh...how long have you been here?"

"I got in....yesterday?"

"Christ, your fresh off the boat!"

"Heh...I guess,"

"Well....first off I'm Corey, this is Vinyl,"

"Yo," The mare waved a hoof.

"Town's called Ponyville, countries Equestria, capital is called Canterlot, any other questions,"

"Uh...anything else I should know?"

"....it's pretty hard to break the law but once you do, watch your ass,"

"How do you expect me to break the law?" I pointed to my chair.

"Hey I just thought I'd mention it," The white mare started tugging on his sleeve.

"Corey, don't you have to get to work," He looked down at his wrist.

"Oh dammit....here," He set a small bag on the table, "Quick kiss," He leaned in and the mare gave him a quick peck on the lips, "Alright, I'll see you at six," He started out the door. I watched as he hurried down the street.

"Heh...idiot," I snapped my head back to meet her, "Whoa- easy man, your head'll come off like that,"

"What was that?" I pointed out the window, "Are...you...him,"

"Together? Sort of....more he's mine," She said watching him run.

"Oh god.....that's sick,"

"What?" She looked back at me.

"That just...gross,"

She looked at me, even behind her glasses I could tell she was staring me down, "What's gross about it?"

"Just....it's just not for me I guess..." I backpedaled not wanting to make even more enemies.

"No, you thought it was gross, whats gross about it!?"

"Just....you people look like animals....kinda frowned upon in normal places,"

"So I'm an animal? I'm some dumb animal,"

"Well I didn't say dumb bu-" She got in my face, her eyes peeking over her glasses, "....ok then," I wheeled myself back a pace.

"What's wrong with your legs?" She said still leaning over the table, "And don't you get mad at me, you wanna be rude I'll be rude,"

"Hey I-"

"Whats wrong, sensitive topic? Almost like talking about your weird relationship right?" I shut up and just glared at her, her red eyes matching mine.

"...Car crash, smashed my leg to pulp," I pulled the sheet I keep over my lap off, "I'm supposed to be learning to walk again," She leaned back still sporting a small frown.

"Finish your food," I did as she asked and quickly downed the waxy meal, "I'll pay..." She levitated the bag and trotted over to the counter. I cleared the table and dumped it in the trash and started towards the exit.

"Aw shit!" I looked out the door to the stairs, "That idiot!"

The mare trotted over to me, "What's up,"

"Your boyfriend forgot he helped me up here in the first place!"

"So what, I can help," I looked her over.

"You're tiny!" Granted I was head height with her while in this stupid chair, "How are you gonna-" Her horn lit up.

"Just hold on,"

"Wait wait wait!" A force quickly picked the chair just off the floor and out the door.

"Man...your heavy," She quickly set me down with a thud, "You should lose some weight...that chair's making you tubby," She said as she trotted off.

"I'm not fat!" I looked down at myself, "I was a runner...I'd better not be fat,"

"You're late Mr.Donner," Aloe ran out the front of the spa, "I knew I should have gone with you,"

"Oh calm down...I just got a little lost, still new to this damn town ya know,"

"....you know I really don't like it when you swear," She walked with me around the building.

"Yeah well sorry....my life has been kinda shitty the past few months..."

"Yes well, hardship is no excuse for vulgarity,"

"I guess.....lets just get this over with," She led me to a side area in the business end of the building. A small pair of horizontal bars spanned a short length in the room.

"Alright....let's just start easy, With both feet planted, stand with good posture,"

"I know how to stand up," I quickly stood, using the bars to support my weight, "So this is it?"

"Do that as many times as you can,"

"Fine..." I quickly started sitting and standing.

"If you feel the need, try to stay standing without supporting yourself, don't try walking...."

"Fine...."

"Oh god that hurts...." I said falling back into my chair the last time, "Man......I never thought that could hurt so much..."

"Now do you understand why we take it slow," She got behind me and started pushing my chair along.

"Man....what now?"

"Mr.Donner, please, I have no intention of leaving you in pain," She wheeled me into a decent sized room with a small rectangular bath, "Can you move?"

"A bath? I don't think a bath-" She walked in front of me and gave an annoyed look, I removed my prosthetic and stripped to my boxers again, "Fine, I think I can," I Didn't stand, I just slowly edged myself off the chair and onto the lip of the bath. It was nice, warm. I slowly sank my body into it. A small lip acting as a seat, "So...this is it," Aloe walked around the side and reached into the water and pulled my half leg out of the water, "Hey what- ahhh..."

She propped my leg up and started kneading the flesh around my knee, "I am surprised...I've heard most humans feel strange about undressing." It felt like my leg turned to putty.

"Yeah well- ow- I'm not about to try anything with any of you....no offense,"

"Yes well I think I can honestly say the same, I can appreciate it works for someponies but I'd prefer the option of having foals..." She slowly worked her way up to my thigh.

She hit a particularly tight spot above my knee, "Ahhh....maybe this is why they sent me here.....wish I had the rest of my leg just to give you more to work with..." I joked, although it kind of backfired and I ended up with a pang of sadness.

I just shut up and let her work, eventually I no longer felt the muscle fatigue...or anything below my waist really. She helped me back into my chair and quickly wheeled me into my room, "I'll let you rest until dinner,"

"Yeah thanks...." She closed the door, I looked around and found a stack of books, "What the hell is Daring Doo?"