Katerina Turchetti

Writing 104 A7
Ms. Kusinitz
5 March 2016
We All Fall Down
What just happened? My eyes roll to face the sky at first. There is a sharp pain radiating
throughout my head, back, and neck. Rocks bite into my skin beneath me. Why am I on the
floor? Why cant I breathe right? The air attempts a slow crawl to my lungs, but cant make it.
The oxygen is on the edge of that finish line, yet fails at the last possible moment. My eyes fly
back and forth, staring upwards. The trapeze is swinging above me. Did I fall?
A rapid thumping plays in my ears, blocking out any other noise. Panic. My breathing
tightens even further as my fear grows larger. This escalated to hyperventilating.
What happened?!? my mother ran down the porch. Id like to know that too. She
repeats this to my sister and cousins a few more times as she kneels by me.
W-we were on the trapeze She fell. my youngest cousin states. The memory of what
caused me to be limp on the terrain returns to me now. That little liar. The miniature hellion
pushed me off after we tickled her on it. I wasnt holding onto the side bars. Why does this feel a
little self-inflicted?
Katerina, I need you to tell me if you are okay. Mom assesses the situation.
Do I look okay?
I.cant.breathe I force the words out of my throat.
Mom looks down on me, I can see tears welling in her eyes. She calls for Aunty Sherri to
help her. Aunty herds the others off like cattle before joining mom by me.

Help me move her into the house. She orders my aunt like a sergeant.
Im sorry, but what? Moving doesnt feel like a good idea at the moment. I try to tilt my
head towards mom to showcase what a very bad plan this is. Owwww. Okay, I was right. Moving
hurts.
They both grab one end of my body, carefully so I dont fall. Because I really need that
right now. Im laid down on the couch in the downstairs living room.
Honey, I need you to breathe. Okay, can you do that for me? Mom begs me, her voice
dripping with turmoil. The barest hint of a nod was formed. Sherri, call 911!
Is she okay? my sisters voice whimpers out. I dont think so Bri. My breathing is
getting shorter as the time goes by. I think back on this morning, before all this insanity occurred.
God, how did I go from hanging out with my dad at the firehouse with his co-workers to this
nightmare?
Sirens went off close by. Thats probably the ambulance. I hear the door snap open, the
thundering steps of the EMTs. One of them leans over me, allowing for my sight to pick up on
them. It was Dads friend from the station; just hours ago we were playing foosball.
Hey, little Turch. Im just going to wrap you up into the gurney, okay? He reassures
me. Itll be like wrapping up a mummy.
This does not instill confidence, but sure Ill try to stay calm. Breathing doesnt become
any easier, but I try to steady it somewhat. Im lifted up for the second time today and placed on
the rigid stretcher. My eyes search the inside of the ambulance. First, I find my mom climbing
into the back. The doors are slammed shut behind her. Everyone is rushing around, setting up a
breathing mask, but I dont hear any of this. That door closing echoes in my head. The EMTs
voice breaks through my haze.

This is going to help you breathe. He puts the mask on my mouth. I start to feel the
oxygen push itself to my lungs.
Having air finally reach me is relieving my prior panic. I like breathing. Id like to keep
that ability, if you dont mind. My neck is killing me. The pain feels as though its electricity
flowing down cables that lead from my neck to my back. The interior of the ambulance jars as it
comes to a halt. The EMTs pushed me through the doors of the hospital. Im left staring up at the
plaster ceiling, the lights melding together creating a blinding blur.
They bring me into a hospital room. This is just as dull and white as all the TV shows
depict them. God, why dont these people shut up? Im...tired
~~~~~~~~~~~
It seems as though Katerina has damaged her spinal cord. Its nothing too serious, but
we still suggest that she doesnt do any strenuous activity for a bit. We may ask for her to come
again to make sure that it isnt a hairline fracture. Does this mean that I cant play tennis
tomorrow?
Mom? She turns away from the doctor to look at me.
Honey, we are going to have to come back here soon. Youre going to get an X-ray
done. Mom shined her teeth at me in a wary smile. I guess she doesnt know how Ill react. Im
not sure what any of this means. What is a hairline fracture? Ive never heard of that before.
Does an X-ray hurt? Because I think I have been in enough pain for today, dont you Mom?
I nod, acknowledging that this is serious, and watch frozen as the doctor takes my mother
out of the room. The bed was moved up at an angle. I scan the room for anything interesting; Ive
never really been in a hospital before. There is the remote for my bed on the side table and above
the counter is a small television. Its the kind that you see in old shows. The screen the size of a

small book with a large box connected to it. Spongbob is playing right now. Okay, we have hit
a new low. Lets count the ways that today is horrible. One, pushed off of a trapeze. Two, in the
hospital because of said trapeze. Three, I might be able to play any sports for a while. Four,
Spongebob is on.
Katerina, were going to put you in a wheelchair now, okay? The doctor notifies me.
Its hospital procedure, so we can check you out.
Okay, today isnt a total waste. I get to ride in a wheelchair, never done that before. I perk
up at this. Im lifted up, out of the bed, and placed on the chair. The hallways of the hospital are
seen out of the corner of my eyes. Are my cousins worried about me? Is Brianna okay? What
have they been doing all this time? I must have been gone for hours. I fell a little bit after lunch.
I catch a look at the clock in the lobby. Its almost dinner time, around 5 oclock. We load up in
my grandfathers car, he must have driven here to pick us up.
I gaze through the windows of his Lexus, into the streets of Providence. We pass by
graffitied walls, go under bridges, see multiple homeless people on the road, and drive onto the
highway. Ill go to camp tomorrow, and if I cant make it through the day Ill have mom pull me
out. My back is still killing me, but the pain is alleivated somewhat.
It takes us around fifteen minutes to get back home to Johnston. Mom gently pulls me out
of the car and helps guide me to the front door. The doorbell creates a soft chime that signals my
aunty Sherri to the door. As I step into my house, I take in the scene. A large, plastic popcorn
bowl lays on the carpet. Next to it multiple bowls of ice cream; my sister and cousins laying
around on the couches watching the TV.
Really? I have been in the hospital all day and you guys are watching the Little People
movie? Are you kidding me?