Carissa's Law

by Misty Boyd

“Hey, Ma, how’s the new nurse?” Isaac gave his mom a kiss. “She seems nice. Waved goodbye as I pulled up. Is she good? Did she do everything like you asked? Do you need anything?”

  “She’s great, Isaac!” His mom smiled, her face happy and contented. “Much better than Cindy, and I don’t even think I scared her.”

  “That’s good. You gotta stop scaring off the nurses.” Isaac laughed at her. “The agency is running out of them.”

  “How’s Carissa?” his mom asked.

  “She’s okay.” He shrugged. “Nervous about everything and I don’t blame her. I’m nervous, too, and I’m not even the one getting cut. But she seems to be handling it well. She’s strong.”

  “That’s good.” She glanced up at him. “Tell her I’m praying for her and, since I’m spending so much of my prayer time on her, bring her over sometime. I’m praying for this girl you haven’t proven exists yet.” She shook her finger at him. “What’s that about, boy? Bring her to me. Let me get eyeballs on this girl you seem so gaga over. The house is even accessible. She’d be perfectly comfortable here.”

  “All right, Ma, I’ll bring her over.”

  “Before Friday,” she said. “I don’t want to wait to meet her. She seems like a good one. I want eyeballs on her soon.”

  “Okay, Ma.” He leaned over and gave her a goodnight hug and kiss.

  “Go to sleep, boy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Goodnight, Ma. I love you!”

  “I love you, too, Isaac.”

  Isaac went to his room and got ready for bed, thinking about Carissa the whole time. Yeah, he was gone.

  He was pretty sure he loved her.

  Chapter 28

  Jim and Sarah stood in the living room talking about the evening. “I can’t even lie. I like that kid,” Jim admitted when Carissa was out of earshot. “He needs to quit kissing my daughter on the porch, but I like him.”

  “Jim,” Sarah admonished, “Carissa likes the kissing. If the kissing stops, we lose the boy. If you like the boy, the kissing stays. Sorry to have to be the one to disappoint you.” She placed a loving hand on his chest.

  “Oh, stop. That’s my daughter!” He pulled back playfully.

  “I’m just saying.” She wrapped her arm around him. “And, in case you don’t remember, she’s my daughter, too.”

  “I know,” he said, pulling her in closer.

  “Okay. They aren’t kissing.” Sarah grinned at him a little impishly. “They’re planning to overthrow the government. Is that better?”

  “Much,” he conceded, “but what if she falls in love and he realizes the spina bifida and all that comes with it is just too much? It’s too much for us sometimes. I just don’t want to see her get her heart broken. I’d much rather they overthrow the government than have to watch my little girl get hurt.”

  “Believe what you have to.” She patted him on the back. “I’m afraid too, but we can’t protect her from everything. Isaac seems like a nice guy, but if you have to tell yourself they’re not kissing out there, go ahead and lie to yourself.” She smiled up at him.

  “It’s what I do best.” Jim replied. “But, no, really, I like him. I almost hope he sticks around for a while. Carissa seems happy, in spite of everything she’s facing.”

  “What if he sticks around forever?” Sarah raised her eyebrows, the question hanging between them.

  “Stop it!” he said one more time.

  “I’m just saying.” She shrugged. “A mom knows things.”

  “Well, stop knowing,” Jim told her. “My little girl is too young for forever.”

  “Okay, Jim. She’s overthrowing the government. That’s all. She’s not in love with him.”

  “That’s so much better.”

  “Whatever you say, dear.” She slipped her arm through his and pulled him toward the sofa. “ Let’s watch this crazy movie you picked.”

  They cozied into each other, both of them falling asleep on the couch.

  Chapter 29

  The week was going fast. It was already Wednesday, and Carissa was feeling Friday coming in much too quickly, but Isaac had called earlier and invited her to come over for dinner.

  “Mom, do you need the car for anything tonight?”

  Her mom looked up from the paper she was reading. “No, baby, why?”

  “Isaac invited me over to his house for dinner tonight,” Carissa said. “His mom wants to meet me. Can I go?”

