Second Visit

The previous day and interaction with my mother and Alice inspire me to improve myself and my situation. Before my family comes to see me again, I demand my doctor start my physical therapy. I spend a few hours each day focusing on repairing the atrophied muscles over the past month.

Just as I am changing in my room after my physical therapy session, my mother and Alice walk in. Fortunately, I have my underwear on but am still significantly underdressed.

"Ohh my, honey! What are you doing out of bed and without any clothes on?" My mom exclaims as she averts her eyes and covers them with a hand. Meanwhile, I see Alice with flushed cheeks trying to hold in a giggle.

However, nothing compares to the embarrassment I feel as I try to put on my pants and shirt. For whatever reason, I have difficulty getting my feet through my pant holes. Maybe my Doctor should add putting on clothes to my physical therapy regimen. As I continue to fail spectacularly, the metal tip of my pant buckle smacks loudly smacks against itself. My mom must hear my struggling as she encourages Alice to come and assist me. Now blushing, Alice runs over and begins to help.

I stop my fumbling and accept my defeat. I hop on top of my hospital bed as Alice takes my pants from me. Her hands are soft and delicate. She takes my left calf in her hands and inches it through my left pant leg. She is meticulous in leading my right leg through its pant leg without forcing it to go in a direction it does not want to.

"I doubt you thought you would be helping me get dressed today, Alice," I say with an embarrassed laugh and a large smile.

"That's true, but I don't mind." She says while giggling on her knees. She gets my second foot comfortably through the pant hole and pulls my pants up to my waist. Why do I feel that this is not the first time she has helped me get in or out of my clothing?

She gets off her knees and stands as my mom presents herself and approaches my bed. My mother has a binder of some sort tucked under her arm.

"Feel any better today, honey?" my mother asks.

"Well, I did get to exercise a little bit, which I'm happy about, but I don't remember anything new if that is what you are asking."

"Good! Some exercise will do you some good. Having a happy body will make our job of returning your memories to you that much easier. Now let's see if Alice and I can help jog that memory of yours."

I find a binder plopped into my lap. Then my mother sits to the right to the right of me while Alice sits on my left. Before I open the binder, my girlfriend inches closer to me. She scoots so close that it almost feels like her arm is glued to mine.

I open the binder and find it is filled to the brim with pictures with me.

"If you can't remember memories on your own, dear, we will have to recreate them with you now!" My mom claims with a proud smile.

We proceed to flip through page after page with both my mother and Alice pointing out people, places, things we did together, and other things I did alone. Every time Alice tosses her hair or leans forward to point out a picture, I smell her perfume and pleasant body odor. For whatever, I find the scent enjoyable.

These pictures capture moments of happiness, shock, and even disappointment. My mother and Alice take particular delight in inspecting my baby pictures. But as far as memories go, I cannot recall a single one. Out of all the moments in this book full of dinners, parties, sporting events, and special occasions, nothing comes to mind. Nonetheless, I really enjoy hearing all the stories from Alice and my mom. It looks like I had a fun life so far.

As we near the last page, I notice a picture where I am passionately kissing Alice. My mom already confirmed Alice and I's relationship. I had my own suspicions, but now our relationship seems pretty apparent. She and I must have been dating, but I have to know for sure. I want to hear it from her, so I point to it.

"What are we doing here, Alice?" I ask as I turn to my left.

"That's us at the annual summer festival. I think you won me a teddy bear!" She responds as she tilts her head slightly and puts on an innocent smile. Even when she annoyingly avoids my question, I find her absolutely adorable.

"Alright, but what were we, Alice? Were we dating?"

Alice blushes bright red and looks to my mom seeking guidance on what to do next. My mother nods, seeming to approve of Alice informing me.

The girl grabs her wrist then looks down and to the side. "Yes, we are dating. It's been well over two years now."

I let out a sigh of relief. At least my past self has good taste in women. Hopefully, I don't fuck this up.

"Did any of those photos make you remember anything?" She asks me while still looking off to the side.

What do I say now? Should I comfort her with a lie? No. That's not the type of man I want to be. As beautiful as Alice is, I don't want to just tell her what she wants to hear. I'm going to be open with her. But I'll try to do so lightly.

"Well, I really enjoyed seeing the scrapbook and hearing your stories. It looks like you meant a lot to the old me, but I don't remember anything. If I'm honest, I cannot recall a single part of our relationship."

As soon as I finish my sentence, I see Alice's face start to sadden again. Shit, I shouldn't have said that. That was too strong. I never should have pointed out that fucking picture. Before I can apologize, I see Alice start to sob and run out of my room.

"Alice! Wait!" I call out, but its too late; she is gone.

My mother chuckles while shaking her head lightly.

"Well, if one thing is for sure, Christopher, the accident didn't change your personality. You are the same blunt son I've always had. You might want to try to comfort a girl before laying it all on her like that. You could benefit from adding a little romance, hon."

I don't know what to say. My mom is right. What do I know of romance? This is practically my first encounter with a girl! Before I get too down on myself, my mom continues.

"You are lucky to have had such a special girlfriend. I'm sure she will come back and forgive you for this, but next time choose your words a bit more carefully, dear."

And with that, my mother hugs me and goes on her way after Alice.