“Megan, right?”
The woman’s eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and hope.
“Yes,” she exclaimed. “You—.”
Liz drew a polite smile. “I remember you from the hospital. I think I saw you through my window with Ben.”
Megan inhaled a slow breath. “Oh.”
“Come in.”
She pulled off one strap from her shoulder bag and withdrew a paper bag. “I know Matt’s not home, so I thought I’d stop by to keep you company.”
Liz’s heart caught in her throat at the small cast covering Megan’s wrist and part of her hand. She must have stared a second too long because Megan glanced down at it.
“It’s not your fault, Liz. Please know that.” She held up the brown paper bag. “I brought cannoli’s,” she offered, happily. “You’re going to love them.”
“I’m so glad your here.” Liz closed the door and motioned for Megan to come in further. “I haven’t had a woman to talk to since I woke up—except for the nurses. I’ll make us some tea.”
“Tea?” Megan grimaced, then shook her head. “You’ve really lost your mind. Okay, grab your keys—I’m taking you out.”
Liz stood there for a long second, as if she didn’t know if she should oblige.
Megan rolled her eyes and reached in the bowl by the front door. Dangling the metal in her fingers, she pulled open the door and held it for Liz. “After you.”
Thirty short minutes later, they were seated in the outdoor section of a quaint corner cafe in town with high, soaring blue umbrellas. The small table area that only fit about four two-seater tables, was fenced in and faced a quiet intersection. Jazz music, similar to what Liz had been listening to back in the den, was pouring out of the open double doors. Megan had ordered them mimosas and pulled out the brown paper bag of sweets.
“So, how’s life been?” She leaned back and raised an eyebrow at her sister in law.
Liz formed a slow smile. She was surprised and relieved at how abrupt and familiar Megan spoke to her. Though it was truly refreshing, Liz was ineluctably cynical about the people surrounding her, claiming to know her. She couldn’t help it. The only person she had trusted instantly was her brother Marcus.
“Lucky to be alive from what I hear,” Liz responded.
Megan inhaled deeply, as if she had been bracing for this conversation. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop by to see you at the hospital. I just…” she swallowed, quickly. “I didn’t want to mess with your recovery.”
Liz could tell Megan was not a soft person, or one to show much emotion. But she didn’t think that was an excuse not to visit her when she was just next door. Liz then wondered if this was something she should blow off or confront. What would pre-amnesia Liz do? She guessed it didn’t matter.ThisLiz needed everything explained. Something told her Megan would appreciate the candidness.
Liz took a sip of her fizzy drink. “I can imagine it’s not easy seeing someone who got the worse end of the stick.”
By the shocked look on Megan’s face, Liz’s question was answered. She wasn’t the type of person to confront.
“You’re right. There was no reason I shouldn’t have come to see you.”
“What happened?”
Megan leaned back, glancing at her glass. “Every body’s favorite question.”
Liz raised an eyebrow.
Megan’s eyes were lost in the flute she spun between her fingers. She took a breath and hesitated. Then looked at Liz. “You’re not at fault, Liz.”
“How’s that possible? Why do people keep saying that? I was the one driving.” And from what she remembered from the report she snuck a few glances at, the other driver in the truck insisted she ran the light. It had to have been her fault.
“Am I that bad of a driver or was I just distracted?” Liz hated to push the only female friend she had, but she needed to understand why she was sitting there with no memory of who she is.
Megan, who had been watching her with what could pass for concern, finally sat up in her chair. “Liz, it wasn’t you. It was me. I distracted you with something.”
Liz stared at Megan, waiting. There was regret in her voice. “What?” Liz finally asked.