  “Sure,” Sarah said with a smile. “Just don’t stay out too late, and be a lady.”

  “Will do, Mom!”

  Carissa went to get ready. She was nervous about meeting Ms. Carter, and she wanted to make a good impression. At least they both used wheelchairs. It was hard to convince parents you were a good choice for a girlfriend from a chair. She’d tried it before. At least she had that going for her this time. Ms. Carter would see another person, not just a chair. Still, Carissa’s nerves were jumping. Ms. Carter had raised a man all on her own. Chair or not, she was strong, and might still be a tough critic.

  Carissa showered and put on what she thought was a proper, “meet the parents” outfit, said a little prayer that she wouldn’t totally screw this up, and headed out the door to Isaac’s house. Because she had never been there, her navigation system was her best friend.

  Isaac lived on the other side of town in a small red brick house that was in need of repair. At least she knew his house would be accessible for her wheelchair. That wasn’t always the case when visiting friends, or even family.

  She pulled up in the concrete driveway, set her chair outside the car door, dropped into it, and headed to the door. On each side of the walkway, there were beautiful pink and purple flowers. Carissa wondered if Isaac or his mom had planted them. She knew it would be a lot of work to plant flowers from a wheelchair, but she didn’t see Isaac as the horticultural type.

  She knocked and waited. It seemed like she sat there forever with her heart pounding in her chest. Then Isaac appeared.

  “Hey, come in. Ma, Carissa is here!” he called.

  Carissa entered the house and Ms. Carter came from the kitchen wearing a long black dress with a large red flower pattern down the front. She was short and stocky, like Isaac, and very dark. “Hello, Carissa. I’ve heard so much about you.” A wide, genuine smile lit up her face. “Don’t worry, Isaac can’t think of a bad thing to tell me. Come on in. Dinner is just about ready. Isaac, show the lady to the table.”

  Isaac led Carissa to a square, wooden, black painted table with bowls and spoons already set out. There was a flower vase in the center with a single yellow rose. He moved a black wooden chair out of the way so she could scoot in.

  Carissa moved over and reached out to shake Isaac’s mother’s hand. “Thank you for having me, Ms. Carter. I really appreciate the invite.”

  The other woman’s hand was warm and strong. “Honey, call me Betty. I don’t do all that formal stuff. We’re real low key around here.”

  “Okay, Betty, I will. Thanks!” Carissa followed Betty, with Isaac behind, into the dining room. The two women rolled their chairs up to the table, and Isaac helped the nurse bring dinner over.

  “Well, Ms. Carter, now that you have Isaac here, and your company, I think I’ll head on out. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow!” the nurse announced.

  “Okay, honey,” Betty said. “See you tomorrow. Thank you for your help!”

  With dinner sitting in the center of the table, Isaac said the blessing, and they all started eating their meal of shepherd’s pie.

  “It’s delicious, Ma,” Isaac said.

  “Yes, ma’am, really good. Thank you!” Carissa agreed.

  “I’m glad you both like it,” Betty said, delighted the meal was okay. “So, Carissa, tell me about you. Isaac says your major is pre-law. That’s some pretty heavy stuff.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Carissa told her. “I’m not sure of all the specifics yet, but I want to do something in the disability law realm.” Carissa lea
ned forward, eager to share her dreams with this woman she had so much in common with. “Something that makes a huge difference, you know, kind of like the ADA did for us. I just feel like I was born into this chair life to make something happen. I don’t believe in coincidence. I’m in this chair for a reason. I want to do what I can with it.”

  Betty sat back in her chair. “Wow! You have some pretty big goals there,” she exclaimed. “You know, I was in some of those protests for the ADA when I was about your age… or older… We won’t talk about how old I was, but I was part of it. Aside from Isaac being born, it was one of the best experiences of my life. We were all on fire. I could introduce you to some of the people I still hang around with. You might catch some inspiration. Some of them are still in the government scene, still moving and shaking things in Washington for us. Would you be interested in meeting some of them?”

  “Oh, yes, ma’am.” Carissa was thrilled at the thought of getting involved with this group of people. “It might have to be after my surgery, though. That’s coming up pretty quick, and they’re saying I might have a long recovery, but I’d definitely love to meet some of the minds behind the ADA. How exciting!”

