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Hudson knelt and gave Hannah a big hug and kiss. He was getting better at affection. This time, he didn’t care if the therapists looked on.
“Hello, sir. We are done with Hannah for today. Here are her medication refills and the new stretching routine we want her to work on with you or Nora.”
Hudson looked down at the two bottles with a quizzical air. “Only two? She was on four before.”
The therapist smiled. “She was, but not anymore. That’s how well she’s improved.”
“Wow, Hannah, did you hear that? Only two meds. That’s a tremendous feat.”
“Yep, and look.” Hannah reached out for the therapist’s arm. With the wheelchair locked, the little girl slowly, ever so slowly and with some wincing pain, got to her feet. Hannah stood erect for a few seconds and fell back into the chair. It was the first time she had stood all on her own.
The therapists clapped and cheered, and Hudson had tears in his eyes that he refused to let fall. Even his polar bear roared excitedly.
“Oh, Hannah. That’s truly amazing.” Hudson looked at the head therapist and flashed a grateful smile.
“She’s well on her way, sir. This girl has quite the spunk. I give her a target to reach with her limbs, and she beats the target every time.”
Hannah looked up at the adults. “I have to.”
“Why?” Hudson asked, curious. The urgency in her voice sounded significant.
“Because I want to play snowballs with you. Like we did before. But this time, I get to be outside and make them too.”
“Before?” The therapist looked puzzled.
Hudson stayed mum and merely shrugged. He knew what Hannah meant, but he wasn’t about to tell the caregivers about shifting into a polar bear. Then they’d think he needed the caregiving and in a special home.
The pair said goodbye to the healthcare workers, and Hudson closed the door.
“Hey, you. Our little playtime has to remain a secret. Not everyone appreciates what shifters can do.”
Hannah giggled. “Oops, yeah. Silly adults don’t understand. But I so want to play snowballs with you. But for real this time. Not me inside, but me outside playing with you.”
“Hmm…” Hudson looked around. He figured Nora was taking a rest, knowing the therapists were there. “You know what? What’s stopping us? How about I roll you outside, and we play now?”
Hannah’s smile brightened and then melted. “But I’m still in this wheelchair. How can I play with you like this?”
“This is how.”
Hudson grabbed her coat, hat, scarf, and mittens. He helped her into the cold weather gear. And once she was ready, he rolled her out onto the front porch and down the constructed ramp to the vast snow-covered lawn.
“Okay, close your eyes tight.”
Hannah did as she was told, giggling all the way.
And with a swish of discarded clothes, an inhalation, and an iridescent swirl, Hudson shifted from a mere man freezing in the flesh to a mighty polar bear toasty warm in the whitest of white fur.
Hudson galloped in front of the wheelchair. Hannah cheered and clapped with glee.
“Whoo! Hoo! Snowball fight!”
Excitedly, both the girl and the bear made a pile of snowballs. Hannah could briefly lift herself in and out of the chair and even took a few tentative steps through the snow. Before they knew it, it was a full-on frosty war.
One ball lobbed, then another, then more and more and more. The aim was off with both their throws as the little girl giggled, and the happy howling overtook him.
Hudson romped around Hannah’s chair, jumping and rolling about. Hannah clapped and cheered. “Jump higher! Roll over this way more!”
Their cheerful din masked extraneous sounds. Neither Hannah nor Hudson heard Nora open the back door to look for Hannah. Her footsteps on the pathway around the house were also muffled.
