V.R. Orthos
Recreational Orthopedics Resort
Installment 4

"Well Mr. Marshall, I am certain that the ROR can assist you in meeting your desires,
even though they haven't been established yet. We look forward to serving and seeing you. You
see, Margaret and I are planning a short vacation at the resort ourselves during the time you are
there. Perhaps we can have dinner together one evening."
"I look forward to it Mr. Orthos. Till then?"
With that Edward Marshall took his leave, said good bye to Mrs. Orthos and stepped out
onto the sidewalk.
"Well, Mr. Marshall, just what have we gotten ourselves into this time." He said to
himself.
Ed had just made plans for a two week stay at the Orthos' Recreational Orthopedics
Retreat and was wondering what had happened. The ad read "Have you ever had fantasies that
were unfulfilled in real life? Of course you have. Be it sensual pleasure, recreational orthopedics,
adventure or anything else you can imagine, I can help make it come true. My name is Vernon
Roger Orthos and I can help you fulfill your fantasy. How you ask? A very good question. And
one that I am more than willing to answer. Call VR Orthos and Co. at (xxx)xxx-xxxx
He really hadn't thought about it all that long and was actually looking for some other
kind of adventure, something new. He was bored with life in general. Still single in his early 30's,
working the computer industry and in general just going through the motions. He'd done all the
"yuppie" stuff. He had a nice house, car and a few odds and ends of toys, IE. snowmobile and
boat. He'd taken the cruises and tours in Mexico and the Carribean and had come back relaxed,
refreshed and ready for another years worth of work. But something was missing. Was it his
being single? Yes and no. He'd had girlfriends and enjoyed the associations but it just hadn't
clicked with any of them. Maybe he was too picky? About what? He'd dated average ladies
about his own age, he wasn't really "looking" for "Miss Right". At least, he didn't think so. His
main interest in going out was to enjoy the company of a female companion. Wow, that really
sounds lame. When he read the ad the Orthos' had placed, he asked himself "Well, let's see what
they have to offer."
He arrived at the Orthos at the appointed time and went through the interview with
Margaret. She was very polite and formal. When she was through, she showed him into V.R.'s
office. He had noticed Margaret's braces but had refrained from asking her about them. He did
ask V.R. and was told that there was nothing wrong with her. This set Ed back in his chair. His
interview with Mrs. Orthos has set him at ease that he was not dealing with nuts. On the other
hand...
V.R. was not one to waste time and explained about Margaret's wearing of the braces.
This in turn led into the topic of recreational orthopedics. Ed couldn't believe it, these people
may not be nuts, but this is one hell of a hobby/recreational activity. When asked if he had ever
had a cast or had to wear a brace Ed had said no. This was true, he had never been seriously hurt
in his life, a very fortunate individual. Did this sound like something he might like to try?
"Well, It isn't something that I recall ever thinking about." he'd told V.R.
"Tell you what." V.R. had told him. "There are many other things to do at the ROR
besides what I've mentioned. Why not come up and stay for a while. Worst case you'll get away
from the stress of your normal life. The scenery is breathtaking, be it from the window of your
room, the back of a horse or just hiking somewhere. It is a great getaway, and who knows what
could happen? On top of that, and I don't do this often, I'll offer you a money back guarantee
that if you book for two weeks and don't like it after the first week, I'll give you back the amount
you would have paid for two weeks. I am that sure that you will enjoy yourself."
That was what really closed the deal and "Who knows?" he said to himself, "Maybe I will
have a good time."

Margaret walked into V.R.'s office and asked "Just what do you think you are doing?
You just made a deal that you have "NEVER" made before. Why?"
"You know Margaret, I'm not sure myself. But it seemed to me to be the right thing. I
know it's a first and probably a last, but I just have a feeling."
"He is a nice young man and I feel the same as you, but a double money back guarantee.
V.R. we are in this as a business. Maybe not to get rich but at least to meet expenses!"
"True, but still..."

