5 or so

“Excuse me, is this Mr. William Safe?” Came a woman’s voice on the phone, it was in the middle of a workday who could be calling?

“Yes, who is this?”

“This is Emily Darson at Mercy Gilbert Hospital,” Will caught his breath. He was on the notification list, to be called when something changed in Clara’s condition. “I’m happy to report that Miss Edson is awake, and we’re excepting visitors currently. You were on the list to be notified of changes, correct?” She asked.

“Yes,” William could hardly breath.

“Should we expect you?” She asked for clarification, “and, when should we?”

“In a few minutes,” Will was already in his car. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome!” Emily hung the phone up, meanwhile, William was already halfway there.

He didn’t even bother to check in, he just went straight to Clara’s room. But a doctor he’d never seen before stopped him outside, “wait.”

“What?”

“She isn’t herself,” he looked around the hallway. “She’s forgotten everything, she won’t remember you. Just keep that in mind.” He said then stepped out of the way and headed into another room.

What did he mean that she had forgotten everything? Then he was gripped with fear, would she really not remember him? “No,” he whispered. She had to, he had waited this long for her to wake up. How could Clara not remember him?

Someone opened the door, which made him jump. It was Clara’s father, “Ah… you’re here.” He stepped out of the room, “I’m sorry…”

“The doctor told me she doesn’t remember anything,” Will said hoping against hope that he was wrong. “Is that true?” He asked after he saw the change in the older man’s face.

“Yes, her mind is completely blank.” He didn’t make eye contact, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Will didn’t want to make it seem like he was blaming God either. “It was God’s choice.”

“You’re a very brave young man William,” he put a hand on his shoulder. “Perhaps God will change his mind and return her memory.” With that he left, leaving Will to decide whether or not to enter a room with someone waiting but not, for him.

Did he love her? Ya, of course. God kept her alive, right? wasn’t that good enough?

He opened the door to a young girl he once knew, she was thinner, and the look of pain was replaced by a smile that he could tell was fake. He had seen her real smile, this was nothing more than a smile she would put on for people she didn’t know. He stepped into the room, but didn’t go any further.

“Welcome, I’m sorry if I don’t remember you.” She said, though it was hard to hide the surprise she felt when she saw this young man. He wasn’t like the girl named Julia who ran into her arms like they’d been friends forever, which she was told later that they practically had. Or the woman who had come in weeping, crying that her baby didn’t remember her. Or the dozen and a half high school students that said they were her friends, no, he was different. “Is something wrong? Are you not going to say anything?”

“What is there to say?” William glared at the ground, like that was going to fix everything. “That I love a girl who doesn’t even remember me?” He said bitterly.

“What? Love me…?” Why would he say something like that? And what made this man so bitter?

“Why?” He said as he slid down the door, and sat on the ground his head on his knees. “Oh, why God?”

Clara watched him with interest, he wasn’t just sad that her memory was gone, she felt he was genuinely angry that she didn’t remember him. “I’m very sorry,” she said again as she tried to get out of her bed to go and comfort him. She realized that she couldn’t walk but it was too late, she felt herself slip off the bed. “Ahh…”

He looked up and without thought, went forward to break her fall. He caught her, “What were you trying to do?” He set her gently on the bed. Though she didn’t weigh that much, he grunted from the effort, he ached to hold her longer, but something told him she wouldn’t understand. “You could have hurt yourself.”

“Thank you,” Clara said embarrassed. The doctor just told her a few minutes ago that she probably would never walk again, that meant she couldn’t walk now. “I just wanted to comfort you, you seemed very distraught.” She looked down at her hands.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to… to worry you.” Sorrow filled him, was this as far as their relationship would get? He was ready to ask her to marry him, then this happened, now they half to start all over? What’s your plan? Cause if it’s for me not to marry her that’s fine, just don’t put her through any more pain. Please?

He fell unto her lap, he was done holding it all in. He cried for the first time in years, he actually cried. He was grateful when she put her hands on his head, just as she would have done if she remembered him.

Who is this man? I wish I could remember him, why can’t I? “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry,” Clara pulled William into a sitting position. His eyes were red, what do I say? Give me something to say, please. Not say, if this is the person that my Father was talking about, then this shouldn’t be a big deal. Right? She was reluctant, but if it would make him feel better.

Surprising William, Clara gave him a full kiss on the mouth. It felt good to be kissed instead of kissing a lifeless body, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her harder than he had ever done before. Will knew he should probably let her catch her breath, but he’d waited too long for this. Huff… huff… “I’m… I’m sorry,” He said as he laid his head on her chest, soaking in her scent like a lifeline.

She was breathing heavily, “It’s fine.” She raised his head, “I look forward to getting to know you again.” She smiled, “I hope we can be as close as it seems we once were.”  

“I do too.” William smiled for the first time in weeks, he had gotten his wish. Even if it wasn’t answered exactly as he had expected it to be, he thanked God for letting her live. “You probably have a lot of other people who want to see you, so, I should get back to work.” He ran his hand down her cheek, “I’ll come visit as I normally do. Thank you.” He stood, looked at her one last time before leaving. She was awake, he couldn’t fathom his excitement.

Clara watched as the young man left the room, with what seemed to be an overwhelming amount of happiness. Though she couldn’t remember him, he seemed familiar. Kissing him was definitely familiar territory, but she felt like they had never gone farther than that. She would look forward to his next visit, with the hope she might remember something of him, she asked the nurse to bring in the next group of people who were scheduled to meet her. Thankful to have him taken off her mind, if only for a little while.

William was so happy he could hardly contain himself, even if it wasn’t exactly what he was hoping for. She was alive, that was good enough for him.