un paso a la vez - one step at a time

7/30/2019 Un Paso a La Vez - One Step at a Time

1/16

Jimmy rubbed his sweaty hands onhis jeans again. He turned in his chairand looked out the window, then helooked at the clock.

Carla and Steve would be here soon.They were his first visitors since he hadreturned homefrom the

hospital.Jimmy lookedimploringly athis mom.Maybe youcan call andtell them notto come.

Theyreyour bestfriends. Theywant to see that youre okay, Mom saidsoothingly. She squeezed Jimmysshoulder.

But Im not okay, Jimmy muttered.The doorbell rang, which wasnt at all

how Carla and Steve usually visited.On a normal day, Steve would creep instealthily and try to ambush Jimmy, butCarlas giggling would usually give themaway. Carla was a champion giggler.

Mom went downstairs to let them in,and soon a nervous giggle was heardfrom the stairs. Two heads poked

around the door to Jimmys bedroom.

One Step at a TimeUn Paso a la Vez

Jimmy se limpi nuevamente elsudor de las manos en el pantaln.Se dio la vuelta y mir por la ventana,luego dirigi la mirada al reloj.

La hora indicaba el pronto arribode Carla y Steve. Seran los primeros

en visitarlo desdeque volvi del

hospital. Jimmy ledirigi a su mamuna miradasuplicante. A lomejor puedesllamar y decirlesque no vengan.

Son tus

mejores amigos.Quieren ver queests bien lo

tranquiliz su mam dndole uncarioso apretn en el hombro.

Pero no me encuentro bien murmur Jimmy.

El timbre son. Le pareci extrao

que sus amigos se anunciaran. Porlo general, Steve entraba a hurtadillaspara asustar a Jimmy, pero susintentos eran frustrados por la risa deCarla. La insuperable risa de Carla.

La mam de Jimmy baj aabrirles la puerta y al cabo de pocose escuch una risa nerviosa. Los

amigos asomaron la cabeza en lahabitacin.


2/16

Jimmy cleared his throat,Come on in, he said. They tiptoedin.

Uh, h-how are you? Stevestammered.

Im okay.Does it still hurt?

Jimmy shrugged. Look, heblurted, I guess Im not ready forvisitors yet. I-I think I need torest.

Steve and Carla stared at him,hurt on theirfaces. Sure, Stevesaid. Well see you later then. Hegrabbed Carlas arm and hustled

her out as she didnt show signs ofleaving. The door closed softly,.Jimmy eased himself out of his

chair and lay down on his bed. Immiserable and tired, he thought.The doctor had said it would take awhile to adjust, but adjust to what?The accident had been over amonth ago, but it was still a shock

to look past his knees and see onlyone foot.

A moment of not looking wherehe was going and a car running ared light had turned the life of anormal, hyper eleven-year-old boyupside down.

He sighed; it wasnt fair to Steve

and Carla to shut them out. Theyhad sent him loads of cards andsnacks and comic books when hewas recovering in the hospital. Hepicked up the phone and dialedSteves number.

SteveThere was silence, then,

Yeah?Im sorry about earlier. It was

weird, you know?

Jimmy se aclar la garganta.Entren anunci.

Entraron a la habitacin en silencio.Este cmo ests? dijo Steve.Bien.Te duele?

Jimmy se encogi de hombros. Miren

balbuce, supongo que an noestoy listo para recibir visitasNecesito descansar.

Steve y Carla lo miraron en silencio.El dolor se reflejaba en sus rostros.Claro respondi Steve. Bueno, teveremos luego. Carla no se movi. Stevela tom del brazo y la llev hasta lapuerta. La puerta se cerr detrs de elloscon suavidad.

Jimmy se levant de la silla y setumb en la cama. Me siento terrible yestoy muy cansado, pens. Eldiagnstico mdico inclua un periodode adaptacin. Adaptarse a qu? Elaccidente haba ocurrido haca un mes,pero an le costaba mirarse las piernas

y ver solo un pie.Un momento de descuido. Un

automvil que pas el semforo en rojo.Un descuido y un automvil: loselementos necesarios para trastornarla hiperactiva vida de un jovencito de11 aos.

Suspir. Saba que no era correcto

ignorar a Steve y Carla. Le habanenviado una montaa de tarjetas,meriendas y libros de historietas durantesu estada en el hospital. Levant elauricular del telfono y marc el nmerode Steve.

Steve?Hubo un silencio al otro lado de la

lnea. S?Lamento lo ocurrido. Fue muy

extrao, sabes?


3/16

It was, agreed Steve. A pause.Carlas here.

Is she? Well, uh, I dont want this

to happen again us all staring at

the walls not knowing what to say.Ive decided to talk about it my

footerstump. What do youthink?

