Page 49 of Mistaken Intention

“Hopefully, if it isn’t, it’ll tell us.”

I press the start button. Nothing happens for a few seconds and I’m just wondering if we’ve missed a step when the machine makes a noise.

“It’s doing something,” Josie says, looking up at me with a smile.

“Let’s hope it’s making coffee.”

A movement outside catches my eye and I glance through the window, noticing a blond woman walking across the grass. She’s a fair distance away, so I can’t make out her features very well. What I can see, though, is that she’s holding a baby. Alongside her is another woman, with short dark hair, who’s also cradling an infant in her arms.

“Do I know those women?” I ask Josie and she looks up. I hear her sigh and turn to face her, noting the worried expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

I don’t believe a word she’s saying. “Am I related to them?”

She looks up at me. “Is that a question, or a memory?”

“A question.”

“So you don’t remember either of them?”

“No. Should I?”

She puts her hand on my arm. “Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s not an answer, Josie.”

“You know I’m not supposed to tell you anything.”

“Yeah, but does that mean I can’t ask questions?”

“No… no, of course not. I know it’s confusing, but try not to think too much. You’re not helping yourself.”I’d noticed. “The memories are still in there, Drew.”

“You’ve started calling me ‘Drew’.”

She smiles, surprised by my change of subject. “Yes. Your brother used your name earlier, at the hospital, and I couldn’t see the point of keeping it from you anymore.”

“Hmm… I noticed his slip-up, too.”

“And you remembered your name this time?”

“Have you used it before then?”

“Quite a few people used it on the night of the accident, but you obviously forgot it, and we couldn’t remind you, even when you asked.”

“Did I? I don’t remember asking.”

“Well, you did.”

“Okay… but I won’t need to anymore. I’m not gonna forget it again.”

Her smile widens. “Good… but don’t pressure yourself. If you keep pushing, you’re just gonna find it harder to get to where you want to be.”

“I’ll take your word for that.” I nod out the window to where the two women are standing still now, talking. “Is one of those babies Hunter’s? Am I an uncle?” She doesn’t reply, but just continues to stare at me. “I hate this. I hate that there are so many things I don’t know.”

She leans a little closer. “Would it help if I told you I hate that there are so many things I can’t tell you?”

Not really.

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