Page 19 of Love and Memories

“Well, it would be a whole lot more fun if you could at least remember your friends,” Olivia pointed out.

Hadley raised her hand. “I did the whole starting over thing last year. I recommend it.”

“You’re right about the friends thing,” Anna said before turning to Bella. “But we could be your new friends.”

These women swept into her room and just decided they were her friends. It was both comforting and scary at the same time. Starting over held some appeal, but leaving behind a chunk of her past was dangerous. What if she forgot something important?

Hadley unwrapped another pastry and handed it to Bella. “I mean, don’t give up on remembering things. It might come back with time.”

Bella chose the Danish and took a bite. The soft cream and the fluffy pastry had her tongue tingling with the taste. She let out a content hum. “You’re right. My soul needed this.”

Olivia scooted closer and studied Bella’s bruised face. “Anything broken in there?” she asked.

“A little fracture,” Bella said, pointing to her cheek.

“I’m a nurse, but I don’t really deal with injuries like yours. If you need a primary care physician when you’re released, I can recommend someone.”

“Thanks.” Bella huffed. “I hadn’t even thought of that. I haven’t thought of most things. It’s overwhelming.”

Anna stood and moved closer to her. “Did they wash your hair? There’s still some dried blood in it.”

Bella reached up to run her fingers over a strand of her hair. It was stiff and wild. “A nurse did the first day I was here, but I haven’t tried to do much with it. My arms are still sore.” She tried to lift them, but her muscles pulled before she reached the top of her head.

“I’m on it,” Anna said as she walked out of the room.

“So you don’t know if you’re from Blackwater?” Olivia said.

Bella shrugged. “I have no clue. It doesn’t sound familiar.”

Olivia perked up. “Let’s talk about some things in the area, and it might spark a memory.”

Olivia and Hadley talked about schools, ranches, and popular places in town. None of it was even remotely familiar.

Anna returned a few minutes later with a bowl and a bottle. “I got the goods.”

“Is that a bedpan?” Hadley asked.

Anna gasped. “It better not be. I’m not washing her hair in a bedpan.”

Olivia let out a trilling laugh, throwing her head back and slapping her thigh. “It’s not a bedpan! It’s for washing hair.”

Anna gave Olivia a stern look. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! We use them at the assisted living center all the time,” Olivia promised.

Anna slipped into the bathroom and turned on the water in the sink.

“You don’t have to wash my hair,” Bella said. “That’s too much.”

Olivia leaned forward and whispered, “Don’t worry. Anna is going to love this.”

“This shampoo isn’t going to do your hair any favors. I’m bringing the good stuff next time,” Anna said from the bathroom.

She turned the water off and returned to the room carefully holding the pan in front of her. “Someone get her situated in the bed.”

Olivia and Hadley got to work moving the bed around and moving Bella into position. Bella lifted her head as Anna slid the pan under her, and Olivia rolled up a towel and positioned it under Bella’s neck.

“Now we’re in business,” Anna said as she started wetting Bella’s hair.

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