Then I get to ask you questions

about it?Jimmy sighed, Yes.Cool, grunted Steve.Anyway, Im going to the hospital

tomorrow to get a fitting for my new

foot, so what if we meet up afterthat?There was a scuffle on the other

side as Carla wrestled the phonefrom Steve. Ill bring snacks and

things. We can have a party!Jimmy smiled and heaved an

internal sigh of relief as he put the

phone down and braced himself forthe trip to the hospital the next day.

*

The next afternoon, Jimmy toldSteve and Carla about his first fittingas they munched through a bowl ofchips.

*

Hello. You must be Jimmy, the

lady doctor had said. And how are

we feeling today?Jimmy had shrugged.Well, first of all, we are going to

make a mold of your leg so that we

can get the right shape for the top ofyour new foot.

As es acord Steve. Unapausa. Carla est aqu.

S? Bueno, no quiero que paseotra vez Es incmodo para todos

mirarnos sin saber qu decir. Hedecidido hablar de este mi pie.

Quiero decir, del mun. Qute parece?Quieres decir que te puedo

hacer preguntas?Jimmy suspir. S.Genial gru Steve.Tengo que volver al hospital

maana para que me pongan otro

pie. Nos reunimos despus de eso?Se oy un forcejeo al otro lado dela lnea. Carla intentaba quitarle eltelfono a Steve. Llevar algo decomer. Haremos una fiesta!

Jimmy sonri y dejo escapar unsuspiro de alivio al colgar el telfono.Empez los preparativos para la

visita al hospital.*

La tarde del da siguiente, Jimmyle relat a Steve y Carla la primeraimpresin de la prtesis, mientrascoman papas fritas.

*

Hola. T debes ser Jimmyse present la doctora. Cmote sientes hoy?

Jimmy se encogi de hombros.Para empezar, vamos a crear

un molde de tu pierna. Ello nospermitir obtener la forma indicadade la parte superior de tu nuevo pie.


4/16

She liked to say we a lot, Jimmy

said. Its not like webothlost a foot.Steve snickered and Carla giggled.She made a mold of my stump

with some weird goo and said that thefoot would be ready by next week.

Youll be able to walk again!

Carla exclaimed. Thats great!Well, first I need to go to a

physiotherapist. My physiotherapist isgoing to teach me to walk properlywith my new foot. Theyre calledPTfor short, said Jimmy.

As he sat in the hospital waitingroom, Jimmy

noticed a manwith gray hairthat spiked outlike a dandelionand squintyeyes. Althoughhe tried not to,Jimmy couldnt

help but noticethat this manwho was in awheelchair hadno legs at all.

The man caught Jimmy staring andgave him a sort of grimace that couldpossibly have been a grin or a snarl.

Embarrassed, Jimmy fixed his eyesto the neon light strips above until hewas called in to the doctors office.

On the way home, Jimmymentioned the man he had seen.There was an A-grade villain in thewaiting room. It was a game thefriends sometimes played of choosing

a movie role for people they saw on thestreet. A-grade villain was reserved

Le encanta decirvamosrecord Jimmy. No es como queambos perdimos un pie.

Steve sonri y Carla solt unarisita.

Utiliz un gel extrao para crearel molde de mi mun. Luego dijo que

el pie estara listo la semana entrante.Podrs caminar otra vez

exclam Carla. Qu bien!Pues, primero tengo que ver

al fisioterapeuta. Mi fisioterapeuta meensear a caminar con el nuevo pie.Les dicen FT para abreviarexplic Jimmy.

En la salade espera delhospital,Jimmy vio aun seor concabello gris yojos pequeos.Su cabello grisse levantaba

en todasdirecciones.Si bien procuresquivar lamirada, no

pudo evitar darse cuenta que no tenapiernas.

El hombre not las miradas de

Jimmy. Le dirigi una extraa muecaque poda interpretarse como unasonrisa o un gruido. Avergonzado,Jimmy fij los ojos en las luces denen hasta que lo llamaron a la oficinadel doctor.

En el camino a casa, Jimmymencion a aquel hombre. Habaun villano de clase A en la sala deespera. Era un juego que habainventado con sus amigos. Escogan


5/16

for those who looked particularlydastardly and likely to become evilmasterminds.

I heard someone in the waitingroom call him Mad Max.

Oh, that must be Mr. Horace, saidCarla. He lives at the end of mystreet; but he only uses a cane whenhe walks. I didnt know he hadprosthetic feet youd never be ableto tell.

