by Tia Siren
The man that was in the car crash with Kate was finally awake. Not only that, but he was asking for Kate, too. It seemed that he had something he desperately needed to talk to her about.
CHAPTER 12
KATE
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and although it was hot, it wasn't that level of hot where one dripped sweat through their clothes as they walked. There was a soft breeze that was strong enough to cool me down as I walked, but not so strong that it blew my hair everywhere. Even the people seemed to be in on the act as they didn't overcrowd me as I walked and very few shouted or swore within my vicinity.
Yes, it was a glorious day, and there was nothing that was going to stop it.
The glory that was the day really began the previous night, with Liam apologizing. That, in itself, was shocking, and something that I would have never seen coming. I mean, what man apologizes for his own actions? Totally unheard of. And, just to add icing on the cake, he then proceeded to bestow untold pleasures on me, as if trying to prove a point. He knew that he had messed up and wanted to make it right.
The sex that we had was mind bending and like nothing I had had before, or at least, I assume that to be the case. It was totally selfless and all about me. Sure, maybe I was a little presumptuous as I forced him to go down on me, but I couldn't help myself. I was sure he was going to and just needed some convincing.
So that was where the great day began, and it only continued as I woke up to find him kneeling on my bed with ready-made breakfast. Sure, he had to go to work, but he was extraordinarily apologetic about it. Besides, that’s what normal people did. They went to work in the morning. I couldn’t ask him to skip work all the time just to fuck me all day.
He even insisted that I meet him for lunch, and that's where I was headed now. I ate his breakfast, which wasn’t a bad effort, spent the morning reading a few more of my stories, and then headed out, eager for a pleasant stroll through the city before meeting Liam for lunch.
I had to admit that every time I read one of my stories, I became more and more impressed with myself. The writing was what got me the most. The actual stories were adequate, but it was the writing that stood out. I got the sense that I was one good story away from writing something that mattered. It was a relief really, considering the job that I had apparently been doing on the side to make ends meet.
Liana insisted that it wasn't as bad as it sounded, being a waitress at a titty bar. Liana seemed to have no trouble showing off the goods, but she swore that I never had to do anything involving nudity or dancing. I just delivered drinks. But the fact that I had to dress provocatively while I waited tables was enough to make me feel ashamed. The whole thing was depressing and sad.
Since being told that this was my job, I hoped I would never have to go back to it ever again. There had to be other options than that. It wasn’t like the money was particularly good. Otherwise, why would I live in such a bad neighborhood in that shitty apartment?
I was the master of my own fate and knew that if I didn’t want to, I would never have to think of this job again. Yet, as I made my way toward the hospital, cutting through Central Park, an all too real reminder saw fit to kick me in the face and let me know where I belonged.
"Hey, Cherry!" I heard the name called out from behind me but didn't bother to respond. My name was Kate, after all, and thus, I saw no reason to.
"Hey, Cherry, slow down, will ya?" The voice called out again, this time closer. Again, I chose to ignore it, assuming that it was for someone else. Even still, I picked my pace up slightly as I powered through the park. That was until a hand grabbed me by the arm, spinning me around.
The owner of the hand was a very rough-looking gentleman, and I use that term only to be polite. In his fifties, with a scruffy beard, dirty gray hair, and sagging off-color skin, he looked as if he had spent the last few nights sleeping in the park. This was only confirmed by his clothes, which were filthy and stunk of B.O. and other odors that I didn't care to place.
"Cherry," he beamed, revealing missing teeth and terrible breath. "I thought it was you. Why didn't you slow down?"
"I'm sorry," I said gently as I pulled my arm from his grip. "I'm afraid that you have the wrong person."
I turned to go, only for him to grab me by the arm again. "No, no, it's me, Gerald. Remember? I used to be your favorite customer at the club. I was in there every weekend. You’d bring me a bottle champagne and sit with me while I drank it. That doesn’t ring a bell?”
I didn't get the sense of danger from him. He looked far too weak and feeble for that. But there was still an underlying dirtiness to his behavior. It was unwelcoming and something that I wanted to distance myself from as quickly as possible.
"Again, you're mistaken. That wasn't—"
"It was you!" he yelled, his temper rising. "Don't say it wasn't! Just because you aren’t wearing that red wig doesn’t mean I don’t recognize you!"
He stopped short. I don't know if it was the shocked, terrified expression in my face, or something else, but as quickly as he had exploded, he suddenly calmed down. "I'm sorry. Really, I am. I shouldn't have yelled."
He let go of my arm, and I pulled it into me like a lost babe. "That's fine," I said, my eyes scanning the area for any other signs of life. If I didn't think the man to be so unstable, I might have turned and run for it. But I didn't want to provoke him.
"You probably don't recognize me,” he said sadly. “I've changed a fair bit since then." He gestured at his clothes and general appearance. "A few bad investments, a wife that met another man, and a serious coke problem later, and here I am."
Despite myself, I suddenly felt sorry for the man. He fell to the ground in a slump, burying his head in his hands. I looked around, knowing that I could have run and easily gotten away. But instead, I crouched down, reaching out and patting him on the leg. "Hey, don't worry. It's not you really. It's me. I've been having a hard time with my memory lately."