  “Who knows? You might be out there rallying for your own laws someday. That would be exciting!” Betty beamed. “I’d be right there beside you. I’d love to jump back into that fire again.”

  Carissa saw the nostalgia in Betty’s eyes. It lit something inside her.

  The rest of dinner was filled with Betty telling Carissa all about her time as an activist for the ADA. She talked about being right there at the Capitol building the day the Americans With Disabilities Act was passed, and how excited she was. She talked about seeing the changes come all around town: wheelchair ramps, elevators, handrails. Disabled people were finally seeing the changes they needed to navigate the world. It still wasn’t perfect, but Betty told Carissa it was so much better than it used to be. Isaac could hardly get a word in between his mom and his girlfriend, and he didn’t look like he minded.

  When dinner was over, they all helped clear the table, and Isaac offered to do the dishes.

  “I’ll help!” Carissa chimed in.

  “Well, then, this old lady is going to plop herself in front of the television. You guys come on in when you’re done.” Betty went to the living room.

  “I like your mom,” Carissa told Isaac when they were alone.

  Isaac rinsed a plate in the sink before putting it into the dishwasher. “She likes you, too. I can tell.”

  “Good. You want a lady like her to like you,” Carissa said, handing him the next plate. “She’s really something.”

  “You know, Carissa, you’re really something, too,” Isaac said, smiling down at her. “I really like you a lot. In fact, I think I might be growing to more than like you.”

  Carissa thought she was going to scrub the pattern off the plate in her hands.

  Isaac continued, “I think I love you. I’ve never felt like this around anyone else in my life. I can’t wait to talk to you. It doesn’t matter what happens in my day. As long as you’re involved, I’m good. You brighten up everything. You’re the first thing I think about every morning, and the last thing I think about at night. I really think… no, I know… Carissa, I love you.” Carissa felt the plate slip in her hand. She felt lucky she didn’t drop it, the way her heart was pounding. She managed to put it down in the sink before it fell to the floor.

  “I love you, too, Isaac. I’ve never felt this way either,” Carissa admitted. “I don’t know how to act around you, and yet I do, because even when I’m all nervous and weird, you make it so easy.”

  To ease the tension, Isaac picked up the faucet sprayer, and sprinkled Carissa right in the face.

  “Isaac!” she screamed.

  Betty’s voice came from the other room. “Isaac! What are you doing in there? Treat a lady like a lady!”

  “Sorry, Ma!” he yelled back to his mom, but he didn’t look sorry.

  Carissa and Isaac both laughed. This was love.

  After the dishes were finished, Carissa and Isaac joined his mother in the living room.

  “Thank you so much for dinner, Ms… Um… Betty,” Carissa said. “It was delicious.”

  “You’re welcome, Carissa. You’re welcome to come back for more any time. We have dinner just about every night around here, and I can never manage to cook for just the two of us. My mama always cooked for the whole neighborhood, and so do I. We’ll always have plenty.”

  Carissa smiled at that thought. “Thank you, ma’am. I’m sure I’ll be around for more. Isaac, I should probably get going. I told my parents I wouldn’t be out too late.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” he replied.

  “It was nice having you, Carissa,” said Betty. “Like I said, we always have more than enough. You’re welcome to come back any time. We’ll see you later.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back.” Carissa meant it, too.

  On the porch, Isaac sat down on an Adirondack chair so he could be face to face with Carissa. “I meant what I said in there. I love you, and I want you to know that I take us seriously. I know you think I can’t handle this spina bifida thing, and the surgery coming up, but I’m in this. I’m not like other eighteen-year-old guys. I’m with you. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I love you, too, Isaac, and I trust you. I’ll see you Friday morning.” She leaned in to kiss him before leaving.

