“Mom, who was the woman that just left? She said she was my fiancée.”
“You don’t need to worry about her right now. You just need to concentrate on getting better.”
How can my mom say I don’t need to worry about the fact I’m engaged? Surreal. “This is so weird knowing I’m actually twenty-five, but having no recollection of the last seven years. I feel bad I don’t know my own fiancée. Is she coming back? I need her to fill me in on some things.”
“Charlie and I discussed the situation. We agreed you need a little time. She’s going to let you rest and I can fill in some missing pieces for you.”
The only woman that registered in my life was Heather. But it had been seven years. Surely my mom hadn’t kept in contact with Heather, but I felt compelled to ask.
“Do you still talk to Heather? Have you let Heather know I’m in the hospital? Is she coming to see me?”
“Yes. Heather will be here soon.”
Hearing that made me relax a little, but I didn’t know why. Surely Mom would believe I’d need Charlie around me, yet she sent for Heather? “Mom, I’m not exactly sure what happened. Charlie said I fell off a ladder. Is that how I ended up in here?”
“Yes. You hit your head on the concrete. Your brain swelled and they had to do surgery to relieve the pressure. But everything’s going to be okay now.”
“That’s what Charlie told me. Do you know when Charlie is coming back? I don’t want her to be here when Heather gets here.”
“You don’t need to worry about Charlie or anything else. You know me, I’ve got everything under control. I will handle everything. You need to rest and I’m going to track down your doctor and find out more. Your father should be here soon. When I left the house he was talking to your brother.”
“Why aren’t they here yet?”
My mom put her hand to her heart, like she was too choked up to tell me. She stayed quiet for a moment and I began to think something else was very wrong.
“Your brother lives in New York. He’s booked a flight and will be here in a few hours.”
“What? When did Garrett move to New York? Why would you let him do that?”
“Mitch, it’s been seven years. After graduating college, he took a job in New York. Being a busy architect, he doesn’t come home very much.”
I wanted to shut my eyes and have them open to the reality everyone else was living because I had entered some alternate universe. Seven years. Shit. All I could do was stare at my mom blankly. My older brother moved across the country. It made no sense to me. He had always been my best friend, except for David. My mom squeezed my hand and then got up to find my doctor. All I wanted was to get the hell out of here, but the last thing I remember was going to prom with Heather, Kate, and David. Hopefully, my mom called David and he could help me make sense of it all.
Before my mom returned, Heather walked through the door. Recognizing someone other than my mom was a huge relief. She was tall with long auburn hair that had a slight wave to it. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. She was breathtaking with her alabaster skin and goddess-like body. Having her here both calmed me and revved me up at the same time.
“Heather, I’m so glad you’re here,” I said leaning forward with my arms stretched. She didn’t say anything. She sat on the bed and melted into my arms and began to cry. “Don’t cry. I’m okay,” I said, stroking the back of her hair.
“Mitch, I’m so glad to see you. I…I’ve missed you so much.”
“We haven’t been together for the last seven years, huh?”
“No. We broke up the summer before college,” she murmured.
Heather pulled back so I could look into her eyes. She put her hand on my face. “You’ve always remained in my heart even though I went out with other people and you settled into a relationship with Charlie.”
“So, do you know Charlie?”
“I’ve never officially met her. Your mom and I have kept in touch over the years. She has kept me informed.”
I leaned into her hand. It felt familiar. She said I had been going out with Charlie for seven years. I’m engaged to her. But, I can’t imagine anyone but Heather in my heart. Surely I must love Charlie, but right now, all I know is my love for Heather. If I’m engaged to someone else, what about her?
“Heather, are you in a relationship with someone else, too?”
“Mitch, no. I haven’t stopped loving you. I never will.”
I pulled her into my arms again, and the heat from her body soothed mine.
My mom returned. “Heather, I’m so glad you’re here.”
Heather got up to hug my mom. “Thank you for calling me.”
“Of course, honey. Mitch was asking for you and I just knew he needed to see you, be with you.”
“I can’t believe we lost seven years,” I said, looking at Heather. She smiled at me shyly.
“Mom, what did the doctor say?”
“He has ordered a CT scan to see if there is any damage to your brain and make sure there aren’t any other complications.”
“Does he have any idea when I will get my memory back?”
“It will happen when your brain is ready to remember. No one has any idea when or if that will happen.”
“You mean, I may never get back my memory of the last seven years?”
My mom shrugged. “No one knows.”
I nodded, but didn’t ask any more questions. My mom and Heather talked to each other in hushed tones while I tried to absorb the shocking news. I may never remember my life. It might be lost to me forever. I sunk a little into my bed. The realization of losing this part of my life forever was crashing over me and I felt like I was lost at sea in a storm. Yesterday, Heather and I were broken up and I was engaged to Charlie. My brother had moved across the country. My mom didn’t seem to like Charlie, but sure was cozy with Heather. If I felt this strongly toward Heather, why did I break up with her? Why would my mom not like someone I was engaged to? That doesn’t make sense. Physically, I know I’m attracted to Heather, who wouldn’t be? David. I need to speak to David.