*

Two days later,

Jimmys momdropped him offat the schoolgates and,swinging alongon his crutches,he made hisway down the

hall to hisclassroom.Sammy (classmate, fifth row, seconddesk) ran down the corridor and thenslid the rest of the way. Tom(classmate, fourth row, third desk)swerved around the corner andeapfrogged over Sabine, who was

kneeling down to pick up somedropped books.Icantleapfrog. Icantrun and

slide, a voice in his head whined. Thenanother voice piped up, Really? Well,whens the last time you actually

leapfrogged? Cmon, how old are you?

Six?

Jimmy reached his classroom andsat at his desk just as the bell rang.

un papel de pelcula para las personasque vean en la calle. El papel devillano de clase A estaba reservadopara los que se vean especialmentemalvados y probablemente seconvertiran en artfices del mal.

Escuch a alguien en la sala deespera llamarlo Loco Max.

Ese debe ser el Sr. Horacio aclar Carla. Vive en la casa el final

de la calle. Perosolo emplea unbastn al caminar.No saba queusaba prtesis.Nunca lo habraimaginado.

*

Dos dasdespus, lamam de Jimmy

lo dej frente alcolegio. Con laayuda de muletas avanz por el pasillohacia el saln. Samuel (colega, quintopupitre de la segunda fila) corri por elpasillo y se desliz hasta la puerta.Tom (colega, tercer pupitre de la cuartafila) corri desde la esquina y salt

sobre Sabina, que estaba arrodilladaen el suelo recogiendo unos libros.No puedo saltar. No puedo correr y

deslizarme, pens con desazn. Otravoz en su mente respondi. En serio?Cundo fue la ltima vez que saltaste

por encima de alguien? Vamos, qu

edad tienes? Seis aos?

Jimmy entr al saln y se sent en elmomento justo que son la campana.


6/16

Jimmy stared at the chalkboardwhere the teacher had begun writingout the days lessons. He could feelthe stares of at least half the classfixed on him. It was an itchy feelingrather like a mosquito dancing a jigwith a top hat and a cane.

The back ofJimmys neck itchedall morning and all afternoon. Duringlunch break, no one talked to himother than Carla and Steve.

Ive just become the invisibleman.

Try eating a chocolate bar inclass and see how invisible you are,Carla said.

Jimmy frowned but Carlacontinued, They dont know what tosay to you. They dont know ifyoullbe mad at them for wanting to look atyour leg, or if they should ignore it orwhat. Steve and I felt that way a fewdays ago. Right, Steve?

Steve grunted.Once they get used to it,

everything will be fine. Right, Steve?Steve grunted again.Things were fine until Carla,

Jimmy, and Steve began to maketheir way outof the schoolgrounds.Jimmystopped andstared at thesoccerpracticethat wasbeginning inthe schoolyard.

La mirada de Jimmy no sedespegaba del pizarrn, donde elprofesor escriba las tareas del da.Saba que era el centro de atencin deal menos la mitad de los estudiantes.Las miradas le producan un extraocosquilleo. Como si un mosquitobailara en su cabeza con sombrero decopa alta y bastn.

El cosquilleo continu el resto de lamaana y la tarde. Nadie la dirigi lapalabra durante el almuerzo, con laexcepcin de Carla y Steve.

Me he convertido en elhombre invisible.

Cmete una chocolatina en clasey vers lo invisible que eres contest Carla.

Jimmy frunci el entrecejo. Carlacontinu: No saben qu decirte. Nosaben si te enojars por querer mirartu pierna o si deberan ignorarte. Esextrao para todos. Hace unos dasSteve y yo nos sentamos igual.Verdad, Steve?

Steve resopl.Una vez que se acostumbren, todo

volver a ser igual. Verdad, Steve?Steve volvi a resoplar

Todo iba bienhasta que lostres amigos sedispusieron asalir del colegio

A Jimmy se lefue el alma alos pies alobservar laprctica deftbol.


7/16

Jimmy had loved soccer andcould practice for hours every day.He had posters of soccer players onhis wall; he had a soccer goal in hisbackyard. He had boxes of cleatsand shin pads by the boxful in hiscloset, and the socks you pulledover your knees that make yourshins and calves look like badlystuffed Christmas stockings.

Carla tugged Jimmy away. Youllbe able to play again, she said, butshe sounded uncertain. Jimmy wassilent for the rest of the day.

*

At home, Jimmys mother agreed.You can start playing soccer againonce you get used to your new foot.You should ask your physiotherapistabout the possibility of your playingsports.

Jimmy looked out the window. He

didnt want to talk to anybody abouthis terrible fear that hed never reallybe normal again.

I wonder, Jimmy thought, if Mr.Horace ever felt like he wanted topull all his hair out and screambecause he couldntplay soccer?

*

Jimmy found, however, thatconcentrating on walking a straightine with his new foot was so difficultthat sports of any kind seemed like afaraway dream.

