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I laugh, feeling the excitement flowing from both of my friends. “Leave it to you, Ember, to dig up the truth no matter what it takes,” I say. I love how brilliant my friends are.
Ember grins, a mix of pride and determination resting on her face. “I do this job because I love it and because I want to make the world a better place. I won’t accept anything of myself but the best. And you know what? When this story breaks, we’ll out all of those bastards who are abusing their power. We’ll be the ones making a difference in this world and bringing trust back to the people who elect those crooked sons-of-” She pauses for a moment. “I need a new saying cause I love my mama.”
This makes all three of us laugh... hard. “I agree. I refuse to use that statement from here on out,” I say.
Mora begins dealing cards for a game of rummy while we keep up the conversation. I love the sound of the cards shuffling and shifting and being laid on the dinner tray resting in front of me. I also love the sound of my best friends’ voices.
Laughing with these two, sharing stories, talking about our lives makes me forget all about the pain and uncertainty I’ve faced since I woke from my coma. Here with my friends, I’m strengthened, determined, and more importantly, hopeful.
No matter how dire things look, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Every battle we face is something worth fighting because it makes us better people. With these girls at my side, we can slay dragons.
We continue playing cards and the room fills with lively chatter and a lot of laughter, making the nurses stop in to see what all of the ruckus is. Of course, in my room, they’re used to the unusual. I have a naturally boisterous family. That extends to my friends as well.
Ember tosses a card on the table, a triumphant grin playing on her lips. “You won’t believe what happened when I cornered that sleazy politician, Jazz. The man was sweating bullets, stumbling all over himself like a clumsy puppet, turning beet red. It was great!”
Mora chuckles, shaking her head. We’ve all seen Ember when she has her sights set on a new victim. “Ember, you’re one hell of a strong woman and have nerves of steel. I’m going to start calling you Superwoman. I can close my eyes and see the panic on that man’s face when you demanded answers from him.”
Ember shrugs, not out of modesty, but because her story isn’t finished yet. She’ll be toasting us all when the story breaks. “It’s about holding those people accountable, the ones who are supposed to have our best interests at heart. The whole world needs to know the truth, so no matter what it takes, I’ll eventually get my story. I don’t care if I have to climb through the sewers to drain the swamp, I’ll damn well do it.”
I smile, knowing and loving this side of my best friend. Her passion is something to behold. “Both of you are incredible women and are saving the world one person at a time. I admire you so much,” I tell them, setting down my cards for a moment so I can squeeze their arms.
I turn and gaze at Mora. “You’re giving up a lot to work for pennies in Africa, and you don’t look at it like a sacrifice, instead as a reward. I love that so much.” I turn to Ember. “And your courage to break a story and out someone from power who doesn’t deserve to be there is beautiful. I’m very inspired by you both.”
Mora laughs, but I see the praise matters to her. “Jasmine, you’re an inspiration to me every single day. You’re the strongest woman I know, not just physically but mentally as well. You take down bad guys without breaking a sweat. It’s great that we all have our strengths and can hold our heads high no matter where we go. I couldn’t ask for two better friends than the two of you.”
“I have to agree with Mora,” Ember says. “You’re so damn strong, Jasmine. This is just a blip on your life’s journey. You’re going to get out of here, remember everything, and be stronger than ever. Mora and I will be here for you the entire time.”
I have to fight tears. “No, you won’t be here. You’ll continue living your lives. But we’ll check in regularly with each other. If I was dying, I’d have you here for sure, but I’m not close to death. We’re going to create a lot more stories in our lives to share with each other. We can’t do that if you’re hanging with me as I go through this damn therapy.”
“We aren’t leaving you,” Mora says, looking like the idea of that is absolutely absurd.
“I agree with the doctor,” Ember says as she leans back and crosses her arms.
“You don’t have to leave right this minute, but I’m putting you on the no-visitor list after tonight. I want you to go back to your lives and shine,” I insist. We all glare at each other for several moments, and then Ember breaks the tension with a laugh before she leans in closer.
“Okay we’ll argue about this later but, if you’re going to be a brat, tell us: have you and Hunter had any kinky hospital room sex?” Shockingly, my cheeks heat as a blush steals over me.
“No!” I say too loud. Both girls look at me with determination and hope. They remember my relationship with Hunter even if I don’t. They seem determined to remind me. Do I want to go down this road with them?
“Jazzy, we’re your besties, and are here to tell you that you’re absolutely head-over-heels in love with Hunter,” Mora says. “We’re going to remind you by pointing out some of the amazing things you two have done together.”
Ember nods in agreement. “You had this date night with us that’s one to remember. You went to that new rooftop restaurant on the ocean with panoramic views that took months to get into. Hunter pulled some strings. We can’t be sure if they werelegalstrings or not, but nothing’s out of line when it comes to love. The ambiance of the place was positively magical, and Hunter had every single detail down to a T.”
My brow furrows as I search for this memory in my befuddled brain. I can’t find it. A spark inside of me makes me want to flush it out, but it’s no use. So damn frustrating. “I can’t remember,” I say, hating this helplessness.
“That’s what we’re here for, to remind you,” Mora says as she gently takes my hand. “You knocked your head and this is only a setback. You’re too strong to let anything defeat you. Until you remember, Ember and I will be your Jiminy Cricket.”
Ember leans forward, a gleam in her eyes. “Jazzy, that night on the rooftop, you were madly in love with Hunter. The sparks were flying so hard and hot, that all of us were nearly burned. We smiled with how much you were smiling. The way the two of you looked together gave every woman in the place orgasms. It was like nothing else in the world mattered.”
Mora jumps back in, her voice excited. “You shared stories, laughter, and talked about your dreams, all of the things you wanted to do together. Hunter brings you to life unlike anything I’ve seen before. There’s a spark inside you that only he can ignite. I’ve known Hunter a long time, and I’ve never seen him look at another woman the way he looks at you.”
I’m trying to wrap my brain around what they’re saying, but it seems like a fairy tale, not real life. I so wish I could remember all of this for myself. Doubt and confusion fill me no matter how hard I try to push them away. I have no doubt whatsoever that these two ladies love me and only want the best for me though. This, more than anything, gives me hope.
Ember continues speaking, her voice filled with conviction. “Jazz, love can transcend every barrier trying to block our way in this journey of life. A great force runs through us so deeply that nothing can stop it. Even if your memories are temporarily lost, what you and Hunter have together is still inside you. You’ll find it, the heavens will open, and you’ll once again be free.”
Mora nods, her eyes filled with tears, a strange sight to see. “We have no doubt whatsoever that you’ll remember your love again, Jazz. Your story is far too strong to be forgotten. We’ll be here every step of the way... unless we’re chasing bad guys.” This makes us all laugh.
“We can’t stop chasing bad guys,” I tell them.
