First Visit

I hear the steps of feet as they clack against the tile floor. It sounds like my family is approaching my room. They finally pass my privacy curtain and present themselves just a few feet from my bed.

There are two women before me. The first is an older woman that I instantly know is my mother. Despite the 14 year difference between my last memory of her and her now, she looks almost identical. Does this woman age?! Her hair is light brown and curly just as I remember it. She has a warm face that would cause any person to reciprocate with a smile, including me. Being in her presence alone provides me more comfort than I experienced in the last few hours of my known life.

Standing beside her is a girl that looks to be in high school. The girl presents herself with her hands behind her back. She is about my mother's height, but she has straight blond hair. It would be unfair to describe her as anything less than stunning. Her red dress with little black flowers on it clings to her thin body. The modest outfit was not made to look revealing, however, I struggle to keep my eyes from staring at the girl's lower thighs as they peek out from the edges of her dress. I really hope this isn't my sister.

My mother walks over to me and envelopes me in a motherly hug.

"Ohh, Chris, I'm so happy to see you are alright. I have been worried sick for you."

"Thanks, mom. I'm not without damage, but I'm doing alright."

"It's alright, sweetie. We will figure this all out, memories or not."

The doctor must have told my mother everything. I don't recall much about her, but everything feels like it will be okay with her around. I get the feeling that she is a woman who can make things happen in the world.

The second girl approaches my bed and tries to put on a happy face, but is obviously distraught. As she moves close, I can clearly see her eyes have redness to them. Upon closer examination, her makeup is slightly smeared in a way that seems to be a tell-tale sign of crying.

I try to feign a smile, but I can tell it doesn't fool her.

"Thank you for coming to see me."

"Your welcome. Its ... Its been so long. I'm… I'm so sorry."

Much to my confusion, the girl throws her arms around me, pressing her body against mine.

I don't know what to do. Have I lost my ability to interact with people along with my memories? Do I give this girl a tight hug in return? That seems right, even if a little much for the first interaction. I don't want to see her cry, but I also don't want to lie to myself and pretend I know her.

Before I decide what to do, my mom quickly steps in to comfort the girl.

"It's alright, Alice," my mother says softly as she rubs the girl's back.

Alice then slowly unwraps her arms from around my body and takes a few steps back before lowering her head in sadness. My mom looks like she wants to say something, but the girl speaks to me again.

"You don't remember me do, you?" She says with a sniffle.

"I'm sorry, I don't. Your name is Alice, right?"

"Ye… yes. I'm Alice. I was the one driving the night we got into the accident, the night you lost your mem…"

Before finishing her sentence, the girl covers her eyes and bursts out into a fit of tears that catches me by surprise. Fortunately, my mother is there to once again comfort the girl.

"It's alright, my dear. It wasn't your fault; the drunk driver ran the stop sign. There was nothing you could do."

Alice then puts herself together and takes a seat in a chair in the corner of my room. My mother walks right next to my bed and inquires further about my wellbeing. After I answer my mother's series of concerns and questions, I ask a few of my own. I mostly ask about the life I had. I feel like a child trying to get a sense of my world. I avoid asking anything about Alice, but can't help but wonder what relationship I have with her.

Alice excuses herself for a moment to use the restroom outside, and I quickly use the opportunity to inquire about her.

"Mom, who is she?"

"Alice?" My mother asks with a large grin. Before I even nod, my mother starts to laugh uncontrollably. I give my mom a stern look and try to get her to quiet down. She understands and starts to whisper.

"She is your girlfriend, Christopher. I know you lost your memories, but I see you staring at her. Stop pretending like she is a stranger. She certainly doesn't see you that way."

Has my mom been reading my mind this whole time? Crazy. At least things make a bit more sense now, and I'm relieved to know that I'm not physically attracted to a blood relative.

She and I sit in silence until Alice re-enters the room.

"This is so weird, mom. I don't know who I am or really anything about myself. I feel lost."

"It's alright, hon. Like I said, we will help you figure this all out."

My mom keeps saying, "we." That has to include herself and Alice. If the young girl is this involved, Alice and I must have had a pretty serious relationship. I look over at Alice seated on the chair as she stares off into the distance. I can tell that this experience has been challenging for her, as well.

"We've been coming to see you nearly every day, honey. It makes me so happy to see that you are alright, but how about we take a break for today and come back in a few days?"

I politely nod. "Thank you both for coming to see me. I cannot imagine it was entertaining to visit me for a month while I was unconscious."

"Of course, dear! You know I'll always support you."

I didn't know that, actually, but that's nice to hear. It must be one of the many things I have forgotten. Alice stands up and gives me a shy wave as my mother gives me a final hug. As they leave the room, I think about how much worse it could be. I can't imagine waking up in my condition with no family nor friends around.

After they leave, I sit in my bed. I feel powerless and angry. I spend the rest of the night upset with myself while I stare up at the ceiling.