Shelly had just been taken out of one of the ROR's casting rooms and was being helped
back to her room. As she passed through the waiting room there was a man and a woman
waiting, she supposed, to be casted as they had on hospital gowns. They seemed happy and a
little apprehensive. She smiled at them and they smiled back as she was wheeled out and back to
her room. Once there and in bed she looked out the window and saw another guest arrive.
"Must be a busy week." she thought. A good looking guy, oh say thirtyish was getting out of his
car and coming into the reception area. "Maybe I'll see him at dinner." Getting casting was tiring
for her and she closed her eyes for an afternoon nap. As she drifted off she thought again of the
man she had seen. "Maybe...."

"Hello Mr. Marshall, I'm Annie Ridahl and I have the pleasure of being guest liason. If
there is anything you need, or want, for your stay, ultimately, it's my job to see you get it. I see
on your reservation that you have an appointment with Fred, that's Dr. James. Around here we
have a habit of trying to keep things on as informal a basis as possible so that everyone feels
comfortable. After you're signed in and shown to your room, just come back to the desk here
and someone will show you to Dr. James' office. We do hope you have a nice stay."
With that, Ed signed in and got settled in his room. It reminded him a little of a hospital
room but far more convenient, comfortable and relaxing. The decor was rustic, not medicinal,
with light colored wood paneling but the bed was definitely of a hospital type and style but
somehow seemed like it would be very comfortable.
Dr. James was waiting for him and no time was wasted. "Well, you're here and so I am,
assuming that there must be some interest in our primary purpose here. V.R. did explain to you
what we do and enjoy doing didn't he?"
"Yes, of course, it's just that this isn't quite what I'd expected."
"Oh, of course, you probably expected to see a hospital setting, all white and sterile. I
must say that I hope you are not disappointed in the facilities. We strive for comfort and
functionality along with a generous amount of , well, for lack of a better word, ease. I take it you
haven't had the grand tour yet?"
"You'd be correct."
"Well then, let me show you around and we can talk."
With that they left his office and headed outside. "The main lodge is set up to handle 25
to 50 guests depending on the occupancy of the rooms, which we have limited to two guests per
room. The staff is more than adequate to handle that many people. Before you decide to ask any
questions let's take a quick tour and then if there's anything specific you want to ask about we
can get back to it. Before we start though, I noticed on your forms that you hadn't decided what
it was you wished done. So, I'll tell you before we begin that you will meet some people in
various types of casts, braces or combinations. Most of our guests are quite open so feel free
after an introduction to ask questions of the guest and I'll answer your questions for me back in
my office. Let's go."
He showed me around the grounds first and I got a feeling that this really was layed out
for some type of recreation. I mean, stables, canoes and other kinds of normal stuff. After a
general tour we headed back to the main deck at the back of the main lodge. There were ten,
maybe twelve people there. All seemed to be enjoying themselves and all were decked out in
various casts and braces and combinations just as I had been told. Several of them called to Fred
and we walked over and talked to them. It was just the normal chit chat that strangers at a resort
would talk about. How good dinner was last night, so and so was leaving tomorrow and really
didn't want to and so on. I did ask a few questions about why they did what they did and they
frankly told me because they enjoyed it. I was still a little bit confused. The people I'd met
seemed like normal everyday people on vacation and were basically ignoring the various forms of
restriction each of them had on. Strange, but at the same time interesting. The tour ended and
we went back to Fred's office.
"Ed, " said Fred "you look a little confused."
"I am. The people we met seem as normal as you and I. So, what happened. Did they
fall out of a tree and hit their heads or what. I really don't understand."
Fred began "Ok, let's say you really enjoy paintball. A lot of people think it's nuts. You
have to dress funny and go to certain places to do it and the whole thing seems weird. True. So
what. People will take a two week vacation to go running around in the woods in silly outfits
shooting at each other with paint and love every silly minute of it. People go to ski resorts to
enjoy that pastime. It always amazes me at some of the get ups people wear to go and do things.
Hunter orange, camo gear, tight ski suits and the list could go on and on. The only difference I
can see is the way people are taught to react to someone in a cast or brace. Being in the medical
profession, I guess that seeing people in such things is not all that uncommon to me anymore.
Think about the first time you saw someone with spiked hair or a pierced body part other than the
ear lobe of a woman. Seemed strange, but then more people did it and now it is generally
accepted. Same deal here. It's just that this pastime is not as acceptable outside, that is, if it was
admitted to. Many people share the desire and enjoyment but because of social taboos...well
maybe someday it will be alright. I mean, would you walk up to someone on the street with say a
long leg cast and ask them if they really needed it? Who would look at who and think who was
the nut? Anyway, have you got any other questions that I might answer or perhaps I could
interest you in a nice leg cast, you choose the color and style."