On the day of Jimmys trainingsession with his physiotherapist) hesucceeded in walking a straight lineunaided by his crutchesavery shortstraight line.

Jimmy encantaba el ftbol. Todos losdas pasaba horas jugando ese deporte.Las paredes de su cuarto estaban llenasde afiches de los mejores jugadores. El

jardn de su casa tena un arco de ftbolSu armario estaba repleto de zapatillasdeportivas, espinilleras y medias

enormes, de las que se ponen sobre lasespinilleras y hacen que las piernasparezcan un calcetn navideo.

Carla tom el brazo de Jimmy.Podrs volver a jugardijo sinconviccin. Jimmy no pronuncipalabra por el resto del da.

*

En el camino a casa, la mam deJimmy le dio la razn a su amiga.Puedes volver a jugar al ftbol unavez te acostumbres a tu nuevo pie.Por qu no le preguntas alfisioterapeuta sobre la posibilidad devolver a jugar al ftbol?

Jimmy mir por la ventana delcoche. No quera que nadie se enteraradel terrible temor que senta de nuncavolver a ser normal. El temor de nuncavolver a jugar al ftbol.

Me pregunto, pens Jimmy, si enocasiones el Sr. Horacio siente ganasde tirarse del pelo y gritar porque no

puede jugar al ftbol.

*

Luego de calzarse el nuevo pie,Jimmy descubri que caminar en lnearecta era tan difcil que cualquierdeporte pareca un sueo lejano.

La primera sesin con su terapeutale permiti aprender a caminar en lnea

recta sin las muletas. Fue una lnearecta muy corta.


8/16

His therapist nodded for him totry again. You have to take it slow.But you also have to practice a lot.And you wont be able to walk allday on your new foot till yourmuscles are more developed.

No kidding! Jimmy wasfrustrated. I didnt expect this tohurt so much.

The skin on your stump needs toget tougher. Right now, its new; likebaby skin. It will get better. Dontgive up.

Encouraging as the words weremeant to be, they made Jimmy want

to yell. Ill never be able to playsoccer again! he blurted.

The therapists face softened.Youll play soccer again.Eventually.

Hah! The exclamation soundedold and cracked and echoed eerilyin the gym. Jimmy turned to see the

dramatic figure of A-grade villain,Mad MacorrectionMr. Horaceenter the gym.

Well, boy, Mr. Horace said,pinning Jimmy with a squinty stare,join the club.

Jimmy was quite sure he didntwant to join any club with Mr.Horace and nearly said so.

Your good therapist is filling yourhead with rubbish, Mr. Horace wenton gleefully. The truth is, youllnever be able to play soccer in quitethe same way again.

The therapist bristled. What areyou doing here, Mr. Horace?

Ive reserved the climbing half of

this gym. Go on with your babystepping.

El terapeuta le anim a volver aintentarlo. Tendrs que aprenderpoco a poco. Pero necesitars muchaprctica. No podrs caminar todo el dacon el nuevo pie hasta que sefortalezcan los msculos.

No me diga! Jimmy se sentamuy frustrado. No imagin quedolera tanto.

La piel del mun debe volversems fuerte. En este momento essimilar a la piel de un beb. No te despor vencido.

Si bien aquellas palabras tenancomo motivo animarle, hicieron que

Jimmy quisiera gritar. Nunca podrvolver a jugar al ftbol murmurJimmy.

El rostro del terapeuta se conmovi.Aprenders a jugar al ftbol otra vez.Con el paso del tiempo.

Aj! La exclamacin parecianticuada y retumb de maneraextraa en el gimnasio. Jimmy se diola vuelta y observ la dramtica figuradel villano de clase A. El Loco Maxquiero decir, el Sr. Horacio acababade entrar al gimnasio.

Muy bien, chico dijo el Sr.Horacio, fijando en Jimmy su mirada,bienvenido al club.

Jimmy no tena ningunas ganas de

unirse a ningn club al que pertenecierael Sr. Horacio. Casi se lo dijo.

El bueno de tu terapeuta te estllenando la cabeza de basura continualegremente. La verdad es que nuncavolvers a jugar al ftbol como antes.

El terapeuta se molest. Quest haciendo aqu, Sr. Horacio?

He reservado la zona de escaladadel gimnasio. Continen con lospasitos de beb.


9/16

Jimmy could feel his ears reddenin anger and embarrassment. Histherapist seemed at a loss for wordsas well. All the other grown-upsJimmy had met since his accidenthad been patronizing or hadexclaimed with pity about his newhandicap, but Mr. Horace wasentirely different. But Jimmy couldnt

help his interest as Mr. Horacelurched tothe far wallof the gymwhere therewere ropes,bars, and arock-climbingwall.

