The Running Dream

Jessica experiences some frustration when she begins to run on the new prosthetic. Even with Hank and Coach Kyro’s assistance, she finds it hard to overcome the feelings of imbalance and worries that “I’m going to fall, or trip, or crash and burn” (282). Although everyone tells her that she will get better with practice, Jessica is concerned that so much money was spent on a leg that she can’t seem to use. It isn’t until Jessica stops thinking that the leg is for running, not walking, that everything falls into place.

Once Jessica gets the hang of the running leg, she experiences a “wild, electrifying feeling” (283) and starts to go back to the track every day. What she does acknowledge is that she is out of shape, so she begins running with Fiona and meeting Coach Kyro for speed sessions. Kyro advocates that Jessica concentrate on visualizing a smooth running pace, a suggestion she finds strangely helpful. Reality is still there, though, and Jessica doubts she will ever be able to race again. For the moment, however, it is enough though that she can run.