Page 33 of Amnesia

“So in the meantime, Amnesia suffers for it. She’s already suffered, Dad, more than any of us know. Someone tried to kill her. She was abused.”

My father swallowed thickly, his eyes downcast. “Everyone feels really bad about what happened to that girl.”

“Amnesia,” I said, my voice rumbling with stone. “She asked to be called Amnesia. You know why?” I fumed, suddenly dumping out all the shit I’d been holding inside. “Because she thinks that’s all she is. A total memory wipe. She literally has nothing. I gave her my hoodie this morning because all she has for clothes is that goddamn hospital gown.”

“You better watch your mouth.” He warned, sounding fatherly. “We’re at your place of business. Anyone can hear.”

“Maybe more people should hear!” I went on. “She’s one of us! One of Lake Loch’s own. This town takes care of its own; that’s what this small town is about. But not right now. Right now, everyone’s tongues are wagging and everyone is curious, but no one wants to do anything.”

“I can see you’re upset.” Dad tried to reason.

I laughed. “I won’t turn my back on her. If I had been there before, she wouldn’t be sitting in a hospital room with nothing at all.” Guilt threatened to crush me. “Things would be so different.”

“Edward,” Dad said, his voice stern. “This wasn’t your fault. Your mother and I thought you understood that. We thought you’d finally begun to let go. But now she’s here, and you’re sucked back down. We don’t want to see you give up everything for someone who probably isn’t even who you want her to be.”

“Even if she’s not… doesn’t she deserve help?” I asked, my chest tight. I felt I was grappling at thin air, trying to find something to hold on to. Something solid and real.

Dad’s expression went soft and guilt flooded his face. “Yes. Yes, she does.”

“I want it to be her,” I whispered.

Dad covered my hand with his. “I know that, Eddie. But you have to know it probably isn’t her, and if it is, she’s not the girl you used to know.”

The doctor basically said the same thing. I knew it, too. But it didn’t stop me from being drawn to her anyway.

“I can’t even ask her. Or bring it up. The doctor said her mind needs time.” I confided.

“Your mother and I will stop by the hospital, visit her,” Dad said. “If she’s that important to you, then she’s important to us.”

“Really?” I was mildly surprised he was coming around.

“Of course. But you have to promise me something.” He met my stare. “Do not let this consume you. Focus on your work, your friends, your house. Don’t spiral down and let everything you’ve built crumble to nothing.”

“I won’t.” I vowed. I was stronger than he gave me credit for. Maybe that was just a parent thing. I didn’t know, and truly, I didn’t care.

He nodded. “All right then. I’ll go home and talk to your mother. I’m sure she’ll be in to get flowers or something for your… for, ah, Amnesia.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

“And if you need some extra time off from the store, call me. I may be getting older, but I can still hold down this fort.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” I grinned.

The bell on the door chimed, and a customer walked in. Beneath the counter, the phone rang.

“Better get to work,” Dad said, grabbed the pack of napkins, and headed toward the door.

I waved as I answered the phone and watched him go.

After I hung up the call, I noticed someone hovering near the end of an aisle not too far from the counter.

“Good morning, Maggie.” I called her out and smiled widely. “I didn’t see you come in. How are you?”

She moved forward, carrying a shopping basket filled with things. “I think you were in the back with your father when I came in. The door was open.”

She was here the whole time when Dad and I were talking. She must have heard. We certainly hadn’t been quiet.

“You heard,” I said, not bothering to pretend. Gossip made this town go ‘round.

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