Page 41 of Amnesia

“Then why are you here?” I asked.

The officer’s eyes moved to me. “I want to assure you”—he looked back at Am—“we haven’t given up. This town is behind you one hundred percent.”

“No one wants you to feel alone, honey,” Nurse Ellen spoke.

“This is a very rare situation. We’re working on some paperwork to try and get you on disability, which will support you until you can decide what you’ll do,” the director said.

My jaw clenched. He acted as if she were going to leave. I wouldn’t let her. She had to stay.

“It’s difficult because you are not physically disabled, and the fact that you have no birth certificate, social security number, identification… or even a name, well… it’s very cumbersome.”

“But I still can’t stay here?” Her voice was shaky.

“It’s going to be okay,” I told her. “You can come home with me.”

“I would advise against that,” Dr. Kline was quick to say.

“So living on the streets is a better idea?” I snapped.

“We actually have worked out an arrangement, somewhere for you to stay for the time being,” Dr. Kline told Am, ignoring me completely.

She didn’t like me. The feeling was mutual.

The tall woman walked across the room. As she passed by Am, my hand tightened around hers. Dr. Kline stuck her head out the door and spoke quietly to someone. Seconds later, she came back in, holding the door open.

Maggie Foster stepped into the room. She was dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a blouse with flowers on it. Over it was a pink cardigan.

“Hi, Amnesia,” she said, smiling. Am smiled back. I knew she liked Maggie a lot. “I was wondering if perhaps you’d like to come and stay with me?”

“With you?” Am said, surprised. “But why?”

“I think we’ve become friends over the last couple weeks. I’ve enjoy playing cards with you. You don’t have anywhere to go, and I’m in a position to help. It’s what the people here at Lake Loch do.”

“That’s a very generous offer, but me living with you is a lot different than playing cards.”

“I live alone, with plenty of room in my house. Besides, Elmo would like the company. He’s bored of me.”

Elmo was Maggie’s beloved Shih Tzu.

Am looked up at me, her eyes asking me what she should do. I loved the feeling, the weight of her eyes, the way she looked to me for an opinion.

Personally, I wanted her at my place. To have her around every day. That was what was best for me, though, not her.

“Maggie is a really good cook,” I admitted, then grinned. “She’s pretty good company, too.”

Maggie chuckled.

Am debated, glancing around the room. Everyone watched her, waiting to see what she would do. Dr. Kline nodded, as if encouraging her.

“Thank you, Maggie. If you’re sure it will be okay…”

Maggie smiled wildly and nodded. “Of course! I’m thrilled to have you.”

All the doctors in the room appeared very relieved. “Wonderful,” Dr. Beck concluded, glancing down at his clipboard. “I will have all your discharge papers ready for the morning.”

“Outpatient care will continue with me,” Dr. Kline said. “I will print out all your upcoming appointments, but if anything happens, such as a memory resurfacing or anything at all, please come to my office immediately.”

Am hesitated, then said, “Okay.”

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