Page 24 of Amnesia

“Nothing.”

“Such a tragedy. And to have no one at all come for her… She must be terrified.”

“She has me,” I said, my voice lowering.

Joline smiled, her dusty hand reaching out, and I surrendered mine from my pocket. Her hand was warm and dry giving mine a squeeze. “She’s a lucky girl to have someone like you looking out for her.”

My lips curled upward. “I’ll be sure to tell her you said so.”

Swatting at me before pulling back, she made a tsking sound. “You want coffee with those buns, hon?”

“Of course,” I replied instantly. “My regular, but maybe make hers a hot chocolate. Not really sure if she likes coffee.”

“Jeremy, get out here!” Joline called around the wall. Then she went over to the register and pressed a bunch of buttons.

Jeremy appeared with an apron tied around his front, wiping his hands on a towel just like the one his wife had used. “Eddie!” he said jovially, extending a hand for us to shake over the counter. “What can we do for ya?”

“I need a coffee and a hot chocolate, Jeremy, STAT. Eddie has places to be.”

“Coming up!” He retreated to the coffee bar behind the large glass pastry counter and began filling the order.

“The buns are in the back still. We were just drizzling the glaze on them. They’re still warm. I’ll just grab them for you.”

Joline and Jeremy worked like a fine-tuned machine. No sooner than she appeared with a pastry box with a clear window on top did her husband set the two beverages in tall paper cups on the counter beside it.

After handing over the money and adding a couple singles to the tip jar beside the register, I picked up the coffees and smiled. “Thanks, guys. I’m sure these are going to be great.”

“Bring her by when they spring her. I’ll let her sample everything in the case!” Joline offered, and I knew it wasn’t just a polite invitation. It was genuine. “And tell your mother I said hello!”

“I will.” I promised, then stepped back out into the dewy, foggy morning, balancing the breakfast in my hands as I walked to the truck.

I stepped onto Amnesia’s floor before the clock even hit seven. It was quieter in here this time of morning, but a couple nurses were sitting at the nurses’ station. The second they saw me, the older one shot out of her chair and rushed around the counter.

“Morning, ladies,” I said, smiling. “Just bringing Amnesia something from Joline’s.”

She didn’t smile. “It’s not visiting hours, Eddie.” She moved in front of me.

“I won’t tell if you won’t.” I winked and started past.

Her hand hit the center of my chest, gently pushing backward. “You can’t go in there. Not right now.”

Whatever I heard in her voice put me on high alert. Drawing back, I pinned her with a hard stare. “Why?” My mouth suddenly felt dry and my heart was no longer beating at its resting rate.

The nurse hedged, and I gave her a stony stare. “She had a rough night.”

“Poor thing.” The other nurse, still sitting behind the counter, chimed in.

I didn’t know what that meant, but I was too far gone to even ask. It didn’t matter. Stepping swiftly around the nurse, I strode right down the hall.

“No visitors!” the nurse exclaimed, rushing after me. She grabbed my arm and tried to restrain me.

My feet slowed but didn’t stop. I looked pointedly at where she held my bicep, then flashed my stare up to her face. “I’m going in.”

She drew back instantly, shock on her face. I brushed her off and strode away. People knew me as easygoing, ready to smile, never far from a laugh. Charm wasn’t something I worked at; it just was, like my dimples. What people didn’t often see was the steel at my core. When I wanted something, no one would get in my way.

I didn’t pause at Amnesia’s door. I walked right in. My eyes went straight toward the bed. I used my foot to make sure it didn’t slam behind me.

She was huddled on her side, curled in on herself, eyes on the door. There was a flash of stark fear on her face when I first stepped in, but then recognition replaced it and with it I was sure came a look of relief.

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