The Test - Part 2

Part 2 

Estella enters the room. The table is too high. 'I will help you up' he says. 'Yes, that will necessary' she replies. He comes closer and stands in front of her. The wheelchair is parked close to the table. She tries to pull herself up, just to try. But no. He reaches out to her waist and she grabs one of his shoulders. He pulls her up and puts her down on the table. She tries to keep balance by using her arms. 'Can you please pull my legs up the table?' she asks him while trying to lift one leg with on arm. He takes her calfs and move them up on the table. She moves along and lays down. Her legs stretch, it looks a gentle spasm. He notices the goose bumps on her bare legs. 'I will get you a blanket and get the mask for the test' he says while he walks towards the door. He leaves the room and two minutes later he comes back two blankets and an oxygen mask. He unfolds the blankets and coves her from her paralyzed feet to her chin. 'One or two? I have another one, If you are really cold' he says. 'One is fine for now, thank you' she replies. He puts the other blanket next to the mask on the table where also a computer is located. 'We will measure, I will measure, since my colleague is not here today, your body on a few points'. He takes an measuring tape out of his lab coat and starts to measure her height while laying down. 'Am I the first person you measure without the help of your colleagues?' she asks. 'Yes, Sorry If I come across nervous, I want to do it correct but also don't want to take too much of your time, normally it goes faster, If the team helps' he says. 'Don't worry, I have all the time' she tries to calm him with one sentence. 

After a few minutes he puts the measuring tape back in his pocket and goes to the computer, it's located at her feet, and when laying down she can't see what happens on that side. She hears the noice of typing. 'I will put the data in the system and then the test can start, you will be wearing a oxygen mask which measures the amount of oxygen you use during an hour, in resting position' he explains to the paralyzed girl laying on the table ready to participate in the next test. He stands up, grabs the mask and hands it to her. She takes it and tried to put it on her head. The mask only coves her mouth and nose. But it has to be tight and it feels quite heavy on her face. Estella tries to breath in and out, while he corrects and checks if no air comes out anywhere it shouldn't. 'I will put the machine on, it will buzz a little but no worries. Just lay there for an hour, I will tab your hand every 10 minutes and I will observe the data in the meanwhile. But don't fall asleep, many people do' he says. 'Okay, I will try not to, but can I talk to you?' she asks. 'No, talking and stay as still as possible' he replies. She puts her thumb up and he walks back to the computer to start the test.

After staring at the ceiling for 10 minutes Estella feels a warm hand holding her hand for a few seconds. 'Everything allright?' he asks. She puts a thumb up he goes back to the end of her feet somewhere. The machine just makes a buzzing sounds but the tention in the room is there because it's quiet. She just lays there breathing in and out as normal as possible as if the mask isn't there. After another 10 minutes, his hands holds hers again, a little longer than the time before. He looks into her eyes and she looks back. 'It's been 20 minutes, would you like the second blanket?' he asks. 'She puts another thumb up and he gets a second blanket and covers her gently. He sits back down at the computer and then her legs starts the move, a spasm has come up. under neath the two blankets her left leg shakes a little. He gets up and holds it till it stops, she noticed it, not because she feels her legs but because the saw something move in the corner of her eye. 'Maybe the two blankets are too heavy' he says as he looks underneath the blankets. He rolls one up until her knee, so there is less pressure on her foot. She just keeps trying to stay still and breath like she is relaxing. He sits back down and so another 10 minutes go by. She was lost in her thoughts when she feels his hand again touching hers. It seems like he is holding it a little longer every time or maybe it's just her imagination. He smiles and says '30 min left to go'.

He checks her legs under the blanket again and sits down at the computer. Estella tries not to fall asleep as she counts the spots on the ceiling.