Majesty

3. A New Home

A moan of contentment escaped her lips as the girl wrapped her fingers around the quilt and pulled it closer. Suddenly her eyes flashed open. A quilt! How did I... She pressed her palm against the mattress she lay on. Comfortable. The quilt felt warm around her tired body and relief flowed through her.

This was a stark contrast to the usual. She started to roll on her side but stopped when her right foot brushed against something. Confused, she lifted the blanket and peered at her leg. A cast? She raised her hand and fingered the bandage above her left eye. What happened? I must've hurt myself somewhere. She glanced around the room in a mix of confusion and curiosity. None of this felt familiar.

It was a small bedroom. Almost empty. The cot she lay on was shoved crudely against the corner where cobwebs greeted her from above. Along the wall to her right, the door hung ajar awkwardly.

She propped herself up on her elbows and looked toward her feet. A small bedside table whose dusty surface dulled its golden color sat at the foot of the bed. It was a stark contrast to the mahogany dresser sitting adjacent and the red-tinted desk below the window. The orange rays of the setting sun out the window glinted on the desktop and danced across the floor.

The cream paint on the bedroom wall was chipped and its only decoration was a picture of Jesus hanging primly opposite the door.

Jesus.

Resisting the urge to look away, the girl studied the features of the man for a moment. Resentment flickered within her and she pursed her lips.

"So, you're awake now." A hint of excitement clung to the words as they reached the girl's ear. Startled, she searched for the source and let her eyes rest on a woman leaning against the door, arms crossed.

The woman had a gentle smile and a friendly twinkle in her eyes. The loose blond curls framing her face fell past her shoulders and bounced slightly as she straightened. She touched her hat in a "hello" gesture and walked politely closer, her boots clumping with each step. The plaid button-down shirt and faded jeans confirmed the cowgirl look she held in her posture.

"My name is Mindy," she said, "This is my house, and I will be caring for you for the time being. I know your room isn't fit for a queen, but it was kind of a last-minute deal."

The girl scanned the room again. My room? That's new. Despite Mindy's questioning eyes, her lips remained pursed and she said nothing. The silence was short lived, however, for Mindy cleared her throat and asked gently, "May I ask...your name?"

She watched the girl reluctantly open her mouth to respond but soon shut it again, eyes wide. Does she remember? Trying to ease her visible panic she offered, "it's okay if you don't know. The Doc said you might have amnesia."

The girl lifted her hand to silence Mindy so she closed her mouth, smiling. The expression on the girl's face was one of determination. She was going to remember. After another moment of contemplation, her eyes lit up and she looked back at Mindy.

"My - " she stuttered, "I -" The girl shut her mouth for a moment, flustered, and then with a deep breath found her voice and choked at last, "Kyla!" A smile spread across her face. "My name is Kyla."

Mindy smiled again. "That's a pretty name," she mused.

Kyla shifted position and touched her forehead, groaning. Mindy sympathized, "it might be a while, but Doc says it's healing."

Kyla swallowed and nodded. Searching for the words, she began slowly, "How did I - "

Mindy cut her off. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I should explain." She walked swiftly to Kyla's desk and carried the chair to her bedside. Clearing her throat, she took a seat and began.