AN: Just a quick little story I decided to write. A long, long time ago, I read a book entitled Stuck in Neutral, about a teenage boy with cerebral palsy who has the genius capability to remember everything he hears- but no control over his body that would allow him to express himself. Of course, I was inspired to write a love story in response. So that’s what this is. It’s going to be interesting to write, considering how I haven’t actually read the book in about a year and a half, at least. But I’ll do my best. The story will have really short chapters, so it can all be read in one sitting, if you like. Enjoy!

CHAPTER ONE

I’m not technically married to my wife. The reasoning’s simple, really- I can’t communicate with anyone. They don’t know me, including her, so she has no way of knowing whether I love her or whether I’d be unhappy. If only she knew how I really feel...

Her name is Kathy, by the way. Kathy Madison Waters. She’s 19 (I’m 20), and she’s studying to be a pediatrician. She loves kids, and watching independent movies, and she knows how to cook really well. She is also one of the most incredibly kind, compassionate, and patient women I’ve ever met.

I’m deeply and utterly in love with her. And the saddest thing is, she’ll never know. Never! Funny, right? I mean, why can’t I just tell her, especially if I’m “married” to her and all that? Well, here’s the problem: I have severe cerebral palsy. I have no control over any of the muscles in my body- not even my eyelids. Physically, I’m like a vegetable. Sometimes I make vowel sounds, but never when I actually want to speak, and I can’t form real words.

So no matter how much I might want to, I will never be able to open my mouth and tell my wife I love her, much less actually go and marry her. Nope. Out of the question. Not that it’s actually even worth fantasizing about anymore. She’s gone now.

But that’s the end of a really long story. So let’s start back at the beginning, shall we?