“Idohave a sister, Leon. Erika is my sister, and she’s your…”
I interject, “I’m someone who cares about you.” I feign happiness when all I’m filled with is dread. It’s seeping into my veins, the coldness chilling me to my core.
Leon’s eyes soften, but I can tell his mind is battling, working overtime trying to place me, but he comes up with nothing, the fog too dense. He doesn’t have a clue who I am.
But he recognizes everyone else.
To him, I’m a stranger.
“You don’t have a sister,” Leon repeats, breaking eye contact with me, now looking at Ash. “Since when have you had a sister?” he asks as if it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard.
“Forever, Leon. We’ve been on vacations together, all of us. You two are best friends… but more recently, you’ve become more.”
“Ash.” I stop him with a warning, my voice stronger than I feel.
Leon shakes his head, his brows dipping lower this time. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.” The single line of apology makes me curl my hands around the metal end of the bed harder, my knuckles turning ghostly white.
All eyes on me, our friends and family watch as hot tears escape the corners of my eyes, sudden and unstoppable.
“I’m going to get the doctor.” Jack rushes off in a hurry, looking for an explanation. However, I already know what it is. I don’t need Dr. Gilbert to tell me.
“It’s okay. I should go.” I lift my shaky hand, forming a half wave of goodbye. “I’m supposed to be working.”
“Do you work in this hospital?” Leon asks curiously.
“I do.” I grab the ends of my stethoscope as if it’s my anchor, grounding me, reminding me of what we once had that’s no longer there. Gone.
“You’re married.” Leon points to my ring finger. The thing he should recognize as he’s the one who put it there.
“I am.” To you.
“He’s one hell of a lucky guy.”
“Yeah, he is.” My heart leaps in my throat, and I swipe at the tears I can’t seem to stop from falling.
“And she’s your sister?” he asks Ash again for confirmation, as if he’s completely bamboozled.
Ash nods, worry evident in his eyes; the room is so quiet you could cut the tension with a knife.
Everyone too scared to say anything for fear of revealing we’re married to each other.
“I can’t figure out how I wouldn’t remember you. You’re very beautiful.”
“Thanks.” I don’t care that he thinks I am beautiful; I want him to recognize me, remember that he loves me. Gave his heart to me and promised he would never forget me, and I would bebranded into his memory for life.The same words he used before we spent the night in Las Vegas.
Does he remember that night, or has it all slipped out of his head along with all the other memories we made together?
Purpose-filled footsteps move toward us as Jack and Dr. Gilbert enter the room.
“Hey, Leon.” Dr. Gilbert’s voice is overly buoyant, as if trying to mask what he has already summarized is wrong with Leon.
“Hi.” Leon looks worried at the doctor's arrival. “I’m not okay, am I? I don’t know who this lady is.” He points toward me.
This lady.
That stings.
“Can you recall the last thing you remember before the accident?”
