Page 3 of Help Me Remember
I don’t feel so great.
“Why don’t you tell me about the last thing you remember?”
I stare down at my hands, twisting the ring my father gave me as I try to think. I start with my childhood, remembering holidays, birthdays, and vacations. My brother and I were always causing mischief, but poor Isaac was always the one who got in trouble. My father could never punish me, and I took full advantage of that.
I recall my high school graduation, the lavender dress I wore under my gown, and how my father died two days later.
The funeral is a haze of tears and sadness, but I clearly remember Isaac being the rock that held my mother up as she fell apart.
Then I remember meeting Henry. I was a sophomore in college, and he was in my math class. God, he was so cute and funny. At the end of our first date, he kissed me outside my dorm, and I swore my lips tingled for an hour after.
It was magical.
More dates. More memories of us falling in love and us graduating with our undergrads. We’d been so excited as we opened our acceptance letters to the same grad school in Oregon. I recall the apartment we moved into, ready to start our lives as we pursued our career paths. Two years and another graduation later, we were no longer so excited because we were no longer kids in school and were forced to make adult choices.
Like when I chose to move back to Rose Canyon while Henry stayed in Portland, working for his family to take over the business. That was a few months ago.
When I pull my eyes away from my ring, I find Holden watching me, waiting for my answer.
“I graduated grad school about six months ago. I have been living with Addison and Isaac while I was interviewing for a job.”
Holden writes something down. “Good. Anything else?”
“I . . . I know that Isaac and Addy got married. I came home for it. Henry and I were—” I pause as I struggle to think about what we were. I don’t know that’s right, but I think it is. “We fought. It was so stupid because he kept asking me to move to Portland when he knew I didn’t want to. Oh! I got the job I was interviewing for, and I am going to be moving out of my brother’s house.” My eyes widen as I remember that I just got a job here. In Rose Canyon.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a social worker, but I’m working at a new youth center. I started there a few weeks ago.” I smile, feeling like I can breathe a little. I remembered.
Holden doesn’t share my enthusiasm though. “You seem excited about it.”
“Yeah, I really am. It’s a great place, and . . . Jenna was there . . .”
He writes that down. “Can you tell me anything else? Maybe about your coworkers or some of the kids you’ve met?”
I frown. “Not really. I mean, it’s still really new, and I’m getting to know people.” Even as I say it, the words don’t seem wholly truthful.
“Being new is hard.” Holden smiles. “What about why you’re in the hospital? Do you recall anything or anyone who should be here with your family?”
I go over the people who were here when I woke up. It’s clear he isn’t looking for me to say my brother’s name since he’s probably at the school anyway. So, I run my hand over my face before asking, “Henry?”
“What about Henry?”
My heart starts to race, and I lean forward, confused as to why every muscle in my body aches when Holden only mentioned a head injury. “He should be here but he isn’t. Is he okay? Has anyone called him?”
“As far as I know, he’s fine, and I’m sure your mother has called him.”
Thank God he’s okay and isn’t in a room next to me. “He should be here soon. I’m sure he’ll be here. Maybe he just got tied up at work.”
“What do you mean?”
I sigh. “Henry . . . if he isn’t here, he will be. That’s all. We’re working on things.” At least, we’re trying to work on them. Things have been difficult the last few months for us. He doesn’t want to move to Rose Canyon, and I don’t want to live in the city. I love this town, and I want to be close to my brother and sister-in-law. Addy wants kids, and I am going to be the best aunt who ever existed.
“Brielle, why are you in the hospital?”
I close my eyes, pushing through the blackness in my mind. I can’t see anything.
There’s nothing but a heavy fog, preventing me from remembering anything.