Mr.Horacebegan withthe ropes; heswarmed upone andswung himself up the other so fast itreminded Jimmy of a movie playedon high speed. He descended therope upside down, and then walkedon his hands to the bars. Mr. Horacehad transformed from an A-gradevillain into an Olympic gymnast. Itwas amazing.

For the first time since hisaccident, Jimmys inability to play

soccer faded from his mind and wasreplaced with a growing interest inclimbing. Sure he had climbedbeforemost boys didbut to beable to climb and swing like MadMax? An idea was born.

Las orejas de Jimmy seenrojecieron. Senta enojo yvergenza. Su terapeuta tambinpareca haberse quedado sin palabras.Desde el accidente, el comportamientode los dems adultos haba sidoindulgente. Muchos le haban dirigidopalabras compasivas o tranquilizantes.Pero el Sr. Horacio era muy distinto.Jimmy mir con inters mientras el Sr.

Horacio seacercaba ala pared delgimnasio.

All habacuerdas,barras y unapared deescalada.

El Sr.Horacioempez conlas cuerdas.Se levantcon una y

se propuls hacia arriba con la otra tanrpido que le record a Jimmy unapelcula a alta velocidad. Descendipor la cuerda cabeza abajo. Luegocamin sobre sus manos por lasbarras. El Sr. Horacio cambirpidamente de villano a gimnastaolmpico. Fue impresionante.

Por primera vez desde el accidente,la incapacidad de jugar al ftbol sedesvaneci. En su lugar, aument elinters por la escalada. Claro quehaba escalado antes, como todos loschicos. Pero, trepar y descolgarsecomo el Loco Max? Se le ocurriuna idea.


10/16

Carla and Steve were examiningJimmys first prosthetic foot. It sat onthe table next to the chips.

How come you dont wear it atschool? asked Carla. Youre stillhopping around on crutches.

I cant wear it that long yet.

Besides, this new foot isntpermanent. Its a tryout. Im going toget my permanent foot next month.Even then, Ill get it changed everysix months or so, because Im stillgrowing.

I want this foot when you get anew one, announced Carla. Think

ofall the April Fools Day andHalloween tricks you could playwith a bunch of feet!

I claim your next one,Interjected Steve.

The way you two weirdos go on,I could open a shop of secondhandleft feet.

When will you start to walk

around more on this? asked Carla,waving the foot in the air.

If I keep training hard, I may beable to walk with my new foot forhours at a time within a few months.Jimmy shrugged. But Im gettinginterested in rock-climbing. Ive triedclimbing the ropes in the gym when I

go for physical therapy, and theres arock-climbing wall on the side of thegym too. Mad Max er, Mr. Horacegoes there and does the mosttremendous stuff. Jimmy told Steveand Carla in detail what he had seenMr. Horace do.

Ive got to see this, Carlaannounced. Steve will come too.Wont you, Steve?

Steve gave his usual reply.

Carla y Steve examinaban el primerpie prosttico de Jimmy. Se encontrabaen la mesa al lado de las papas fritas.

Por qu no lo llevas al colegio?pregunt Carla. As puedes dejarlas muletas.

Todava no lo puedo usar por

mucho tiempo. Adems, no es laprtesis permanente. Es de prueba. Elmes entrante me darn el piepermanente. Incluso entonces tendrque cambiarlo cada seis meses, porquesigo creciendo.

Quiero que me des este pie cuandote den el nuevo anunci Carla.

Imagina todas las bromas del da de losinocentes y de Halloween que puedeshacer con un montn de pies.

El siguiente es para m interrumpi Steve.

A este ritmo, podremos abrir unatienda de pies de segunda mano.

Cundo empezars aacostumbrarte a la prtesis? pregunt

Carla, mientras levantaba el pie.Si contino entrenando, en un par

de meses podr caminar con la prtesisdurante horas Jimmy se encogide hombros. Pero me empieza ainteresar la escalada. He intentadoescalar las cuerdas del gimnasiodurante la terapia. El gimnasio tambin

tiene una pared de escalada en roca.ElLoco Max quiero decir, el Sr.Horacio hace sus prcticas all. Esasombroso lo que hace. Jimmy lescont a sus amigos lo que haba vistohacer al Sr. Horacio.

Tengo que ver eso anunciCarla. Steve tambin va a venir.Verdad que s, Steve?

Steve resopl como de costumbre.


11/16

I hope you dont mind, Jimmysaid to his PT when Carla and Steve

joined them at the next trainingsession. Theyre hoping for a Mad

Max sighting.Steve and Carla cheered Jimmy

on as he tackled the stairs with hisnew foot.

Use both feet. Keep your balancecentered, the PT called out.

Jimmy made it to the top of ashort flight of steps set up in the gymand pumped his fist in the air. Steveand Carla gave him a standingovation.