"Well Fred, what you say may be true but how about giving me a day or two to get used
to the idea. This is a bit, shall we say, different."
"Well put. "Said Fred. "Well, it's nearly time for dinner and I'm sure you'd like to get
ready, but please, keep it casual. See ya later."

Shelly was talking to Stan and Doris Dierdorf and greatly enjoying their company. This
was the older couple she'd seen as she was wheeled out of the casting room earlier today. Doris
was in a wheelchair and in what was called a Minerva type cast. The cast extended from her hips
to her chin and further around the back of her head and around her forehead. Doris had explained
that it was this type of cast they had used when she'd broken her back about 6 years ago. She and
her husband, Stan, also explained how they had wound up at the ROR(See orthos03). She also
said that it had taken quite a while for her husband to "get with the program" and decide what he
wanted to do. It was almost as they arrived at the resort, several weeks after making the
reservations that he settled on a leg cast. Doris laughed as she remembered his face as he made
his decision. But, he now had a cast from the toes of his left foot up to just below his hip. The
cast was fiberglass and he had on a cast shoe. A cane was adequate for the loss of mobility. Stan
still complained but in private had shown great interest and enjoyment, but in public he had to
play the humbug. Doris also told her that since Stan's discovery of why Doris had been such a
witch since the accident that they were closer than they'd ever been.
Shelly was glad for them because they seemed so sweet. She spotted the man she had
seen earlier in the day getting out his car as he arrived. He talked to the Hostess and she pointed
in Shelly's general direction. For some reason the temperature seemed to have risen a few
degrees and on top of that, she had the chills. She watched him wend his way around tables and
finally stop by her's and the Dierdorf's.
"Hi, I guess I get to join you folks for dinner. My name is Ed Marshall, please call me
Ed."
Stan excused all three of them for not getting up to shake hands, which would have been
difficult at that particular time what with the casts on each of them. Introductions were made and
the four of them quickly settled in for dinner.
As Shelly Coles was introduced by Stan, Ed looked at her and something clicked. She
was cute, really cute. She seemed uncomfortable, like the temperature had risen a few degrees.
He then noticed the cast which held her arm out away from her body and disappeared into her
shirt.
"She is really cute." He said to himself and aloud he said "It's a pleasure. I hear that
Charlie, the chef, is incredible at fixing everything from a hamburger to a roast pheasant and has a
real nack for vegetarian delights."
"So we've heard." Said Stan. "But I've got a question for you if you don't mind?"
"Shoot." Said Ed.
"Well, I don't see that you're in a cast or anything and around here that's kind of odd."
"I'm sort of checking the place out before I decide. This seems, if you'll pardon my
saying so, kind of weird. When I made the reservation V.R. said I could check the place out and
then make a decision. I haven't made up my mind yet. Do the three of you suppose you could
humor me and tell about the casts you have and how you decided to get that particular one or are
there others you've had and you're trying new ones or what? This is a place you can come back
to and I don't suppose that they would require you to do the same thing over and over."
Stan said "Well, Doris and I are also first timers. Me, I'm the hold out. Finally decided
on a long leg cast, nothing complicated, but what seemed good to me for starting out. Doris is in
a Minerva cast from hips to forehead and in a wheelchair. This is basically the same thing she was
in when she broke her back years ago and she decided she wanted to have basically the same
feeling as before. Without all the pain of course. Shelly was just getting ready to tell us her story
when you walked up. So, take it away Shelly."
"This is really my second trip here, the first was by accident. You see, I had an uncle who
worked on fixing the place up. He was kind of secretive about what kind of a place it would be
and I badgered him into confiding in me. I was shocked. People don't do that kind of thing, do
they? He'd said that apparently so. Anyway, I talked him into taking me up with him to see the
finished product because he'd made it sound so nice. Well I got here and got to meed the Orthos
and their friends the Smiths. Both wives had casts on both of their legs and I asked what had
happened. "Nothing." they'd said. The explanations came out and I guess they saw an interest.
Well my uncle had to go back but I was invited to stay. I was on vacation for the next week and
really hadn't made any plans so I decided to stay and they talked me into trying a leg cast. Well,
it was fun. By the end of the week I'd had both legs casted, both arms, my torso and neck, and
my head. Not all at once, I was kind of a model for some students to work on. I really enjoyed it.
None of the casts were on for more than a day. I then had to go home, back to work, but planned
on coming back. I work as a secretary in a law firm and duty did call. But I decided next time
that two weeks in the same cast was what I wanted. I started doing some research out on the
Internet and found several cast and bracing sites. It all looked appealing to me. You probably
think I'm nuts but I decided, what the heck, it was fun. So, reservations were made and here I
am. Oh, yeah you wanted to know what I had done. Well, I am in a special wheelchair because I
decided to go with a leg cast hip spica'd into a full torso cast over both shoulders and a left arm
cast with a shoulder spica. Since I wouldn't be able to move around in such an outfit I was
provided with this chair and I get a little extra help in my room. The attention is fantastic. It's
because of the angle of the chair and the length and angles of the cast that I look so tall. The leg
and hip spica were bent into a partial sitting position so that I could use the chair. It's kind of the
pits but actually quite cozy."

