Page 15 of Help Me Remember
I would know that voice anywhere.
“Henry!” I turn, relieved that he’s here.
He smiles, apprehension in his eyes, but then he approaches. “Hey, Brie.”
My breathing slows, and he leans down to kiss my cheek. Warmth floods me and a sense of normalcy returns. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
His hand moves to my cheek. “I didn’t know until this morning. I am so glad you’re okay.” He turns to the audience behind us. “Mrs. Davis, Holden,” he says.
Mom moves toward him and pats his chest as she says, “I’m glad you’re here, Henry.”
Holden takes a step forward, extending his hand. “Good to see you, Henry. It’s nice to see Brielle relax a little.”
“Yes, she seemed to just now,” my mother muses.
I link my fingers with his and tug him closer. “I was wondering why you weren’t here when I woke up, but I’m glad you’re here now.”
His lips flatten into a thin line. “I didn’t find out until a few hours ago. I came as soon as I heard.”
I turn to my mother. “You waited almost six days to call him?”
“No, no,” Henry cuts in. “She did. I was actually away on business and as soon as I got the message, I came.”
My mother nods with a strange smile. “You’re here now and that’s what matters.”
“I am so sorry about Isaac,” Henry says, and when his strong arms wrap around me, I close my eyes.
“I loved him so much.”
“I know.”
This feels safe and right. I may be missing the last three years of my life, but this is familiar. The way we fit together makes sense. I look up to him, tears in my eyes. “I am so glad you’re here. I needed you.”
He smiles down at me and then glances at my mother, who is watching us with wary eyes.
“Mom?”
She smiles much too quickly. “Sorry, I’ll give you two time to visit. I have some things I need to do before you’re released tomorrow, and I also have to help Addison before the funeral.”
“You don’t have to leave.” Clearly, whatever rift had formed between them years ago hadn’t mended. When he and I first started dating, she loved him, but right before graduation, she’d encouraged me to end things. She didn’t like how controlling he was and that we never seemed happy when we were together.
“I wasn’t going to stay long. I wanted to check in on you. Now that Henry is here, you both could use some time to talk without me sitting here.”
I turn to him. “Will you stay for a while, please?” I ask.
Henry dips his chin. “Of course. I was planning on being here for the day, if that’s what you wanted.”
“I would. You’re one of the last things I really remember, and it would mean a lot if we could talk a bit.”
“Well, then,” Mom says quickly. “I’ll visit Addy. If you need anything, just have them call me.”
Henry and I walk back to my room, and I hold on to his outstretched arm. We’ve walked like this hundreds of times, just not in a hospital, and I settle into the familiarity of it. I look up at him, trying to see the differences that may trigger a memory.
“Do you smoke cigars?” I ask.
His head jerks back. “No, they’re disgusting. Why?”
“I just . . . I had a memory.”
