Day 2 in Neverland

Apparently, I was given something to relax me because the next thing I know is that it is morning.  I was taken down for an MRI to look a little closer at my head.  Things seemed to be fine, but I still had no memory of the accident or this man that claims to be my husband.  They continued to give me something to keep me calm when the doctor brought this Mark guy back into my room.

“Good morning.  I don’t want to scare you or upset you, so there is no pressure from me, ok?” said Mark. 

“Look, I am sure you are a nice guy, but I don’t know you and you are certainly not my husband. I don’t understand what is going on.  Where are my kids?  Why aren’t they here with Keith?  Where is Keith?”  I could feel the anxiety building up again and that crushing weight in my chest when Dr. DeMonte jumped into the conversation.

“Good morning all.  I have looked at your MRI and I can see no abnormalities.   Everything looks fine.  My guess is your brain is still healing from the trauma and your memory will return eventually.”  I responded to this news very quickly.  “My memory is fine Dr. DeMonte.  I know who I am, I know where I live, and I know who my husband and children are.  What I don’t know is where they all are and why they aren’t here.”

Again, Dr. DeMonte asked Mark if he could leave the room for a few minutes.  He needed to have a serious discussion with me apparently.

Dr. DeMonte begins, “Mrs. Thompson, I am going to try and explain things the best way I know how.” Angrily I respond, “Don’t call me Mrs. Thompson.  That is not my name.  My name is Marcy King.”  “I’m sorry,” replied the doctor.  “Let’s just go with Marcy at this time.  I can see that this is very difficult and something you completely don’t understand.  I am going to keep an eye on you for a couple more days and see how your memory goes.  Because I don’t see any damage in the MRI, I am confident that the memory of your life with Mr. Thompson will return.  When you are well enough to go home, I will have to release you to go with him or another family member.  Our records show that he is indeed your husband.” 

There are no words left for me to say as the tears spill from my eyes.  At this point, I begin to sob uncontrollably, and Dr. DeMonte puts his arms around me and lets me cry.  Once I begin to get a grip momentarily on my emotions, he releases me and says he will be back to check on me in a bit. 

A new nurse came into my room.  His name tag said Faaborg.  He had a great smile and for some reason, he felt familiar and made me feel safe.  “Hey, pretty lady.  I hear you are having a rough go of it.  How would you like to hop into this wheelchair and get some fresh air?”

I glanced up at his name tag wondering how to pronounce his name when he looked at me and said, “Just call me Jim.” 

“Ok, Jim.  I think some fresh air would be great.”   

“It’s a beautiful fall day outside and the temperature is a perfect 75 degrees with a light southerly breeze.  Would be a great day to be out on a sailboat for sure.” 

Well, that got my attention.  Keith and I had a sailboat once upon a time.  In fact, we had our first date on that very sailboat.  Jim was right, sounded like perfect sailing weather.  He helped me up ever so slowly, guided me into the wheelchair and down the hall we went. 

“I think the garden will be the perfect place for you to get some fresh air.” He sat me next to a small table where I could get a little sun and breathe in the fresh air.  He offered to get me a glass of iced tea and said he would be back in a flash. 

The garden was full of pansies and the leaves were beginning to turn beautiful reds, yellows and oranges.  It smelled and felt like fall.  Keith and I love fall.  I closed my eyes and let the warm sun shine on my face……. My mind was suddenly somewhere else.  I felt like I was being transported through a tunnel.

When I opened my eyes, I was on my ebike riding behind Keith down a beautiful paved path through the trees. “Do you want to lead?” asked Keith.  “No.  You are doing a great job.  Keep going.” I replied.

We crossed the road, passed the dog park and headed out onto a dirt trail for about a mile.  At the end of the path, we had reached it, “our bench” facing the lake.  We parked the bikes and I went over and sat on our bench.  Keith brought over a small thermos.  He had made us a mimosa to share while we sat together looking at the lake.  We sat sipping our mimosas, just sitting quietly enjoying each other’s company.  We never felt the need to fill the silence with idle conversation.  We were comfortable just sharing the experience.

“Ok, our mimosas are officially gone. What do you want to do now?” asked Keith.  I had the perfect answer to the perfect morning. “Let’s ride home, do a little hot tub time, and then have some adventure upstairs in the playroom.”

“I like the way you think Mrs. King.   Lead the way.”

I was suddenly jolted when Jim returned with my iced tea.    “I’m sorry I woke you.  Hope you were having a good dream.”

A tear dropped from my eye when I responded.  “You have no idea just how good.”

After a bit, Jim took me back up to my room and I asked to sit in the recliner.  The fresh air and sunshine felt great.  I could feel myself getting stronger both physically and mentally.  While nothing still made sense, my drive to find Keith and my kids was unwavering.  I was just going to have to do it on my terms.  No one apparently was going to help me.

I was sitting quietly sipping my iced tea thinking about Keith when the door to my room opened.  All I could think was, what now.  Mark had returned and asked if he could come in. 

“Tell me your name again,” I asked. 

“Mark.  Mark Thompson.  I know you still don’t remember me, but do you remember anyone named Carol?”

Now we were getting somewhere.  I replied, “Yes, my best friend in high school’s name was Carol.” 

“Great,” replied Mark.  “You remember your sister.” 

“Um no.  I don’t have a sister.  Carol Norman and I bowled together and were best friends.  We were even college roommates.  She went on to become a professional bowler on the women’s pro tour.”

Mark asked, “Could you be confusing your sister Carol with ‘bowling’ Carol?”  Boy was this exhausting.  I replied, “No.  I don’t have a sister.  In fact, I’m an only child.”  I could see the lines forming on Mark’s forehead and the confusion setting in.  Finally, he said, “OK.  I’ll leave you alone for now.”  I almost felt sorry for him.

Mark went out into the hall and walked down to the sitting area to call Carol.   She answered on the first ring. 

“Good news I hope.”

“Nope.  She still doesn’t know me, and she says she doesn’t have a sister.” 

“Let me rearrange my schedule and get down there.”

“Not sure it’s a good idea at this point.  Let’s give it some time.  I’ll keep you posted.”

“How much longer are they going to keep her in the hospital?”

“I think they are going to release her to go home in the morning.  Except she doesn’t remember home.  Maybe after we get to the house and she sees the pictures and stuff it will jog her memory.”

“Let’s hope.  I’m here if you need me.”