Well, I still wasn't satisfied even with all the information I'd accumulated. Dinner was as
good as promised and I took my leave of my casted dinner partners and retired to my room to
think. Those were really nice people. Shelly still kind of had my pulse running a little. She'd
asked me to meet her out on the main deck behind the lodge for a drink around 9:00. She told me
the moon coming up over the ridge was breathtaking. What to do, what to do? She seemed nice
enough but did she really enjoy being in that cast? She said so, sure, but why? Maybe I should
try it. No! Wellllll, maybe? I could argue with myself all night but what would it gain me. So, as
the old saying goes "When in Rome...

I saw her by a table near the rail. The moonlight just hitting her. She was right, the moon
was gorgeous. She turned a little and the moonlight reflected off her hair and her cast... What?
What was I thinking? Come on Ed, get a grip. This isn't painful, it's just a drink with a new
friend. As I approached I could see that she had dressed to show of the cast. Weird. But then
again, look where I was. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a slipper on her right foot.
Because of the casts height, just short of her neck, which was so lovely, that it was all she wore.
She had a sweater with her but the evening was warm.
"Hi. " I said. Sometimes I amaze myself with my witty greetings.
"Hi yourself." She said back.
I was standing in front of her admiring the way the moon silhouetted her as a shadow,
how the cast had been, well, almost molded to her body. The exposed leg and arm were well
turned and really, the casts did not detract from the shape of here other arm and leg. She
appeared to have small waist, if the cast was any kind of indicator and all in all a fine, really fine
figure of a woman. That is, from what I could see. Did I really say "fine figure of a woman".
Man, I've got to be more careful about how I think. It's bad enough, or good enough, that I find
Shelly attractive, witty and somehow mysterious but I'm also admiring the cast too. Although,
she did say and it really does look, comfortable? I guess this is going to take a while, maybe a
few drinks.
"Any questions or would you like me to get up and turn around for you." This she said in
a serious tone.
"Uh, no. You look just incredible right where you are."
"Well then, If you're satisfied, you're blocking my view." This was said a little more
coldly and my brain kicked back into gear. What a moron.
"Oh, wow. I am really sorry. I didn't mean to stare, but you look so, so great!" I didn't
really say that out loud did I?
"Ok, your forgiven, partially."
I did say it out loud. AHHHHHHHH!
Trying to get a grip I said "Well, do you think I have enough room in my mouth for my
other foot, leg and hip?" A pause and I continued, "I'm really sorry, it's just that I, well, I've
never seen a person in a cast this close up before and you look so nice, and I couldn't take my
eyes off of you and I was so surprised at how good you look and the cast..."
"Enough!" She said. "You're rambling and it isn't very becoming. I mean you're the odd
ball here. You don't even have on a band aid."
She was right. I was the anomaly here. No cast, no brace, for some reason I suddenly felt
naked. I must have done something strange because she said "You look like you just got caught
naked in the middle of Grand Central Station. Relax. I was just having some fun with you."
Well, I tried to get my act together and hoped she couldn't see me turn red.
"You must really be embarrassed. I can feel the heat rise in your direction from here." She
said.
Damn! Oh well I'll just have to try to get it back together. "Caught in the act. Yes Shelly
I am really embarrassed. But I still meant what I said. I'll leave if you like but I want to stay.
Ok?" This was said with the best "I just got caught with my hand in the cookie jar look" I could
manage. Her retribution was justifiably unrestrained.
"Only if you come over here and give me a kiss and let me pick out what type of cast or
brace you get for your stay here."
I walked over with a doleful look on my face and gave her a fatherly peck on the cheek. "