Chapter 11: Charlie
Feeling startled, I sat up in bed. Beads of sweat had formed on my brow, and I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. Feeling a little disoriented at first, I began making out shapes, realizing I was sleeping in my childhood bedroom. The drapes were thick, so very little sunlight entered in. Being here was strange when I should have been with Mitch, his strong arms wrapped around me.
I’d been dreaming, or I should say nightmaring, but that’s not a word. It was about Eric and how he had been so wonderful in the beginning, but had become controlling as our relationship grew. He found a way to alienate me from my friends and became angry if another guy noticed me. I began to really clue in when he started buying me clothes. Things I would never wear, because they were just God-awful, matronly. He wanted me to behave a certain way in public and another way in private. His control was like a noose around my neck and I was worried he would snap and hurt me. Why on earth was I thinking about Eric again after all these years? Is it because of Mitch’s accident?
I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t met Mitch and I never wanted to find out. He not only stopped Eric the day I broke up with him, he stopped Eric period. Eric was afraid of Mitch and even though he attempted to intimidate me from a distance, he was never again up close and personal. The last time I saw him, thankfully, was at graduation. Fortunately, San Diego was a large enough city that running into Eric was extremely unlikely.
Figuring out a way to make Mitch remember me was at the top of my list of priorities. I thought for a moment. Before returning to the hospital, I was going to make a stop at our apartment and find some things to show him our life together.
I got up and clicked on a light. It was eleven in the morning. I’d been sleeping for a couple of hours. Getting home so I could shower and change was the next thing I needed to do.
I entered the kitche
n to get a glass of water and found a note on the refrigerator. My parents had gone to church. They wrote they would be praying for Mitch. Church. I hadn’t been there in a long time. Maybe I’d go with them next Sunday. I needed as much prayer for what was happening as I could get.
I wrote under the note my parents had left for me so they would know I went home and then to the hospital.
Driving home, my stomach was in knots wondering if by some miracle Mitch had recovered his memory. When he asked me who I was, it felt like a knockout punch and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to breathe again. Had he really lost the last seven years? How was that even possible? It just couldn’t be. He had to remember me. I was going to be his wife.
Knowing Lillian could prevent me from seeing Mitch since I wasn’t his wife, I had to be prepared for anything. I really hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but ultimately, she was in control and there was nothing I could do about it.
I found a box in the garage when I pulled up. It was sturdy and the right size for me to put framed pictures of us. Dear God, please let this jog his memory.
Searching through the cards and letters he had given me over the years, I selected a sampling for him to read. Maybe these would bring back his memories or at least demonstrate for him that we are in love.
Once I had found everything I needed, I took a shower and got ready to return to the hospital. Anxiety gripped me as I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived. With Lillian in charge, it wasn’t going to be pleasant or easy.
Walking into Mitch’s room, I was happy to see his dad sitting there with him. We weren’t exactly bosom buddies, but he was always cordial, never exuding disdain like Lillian. Edward was stoic and seemed to be watching over Mitch. I’d never seen him so connected to his son as he was in this moment. I hated to interrupt their private time even though Mitch’s eyes were closed.
“Hi, Edward,” I said softly
He turned and looked at me. “Charlie.”
“Is Lillian around?” I inquired.
“When Mitch fell asleep, she and Heather went to the cafeteria to get some coffee. They should be back in a few minutes.” Already? Lillian had organized Heather to come already? I think I might be sick.
“How is Mitch feeling?”
“His head hurts and he’s confused. He thinks Heather is his girlfriend and Lillian is going to do everything in her power to keep those two together. She has some attachment to Heather I’ve never understood.”
I exhaled sharply. Wow. I didn’t expect that. Interesting that Edward can see what’s going on here. “Oh, Edward. How could she? Mitch is my world.” He looked uncomfortable, so I brought the conversation back to neutral territory. “Any update from the doctor?”
“They’re going to do a CT scan, but other than that they just want him to rest. They have no idea if he is going to regain the years he’s lost.”
My heart sank. What if Mitch never remembered me? I don’t think I could endure losing him, I thought, as I played with my engagement ring on my hand.
“I’m hoping when Garrett gets here he will be able to help Mitch with some memories. Mitch doesn’t remember what happened to David, so we are trying not to mention him.”
“I understand. Maybe Kate should be the one to tell Mitch when she returns from her trip. She and Mitch have always been close.”
Edward nodded. He truly was a man of few words and he had probably used up his quota for the day just talking to me.
Mitch began to stir and his gorgeous eyes fixated on mine as soon as he was fully alert. The only thing I wanted in the entire world was to see some recognition when he looked at me, but I could tell my face didn’t register.
Chapter 12: Mitch
There she was again, the beautiful woman who claimed to be my fiancée. Well, obviously it was more than a claim; I just couldn’t remember having asked her. I wish I could have, but the only face that kept coming back to me was Heather’s.
She had a box in her hands and I wondered what she was going to show me. Maybe something that would help my memory and end this nightmare.
“Hi Mitch,” she said, love emanating from her face. “How are you feeling?”
“As good as can be expected. Dad, could you give us few minutes. Keep Mom out too.”
“I’ll do my best, but you know your mother.”