  Chapter 30

  Friday was here before anyone could blink. Carissa woke up to the sound of her alarm clock blaring earlier than usual. She slammed her hand down on it, and immediately remembered everything that was to happen today. “Oh, man. I can’t do this. I’m so not ready.” But she hopped out of the bed and jumped in the shower to wash with her anti-bacterial soap, as instructed. Upon finishing, she went out to the living room to find her parents, but they weren’t there. She hoped they would be out of their bedroom soon. They didn’t have a lot of spare time if they were going to pick up Isaac.

  “Hey, kiddo! You ready for this?” Sarah said as she came into the living room.

  “Nope!” Carissa said.

  “Good! Me, neither. Let’s do it!” Sarah headed for the kitchen.

  “Sounds like a plan. Is Dad almost ready?” Carissa asked anxiously. “We have to go get Isaac.”

  “Dad’s getting dressed now. Don’t worry,” Sarah announced from the kitchen. “We have time. I gotta start coffee, though, or I’m not gonna make it through the day!”

  Carissa heard the usual morning preparations going on as Sarah started the coffee, just as Jim came out of the bedroom.

  “Hey, Dad! Mom’s on the coffee already.”

  “That’s good,” Jim said. “I’ll need some for the road. Why don’t you call Isaac and tell him we’re heading out in about ten minutes. Make sure he’s up.”

  “Okay.” Carissa punched in Isaac’s number as Jim followed the smell of fresh coffee into the kitchen.

  When Isaac answered, Carissa said, “Hey, Isaac, we’re leaving in about ten to pick you up. You ready?”

  “Yeah,” he told her. “I’m waiting on the couch. Text me when you’re close so no one has to come up and get me. See you soon. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She ended the call.

  Sarah came flying out of the kitchen and into the bedroom, where she dressed lightning fast. She was ready to head out before Carissa could blink.

  “Okay, everybody, pile up! Let’s get this party started!” Jim said, and they headed out to the car.

  In the car, Jim said, “Let’s say a quick prayer.” They bowed their heads to pray for Carissa’s surgery and recovery.

  The ride was silent on the way to get Isaac. Carissa didn’t know if it was sleep deprivation, nerves, or a combination of the two, but no one said anything until Isaac got in the car.

  “Hey, Isaac,” Sarah said, her voice sounding sleepy.

  “Hi, Mrs. Schultz, good morning! You, too, Mr. Schultz.”
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  Isaac looked over at Carissa. She looked beautiful this early. Sleepy eyes, hair kind of a mess. It was a natural beauty she had without trying. “Hey, you. Doing okay?”

  “Yeah,” she said, “just ready to get it over with, and a little hungry. No food since dinner last night.”

  “Well, I’ll get you a decent meal as soon as they’ll let me.” He grinned at her, disgustingly chipper.

  “Sounds good,” she agreed glumly. “A cheeseburger?”

  “I’ll get right on that,” he said. “It’ll have to be hospital, though. No car.”

  “Ugh. I’ll take it,” she told him. “I’ll probably be starving when I wake up, so it won’t matter.”

  The car went silent again. There didn’t seem to be a lot to say. When they arrived at the hospital, everybody got out, almost reluctantly.

  “Come on, sleepy head. Let’s go,” Sarah said.

  “I’m coming, I’m coming.” Carissa moaned.

  Carissa got checked in at the surgical desk, and they waited until a short, red-headed woman wearing green scrubs came out to get her.

  “Carissa?” she said. “I’m Sandy. Come on back. I’ll get you all dressed up in your party dress, and then I’ll bring your family back when you’re all set. Looks like everything’s running right on time, so you shouldn’t have to wait long.”

  Carissa followed Sandy back to a hospital room where a gown, booties, and a paper hat waited for her. “Do you need any help transferring or getting any of this stuff on?”

  “No, ma’am.” Carissa gave her a wry look. “I’ve got it. I’m a pro. Thanks, though.”

  “Well, all right then.” Sandy smiled. “I’ll leave you to it. Here’s your call button if you need anything. Oh, and pee in this cup when you get a chance.”

  Carissa stopped her before she left. “Do you have a catheter?” she asked. “I need one to pee. Non-latex.”

  Most people with spina bifida were highly susceptible to developing a latex allergy. Carissa wasn’t allergic yet but, because she was exposed so much, she used precautions where she could.