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“Yeah, mostly. I feel a little groggy, but that’s not a big deal. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well, Jake brought you home last night. Hecarriedyou to your bed.”
Ah. Not a dream. That explained the eager and curious expression on her face.
“Mom,” I said with a warning in my voice. The last thing I wanted was to be questioned about a relationship I already felt unsure about.
“What? I think it’s wonderful, dear. Jake has always been such a nice young man.”
I ignored her. “I need coffee,” I said instead, hoping she’d let me change the subject.
“I’m just saying. He’s so handsome and kind. He told us how you’d been seeing each other before the accident. I can’t imagine how it must feel to not remember something so…big.”
I poured a cup of coffee. Guess changing the subject was off the table. “It’s been difficult, but he’s been really patient, which has been great. It’s what I needed. I finally feel like I know him a bit better. Well enough to give things another try, anyway.”
Mom couldn’t hide her excitement. “Ah! I admit, I always wondered if the two of you would… but then there was never any hint of anything, so I kind of gave up.”
“Gave up on what?” Dad walked into the kitchen and joined the conversation.
“Monica and Jake. You know, when Jake and Bryce first got close, I always kind of thought they might hit it off. But then–nothing.” She sounded frustrated.
“I was in high school,” I reminded her.
“So was he!”
“Well, I wasn’t interested. Can we be done talking about this? There was actually something else I was going to talk with you about. I’d like to consider moving back home.” I watched their faces closely for clues about their thoughts.
“I don’t know, Monica. You’re obviously still dealing with the headaches.” Dad’s objection was valid, but I wasn’t going to let it deter me.
“It’s not that bad. When I need to take my medicine, I can get myself to bed as long as I’m already home.”
“What’s this about, honey? Aren’t you happy here?” Mom sounded like she wastryingnot to sound hurt.
Leave it to my sweet mother to take it personally. “No, it’s not that. I’m just… ready to be back in my own space. I feel like it might help me remember, you know? I wasn’t living here before the accident. I’ve gotten a few glimpses of my memory back, and it’s always been because I was somewhere that sparked it.”
“Jake mentioned that. You didn’t tell us you were getting your memories back.”
I leaned against the counter and shook my head. “It’s not much right now, but I’m hoping if I’m intentional about spending time where I did, I can encourage the process, you know?” I shrugged. “Besides, I miss my bed and my things. It’s different being here.”
“But what did the doctor say?”
“She wasn’t worried about the headaches, just the dizziness. I haven’t had a dizzy spell since the QuikStop, and that was nearly three weeks ago.”
I tried to read their expressions, but I could see they weren’t convinced.
“How about this? I promise to move back here at the first sign of another dizzy spell.”
Mom and Dad glanced at each other. I had always admired how they could communicate without exchanging actual words.
Had Jake and I gotten to that point?
Before I could wonder too long, Dad nodded. “Okay. As long as you promise to call us every day. If you have any dizziness at all, you come back right away.”
I grinned, feeling like a teenager who just got permission to take the car on a date. “I promise. I’ll be careful.”
“What about driving?”
I shook my head. “I’m still not cleared for that. Honestly, I’m a little nervous to get back behind the wheel.” A little nervous didn’t quite describe the sheer panic that seized my heart when I thought about it. “But I can walk pretty much everywhere from my place. And I’ve got lots of people I can call if I need a ride.”
