“Shit! You can’t remember going to Harry’s big party?”
“Harry? Harry–yeah, that’s the name of your boss, isn’t it? I seem to remember you just got a big promotion…”
“Al, that was months ago…”
“Months? Can’t be–You came home the other day all excited telling me about this great new job you got as Mr. Jamison’s personal assistant. You were on top of the world-and now you’re telling me that was months ago? No way!” I couldn’t understand Pat’s facial expression upon hearing my words.
“Just what do you remember?”
“What’a ya mean, what do I remember? I remember a lot of stuff–stuff like growing up, like going to school and college, like marrying you, and how I always thought you were the prettiest woman I’d ever seen. We’d be together forever…”
“No, no–just start with the past couple weeks and think back–say start with us getting ready for the big party.”
“Party? Oh yeah! Your birthday party. Yeah, I remember–it was a great party, what with all our friends over and all–oh yeah, that’s the first time I met your boss, Mr. Jamison.”
“No, no, my birthday party was months ago. What do you remember about the week before you came in here?”
“I–I don’t understand. We had your birthday party yesterday and I woke up in here.”
Oh shit!” She looked shocked. “Where is that darn doctor? I wish he’d hurry up.”
Well, Dr. Sunshine and another doctor, who introduced as the surgeon, breezed at the same time my supper was delivered, so both of them poked and prodded on me, while asking, “This hurt–that hurt?” and my supper got cold.
At long last they got around to the real business of trying to find out just how much of my memory was gone. Bottom line was, after some days of testing, they concluded I didn’t remember anything that happened after Pat’s birthday party four months ago.
It was strange how relieved Pat looked when Doc was telling me they actually found and a tumor on my brain that accounted for my irrational behavior, and I’d probably never regain full memory of that missing time.
Both doctors left after assuring me that while I had to re-learn a lot of the things I’d always taken for granted, with a lot of rehab and even more TLC and almost around the clock nursing, I’d soon be as good as new–almost.
“Don’t worry about a thing, Honey.” Pat assured me after they closed the door. “I’m ready to take care of you twenty four/seven as long as you need it.”
I was almost sure I heard her mutter, “I just hope that’s time enough for you to forgive me,” but I couldn’t be sure. What would she need me to forgive her for?
I tried to ask her, but I guess I was still loopy, cause my words didn’t come out like I wanted them and I fell asleep again. No, I never did eat that meal they’d brought, at least I don’t think I did, but the almost empty dishes were sitting off to the side, when I awoke, and Detective Boone was walking in the door, and it was dark enough outside that I knew several hours had to have passed.
“How you feeling, Al?” Boone and I had graduated from school together, and while we were no longer best buddies, we did still see each other a lot during hunting and fishing seasons. “Boy, you’re one lucky SOB.” He kept right on talking without giving me a chance to respond.