Chapter 19

The next month was torture for Pascal, but little by little she gained strenght. She would have gone stir crazy from not playing her beloved piano and violin had it not been from the boys and her new friends taking her places almost everyday. Physical therapy was gruesome, but Justin often accompanied her for support, so it made the pain seem more bearable. She was able to walk by herself and play the after the first month, but the doctors were afraid that playing the violing would cause too much strain on her hands and cause the wound to bust open. Pascal longed to play it again.

After about six weeks, the doctors agreed that she could begin playing again but only in moderate amounts. Pascal was overjoyed. She knew that she would be a bit rusty, but she could hardly wait. As soon as she got home from the doctors office, she hurried in the house to get her violin out. "Hello, old friend." She polished it up a bit and ventured outside. She sat under one of the shadier trees in the yard. She placed the violin under her chin and slowly began a series of drills. It was painful and akward, but her soul became alive the moment she pulled the bow across her precious instrument. Justin had walked up as she was playing. He saw the look of pure joy she had on her face as she played. He had subconsciously known all along that he loved her, but for the first time, he actually said the words in his head, "I love her".

Her arm grew tired after about fifteen minutes so she stopped. She looked at her violin and began crying. She had waited for this moment, and it had been glorious. She heard clapping. Pascal looked up surprised and saw Justin walking towards her. She wiped her eyes and smiled her radiant smile. He bent down beside her and hugged her.

"That look on your face was worth a million dollars, you know," said Justin. Pascal grinned remembering her friend Ang'ele describing the look he gave her that first time they met the very same way. "I am so proud of you. I know that sounds corny, but it is how I feel."

"Thank-you, mon amour. No, it does not sound "corny". It sounded sweet and sincere."

"You know that you are really an inspiration to us all. Whenever I get down and think I can't do something, I just look at you and say, 'Hey, I can do this. Nothing is impossible."

"How do you always manage to pull at my heartstrings like that?" she asked tenderly.

"I ask myself that about you everyday," he replied. "I think I have an answer to it." he announced.

"Do tell" Pascal laughed.

"It is because I love you." Justin bit his lip and waited for her reaction. Pascal looked at him wide-eyed, and then gazed at him adoringly. She nodded and simply said, "Je t'aime, mon amour." Justin just smiled the biggest grin of his life.