Chapter Text
Lance was unnaturally quiet as they rode back from the hospital. He was curled in on himself, arms wrapped around his knees and huddled into a ball, just staring out a window he knew was there, but could no longer see. Luis talked animatedly to Lance as Veronica and Rachel shot him worried looks. Veronica was relieved that Lance had finally stopped crying, but his subdued form made her heart ache. The silence didn’t suit her vibrant, sunny little brother. It didn’t suit him at all. Veronica thought about what she could do for Lance as Luis continued to distract him with stories about the past few days at school with Rachel piping in here and there. But she just didn’t know how she could help her little brother.
*****
“Come on Lance, just trust me!” Maria grinned as she took her reluctant brother’s hand, walking him to the house’s entryway. Their mother and father had gathered everyone together for a family meeting when Luis, Veronica, and Rachel had come home with Lance the other night. They had talked for almost two hours about Lance’s disability and how things would be changing to accommodate him. The house would have to stay much cleaner so Lance would be able to navigate his environment more easily. Lance was going to have his hands full learning braille and trying to re-make sense of his entire world, so everyone was to do what they could to help. Veronica was determined to do everything she could. And earlier this morning, she’d had a brilliant idea about how to help.
“Okay, let’s start here, and remember to use the walking stick that mamá got you.” Veronica smiled down at Lance and gave his hand a little squeeze. Lance didn’t look up at her, but after a moment’s pause, he sighed and obediently stretched his cane out in front of him.
Please let this work! Maria put on her best announcer voice as she started to lead Lance into the living room, “All aboard the Galactic Cruise! It’s time to begin our grand tour!”
Lance’s hand twitched in hers in surprise at the outburst, but he continued following along. Maria kept up the act as she walked Lance hand in hand around the house. Every time his walking stick would hit something she’d exclaim about his “magnificent find!… truly unbelievable!” in her best sports announcer impersonation. She’d then proceed to have Lance figure out what nebula or planet he’d “discovered” by feeling it and pointing out its position in the room relative to the walls and various landmarks such as entryways. She counted their steps to and from objects for him as they went around, feeling things out and reinventing Lance’s environment with him.
By the end of their “tour”, Lance was laughing and smiling. He requested they go around again and again. By the time his father came home from work, Lance was moving quickly and easily through all the rooms in the house. He demanded his father come on the “tour” with him and excitedly pointed out what each of the items were that he’d found.
In no time at all, Lance could tell what piece of furniture he’d come across just by the sound his walking stick made when it struck against the material. His home was his world again. And he knew it like the back of his hand.