Ever, Sarah (5 page)

Even with the elephant in the room, I guess it could have been worse. It could have been a troll in that chair telling me he was my husband. I laughed out loud.

“What?” He smiled, “fill me in, what’s so funny.”

“I was just thinking about how relieved I am that you’re not a troll delivering me the news that we were husband and wife…I wouldn’t know the difference.”

“Well…I’ll take that as a compliment, as odd as it is.” He chuckled.

“Good plan.” I said.

I lay my head back and closed my eyes. This conversing thing sapped every bit of energy I had and I suddenly realized how tired I was.

“You’ll want to get some rest. Your mother will be in shortly. She’s on her way back from the Hamptons this very moment, and is very anxious to see you.”

“Hamptons?”

“Yes, she had a benefit she had to attend, but once she got my call telling her you were awake, she…well, she screamed in my ear and shouted she’s on her way.” He looked at his watch, “which knowing your mother, means she’ll be here within the hour.”

“Oh my.” I could feel my mouth hanging open.

“You really shouldn’t worry, she could be a bit animated, and God knows the hearing in my left ear hasn’t fully returned, but she loves you very much.”

“I’m sort of scared now.” I smiled.

“Don’t be, Veronica is a wonderful woman, and mother.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I kind of smiled, I think.

“I’ll let you get some rest before she gets here. I’ll be back later with some dinner.”

Now that got my attention.

“Food?”

“Yes,” he laughed, “Dinner does typically include food.”

“Do you know what I like?”

“I do.”

“Bring it on. Apparently being in a coma increases one’s appetite.”

He out and out laughed.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked.

“Because you still have your corny sense of humor.”

“Corny?” I was a bit put off.

“Okay. You still have
your
sense of humor.”

“Just bring the goods, Mister.” I interjected.

“Yes, ma’am.” He bowed mockingly. “I love you…I’m sorry. I apologize, that was too much, too fast. I’m just so happy you are sitting here talking to me, guess I just got carried away.”

The shocked look fell from my face. “No problem. But please take it real slow…at least for a little while.”

“Again, I apologize. I will go as
slow
as you want.”

He got up and bent over, placing a kiss on my forehead.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.”

“And for the record, you did love me back.” He turned and walked through the door.

Damn, damn, damn! I was so frustrated. I wanted to remember. I was engaged to that? That beautiful hottie with the killer smile and dreamy eyes?

I think it’s only fair that I remember it all. And I mean everything!!! 

I closed my eyes and my frustration faded as I did.

Chapter Five

“Sarah!” A woman’s voice resonated in the small room. “Dear, it’s me. Your mother.”

I opened my eyes and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw how close the woman’s face was to my own.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. The doctor tells me you don’t remember anything.” She stood up and took a step back, which afforded me a good look at this undeniably attractive woman. She had dark brown hair, piled on her head with wisps framing her youthful face. Her long bangs were swept to the side, exposing the greenest eyes, I think I’ve ever seen. Her mouth was light pink with the slightest shimmer.

She was tall and full figured, with an ample chest and slim hips. She wore an olive green business suit with an ivory silk blouse. Her long legs ended in her high heel olive green stilettos. She put her purse down on the chair that was occupied earlier by the very handsome man who tells me he’s my fiancé.

All in all, today was turning into a very strange day indeed.

“Well, do you recognize me?” She stood with her hands on her hips, staring intently at my face.

My guess is that she was trying to use her eyes as laser beams, shooting into my brain, to somehow force me to recognize her.

Okay, so maybe that was reaching a little bit.

“I...I’m sorry. I don’t.” Her smiled faded immediately and I could see the tears accumulate in her eyes. Her face softened and she moved her purse to the table and sat down, looking defeated.

“I so hoped you would, but I’m so happy to see you are finally awake Sarah. I’ve missed you so much.”

“Um, thank you.”

She reached over and took my hand in hers. “You look dreadful.” She opened her purse and pulled out a brush. “Do you mind if I brush that tangled mess?”

Something about her mannerisms was familiar and I felt comfortable for the first time since this whole accident business.

“Have at it.” I said and was rewarded with a big smile.

“You
sound
just like
my
Sarah.” She stood and walked over to the other side of the bed and raised the mattress. “I’ll try to be gentle. You used to love when I brushed your hair. But of course you don’t remember that, do you?”

I was reluctant to say I didn’t remember, not wanting to see that sad look cloud her beautiful features again, “I could believe that.”

“Well, let’s get those knots out shall we?” She seemed a little happier. “Has Bradley been here since he’s called me.”

“Yes, he said he’d be back with dinner, later.”

“Do you remember
him
?” I could tell she was fishing, and I wanted to put her at ease.

“No, I don’t. It’s the strangest thing having no memory of the people who are so important in my life.”

“Well, you are just mad about him. He loves you very much. His heart was just broken when they told us that they needed to put you into that coma. Brain injury. His heart was just broken…as was mine.”

