A New Life

Life had always been an adventure for Jules, but for the first time, it was a strange one.

Walking in the dark was a strange sensation, but one she had to get used to. She couldn’t look in the puddle, or see her reflection. Her therapist said it was a matter of viewing the world in a different way.

Using your fingers to see, letting the sounds around you, ground you in a place. She stepped into the puddle. Splash. It was a sound she remembered from childhood. Running from puddle to puddle.

That special sound of her laughter.

Today, she was training with her guide dog – Merlin. A magical name, and Graham helped her choose him. The RNIB said the dog had to choose the owner, and he chose me. She would never forget the day his head settled on her lap, and the sensation tingling in her fingers.

Not love at first sight, but love all the same. He was an angel, wrapped in soft fur, and a reason to keep going. The accident may have taken her sight, but not her life. Self doubt had no reason to be here.

Not now or ever.

She held on to Merlin’s harness, their training in session. He could be her eyes, and she would learn to listen out for any warning signs. Lucky, most people waited years to get a guide dog, but her editor spoke to someone and she was top of the list.

Was it guilt a being part of the reason her car was targeted? She wasn’t sure, but the only person responsible was the person who pushed her car down the verge. Being a journalist had its dangers, but her editor wasn’t responsible – she was.