Remember

A day she remembers...is one she'll soon forget. Fate gives her one last replay.

I remember that day.

I remember when the sun shone beautifully, reflecting off the fresh, damp grass that surrounded the park. How it heated the wind slightly, so when it blew in my face I could relish in the comforting warmth. The trees, which swayed above me harmoniously, covered my eyes from the sharp sunrays.

I remember when I walked further among the many trails, which wove around each other like snakes. My feet would kick up the dark dirt, wafting the scent of wet earth towards me. The voices from the kids who visited the playground that day slowly faded off into the distance as I kept walking. Laughter, crying, shouting, the small paddle of sandals against the loose wood chips, the chuckle of parents who watched from the sidelines. 

"Mommy, mommy! Look at me!"

"I see! You're such a good girl, going down the slide by yourself!"

I saw him later that day. At the bench that overlooked the setting sun and the city hall. He sat where I usually did, the now fading sun lightly reflecting off his handsome chestnut hair. And I remember thinking about how annoying it was that I was introduced with options on my rather simple, calm day. I didn't know what to do.

Kick him off, leave, or sit next to him.

My day couldn't be tarnished with force used to send the attractive male away, and my legs were weary from the hike up the trails from the park. So I remember sitting next to him, not saying a word as he glanced at me before looking back up at the sky.

We sat there, silent, staring at the setting sun. Before the yellow began disappearing, the male spoke, his eyes not leaving the sky.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He asked me. His voice was low, deep, and calm. I glanced at him quickly, not expecting him to speak.

"Uh, yes. I suppose so. This view is what I came here for." I joked, trying not to think about the playfulness that I saw in his eyes.

I saw him smirk in my peripheral vision. "Is that so? How weird, I did too." He looked at me again, his head actually turned to me this time. "What's your name?"

I smiled at him.

"Valerie!"

"Valerie..." He said, as if getting used to the sound. "I like that name."

I smiled, copying his pose. "How about you? What's your name?"

"Please Valerie, it's me! Ryan!"

"Ryan...I like that name." I copied his roll of tongue. He laughed softly.

The sky grew dark following the conversation we had. As the last of the light left the sky, I began to stand up.

I remember how we walked down the  steep hill together, talking like good friends, through the dark trails that led to the deserted playground. I remember how a lonely street light flickered above us as we got to the sidewalk.

"Well, talk about romantic." He winked, causing me to blush slightly. "A couple underneath a flickering streetlight. It's either the beginning of a beautiful relationship opportunity or a dude with a chainsaw is about to pop out of that bush right there."

I looked around, laughing even though his comment made me more aware of the darkness. I was usually home by then. I remember how he frowned when he noticed.

"Valerie! Oh god please! I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. Please forgive me-"

"Huh? Oh don't worry about it, Ryan. I just usually make it home before dark." I said, waving off his concerned apology. I remember when he asked me where I lived.

"Oh..." I said, a little scared after I actually thought about it. "Emerson street."

He raised his eyebrows. "That's at least a thirty minute walk. Don't you have a car?"

I remember how I stayed silent.

"...Okay then. I'll drive you home." He said, gesturing me to follow him.

"Oh, no please!" I protested. "I barely know you, there's no need to intrude!"

He shrugged, unlocking his car which was a few steps away. "It's no deal, really. And I'm not going to force you. It's just a friendly ride, not a rape attempt. You have every chance and right to refuse."

I remember how I stood there contemplating my options. Have a chance to get raped by any dude within a thirty minute radius by walking home, or have a chance to get raped by one dude who looked pretty attractive and trust worthy.

I remember having an obvious decision.

"Thank you." I finally said, moving in to the open door of the car. It was a rather small car, but the inside was kept very clean and the gray leather seats seemed polished. I calmed my racing heart by taking deep breaths, and I hoped I made the right choice as I told him my address.

I remember him waking me up as his headlights shone on my front door, the lights inside still on for my dog. 

"Valerie! Val! Wake up! Please!"

"Huh? Eh?" I jerked awake, my head fuzzy. "I'm awake! Are- oh! We're here." I squinted against the harsh light from the headlghts. He chuckled next to me, getting out to open my door, which made me giggle like mad.

He walked me to my house, my dog barking loudly from the inside. I remember turning towards him as we stood on my porch, my slightly sweaty hands clutching my keys.

"Thank you, Ryan." I said, quickly getting out a pad of paper to write down my number. I handed it to him, turning back around to unlock my door and welcome my dog to jump on me.

He said nothing as he pocketed the number as I shooed my dog away. I remember how he softly grabbed my hand then, looking into my eyes. 

"Wha-! Doctor! Doctor! Her hand moved! S-she's waking up! Doctor!"

His lips met mine.

They were soft, and warm. Supple. Satisfying, even.

I remember feeling all fluttery inside, I remember feeling like a teenager again.

"C'mon, Val. Wake up for me. Come back, please!"

"I'll call you." He said as we broke our kiss. 

I remember nodding faintly. I remember touching my lips in wonder. I remember watching him drive off. I remember walking in like a zombie, my body wavering from side to side.

I remember.

I remember.

I remember.

~o~

"Well, your leg was broken but we managed to put a cast on it and raise it. It shouldn't be a problem for you any more. Several ribs and fingers were broken but like the leg we also fixed them. You also had several cuts, varying in sizes, which were pretty infected by the time the paramedics got there." The doctor said, his cheery voice lined with a strong tired feeling, and I wondered what time in the morning it was. After he finished, I intervened before he could go on to anything.

"Doctor..." I said, my voice weak from disuse. "What exactly happened to me?" I wasn't exactly able to recall anything about it, and I wondered if he forgot to mention head trama.

"Oh, well apparently you had fallen from a cliff near some playground. According to the police, it was sometime at night."

"Oh..." I said, not sure why I couldn't exactly remember it. "Well how long was I out?"

He paused, a grim look set into his features. "Yes, well...this is hard to tell you but you've been in a coma."

My eyes widen in shock, the machine next to me beating rapidly. "A coma? For how long?"

He sighed putting his clipboard down and sitting in his chair. "A year. We were about to terminate your machines next week."

I nodded my head, feeling a little dizzy. I couldn't take in any of what he was saying.But before I could kindly ask the doctor if I could lay down, the man from before showed up. 

He was tall, with chestnut hair that layed perfectly on the sides of his head. His eyes were wide with concern, and they looked straight at me. He was in the room earlier, right when I woke up, trying to hug and kiss me. The doctors and nurses quickly shooed him away, however, as his presence was making my heart beat rapidly.

"How is she, doc?" He asked, his eyes not once leaving my own. 

"Her body seemes to be adapting to her woken body and her broken and punctured limbs and organs seem to be working properly. Although, I am afraid that she might have some mental damage."

I called it.

"Here, Ryan. Why don't you ask her some questions?" Ryan nodded, kneeling next to my bed in a comforting way. He looked at me in my eyes.

His were so pretty...

"Valerie. When's your birthday?" He asked softly.

"March 27, 1987."

He nodded. "What's you mother's name?"

"Cassandra."

"Who am I?"

I stayed silent, not wanting to let his poor man down. I looked hopelessly in his scared eyes.

"Do you remember me? Do you remember who I am?"

I looked away.

"No, I don't remember."

Author's Note

Thanks for constructive criticism.