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I smiled slightly. She’d said the exact same thing last time she saw my truck for the first time. “You sound surprised,” I said with a laugh.
She shrugged and buckled her seatbelt as I started the truck. “Kind of. It doesn’t even smell like smoke.”
I pulled out of the driveway, determined to play it cool. “I should buy stock in Febreze. Plus, I never get in it without a shower after a call.”
“Never?” She seemed skeptical.
I shook my head.
“Never. I just make Bryce give me a ride,” I said with a mischievous grin. Bryce’s truck was a mess of protein bar wrappers and empty water bottles, and the entire thing always smelled like a bonfire, a scent that seemed to invade anything we touched in the aftermath of a fire call.
Monica laughed at my comment, bringing a small sense of normality to the evening. I hadn’t known what to expect, having her back at small group without remembering me. Truly terrible timing that she had forgotten basically everything, starting with when I became a normal part of her life.
What kind of cruel joke was that?
I was quiet on the way to her house, unsure what to say. I didn’t want to come on too strong or upset her. How could I build our friendship? How had it happened last time? I thought back. We’d joked about Bryce a fair bit. Connected over work. Right. Work!
“Any idea how long you’ll be off work?” I asked, trying to remain casual.
Monica shook her head. “I’m not sure. I have another MRI this week, and as long as I’m not having any dizziness or anything, I can see about the process of being cleared to go back to work. They’re being pretty cautious though.”
I nodded. “I know that’s probably hard to deal with, but it’s probably for the best. I remember when Daniel Dawson had a big concussion, he said that stress made things worse for quite a while.”
Monica sighed. “I know. The medical side of me knows that I just need rest, but the normal side of me is just ready to go back to normal, you know?”
“Yeah, I bet. You’ll be back before you know it. We’ll all keep praying for another miracle, too.”
Monica gave a slight smile. “Thanks, Jake.”
I focused on driving. We pulled into her driveway, and I parked, waiting for her to climb out. Instead, she surprised me by turning and leaning toward me.
“Can I ask you a question, Jake?”
My heart stopped and I held my breath. I nodded, unsure what she could be asking.
“Why did you stay at the hospital the whole time?”
My heart flipped. Well, if that wasn’t a loaded question…
She shook her head. “I mean, Mom said you never even left until I woke up. Why would you do that?”
I looked out the windshield. “Oh. I just… I had to know that you were going to be okay.” What else could I say? How much could I tell her without scaring her away? “I wanted to be there for Bryce, of course. He was a wreck.”
I turned back to her and met her gaze. Her eyes were shiny and sad, and I longed to reach out and cup her face with my hand. I cleared my throat, which was suddenly thick with emotion.
She nodded, as though acknowledging what I’d said, but I couldn’t let her think I was only there for Bryce. “And I know you don’t remember, but you’re my friend too. I wanted to be there for you. I never imagined you wouldn’t remember me when you woke up.” Then, since I needed to lighten the mood, I added, “Afterall, who could forget a friendship with someone this awesome?” I asked, gesturing to myself.
The sadness left her eyes as she smiled and laughed. “You’re ridiculous, Jake Barrett.”
I shrugged. “Probably, but it made you laugh. So, I’m okay with it.” At least, that’s what I would keep telling myself. It was easier to be the class clown than to let people see what a disappointment you were.
“Have a good night. And thanks for the lift.”
“Anytime,” I said. Then, realizing that this might be my opportunity, “Consider me your own personal RideShare driver. I’ll pick you up before small group next Monday, but if you need a ride before then, just give me a call.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she argued.
“That’s what a friend would do,” I responded.