I don't suppose that would be too cruel a judgement as long as you remember that it's my first
time in a cast or brace."
She said, "You're either kidding or you've been very fortunate. What's wrong? Didn't
you have a normal childhood or something. I thought everybody broke something when they
were a kid. It's like a law of physics or something."
"Nope. I am a virgin, at least in this sense. A few cuts and bruises but no broken bones
or sprains that I can remember."
"Then I'll have to make it memorable for you, won't I?"
This had all the earmarkings of either great pleasure or torment. Surprisingly, I looked
forward to it.
The remainder of the evening was spent talking about different things but kept coming
back to her cast. I asked if I could touch it. She said yes. I was hesitant, not knowing what to
expect. It was hard. Duhhhh. It felt cool to the touch and somehow exciting. What did I just
say, exciting? Well, it was somehow, I don't know. As I touched the cast it was almost as if
Shelly was experiencing the same thing. How could this happen? This was, was weird. She was,
I think, experiencing the same thing and suggested that we get together in the morning to talk. I
helped her to her room and then went down to the bar to get a nitecap. She said she'd call me at
my room and let me know where to meet her. When I finally returned to my room I took a cool
shower and went to bed. The nitecaps helped..
Early morning, head on side table, phone ringing, please stop. I picked up the phone.
"Ed. This is Shelly. Meet me in the dining room for breakfast in half an hour. This is going to be
an exciting day for you, and me."
Uh, oh. What was I getting into. Better yet, what was I going to be getting into.
Inwardly I moaned as I remembered the promise of the night before. Well, no sense avoiding the
inevitable. Of course I could just run and never bee seen again. Aw, she did look so good last
night. I'm doomed.
At breakfast Shelly was cheery and excited. "What a day I have planned for you. Oh,
here come Stan and Doris. Maybe I'll let them in on what I have planned and let you suffer in
you're lack of knowledge."
Shelly is evil.
I acknowledged their "good mornings " and had a drink of coffee.
"What is wrong with you Ed?" Stan asked.
"I'll tell you." Shelly said.
And then, with me listening, and her not quite understanding what they meant, she
shamelessly laid out her plans. After a light breakfast, there went my first plans out the window,
we would go see Fred. We would look at the types of casts and braces that were available and
when the job could be done. She made it sound like I'd bucked the Mob and was getting fitted
with cement overshoes and was "goin' ta sleep wit da fishes".
"Oh, you'll love it, you just don't know it yet."
I looked at Stan and Doris and said "I know we only met yesterday but I could use some
support and protection here."
Stan just laughed, looked at Doris and said "I don't think you'll get a lot of support out of
Doris and I don't think that she'll allow me to support you. Yer on yer own kid." He said
winking. "And besides, now that I've been involved I think I'm coming around to Doris' way of
thinking and that actually this is rather fun under these particular circumstances. I mean yes, I'm
somewhat impaired but I'm also better taken care of here than if this had happened at home and I
was at the mercy of a city that really didn't care about my needs or was even set up to care for
them. And, I don't have to suffer any injury or pain. I can still go out site seeing and enjoy
myself and I don't even have to hike anywhere. As for Doris, it's easier to sneek up on her since
she can't turn her head."
At this point Doris piped up. "Oh, and that reminds me Stan, I made an appointment with
Fred to have a Minerva brace put on you. You need to learn it's not polite to sneek up on the
unprotected."
Stan just laughed and finished his coffee. They then bid us adieu and Stan caned off
behind Doris still complaining that he'd be good, laughing, and knowing he would do just about
anything for her.
"Actually, we need to be going too." said Shelly.
"Uh, ok, I guess." I was really kind of nervous and a bit excited too. Of course I'd never
let on though, at least not on purpose.

