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I snorted. “No. I’m just trying to be consistent and dependable.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I haven’t been around. It’s the least I can do to help.”
“Having you home helps. Having you back is all I hoped and dreamed for. But seriously, this is a lot. I know how much work it is, Vince. Why don’t you take a night off.”
“I can’t!” I didn’t mean to yell at her. I turned around, shame written all over my face. “I know you’re trying to help. I’m sorry. It’s my frustration. It’s my problem.”
“You’re not alone in this, Vince.” I appreciated her words and consideration. But they were just words. Saying things wouldn’t solve my problem. Words wouldn’t bring my memory back. I wasn’t a puzzle to be solved or a magic trick to be explained.
I lifted my hands and let them fall. “I don’t know what else to do with my time.I have to take it easy.” I mimicked the doctors’ words I’d heard for far too long. “I can’t work out like I want. I can’t go running because everyone’s afraid I’ll forget who I am. Or where I live. Or how to get back home.”
“If you want to go running, go running, Vince. No one’s going to stop you. Certainly not me.” I heard Hailey’s frustration.
“But the doctors said it might not be a good idea.”
“Doctors don’t know everything.” Her eyes were big and bright. “Damnit, Vincent. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
“I’m not.” I knew I was pouting. “I’m tired of standing around and doing nothing.”
“Ugh!” she roared. “You are getting on my last damn nerve!” I tried to contain my laughter but couldn’t. “What?!” I shrugged. She started laughing because I was. “I don’t know what’s so damn funny, Vincent. But—”
I crashed my lips to hers. When we pulled apart, I sighed. “Do you realize this is the first time we’ve actually argued or raised our voices at each other?”
“No, it’s not.”
I cocked my head. “You sure about that?”
“Well, no. But—”
“It feels good.”
“Vince!” she yelled and swatted at my chest.
“I don’t mean it feels good like I enjoy it.”
“Then what the hell do you mean?”
“See? That right there,” I said, pointing at her. “Doesn’t it”—I motioned between us—“feel normal? Like, Jesus Christ, it feels like we’re a normal couple.”
“Well, I’m not sure I’d call younormal.”
I smacked her mouth with a kiss. “I love you, too, baby.”
“You better!” she called after me. I laughed and headed to the backyard to fire up the grill, whistling a happy tune.
A soft rustling from the bushes nearby drew my attention. A small, furry figure wandered out and sat. The gray and white ball of fur, its green eyes curious and cautious, watched me. It yawned, licked its paw, and regarded me with a mixture of cautious hope.
"Well, hello there," I said, keeping my voice low so I wouldn’t spook it. The cat took a few steps and stopped a few feet away. I squatted and extended my hand, palm down. “Come here,” I coaxed, letting the cat approach on its own terms. We eyed one another for a few moments before it took those last few steps forward. I smiled as it sniffed, then nuzzled my hand. “You’re lucky Chewie’s not out here,” I told it. “I’m not sure how he’d feel about having you in his backyard.”
I pet the soft fur, careful in case this seemingly docile creature freaked out and took a swipe at me. It meowed and then started purring loudly. An odd warmth spread through me as I marveled at the trust this creature placed in me. "You're a brave one, aren't you?" I said as I scratched behind the cat's ears. I smiled as it leaned into my touch.
I turned as the door behind me creaked open. “Oh, um,” Hailey said, her eyes wide.
“It appears we have a new friend,” I said, smiling, still petting the cat.
She blinked in surprise, her mouth opened in the shape of anO. “That’s Jawa,” she said quietly.
