Page 30 of Mistaken Intention

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. You stay with your brother.”

I wanted to stay myself, but Maisie needed me, and I knew Drew would have wanted me to care for his daughter, so I took her upstairs, where the staff on the maternity department were happy to help, finding me a small side room, where one of the midwives brought me some pre-made formula, a sterilized bottle, and some diapers. She left me to it, assuming I’d know what to do, and I’ll admit, I was at a bit of a loss, never having attempted anything like it before. It all came naturally in the end, though, and I sat with Maisie in a chair by the window, while she took her bottle. I stared into space, thinking about what had happened, trying not to cry for Lexi, and for Maisie… and not to worry about Drew. It was all too overwhelming… too much to contemplate.

After Maisie had finished her milk, I changed her. She seemed tired, but I didn’t wait for her to go to sleep and instead took her back to the ER, where Drew was still unconscious.

“Is everything okay?” Hunter said as I entered the room again.

“Everything’s fine. I think she’ll fall asleep soon.”

He nodded his head, looking down at her as he sighed. I glanced at his wife, who he’d introduced as Livia not long after their arrival. She was looking worried and tired, even though she smiled at me.

“We’re very grateful to you for helping with Maisie.”

I half expected her to come and take her niece from me, but she didn’t. She looked at Hunter with tears in her eyes, and he went to her, holding her in his arms, while I focused on Maisie, whose eyes were fluttering closed.

I didn’t mind helping. On the contrary, I was grateful for the excuse to stick around.

Drew’s eyes remained closed the entire time, his perfect face a picture of peace and calm. I wondered what I’d do when he woke up… how I’d explain my presence. He’d be bound to wonder, and I knew I’d have to come clean, to confess the connection between us to his family. And, of course, they’d be bound to ask why I’d stayed quiet about it in the meantime.

Naturally, what no-one anticipated was that when Drew finally opened his eyes, he’d have no memory of any of us… or of who he is. That came as a tremendous shock to all of us. I could see the fear in his eyes and wanted to go to him, to tell him it would be all right. I couldn’t, though. Doctor Walters ushered us all out of the room before I got the chance. At least he asked my opinion first, about whether he should call in someone from the Neurotrauma department. And I had to agree that he should, because Drew’s reaction isn’t normal. Not by anyone’s standards.

“What’s happening?” Hunter sounds worried and I look up at him, the four of us standing outside the door of Drew’s room.

“Your brother seems to be suffering from amnesia.” Doctor Walters’s reply is a little condescending and I roll my eyes, although no-one notices.

Hunter glares down at him. “I’d worked that much out for myself. What I want to know is, is it permanent?”

“It’s highly unlikely. In cases like this, it’s more common for patients to suffer with short-term memory loss, not total memory loss. Even so, I’d expect it to pass, although it’s impossible to say how long it will take.” He turns to me. “Is Doctor Sweeney here, do you know?”

“He was earlier, but I guess he might have gone home by now.”

“I’ll see if I can find out.”

He hurries away and Hunter turns to me. I half expect him to fire more questions at me, but he doesn’t. Instead, he looks down at Maisie and holds out his hands, taking her from me.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done. I’m sure you’ve got other duties you need to get back to.”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t even work in the ER. I work in the Neurotrauma department.”

He nestles Maisie in his arms. She’s still sleeping and doesn’t seem worried by the move. “Neurotrauma? Isn’t that what the doctor just said?”

“Yes.”

“So you deal with cases like Drew’s?”

“I do. I’ve only been in the department for about a year, but we have patients with memory problems coming in quite often.”

“And they recover?”

I wonder how to reply, knowing recovery can take many forms. “Some of them.” He frowns and I know I have to reassure him… tell him more. “Give it time, Mr. Bennett. I know it’s hard,and you want results, or at the very least, you want answers. But at this stage, there are none.”

He stares at me for a moment and then nods his head. “So, if you don’t work here, how did you come to be looking after Maisie?”

I feel myself blush, wondering whether to tell the truth, but deciding against it. He’ll only wonder why I’ve waited until now to say something. “I—I was passing on my way home, and offered to help.”

“But that must have been hours ago.”

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