Page 43 of Mistaken Intention

“Your job will be waiting for you when you get back.” I turn to the doctor, my head spinning. “I can’t imagine Drew’s recovery will take very long. Once he’s in the comfort of his own home, I think he’ll get the boost he needs for his memory to return to normal.”

“What do you say?” Hunter asks and I look back at him, unable to take it all in. I’m not about to say ‘no’… not if it means I get to spend more time with Drew.

“If it helps, of course I’ll do it.”

He smiles and Doctor Sweeney gets to his feet. “Shall we tell the patient?”

Hunter and I both stand, following him from the room. Out in the corridor, I make a point of getting ahead of them, wanting to be the first one through Drew’s door. He’s still nervous around other people… even other members of staff, and I don’t want him to be anxious.

I open the door to his room. He’s sitting in the chair by the window, wearing jeans and a t-shirt and, as usual, his eyes light up, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Hi, Josie. I wondered…” His voice fades as he sees I’m not alone, a frown settling on his face.

“It’s okay.” I go to him, noting the panic in his eyes as he sits back in his seat.

“Why is the doctor here?” he says. “And who’s that guy?”

I consider it a minor breakthrough that he’s remembered who Doctor Sweeney is, but I don’t make a fuss and instead I stand beside him, my hand on his shoulder as Hunter approaches.

“Don’t you remember me?” he says.

“No. Should I?”

“I was here the other night with my wife… after your accident.”

“Your wife?” Drew says, frowning.

Hunter smiles. “Yes. Blonde… beautiful… surely you remember her, even if you don’t remember me.”

Drew shakes his head, not seeing the funny side.

“It doesn’t matter now,” I say, before Hunter pushes any further, and he glances at me, nodding his head, before he turns back to Drew.

“No. Of course not. What matters is, I’ve come to take you home.”

Drew looks up at me, fear lining his face. “I—I don’t want to go home.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “I promise. I’m coming with you.”

His face clears, and I hear his gentle sigh. “You’re coming home with me?”

“Yes… until you get better.”

He tilts his head. “Okay. But where is my home?”

Hunter steps a little closer, but Doctor Sweeney moves more quickly.

“We can’t tell you that,” he says. “I’m sure Josie’s explained to you, it’s better if you try to remember things by yourself.”

Hunter shakes his head. “That’s not fair, Doctor. I’m asking Drew to leave a place where he feels safe, and just take my word for it that he can trust me. He doesn’t even know who I am. At the very least, let me explain where I’m taking him.” The doctor hesitates for a moment, then nods his head, and Huntercrouches in front of Drew. “You have a house on our family’s estate.”

Drew shakes his head. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would I have a house on your family’s estate?”

“Because we’re brothers.”

Drew pushes his chair back, so it hits the wall with a thump. “No. That’s not possible. I’d know if I had a brother.”

Hunter stands, holding up his hands like he’s surrendering, and my heart goes out to him as I take his place, kneeling rather than crouching, and looking up at Drew. “That’s the whole point, though,” I say. “You wouldn’t know. And you’re gonna have to trust us on this. Hunter is your brother.”

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