Reality

Adelyn lays in wonder about what she plans to do with this situation." If I could just talk to her maybe I could convince her to call off the dogs. " she thinks about Margret and the reporters. Shifting side to side her legs begin to ache so she decides to get up and walk around against nurse Grouch's advice. "I'm suppose to leave today anyways" she grabs her tank top that she wore as an undershirt the day she fell off the bus. Nurse Grouch was nice enough to wash her clothes for her, since she doesn't have anyone to pick up clean clothes from her home. She decides against the over shirt seeing as her arm was tied up in a cast. The bend of the cast helped slightly as she struggled to pull her arm through the tank top, realizing to late that she should have put the cast arm in first. She fumbled through the tank top stretching and pulling until she was able to push her bulky appendage through. Slipping into her slacks were slightly easier than her shirt, though she is wishing she had shorts with how warm the day is. Lastly is her shoes, which she is extremely glad that she routinely ties her shoes in a way that does not have to be undone for entry. She walks down the hall way grateful for the exercise, her legs had been killing her laying in that bed feeling like she was under house arrest with nurse grouch keeping her confined to her room. She knew she was risking it walking around in the open, even more so walking down the same hallway that Sandra's room is located. She looks towards the door cracked open just enough to catch the conversation going on inside.

"What do they want? Why would they want to talk to me?" The sound of Sandra's voice wasn't something Adelyn was used to but could only assume it was her speaking.

"Because your situation dear, that damn drunk driver who crashed into you and the coma, your recovery, everything." Margret's tones and inflections were unique enough to her, Adelyn did not have to question who was replying.

Adelyn heard Margret cursing her name and calling her a drunk. Margret's harsh words making her heart fill with pain and sadness, then with anger. She walked quickly away fury in her steps until she ends up at the fitness center. She opens the door and peers inside noticing physical therapy equipment alongside treadmills and stationary bikes, grabbing at her arm she decides to use the bike to blow off some steam. After a little while of pushing hard on the cycle the options set to max and wishing she had some headphones and music to listen to. A noise interrupted the sounds of the rotating pedals. The sound of the door opening and shutting, she looks down hoping nobody notices who she is. The quite continues again for only a moment when she hears the door once more, she pretends she's really into her work out and pushes hard on the pedals. A familiar voice catches her attention, unintentionally she glances over noticing Sandra at the walking rails. Unable to cycle any longer she stands up and watches Sandra trying to walk with the trainers help. She becomes invested in her progress and continues to watch happy to see her up and walking even if it's only a few steps. Their eyes connect when Sandra glances over in her direction, she smiles brightly hoping to give her some sort of encouragement. When Sandra smiles back with such a determined look in her eyes it makes Adelyn's heart jump a beat and her skin became warm. "That look is so sexy" she thinks to herself before realizing she has been staring for a while. She decides to leave as more trainers and patients began to pour into the facility. A couple of them recognize her and make idle chit chat before she makes her way back. On her way back to her room Adelyn narrowly escapes the path of a woman and camera man walking with Margret towards Sandra's room.

"What is your take on the situation involving your daughter Sandra Cuthwright and alleged drunk driver Adelyn Tracy?" the woman in nice cashmere business clothes asks Margret.

"The event that took twelve months away from my daughters life and a lifetime of memories was incredibly unfortunate. The negligence miss Tracy showed that night has changed my daughters life and the life of my family forever. She is an example of how intoxicated driving can damage not only a person's body but also their family." Margret's speech seems to be advocating for drunk driving awareness. Adelyn commends her for her cause, though in her case it was texting and driving which would not look as good for Margret's position, even so, she can't bring herself to hate Margret for creating this mess. She slinks back to her room recalling Margret's words, they echo in her mind. "What am I going to do? If I defend myself with the truth it'll make Margaret look like a joke for not knowing the details of her own case. If I don't defend myself everyone will think I'm a negligent drunk and hate me."

She groans and plops down onto the hospital bed shoving her face into the pillow. "I guess I'll stay one more night to avoid the cameras, they haven't officially kicked me out yet, luckily" Adelyn removes her shoes and slacks before getting underneath the covers, trying to get as comfy as possible, albeit a bit difficult due to the semi scratchy sheets and large cast. Missing her soft breathable cotton sheets in her own bed Adelyn starts to reminisce about sleeping in her home, her mind wandering as she begins to drift off. Memories spill into her consciousness, memories of waking up in Sandra's arms after a nightmare feeling her loving arms calm her and excite her at the same time. Her body becomes warm as she let's the memories over take her before falling into a deep sleep.

__________

As Sandra awoke she felt different, thoughts and memories come flooding back. She looks around the room as if losing her place for a moment. Blinking her eyes to adjust to the sun pouring in from the window, she notices a figure standing at the window sill "Suzie Q?" the figure walks over to her coming out of the bright light revealing that it was Suzanne.