"Really?" he asked, seeming a little more comforted by the information. "I thought you might have remembered. Reminds me of a better time, ya know?"
"I'm sure it was a lovely time," I tried, patting him on the leg again. To this he beamed, wiping his eyes.
"You seem like a smart lady. Let me give you some advice. Take what you can get, when you can get it. You never know when life is going to kick you in the balls, or wherever it is that life kicks you in."
I stayed with the man for a few more moments, just because he seemed to enjoy the company, and I felt bad for him. But after I left him, finally making my way toward the hospital, I couldn't stop thinking about what he said.
First off, the fact that he and I had been friendly at the strip club I worked at was disheartening. Liana had told me I never did anything but take orders and deliver drinks. But apparently, this man and I had been something like friends. He seemed comfortable enough with me to approach me and grab me out on the street. I didn’t like that one bit. Even if he was in a worse state now than before, he still seemed like the type of character that I would have usually tried to avoid.
But the main thing that stuck with me were his words of wisdom. He was right, too. When you had something worth holding on to, it was best not to let go. From what I could tell, my old life wasn't a desirable one, by any means. And the more I thought about it, the more I was inclined to think that maybe this bout of amnesia was one of the better things to happen to me.
Sure, I had no idea who I was. But did that matter? I knew now where I was going. I was going to be a writer. Seeing that customer only hammered home how terrible a life someone can have after a few bad mistakes are made, and I wasn't going to let my life be a cautionary tale for others.
On top of that, I had to count my blessings that I had Liam in my life now. He had a stable job and seemed to be crazy about me, especially for someone whom I had known for such a short time. But funnily enough, I was crazy about him, too. It felt like I had known him for ages, and to me, that w
as always a sign that I had found the right one. I mean, probably. I couldn’t remember finding the right one before. But somehow, even without a memory, I knew I was right.
With Liam by my side, supporting me, I was sure that I would never have to go back to that life that I had left behind. And more than that, I was sure that I would finally be able to achieve that life that I deserved. There wasn't much that love couldn't do.
CHAPTER 13
LIAM
My biggest fear was that he would jog Kate's memory. I had no idea how close he and Kate actually were, and thus, had to operate under the assumption that he knew enough about her to totally derail our relationship. I couldn’t let that happen. Not when things were going so well.
My second fear was that he and Kate were an item. There was no reason that they couldn't be, and every reason that they would be. If he remembered Kate and they were dating, there was no way that he would let her go without a fight. And if it came to that, well, I didn't know who would win.
All of these thoughts raged in my head as I made my way toward the hospital that morning, under the full knowledge that the man responsible for Kate's amnesia was awake and talking. He had awoken a few hours ago and had apparently been asking for Kate non-stop. Even if they weren't dating, he obviously knew her pretty well.
I had no idea what I was going to do.
The hospital was, as always, pure chaos when I arrived. And that was before I got to the ICU. The ICU was always the busiest, most kinetically charged portion of the hospital. Not only were there patients crashing left and right, with nurses and doctors streaming across the room to try and save them, but there were also the families of the victims. They were always on site and always in the way. They had little concern for the patients that they weren't there for and weren't afraid to get in one’s face if they thought they were being ignored.
So yes, the ICU was an intense, high-pressure room at the best of times. As I entered it, I felt that my blood was already up. The only calming factor was Clint, already there. He was standing toward the back of the room, watching the car crash victim with curiosity.
"Has he said anything?" I asked Clint as I walked up beside him.
"Yeah. The guy won't shut up actually. You'd think nearly dying in a car wreck would make you a little more humble."
"I mean, has he said anything of interest. And don't ask me what 'interest' means. You know what the fuck I'm talking about."
"Ah, no then," Clint confirmed. "Nothing of interest."
His name was Danny, and that was about all the useful information that any of the nursing staff could get out of him. He refused to give his last name, wouldn't even talk about his insurance, and was adamant that he was staying put until he had a chance to talk to Kate. In short, he was a handful.
"I told him she'd left the hospital, but we'd get her in as soon as possible," Clint was saying. "He seemed a little miffed that she had left the hospital without him. Despite the fact that he was unconscious and she had amnesia."
"And his injuries?"
"Healing nicely. Honestly, if he was so inclined, he could leave today. Well, if he gave us his insurance information. But as he's holding out, he won't be leaving anytime soon."
"Anything else?" I asked, keeping my eyes on him the whole time. I don't know why but I got the sense that I wasn't going to like Danny very much. Actually, I was sure of it. There was just something in his smile and his eyes that screamed distrustful.
"Nope. And if I said there was no need for you to talk to him, then I am sure that you will avoid him and go on your way–or not," Clint trailed off as I nodded, making my way toward Danny's bedside.
When Danny saw me, he let off a long audible groan. "Another one. Tell me, how many of you guys gonna keep comin' over here and tryin' get new things out of me? I told the last one, I ain't moving until I see Kate."
"And why do you want to see Kate so much?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I reached down and picked up the information card on the end of his bed. Clint was right. Danny could more or less leave the moment he paid for his treatment. Maybe that was why he wanted to stay?