Therewas a loudsnort fromthe gymentrance. Alleyes turnedto Mr.Horace,aka MadMax,

A-gradevillain,acrobat, and rope climber.

Hello, Mr. Horace, Jimmy said.I see youve brought moral

support, Mr. Horace said, waving his

cane at Steve and Carla.Actually, they came to see you.

They want to see your tricks, Jimmy

explained.Mr. Horace was taken aback and

almost looked pleased. Then heshook his head and glowered. Im

not some carnival sideshow! But he

proceeded to the ropes anyway andgave Steve and Carla such an

Espero que no le importe Jimmy le dijo a su FT cuando Carla ySteve lo acompaaron a la siguientesesin de entrenamiento. Quierenver la prctica del Loco Max.

Steve y Carla hicieron vtoresmientras Jimmy intentaba subir lasescaleras con su nuevo pie.

Emplea ambos pies. Procuramantener el cuerpo como centro deequilibrio ayud el FT.

Jimmy escal hasta la cima de lapequea serie de escaleras y levantel puo en seal de victoria. Steve y

Carla sepusieron en piepara aplaudir.

Se escuchun sonorogruido desde laentrada delgimnasio. Todosse dieron lavuelta. Allestaba el Sr.Horacio, tambinconocido como

el Loco Max,villano de gradoA, acrbata y gimnasta.

Hola, Sr. Horacio dij Jimmy.Veo que has trado apoyo moral

respondi el Sr. Horacio, apuntandocon el bastn a Steve y Carla.

A decir verdad, vinieron a verlo austed. Les gustara ver sus trucos explic Jimmy.

El Sr. Horacio pareci sorprendido.Casigratamente sorprendido. Luegosacudi la cabeza y frunci las cejas.No soy una funcin de circo Detodas maneras, se dirigi a las cuerdas


12/16

acrobatic performance that theyclapped and whooped, and even thePT cheered.

Jimmy here has a horribledisadvantage, Mr. Horace toldCarla and Steve after he hadclimbed down to the floor and

picked up his cane. He only lostone foot. How does he expect to doanything if hes not balanced likeme?

Ive only just begun! Jimmysaid indignantly. One day, Mr.Horace, Ill race you up that rope,and Ill win.

Mr. Horace chuckled. Thatll bethe day, boy, he said and left.Over the next few weeks, Steve

and Carla found new furniture inJimmys room to stare at.

A pull-up baranda climbingrope? Carla asked as she gave therope a tug. Youre really seriousabout this, arent you?

Moms scared about me gettinghurt climbing things. She said I needto practice before I try anything highoff the ground, Jimmy said. I getreally crazy in the afternoons Ican only read comic books for anhour at a time, tops. Then what?

Carla tried climbing the rope to

the ceiling using only her hands andstopped about a meter off theground. Its difficult with just arms,she gasped and dropped, hitting theground with a thud. Seconds later,Jimmys mom dashed into the room.

It wasnt me, Mom.Jimmys mom glared at the rope

hanging from a hook in the ceiling.But all she said was, You be carefulwith that rope.

y dio una actuacin acrobtica tansorprendente que los tres amigosgritaron y aplaudieron. Hasta el FTaplaudi.

Su amigo Jimmy tiene una terribledesventaja el Sr. Horacio le dijo aCarla y Steve luego de bajar hasta el

suelo y tomar el bastn. Solo haperdido un pie. Cmo espera escalarsin tener equilibrio, como yo?

Acabo de empezarse defendiJimmy. Un da de estos haremos unacarrera por las cuerdas. Le voy a ganar,Sr. Horacio.

El Sr. Horacio sonri. No creo que

suceda, chico dijo, alejndose.En las siguientes semanas, Steve yCarla descubrieron nuevos artculos enel cuarto de Jimmy.

Una barra y una cuerda paraescalar? pregunt Carla tirando de lacuerda. Lo de escalar va enserio, verdad?

A mi mam le preocupa que me

haga dao escalando. Dice que debopracticar antes de escalar a mayoraltura respondi Jimmy. Por latarde me dan ganas de subirme por lasparedes Las historietas empiezan aaburrirme. Qu otra cosa puedohacer?

Carla intent escalar la cuerda

usando solo las manos. Se detuvo a unmetro del suelo. Es muy difcil solocon los brazos se solt y golpe elsuelo con un ruido sordo. Momentosdespus, la mam de Jimmy entr ala habitacin.

No fui yo, mam.La mam de Jimmy mir con recelo

la cuerda que colgaba del techo. Perotodo lo que dijo fue: Ten cuidado conla cuerda.