I nodded as my dad stood up and left the room. I didn’t know how he had managed my mother all these years. Well, I guess it was more like survived.
“Please sit,” I said to Charlie, motioning to the chair next to the bed.
“I brought some things from home. I was hoping…maybe they would help.”
“Yeah, show me,” I said, nodding slightly.
Charlie took out a framed picture of us together at the beach. We looked happy together. She handed me another picture of us in formal attire, must have been from a wedding. Then another picture of me proposing to her, actually slipping the ring on her finger. The look on her face was of pure joy. I stared at these pictures, but nothing registered. I’m sure she had hope of me having a revelation, but nothing. Nothing was familiar. Not remembering was so frustrating. I just sat there staring at a life I had no recognition of, feeling like an idiot. All I could remember had nothing to do with her.
“Does anything jog your memory?” she asked, hope resonating in her voice.
“I wish I could say yes, but I don’t remember any of this.”
Charlie looked down. I knew she must be hurting. I couldn’t imagine if Heather didn’t remember me. Charlie took a letter out of her box and handed it to me.
“You gave me this letter for my birthday. We’d been together for about six months.”
I read the letter, recognizing my own handwriting, reading my words of love and devotion. She really meant something to me. I never gave Heather a letter like this. I usually got a card and just signed it. Sadly, my own words didn’t seem to unlock my memories either. But, this certainly verifies I love this woman deeply. This is so confusing.
When I was done, I looked at Charlie. Her eyes were filled with expectation, but all I could do was slightly shake my head.
Charlie took out her phone and brought up the video of me proposing to her on Thanksgiving at her parents’ house. Every second was accounted for, from me delivering a plate of dessert to her with a silver covering, to her lifting it up and finding the ring box. Watching myself get down on one knee, telling her how important she was to me, and asking her to be my wife should have meant something to me. I watched intently and wanted to slam the wall. I was so angry I couldn’t remember these special moments she had brought to me. Falling in love with her would have been easy. She was sweet, gentle, kind, sexy. I can’t imagine how she must feel.
She started to open her mouth, but she could tell by the look on my face her effort had been rendered useless.
“Would you like to keep these in case you want to look at them later?”
“Yeah, I’ll keep them in the nightstand drawer. I would hate for anything to happen to them.”
Before anything else could be said, my mom stormed into the room looking like she could slap Charlie right out of this hospital.
“I told you he needed some time. He’s confused and doesn’t need you filling his head with your memories of what you think your life was together. He. Doesn’t. Remember.”
“Mom, I’m glad she’s here. I’ve lost seven years and Charlie knows everything about that time in my life. I want my memory back.”
My mom seemed to calm down, but she was still pushy and demanding. “Well, Heather has come to see you and you do remember her. So perhaps Charlie can come back at another time, after you have been able to rest.” The intense glare my mom shot Charlie made me feel uncomfortable, so I could only imagine how Charlie was feeling.
“I can come back later, Lillian. Not a problem.” Charlie turned toward Heather, extending her hand. “Hi, I’m Charlie, Mitch’s fiancée. It’s nice to meet you, Heather.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Heather managed. She was clearly feeling awkward as well.
“Mitch, I’ll check in with you later,” Charlie said, making her way toward the door.
“Okay, Charlie,” I called back to her.
As soon as she crossed the threshold of the door, my mom started in. “Mitch, you need to focus on what you know. Heather is what you know. You two were good together and can be again,” my mom said, bringing Heather’s hand to mine. “I’ll let you two have some time together.”
I had to admit my feelings were torn. My gut was screaming I should have asked my mom and Heather to leave, and begged Charlie to stay. She had been in my life for the last seven years. I had moved on from Heather. Charlie was kind and gentle, and could have let my mom have it, but she took the high road instead. A quality I knew was rare and one I admired. Yet, Heather is here. Why is she here? After so many years? Why? Yet, to me, my heart says Heather is my current love. As I turned to her, although I felt so confused, it was her I knew.
“So, that was uncomfortable,” Heather said.
“Yeah, my mom was pretty forceful about Charlie leaving.”
“Well, I’m glad she did so we can be alone. I have missed you so much.”
“I’d say the same, but I feel like I just saw you yesterday,” I said, taking her hand. Heather sat on the bed next to me.
“Come here,” I said, tugging her body toward mine. Heather nestled into me, her head resting on my chest. This was a feeling I remembered and didn’t want to let go of.
Chapter 13: Charlie
I couldn’t help but hear Lillian’s words, but I knew she wanted her words to echo in my ears. Knowing why she disliked me so much would have made things easier, but I could never get a straight answer about it. Mitch said not to worry about it, Lillian just clammed up when I attempted to talk to her, and I didn’t even bother to ask Edward. He wasn’t going to say even if he knew.
I leaned against the wall for a moment¸ regaining my composure. I had felt hope, especially when I showed Mitch his proposal—the most special day of our lives. But, his vacant look said it all. Nothing. He remembered nothing. Despair etched through me and I wanted to slide down the wall and crumple into a heap on the floor. How was I going to make Mitch remember me if I couldn’t spend more than a few minutes with him?
Forgotten by You Page 4