"You haven't called me that in a long time" Suzanne sits on the bed next to Sandra.

Sandra hugs her "Suzie I missed you so much, I had such an awful dream that I didn't know who anyone was not even myself" she squeezes her sister lovingly.

Suzanne squeezes Sandra tightly tears threatening her eyes "Oh my god! you remember me don't you? "

"Of course I remember my little sister, you've been stuck to my side ever since you were born, couldn't get rid of you, and believe me I tried. " Sandra offered a bit of dry humor to calm her sisters emotions.

Tears bursting through as if a dam had broken. Suzanne laughing realizing she has her sister back.

"Look at you! When did you get so round and where's mom and my wife? I feel like it's been years since I've seen them." Sandra looks around for her phone, it being a constant vestige of her ever day life before the accident. "Have you seen my phone I need to talk to Clark, I've been out of work for some time and I'm sure he'd be worried. I'd be worried if my best employee suddenly didn't show up to work. "

"Wife? Clark?..... Oh sandy, you've been here a lot longer than than you realize." a solemn expression took over her previously elated façade.

"That's not right, I was at work up until a week ago. I remember I was coming home from work, everything went dark then I woke up here. I'm assuming I fainted from anemia or something similar. I still feel quite weak in the legs." she wiggles her toes slowly.

"I'll get the doctor to come check you out, I'll be right back. " Suzanne quickly leaves with a worried expression. After a moment or two Sandra begins analyzing the room searching for her belongings but found none, what she did see was a comfy looking chair in the corner that appears to be well used as well as the works of art upon every wall scattered haphazardly high and low. A moment later the doctor strolled in casually with Margret not far behind. The older gentleman took out a small flash light and checked Sandra's reaction time. Shining the bright light into each eye, temporarily blinding her for a few seconds. "Alright looks good, now I'm going to ask you a few questions. What's your name?"

"Sandra Lee Cuthwright" answering promptly looking towards Suzanne.

"Where were you born? " the doctor's questions sounded routine.

"Chesterfield, Missouri" sighing she answers.

"How old are you?" the deep voice asking another question as his breath wafts under Sandra's nose.

"27" she rolls her eyes with impatience.

"What are your parents names?" he writes down each answer as if taking notes for an exam.

"Margret and James Cuthwright, are we done yet? I really need to find my phone." restlessness in her tone.

"No more for now. I think I have all I need, thank you Miss Cuthwright." he jots a few more notes onto his clipboard before exiting the room just before Margret enters.

"Mother, could you please help me find my phone." she looks toward Margret as if it was any other day. Margret stares at her in confusion and disbelief walking slowly to her side and holding her hand.

"My baby" she smiles for a moment before registering what had been asked of her "You don't have a phone anymore dear it was lost in the crash."

"Crash? I know a fainting spell can be quite a fall but I wouldn't think crash is the right word for it. " Sandra replies confidently.

"Oh dear I have to break the news to you all over again... Listen carefully dear you were in a car accident that resulted in a coma." Margret places a hand on Sandra's shoulder.

"A coma? That's crazy! I was just at work and I wasn't even driving." completely skeptical.

"The doctors said you may not regain all your memories at once, though I was worried they weren't coming back at all. The first week you woke up was terribly frightful. "

"What do you mean? How long exactly have I been out?" Sandra's voice filling with fear and confusion.

"How about we work up to that. You were asking for your phone earlier, why do you need it?" Margret trying to change the subject so she has time to explain it in full later.

"I need to call Clark, let him know I'm OK. As far as I know I've been gone for upwards of a week and I had at least two projects to finish before Friday." Sandra now frantic about how much time has passed and all the responsibilities that are not being fulfilled.

"Clark?.... There's no need to call him... How are you feeling sweetheart?" Margret's tone seemed bathed in sorrow and concern.

"I'm fine mother. A picture of perfect health. I promise." Sandra swings her legs over the side of the bed placing weight on her legs as she would any other day but her legs could not hold her and gave way to the weight of her body, she began to fall. Both Margret and Suzanne rushed to catch her as the wobbly woman struggles to retain balance. They set her back down onto the bed "OK so maybe I'm still a little dizzy, I just need to eat something I'm famished. " she looks down at herself uncovered by blankets for the first time since regaining her memories. She finds two bone thin legs spouting out of her. Touching them with her hands her gaze catches on her arms, also incredibly thin. "Mom?" her voice full of fear now. "How long was I gone? " reality sets in. Her mother did not reply, she simply hugged her daughter as teardrops form in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Sandy, I know this is hard for you. I'm making it right, I'm going to make sure this doesn't happen again to anyone." Margret's tone was soft at first then become quite determined. Suzanne joined the hug feeling sad for her sister but glad to know she is at least partially back.