After a recent, painful breakup, Madeline Beckett has been diagnosed with amnesia. With a broken relationship and lost memories, can she sort through her problems and find herself? What happens if people decide to use her condition as an advantage? How can she decipher real from fake when all Madeline knows is pain?

Playing Pretend

 Andrew stares into my eyes with uncertainty, locking on my response. I think back to the past few months. How each talk with my psychotherapist led back to anxiety and control. 


 But I can’t get the image of my mother crying out of my mind. 


 And without thinking, I respond, “Being lied to.” 


 It’s true and I can’t take it back. 


 His face contorts in shock and, almost, repulse. Almost as if I changed the rotation of the earth or placement of the sun. Only a few inches, but still noticeable to his beautiful green eyes. 


 We sit in awkward silence for a while and I can't help but think we reversed all the progress made today. 


 With nothing to lose, I start off another conversation, “Did you know that stars don’t twinkle?’ 


 That seems to break him out of thought. He turns his head towards me slowly, “Wh-? Sure Madeline, why don’t stars twinkle?” The question trails off, urging me to continue. 


Chapter Fifteen