“Th…thank you.” I didn’t know how to respond to that. I was so confused.

I felt a tug.

“Sorry darling, you have a rather stubborn knot here. I’m not hurting you am I?”

“No. Not at all.” I lied. It did hurt a little, but I’m sure having my hair free of knots was worth a little discomfort. “De-knot me.”

She blurted out a laugh.

“My, you sound just like my Sarah. Corny as ever.” She giggled as she ran the brush down the length of my hair.

“You’re the second person to call me corny today.”

“Well, dear, you are unique. Maybe corny is not the right word.”

I heard her gasp.

“What’s the matter?” I was suddenly afraid.

“Oh, it’s nothing Sarah. Just found another big knot.”

Her voice gave her away. I lifted my hand and rubbed my head, feeling a large section underneath that was like only about an inch long.

“What is this?”

“It must have been where they operated to release the pressure on your brain. I’d forgotten that they shaved your beautiful hair off.”

“Does…does it look freakish?” I rubbed at the spot, running my fingertips over the large scar that ran along the base of my skull.

“Not at all, your hair hanging down covers it. You can’t even notice anything.”

“Really, you wouldn’t lie to me mother would you?”

And just like that, one piece of the puzzle fell into place. I remember teasing the beautiful woman with the pretty smile, brown hair and twinkling green eyes sometime in the past…exactly when I didn’t know, but I little spark flashed in my brain.

“Sarah?” I could tell she was holding her breath.

“Yes?”

“You just called me mother.” She said her voice hopeful.

“I did, didn’t I?”

“Does that mean you remember me?”

“It means I remember something.”

She rushed around to the front and bent down scooping me in her arms and squeezed. I couldn’t see, but I heard and felt her crying.

“Don’t be upset. Please. I didn’t mean to get you upset.”

“You’ve made me very happy.”

I get it. Happy tears.

She wiped her eyes, and then dug into her purse retrieving some small items. She reapplied her lipstick and sat staring at me looking every bit the regal woman she is.

“It’s been a crazy day.” I rubbed my eyes, “Do you mind, would you be upset if I close my eyes for a little bit. I’m fading; I think it’s the medication they give me.”

“You go right ahead and do that. I’m staying until you fall asleep.” She patted my hand, then gave it a squeeze. “I love you so very much Sarah.”

“I love you too mother.” I said as I closed my eyes and I could sense her smile. I smiled too. After all, I just found a memory, I think.

I woke up to see Doctor Westley standing in my room over by the window looking down on the streets below. Next to her was a walker. She turned when she heard me move in the bed.

“How are we feeling today?”

“
We
are feeling beat to hell, but it’s been interesting.” I said as I tried to adjust my position.

“I heard a rumor you may have gotten a memory.” She pushed the walker over to where I lay. “Your mother was beaming. I think she told everyone she saw that you remembered ‘something’ about her.”

“I did. I remembered her voice and I remembered her smile. Then out of nowhere I called her mother.” I took a breath. “I guessed from her reaction that I used to call her that.”

“So it would seem.” She sat in the chair previously occupied by ‘mother’. “I wanted to talk to you and let you know what we are going to be doing.” She turned her head and looked at the walker. “We have removed your catheter, and thought we might get you to sit up for a bit then perhaps stand. Do you feel up to that?”

“If it means I can take a shower, I’ll do whatever you say.”

“Well, a shower could be arranged I think. How do you feel physically? Any pains, any lightheadedness?”

“My hip still hurts when I tried to roll over. And I get a little lightheaded when I move too quickly.”

“You broke your hip, but we were able to get you right into a brace and it seems to have healed pretty nicely. Your ankle was broken, as well as several fingers and obviously your skull.” She looked at my face for a reaction. “Your body has healed very well, because we were able to keep you still. We medically induced a coma until the swelling in your brain went down. So now the only obstacle standing in the way of your leaving us and walking out of here is physical therapy. We will work with you here until we feel you are strong enough. Then you can pick up where we left off at our outpatient facility for more therapy. Any questions so far?”

“I will be able to walk again without that,” I pointed to the walker.

“Yes, you just need to get stronger, do your exercises and of course, avoid falling.” She smiled, “All that aside, you should be fine. You were in great physical condition, other than your injuries when you were brought in, and you are young so you have that going for you as well. We were able to repair the damage with a few screws and small plate and as I said your hip has healed very well. You may have some issues going through airport security…”

I let out a little guffaw.

“Your ankle was just slightly cracked and you were able to heal from that even faster than your hip. Now for your brain.”

“Oh, here comes the good news.” I smirked.

“Yes, well. You cracked your skull, but that wasn’t our main concern. Your brain began to swell and we had to relieve the pressure so we cut a small hole in your skull to let the building fluids escape. It was at that time that we decided a medically induced coma was how we would handle your various issues. It kept you still, allowing your body to heal, and gave your brain the time it needed to heal itself. So we did just that and waited.”