The flock of nurses who’d come to watch over their charges stayed on the sidelines trying not to intrude on this one special day. As much as possible, the youngsters would be allowed to forget they were not hale and hearty. That was the whole idea.
The determination, courage, and cheerfulness exhibited by the lot soon had Melissa awe-struck. Clearly, few of the youngsters saw themselves as helpless, for they sought neither pity nor protection. She held her breath as a little boy with a pair of minute crutches swung his artificial legs down the bus’s special steps and across the uneven ground, small face set with concentration. As he passed, the lad looked up at her and grinned, pride and independence radiating from his face.
“I can do it. Don’t you worry ‘bout me. I can do it.”
Melissa