"Give me just a couple of minutes and I'll be back as soon as Doris is through bedeviling
Stan. There are binders with pictures on my desk, so just start without me." Fred said this as he
headed out the door of his office in the direction of the casting/bracing rooms. He was grinning
as he left like he was headed for some important, yet comical, event.
"Ok, the binders are labeled as Casts, Braces, Traction and combinations. Each has sub
categories such as torso, legs, back etc." Shelly laughed as she said "You'll have to help me turn
the pages. Lets go to Casts and look at... Hmmm, what would suit you best? I'd say start
simple, but not too simple. How would you feel about a leg cast or two, maybe an arm cast or a
minerva like Doris'? I mean, the opportunities of what I could do, I mean have done to you."
I just grimaced and said "I think so. How about a cast on each of my big toes?" I said
hopefully.
"Ha!!!!! You don't get off that easy. I'm thinking two loooong leg casts with, say,
spreader bars to keep them apart in a nice light blue. What do you think? Oh my goodness, what
am I thinking. I was actually going to let you give an opinion. Silly me. It is my decision isn't it.
Yes, I do believe it is. Oh here comes Fred."

Fred looked at Shelly then at me, smiled and said "I would say a decision has been made."
"Right." Said Shelly "Do you have enough light blue fiberglass to do both his legs in
loooong leg casts with, say, a couple of spreader bars, say at knee and ankle?"
"Why yes we do. Please follow me. I went ahead and scheduled a room. Didn't think it
would take you two, well, Shelly, long to make your decision for you."
As we headed for the casting room we saw Stan in the next one being fitted with his
wife's latest torment for him. It had a part around his chest, a chin piece and a piece at the back
of his head. Both chin and head pieces looked a little large but very restrictive. As we watched
the pieces were settled in and screws were installed so that Stan could not remove it. We found
out later that this was Doris' idea. Stan really did not look all that upset about it.
"Here we are." Fred brought me back to where we were going. He handed me a pair of
shorts and said "Go into the changing room and change into these and we'll get things set up out
here."
I did as told. The shorts were really short. Not necessarily uncomfortable, but short. I
went back to the room and Fred had several of his helpers there. This is Judy and Tom. They're
studying orthopedics in school and this is a great training center for them. They'll be doing the
casting and I'll stand off to the side and be a silent supervisor. Ok Shelly, tell them what you
want."
I started to protest and she just looked at me and said "A deal is a deal, so shut up and
enjoy. I want two looong, as long as possible, leg casts in light blue with two spreaders to keep
him from moving each leg independently."
The next thing I know Judy and Tom are each cutting lengths of stockinette that bunched
up at my crotch and went past my toes. At this point they started helping each other with the cast
pre-wrap. They started at my ankle went down to my toes back up clear to just short of my
crotch and stopped. At this point they put a little extra padding around my ankle and knee. Then
they continued with the roll and went down far enough to secure the extra padding. They then
proceeded with light blue, 3" casting tape again starting at my ankle and going over the foot and
part way up the calf till had several layers built up. They then went to a wider tape and from
ankle to crotch and back several layers thick. They pulled down the extra stockinette at the top
and taped it down. They then put a walking heal on the bottom of the cast, pulled back the
stockinette from my toes and added several more layers to hold on the walking heel. I had to
admit that this was a new experience and one that I was actually starting to enjoy. The
stockinette, padding and the fiberglass were very comfortable. I really hadn't expected that.
They had kept my knees bent at about 20 or 30 degrees with my foot at about 90 degrees. They
traded places and did the other leg in the same manner. Once both legs were cast they looked at
Fred.
He nodded in approval and asked Shelly "How wide?" She looked startled and Fred
explained "You wanted them spread, how wide? I mean we incorporated walking heels to give
him a better pivot point so I would say about a foot and a half to two feet?" She responded and
he looked to his helpers and said "You heard the lady."
Tom disappeared into a back rook and emerged with two pieces of wood. They adjusted
my legs to about two feet apart at the feet and placed one piece of wood at the ankles, lightly
taped it in place and moved up to the knees they made a few adjustment so that my feet were
parallel and taped the other piece just above my knees. They then finished with a flourish and also
used several more rolls of casting tape to incorporate the spreaders into the cast. Voila, finis,
done, that's a wrap.
Fred told his helpers good job and then he turned to me. "You do understand that
standard pants, underwear etc. will not work over these, right."
Holy cow, I hadn't. What was I going to do? And here was Shelly listening to the whole
thing. The only way out of the shorts I had on was to cut them off, but then I'd be naked from
the waist down. No way Jose.
Fortunately Fred came to the rescue. "Gotcha! No problem Ed, we keep special clothes
around just for such an occasion. Would you like him to wear shorts or long pants." He asked
Shelly? "And, do you have any preferential colors? Say, lavender, toupe or perhaps something
neutral?"
Some day I'd get even.
"The weather's warm so I would say shorts, but get him a pair of long pants just in case,
something neutral would be best I think."
Fred brought out some clothes, underwear etc. The difference between these and regular
clothes was that the pants were held together by velcro fasteners that ran through the crotch and
down the inside of the leg spaced so that even with the long pants the fasteners would work
around the spreader bars. Clever.
"Now the question arises, do you rise and learn to crutch yourself around or do you go on
wheels?"
I thought as how my legs were pretty well locked in position, I'd tried and failed to move
just one, but could still use my hips that I'd opt for both. I was shown how to do a three point
swing through on crutches. You wouldn't believe how tough that is when your legs are locked
together and your landing points are only about 2 or 3 inches around! I about fell half a dozen
times and really got tired. This was work. Fortunately another person showed up with a wheel
chair and that was much easier to handle. I kept the crutches though, just in case I wanted to go
where the chair couldn't. I was feeling a little cocky and I might just have to show off for Shelly.
Yeah and probably break both legs for real. It was also really tough getting up and down without
jointed knees, let alone a single point at the bottom of each foot to land on. "I'm a dead man." I
thought to myself.
"Don't worry, "said Shelly "I'll watch out for you." And then she started to laugh and so
did I.

