“I cannot say for certain, nor can I make any guarantees. But I will say that for my patients who recovered fully from amnesia, the recuperation period took from days to a year.”
Ayearof Adam not knowing who he is?Panic drummed in her chest.Not knowing who I am, who the children are?
And, dear God, what about Adam’s business? It was his life’s work, his pride and joy. While other men might try to hide their roots in trade, Adam was proud of the empire he’d built out of nothing.
“How will he function in his current state?” she burst out.
“Oddly enough, the loss of memory, in my experience, did not seem to bother the patients over much. Perhaps they were preoccupied by the task of relearning the world and themselves; they exhibited an openness, a curiosity and adaptability…not unlike that of children. They took their initial limitations in stride.” Clearing his throat, Dr. Abernathy added, “Their families, on the other hand, suffered more during this phase, for they had full recollection of how the patient used to be prior to the accident. They had to grapple with old expectations and fears about the future.”
“You do not know my husband, sir.” Gabby shook her head. “He is a driven man, one of great ambition. He will not take kindly to anything that keeps him from his work.”
“He will have no choice but to accept his recovery as it comes,” the physician said bluntly.
“What can I do? There must be something…”
“What the patient needs most is time and peace to heal. The best thing you can do, ma’am, is to minimize his exposure to stressful circumstances. First and foremost, his work must be delegated for now.”
“Mr. Murray is looking after his business affairs.” Dear Mr. Murray—she and Adam owed so much to him. “I’m certain he will be willing to continue doing so.”
“Excellent. As for the domestic sphere, you must set firm limits if the patient insists upon doing too much too soon. He could have undone my handiwork with that fall he took this morning,” the physician said sternly. “He’s lucky that no further damage was done.”
“I’ll keep a better eye on him,” she promised.
The other’s expression softened. “If your husband is as driven as you say, your job will not be an easy one. But he cannot force himself to recover more quickly or to remember the past. Attempts to do so will only cause harm and perhaps a regression. What he needs is rest, and his memories will hopefully return in due course.”
“What about the children? They are rather…lively,” she said with a frisson of worry. “Will their visits be too taxing for my husband?”
“I shouldn’t think so. Indeed, interacting with family and friends may aid the recovery of Mr. Garrity’s memories,” Dr. Abernathy assured her.
She straightened her shoulders. “I’ll do everything in my power to aid his recovery.”
“Your devotion is admirable.” The young doctor paused. “May I ask how you are faring, ma’am?”
Faced with the unexpected question, Gabby didn’t know how to answer. She hadn’t thought about herself; she’d been entirely wrapped up in Adam.
“I’m fine,” she said self-consciously.
“How much have you been sleeping, Mrs. Garrity?”
Dr. Abernathy’s scrutiny made her squirm in her chair. She realized that she must look a fright, unwashed and wearing stained clothes. She’d waved off Nell’s efforts to create a proper coiffure in favor of an expedient braid. Her eyes felt heavy, and she knew they must be puffy and shadowed by fatigue.
“I, um, don’t know exactly. But I’m sure I dozed off here and there,” she said awkwardly.
“And the last meal you’ve eaten?”
Goodness, when had that been? Consumed by anxiety, she’d lost her appetite entirely.
“Perhaps breakfast…yesterday,” she confessed.
“I must advise you to take better care of yourself, madam.” Dr. Abernathy’s tone was firm yet gentle. “The caregiver’s journey is as arduous as that of the patient, and you must prepare yourself for the travails ahead. Who do you turn to in your hour of need?”
Adam,came the immediate answer.He’s my world…my everything.
“Family members, perhaps?” the doctor prompted.
“I have my father, but he has been unwell of late.” Guilt pricked her; in the week since Adam’s injury, she hadn’t looked in on her papa. “I don’t wish to burden him further.”
“Friends, then. People you could turn to for assistance?”
