“I was gonna ask if ya had to take meds for it.” Ashley informs.

Spencer’s right arm shoots up from his side his deformed hand clinched tightly. He’s been trying really hard to make sure it stayed down. He can’t always control it. Ashley looks surprised.

“That’s another reason the medicine helps…before I had it I jumped even more and my arm was more out of control. I’ve been tryin’ to concentrate really hard so you wouldn’t have to see that.” Spencer confesses.

“Aww Spence, Ya don’t have to be ashamed around me…never!” Ashley promises.

Spencer takes a moment to get his emotions in check. He’s heard things like that from many people in his life, but he always feels it in his heart when he finds someone who actually means it.

“Thanks I needed that.” expressing sincere gratitude.

“Well, here’s what I need…to find out more about my awesome new friend! She says with a smile.

He smiles back. “Fire away!”

“Um…let’s see… Is it permanent?” Ashley continues with her questions.

“Yeah…Well, at least for now… Unless, they come up with a miracle operation, or stem cell breakthroughs.”

“Have you had any surgeries?”

“Yep…When I was really little like three or four, I had back surgery. They took a piece of my back bone out, fused off the bad nerves, and put it back in. It was supposed make my legs better so I could walk, buuut… it didn’t work out that way…it made my legs a lot better. I use to walk on my tip toes. Now my feet are flat when I walk…but I can’t walk on my own like they said I would. ”

Ashley could see a hint of sadness in his eyes when he mentioned that the surgery had fallen short of its goal. However, it wasn’t showing in his face or voice leading her to think he didn’t want her to notice. So, she didn’t. Instead she moved on to the next thing that peaked her curiosity.

“Can I see the scar?”

“Sure.” Spencer obliges.

Ashley gets off the bed, and walks behind Spencer. Puts her hand on his lower back and pauses awaiting permission to lift his shirt up.

“Go ahead.” He welcomes.

With that, she lifts his shirt exposing the long stapled scar which spans upward from the base of his spine about six inches.