13/16

I want to join a climbing clubonce I get my permanent foot, seeingthat climbing is more about armsthan legs. Take a look at what I foundonline! Jimmy showed his friends apicture of a prosthetic foot on hiscomputer. Its the ultimate climbing

foot. It can grasp surfaces andsqueeze itself into cracks that anormal foot could never fit into. Im

going to ask Mom if I can have onefor Christmas.

Jimmy,

said Stevesolemnly,that is soooocool.

Thefollowingweeks ofschool andtherapyseemed togo by in ablur. One byone, Jimmys posters of soccerplayers were carefully rolled up andpacked away to be replaced byposters of champion rock-climbers.Week in and week out, Jimmycontinued to walk on his new footand climb on the climbing wall.

There were good days and verybad days. But nothing spurredJimmy on like Mad Max. They met atleast once a week at the gym, andMr. Horaces sneer (or was it a grin?)

at Jimmys attempts at walking and

now running, fueled Jimmys

determination.

Me gustara unirme a un club deescalada cuando tenga mi piepermanente. Para escalar hay queusar ms los brazos que las piernas.Miren lo que encontr en lnea Jimmy le mostr a sus amigos laimagen de una fantstica prtesis en elcomputador. Es lo ltimo en prtesisde escalada. Se adhiere a la superficiey cabe en grietas que un pie normal nopodra. Le preguntar a mam si me

regala unapara Navidad.

JimmyanunciSteve consolemnidad.Esto es genial.

Lassemanasparecieronpasar a todaprisa entre elcolegio y laterapia. Los

afiches en el cuarto de Jimmy fueronreemplazados poco a poco porcampeones de escalada. Todas lassemanas Jimmy aprenda a caminarsobre su nuevo pie y a escalar en lapared.

Algunos das eran buensimos;otros, muy malos. Pero nada motivabaa Jimmy como el Loco Max. Seencontraban en el gimnasio por lomenos una vez por semana. La muecade desdn (o era una sonrisa?) frentea los intentos de Jimmy de caminar ycorrer, aumentaba su determinacin.


14/16

It is a dark and stormy night,whispered Carla.

Carla, its four in the afternoon.And its sunny.

Carla waved her hand in the air,Little details. Anyway, today is theday of the challenge if Mr. Horace

shows up.Its Friday. Hes usually here on

Friday, said Steve. Jimmy noddedand rubbed his hands together.

We can start climbing, though,just to warm up, suggested Carla.The three friends clambered aroundthe bars and ropes. Jimmy had

gotten his first permanent foot at last,but was not using it on the climbingwall yet.

Carla was trying to beat Steve atmonkey bars. Before they knew it,the gym began to get dark.

I guess hes not coming today,sighed Jimmy.

Then hell be here next Friday,said Carla. In the meantime, youcan try to improve your climbing.

Jimmy nodded, and over the nextfew days, what with school,homework, and friends, he nearlyforgot about his impending climbingmatch with Mr. Horaceuntil thenext Friday came along, and Mr.

Horace still did not show up at thegym.Steve, Carla, and now several

other of Jimmys classmates hadstarted a climbing club, called KingKong. Soon, they no longerreserved the climbing section of thesmall gym where Jimmy trained.Instead, they had found an indoorrock-climbing facility where they metand trained twice a week.

Es una noche oscura. El cieloest iluminado por rayos susurrCarla.

Carla, son las cuatro de la tarde.El cielo est despejado.

Carla movi la mano en el aire.Son los detalles. De todas

maneras, hoy es el gran desafo siel Sr. Horacio viene.

Es viernes. l viene todos losviernes razon Steve. Jimmy asintiy se frot las manos.

Igual podemos empezar acalentar escalando sugiri Carla.Los tres amigos se esforzaron por

asirse a las cuerdas y barras. Jimmycontaba con elpie permanente, peroan no lo empleaba en la pared deescalada.

Carla intentaba ganarle a Steve enuna carrera de barras de mano. Ni sedieron cuenta que ya era de noche.

Supongo que no vendr suspir Jimmy.

Estar aqu el prximo viernescoment Carla. Mientras tanto,conviene practicar la escalada.

Jimmy asinti. En el curso de losdas siguientes, entre el colegio, lastareas y los amigos, casi olvid elconcurso de escalada con el Sr.Horacio. Hasta que lleg el viernes. El

Sr. Horacio tampoco apareci.Steve, Carla y otros compaerosde estudio de Jimmy habanempezado un club de escalada. Lollamaron King Kong. Al cabo de pocodejaron de reservar la seccin deescalada del pequeo centroteraputico donde entrenaba Jimmy.En vez de eso, entrenaban dos vecesa la semana en un centro de escaladabajo techo.