Well, the two weeks went by in an instant. True to her promise, Shelly did look out for
me and we had a great time. I have to admit that there were things I wanted to do with her but
because of certain restraints, could not. Still the time was well spent and then, it was time to go.
I had done things in ways I'd never done them before. Experienced things I had never
experienced before. Actually clicked, at least I think so, with someone and all in all had as
enjoyable a time as I had ever had.

Shelly and I were cut out of our costumes the same day. Man, did it feel good to be able
to move. But then again I felt a sense of loss. And I was right about Shelly's "fine figure". I still
have some feelings to figure out, about more than one thing. Shelly and I were standing
awkwardly on the front porch of the lodge trying to say goodbye to each other when Stan and
Doris came out. They had Tom and Sue Johnson with them. We'd seen these two around the
place doing things but hadn't met them. They told us that they hoped we'd enjoyed our stay and
that we'd come back again. With that they disappeared hand in hand. Stan told us they were
married and had worked here for a while and even spent some of their vacation time at the resort
in casts or braces or whatever. Doris was out of the cast but had on a brace of some kind. She
said it was the one that in some ways saved her's and Stan's marriage. Hard to figure even after
hearing the story. With that they gave Shelly a hug and shook hands with me, wished us well and
headed back to their lives. Nice people.
"Well, " I said lamely, "time to hit the trail. It's been a really great time. Last night at
dinner with the Orthos, well, I meant what I said about coming back and doing this again."
"Me too." She said.
Well, we gave each other a hug and a hasty peck and promised to stay in touch. We'd
exchanged addresses and phone numbers earlier. We also had pictures taken of each other and
had exchanged them. We also sort of agreed to get together again. Both at home and at the
ROR, only this time I get to pick what she wears.

"Well, " said Margaret to V.R. "I guess you called another one just right."


Like I've said in the past this type of writing is fun and I've enjoyed the feedback from the other
stories of the ROR. So keep letting me know how you like it and I'll try to keep it going.