Page 84 of Amnesty

It took us both a minute to compose ourselves, me longer than her. I’d been worrying about this even before we found Sadie. Worried I was living someone else’s life and if we found out I wasn’t Sadie, then all the people here would turn their backs. Well, part of it came true.

I’m not Sadie.

But I was starting to think maybe it didn’t matter. I hadn’t been living her life. I was living mine.

And the people around me liked me because I was… me.

“Your eggs are getting cold,” Maggie admonished, slipping back into her chair.

I grimaced. “I’m really not hungry.”

Coffee in hand, Maggie frowned. “How are you really?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted.

“Seeing Sadie triggered everything?” Her voice was concerned.

“Talking to her.” I agreed.

Maggie withdrew then, sat back, and drank her coffee with a thoughtful look on her face.

“Is something wrong?”

She looked up, setting aside her coffee. “I had wanted to talk to you as well, but after our talk, I’m worried it might not be a good idea.”

“What?” I could tell she was debating to even tell me, so I gave her a hard look.

She sighed. “Sadie doesn’t have the extensive injuries you did when Eddie found you. She’s dehydrated, malnourished, has some bruises, cuts and scrapes… nothing a few days in the hospital won’t get on the healing path.”

“What are you saying?” I asked.

“She’s going to be getting out soon.”

“And you want her to stay here,” I surmised.

“Well, yes. She is Ann’s daughter. She doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”

A brief vision of her staying at Eddie’s intruded on my mind. I hated it.

“Of course.” I agreed. “She should stay here.”

“I don’t want to cause more stress on you if seeing her brings back memories.”

I sat forward. “I’ll be fine. I think the initial shock of finding her and learning who she is and where I’d been before Eddie found me is over. I can’t say I will ever be completely comfortable around her, but she and I have a lot in common. And if there is anyone in this town who can help her heal, it’s you.”

“Are you sure?” Maggie pressed. “This is your home, too. You have a vote.”

“I vote yes,” I said, even though I felt apprehensive and squeamish about seeing her again. About living under the same roof.

“I’ll give her a guest room upstairs so you’ll still have privacy downstairs,” Maggie added.

“It’s going to be fine.” I assured her, wishing I felt as confident as my voice sounded.

It was afternoon by the time I made it to the hospital. I had shit to catch up on at Loch Gen, and when I walked in, both my parents were there. Waiting.

Finding Sadie sent a shockwave through our sleepy lake town. More than when Amnesia showed up. The surprise of not one, but two missing girls, both of whom could have been the same girl, was something no one ever expected.

Of course rumors and speculation abounded; not everyone knew the truth. No one else heard the grisly details right out of Sadie’s mouth.

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