"That's between me and her. You don't know when she's comin' in, do you?"
"We’ve called her. She said she will as soon as she gets the chance," I lied. "But you have to understand, she has amnesia so anything you might want from her isn't going to come easily. In fact, it's probably best if you tell me so I can—"
"Yeah, they were telling me about the amnesia," Danny cut in. "Is that legit then? She can't remember a thing?"
"Yep, not even her own name," I said as I looked down at him, trying to get a reading.
I wanted to know if his concern for Kate was based on a relationship the two had, or if he needed something directly from her. Something more personal.
"Well, that's going to make it hard. But no matter, I'll talk to her nonetheless. See what I can get." His arms were still both broken as he tried to shuffle his way back into bed. "Say, you wouldn't have a cigarette, would you? And a light?"
"This is a hospital, and you can't smoke," I said disbelievingly. The more I spoke to Danny, the more my earlier suspicions were confirmed. There was no way I liked this guy. I just hoped that he and Kate weren't dating. But then again, even if they were, I was sure that I could take this guy out.
"Ah, shame. I thought you were one of the good ones."
"So, tell me. How exactly do you know Kate? Friend of yours?"
It may have been my imagination, but I was certain for a second that he threw me a suspicious glance before answering. "You might say that. But you might also say that we're dating. Yep, we are two in love amigos." He looked rather pleased with himself as he spoke.
"Really?" I asked, again trying to keep my voice calm and casual. In reality though, I was screaming on the inside. My worst fear had come to realization. The only possible saving grace here was that this guy was a bit of a deadbeat. If I could just keep Kate from him for a little while longer while I continued to work her than there was no way he would be a problem.
"Really, really. That's why I'm trying to see her. To make sure she's okay and what not."
"She's quite fine. I can assure you."
"Well, that's good. But still, I want to see it with my own eyes. I need to give her a big old kiss and tell her that I love her and everything is going to be okay. You understand, right?"
"I'll see what I can do," I said. I then put his chart back down, turned, and left the ICU.
I wasn't feeling too good as I walked from the room. The walls around me seemed to spin and shrink in on me, and my knees felt like they were giving out. I needed to sit down. I almost fell into a side room, scurrying to the bed as I lay myself down on it.
He used the word love, clear as day. He loved her, and if he loved her, then there was every chance that she loved him, too. Or at least, she did until her amnesia kicked in. There was, therefore, no way that I could let the two meet up. Not until I figured out how to handle this situation. Kate didn’t know that he was awake yet, so all I had to do was not tell her.
I felt sick to my stomach with that thought. I was already lying to her. I wasn't sure that I could pile on more lies on top of that. But at the same time, I couldn't risk her meeting him and remembering everything. My plan wasn't finished yet. I still needed to ensure, unequivocally, that she was in love with me. The new me, too. Not the old me.
I had been thinking about it the previous night and today, but now I knew that I was going to have to pump a shot of adrenaline into this relationship. I was going to ask her out on a getaway weekend. And it would have to be this weekend. By the time we got back, we would be so madly in love that she wouldn't be able to leave me. Danny or no.
And as for Danny? Well, he could kick it in the ICU for the rest of the week and weekend, for all I cared. There was still something about him that I didn't like. And it wasn't that he was dating Kate. But something more. I got the sense that he just wasn't a good guy. He wasn't th
e kind of guy that I wanted Kate to be around, anyway.
All I was going to have to do was keep Kate away from the hospital until next week. That should be easy enough. There was no reason for her to come back. And then it hit me. Kate was already on her way to the hospital. We were meant to be meeting up for lunch. Any minute now actually. She was most likely walking through the halls already.
I leapt to my feet and darted from the room. I had to find Kate. I had to find her before she wandered into the ICU and saw Danny.
"Sandra," I yelled as I spotted Sandra strolling down the hall.
"Oh hey, Liam. I haven't seen you today. I was starting to get upset—”
"Hey, listen, I need you to do me a favor," I rushed as I grabbed her by both her arms. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Why, yeah, of course I can."
"You remember Kate Monroe? She was the amnesia patient from a few days ago? Brown hair green eyes."
"Of course," she said, looking confused. Her eyes fell to her arms, still being held by me.
"She's in the hospital right now. Only I don't know where. If you see her can you please, please keep her away from the ICU? Understand?"
"From the ICU? But that's where her man is? Or at least, I think it's her man. They came in together and—"
"I know," I cut in, trying not to get angry. "I can't explain. I just don't want her going in there and seeing him yet."
"Why?" Sandra asked, giving me a suspicious, knowing look. "I didn't even realize that you and Ms. Monroe were speaking to each other outside of the hospital. Is there a reason that she can't go into—"
"Sandra, please!" I all but shouted. As I did, I looked into her eyes, pleading with her.
"Okay, okay," she said, rolling her eyes at me. "I'll keep her out of there. You can run along and try to find her in peace now."
And I did just that, letting go of Sandra and darting down the hallway. I needed to find Kate and get her out of the hospital before she spotted Danny. If she did, well I didn't know what would be in store for us.
