I meet his gaze as I manage to grip his shoulders to support myself.
“I will never let anything happen to you. My hands will stay right where they are. I’m just easing my grip enough to give you a chance to sit on your own. You won’t fall, Baby girl.”
I glance down. The floor is so far away. This armchair is gigantic. All the furniture in the room is huge just like the couch and chairs I saw in his apartment on Earth. I feel tiny compared to Papi and everything in his home.
When I shift my attention back to him, I focus on sitting upright.
“Good girl,” he praises. “You’re doing it.”
It’s odd how happy this small step makes him. Me, too. I manage to smile and straighten up farther, keeping my hands on his shoulders. I know he won’t let me fall, but I can’t bring myself to take a chance and let go of him. I need him for balance.
After a few seconds, Papi applies pressure to my waist again, supporting me as he leans forward to reach around me. “I’m just moving the footstool closer.” When he’s done, he props his feet on it and leans me back against his thighs. I’m mostly upright now, and I feel comforted by his slightly parted thighs behind me.
Papi brings a hand in front of me. “See how hard you can grip my finger, Little one.”
I reach for his hand and squeeze his pointer.
“Good girl. Now the other hand.”
I do the same. It’s like physical therapy for someone who was in a coma. That’s literally exactly what Papi is doing.
“Can you lift your arms above your head?”
When I do, his smile grows.
“See how long you can hold them.”
My arms are trembling, but I manage to keep them aloft for a long time before I drop them.
Papi goes through several more exercises with my arms and my legs. He seems pleased, which tells me I’m not too far off what’s expected and normal for however long I’ve been here. I even feel more awake than I have any previous time.
“You need to eat, Little one. You’re not getting enough calories. You never finish your bottles.”
“I’ll try, Papi. I get so tired when you feed me. It lulls me to sleep.”
“I know, Baby girl, but try to stay awake this time, okay?”
“Yes, Sir.” I want to follow his instructions. I want to please him. I might be argumentative on many topics, but I don’t have any interest in not being healthy. I want to get better and be able to walk and talk like a normal person.
When Papi stands, he props me on his hip. I have pretty good control over my head, and I feel more alert. I hope I’m turning the corner. Maybe the lethargy is going to subside.
A few minutes after I start sucking the formula, though, I grow very tired.
Papi jiggles the nipple over and over in my mouth. “Try to finish all of it, Baby girl. You need the calories.”
It’s hard to focus, but I manage to drink most of it. I’m only barely aware of Papi’s praise as I fall asleep again.
Chapter Twelve
Bailey
The next time I wake up, I’m in the clinic again. It’s so frustrating. Papi has brought me here so many times. I want to be normal.
This time Chadka and Thabo are both in the room again. I’m cold. I think they turn the temperature down when I come here in order to wake me up. It works.
“There’s my girl,” Papi says. His voice is more strained than usual.
“How long was she asleep this time?” Chadka asks.