15/16

It was nearly two months laterthat Jimmy found out what hadbecome of Mr. Horace. It was theday of the country-wide, JuniorSpeed Climbing Competition. All themembers of club King Kong hadsigned up to compete. A new

climbing wall had been erected forthe event.

Jimmy had arisen early, toonervous and excited to sleep anylonger. He had gone over the newclimbing course in his mind overand over again. No one had beenallowed to climb it, but he had

watched men setting it up. Jimmywas deep in his own thoughts. Hedidnt hear a car driving up to hishouse, or the door bell ringing, orthe voices in the hall.

He did, finally, hear his mothercalling him down to meet a visitor. Ina hurry, Jimmy opted for hoppingdown the stairs on one leg and

hanging on to the railing, and wassurprised to see a lady standing justin the doorway.

Jimmy, said his mother, this isMr. Horaces sister.

The lady in question didnt look athing like Mad Max.

Hello said Jimmy nervously,

remembering that he still had hisPJs on.Please, call me Samantha, said

the lady kindly. Ive come here todeliver a letter from my brother. Yousee, he passed away last month.

But how? Jimmystammered.

He had been ill for quite sometime. But knowing my brother, heprobably didnt let it show.

Pasaron dos meses antes queJimmy descubriera qu haba pasadocon el Sr. Horace. Era la competencianacional de escalada juvenilcontrarreloj. Todos los integrantes delclub King Konghaban confirmado suparticipacin. Una gigantesca pared deescalada se haba erigido para elevento.

Jimmy se levant temprano. Nopoda dormir de la emocin y losnervios. En su mente repasaba elnuevo curso de escalada. A nadie se lehaba permitido escalarlo, pero habaobservado a los hombres que loensamblaron. Estaba tan concentradoen sus pensamientos que no escuchque un auto se detena frente a la casa.Ni siquiera repar en el timbre o en laconversacin en el pasillo.

Finalmente se dio cuenta que sumam lo llamaba. Alguien quera verlo.

Apresuradamente salt en un pie hastalas escaleras, aferrndose al barandal.Haba una seora en la puerta.

Jimmy anunci su mam, esla hermana del Sr. Horacio.

La seora en la puerta no se parecaen nada al Loco Max.

Hola se aventur Jimmy.

Record con nerviosismo que an tenael pijama puesto.Me llamo Samanta respondi la

seora con amabilidad. He venido atraerte una carta de mi hermano. Vers,hace un mes pas a mejor vida.

Pero cmo? tartamudeJimmy.

Hace mucho que estaba enfermo.Pero, conociendo a mi hermano, lo msprobable es que no lo mostrara.


16/16

Jimmy swallowed a lump in histhroat. No, Jimmy agreed, he didnt.

Im sorry I wasnt able to give youthis letter earlier. All he told me wasthat I was to give it to a Jimmy whoives nearby.

We we only saw each other at

the gym when I was learning to usemy new foot.

I believe this is for you then, saidSamantha.

Jimmy opened the letter.

Jimmy,A boy who wontgive up deserves

everything. So Ive enclosed a littlesomething for you to get some

climbing gear.I suggest the Z-Axis

Climbing Foot. Sorry Iwontbe there

to race you up a rope; butthats

something we both can look forward

to when we meet again.

Your well-balanced competitor,Mr. Horace (also known as MadMax)

Jimmy put the letter away andgulped back a sob, all the whiletelling himself that he was notreally crying. Today, Jimmy

vowed, he would race as if itwere Max he was racingagainst.

And on that day, muchto everyonesastonishment (besidesCarla and Steves,of course), Jimmy

won.

A Jimmy se le hizo un nudo en lagarganta. No asinti. No medi cuenta.

Lamento no haberte entregadoesta carta antes. Lo nico que me pidifue entregar la carta a un Jimmy quevive cerca.

Solo solo nos veamos en elgimnasio mientras aprenda a usar minuevo pie.

En ese caso, creo que esto espara ti continu Samanta.

Jimmy abri la carta.

Jimmy:Quienes nunca se dan por vencidos lomerecen todo. Tengo algo especial parati: unos tiles de escalada. Te vendrnde maravilla. Sugiero emplear la

prtesis de escalada Z-Axis. Lamentoperderme nuestra competencia. Esalgo que ambos podemos esperar conilusin, cuando nos encontremosnuevamente.

Tu equilibrado competidor,El Sr. Horacio (tambin conocido comoel Loco Max)

Jimmy dobl la carta yahog un sollozo. No dejabade decirse que no estaba

llorando. Jur que en lacompetencia de ese da,escalara como si compitieracontra el mismsimo Max.

Aquel da y parasorpresa de todos (exceptopara Carla y Steve), elnuevo evento de escalada

juvenil contrarreloj tuvo un

claro ganador: Jimmy.

un paso a la vez - one step at a time

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