“Did you talk to her?” I asked, uncertainty marring my tone. I was nervous, scared for why they wouldn’t let me just see her. Mom slowly nodded, staring blankly at the floor. I knew what I wanted, or needed, to ask, but I dreaded what the answer could be.
“Was—was she—could she…?”
Fortunately for me, my mom quickly caught on to what I was trying to choke out.
“She is fully aware and functioning really well.”
I let out a deep breath that I’d been holding onto, relief flooding the pressure away in my chest. Mom put a comforting hand on my back. “Didn’t you need to get back to school today for football training? You have a long drive ahead of you.”
I shook my head. “I talked to Coach. He was understanding of the situation. He said I could have the rest of the week off.”
Mom smiled. “Oh good, good.”
Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait too much longer until Doctor Nathaniel Brown was exiting Maybelle’s room, approaching my mom and me.
“Heard you were causing quite a scene out here, Mr.Turner.”
I ignored the comment. “Can I see her now?”
He chuckled and sat in another chair next to me along the wall. “As soon as I am done explaining a few things, you are welcome to see her.”
My leg started to bounce. “Alright, let’s hear it then.”
He leaned in toward me with his elbows propped on his knees. “Miss Belle seems to be doing very well. She is a little confused and annoyed with the brain fog, but she is listening and communicating adeptly.”
“So, whatiswrong with her?” I pushed. Not that anything could be wrong with my Maybelle. With how Doctor Brown was leading this discussion with vague good news and how my mom continued to stare at the floor, I could tell there was something wrong.
He adjusted before he said, “She is suffering from a type of Dissociative Amnesia. She is struggling to remember anything to do with her identity, her family and what happened the night of the accident.”
That pressure in my chest was tight again, almost painful. “Is it permanent?” I dared to ask.
Doctor Brown shrugged. “Not usually, but it’s too early to tell.” He paused, peering over my shoulder at Maybelle’s door, then returned to me. “When you walk in there, Mr. Turner, she will not know who you are.”
My head bobbed up and down as I focused on a bulletin board across the hall.
Maybelle was awake. She didn’t know who I was, but she was awake. In my shorts pocket, I could feel the imprint of a small journal that had been my constant companion, never leaving my person over the last year.
It would all be okay. It had to be okay.
“Okay, Doc. That all? I’d really like to see my girl now.”
Doctor Brown snorted loudly, shaking his head. “Follow me, Romeo.”
15 Am I Hot?
Maybelle
Betsy continued to fuss over me, checking “vital signs” and medical stuff like that I didn’t understand. Doctor Brown had left the room about ten minutes ago to talk to a boy… What boy? Maybe the brother they mentioned?
I examined Nurse Betsy as she practically trotted around the room with too much excitement to each step.
“Wh-why are you so happy?” I croaked out.
Betsy pivoted to me; jaw dropped in dramatic surprise. “Well, look at you,” she acknowledged. “I’m happy because that sweet boy, who’s being barred out there, finally gets to see you after waiting by your side for almost a year.”
I studied the woman while she tucked the blanket in at my feet. “Is he, my brother?”
She stopped her grinning. “No, baby, he’s not your brother, but from what I’ve heard, Liam would’ve been by your side as well if he could have.”
