Come Back to Me[Sequel to YME and Crossing Paths]

Chapter Twenty: Life Will Go On

Chapter Twenty: Life Will Go On

Percy

I stopped in my tracks, shocked. "You...you said Rosie Cas...Castellan?"

"Yeah, is there something wrong?"

"No, not at all. Do you want a hot chocolate or anything?"

"Yes please,"

•••

Once the two of us were sitting in a booth, I took a deep breath and began to explain what I knew about her.

"So, Rosa-Rosie, sorry. I don't really know how to tell you this but...I know you, your mother, your father, and your grandmother." she looked at me in shock and began to back away.

"I'm not a stalker!" I reassured her, panicking. "I just knew you before everything...happened. Would it make you uncomfortable if I explained?"

"No, I want to know what happened to me. When did we meet?" Rosie leaned forward, now intrigued.

"I believe I met you when you were seven or eight. You are going to be ten in July, correct?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. So, I met you after your mom brought you over to my old house to see my daughter for a playdate. I knew her in highschool, so it was quite a surprise to see her show up to my house with a daughter. Soon after, I divorced my now ex-wife and your mom and I began dating. Fast forward a little while, we broke up, and I didn't see you for another year."

"What is my mom's name? When did I last see her?"

"Your mother's name is Annabeth Chase, and you last saw her around Christmas-time a year ago."

"Did...did I live here in New York? I don't remember anything about myself before that Christmas!" Rosie muttered frustratedly.

"Yes, you did...I'm sure we can find a way for you to regain your memory."

"Can I see my mom? That might work?"

I thought for a moment, then spoke. "I'd say that we take you to a doctor to see if there is anything specific I can do to help you, but until then, I want to spare An- your mom the pain."

"Ok...ok. When can you take me? Can I stay with you until I can meet my mom?"

I sighed deeply. "That may be a problem...you see, we live in the same apartment, so it would be difficult to keep you two separate."

"Why do you live together?"

"I'll explain later. For now, we need to get you to a doctor."

•••

"I'm scared, Percy." Rosie said, coming out from behind the curtain in a hospital gown.

"It will be alright, Rosie. All you have to do is lay very still. You go in and out, then you are done." She was going to get an MRI and CT scan. One neurologist had an opening, so we took it.

"What if I have an itch?"

"Even if you have an itch, hold still."

She was silent for a moment, looking at the floor. She slowly looked up at me. "WIll this help me remember?"

"No, but it will help the doctor figure out what we can do to help you as much as possible." I explained.

"Ok...ok."

Doctor Langley walked in with a clipboard in his hands. "You must be Rosalie Chase. I am Doctor Langley. I promise you can trust me, but if I am making you uncomfortable, don't be afraid to speak up."

"Alright. I can do that." she said.

"Now, Rosalie, what I've been told is that you can't remember anything before just after Christmas, 2020, when you allegedly died. Is this correct?"

"I-I think so. Yeah."

"Do you remember anything...Anything at all, from your life before that?"

"I...um..." she stuttered.

"Take your time." We sat there, waiting, no, hoping for an answer.

"I remember one thing. About four years ago, I think. I was in this grassy place, maybe a school yard, and my friends were there, and I was the bridesmaid for my friend's wedding."

"Do you remember this friend's name? Was she your best friend, or just a friend?"

"I'm pretty sure she was my best friend, and her name started with an 'A', I think."

I smiled, remembering Annie's 'wedding' to Robbie Fitzerguard. I nodded, letting her know that it really happened.

"Is that all you remember?" Dr. Langley scribbled down some notes on his clipboard.

"Yeah,"

"Okay, good. I'm proud of you for being able to remember that. Now, I'm going to take you to get a few scans done. Do you want Mr. Jackson to come with you?"

Rosie nodded. We walked out the door and I stood in a room that had a glass window at the front so you could see through. All the walls in the room were a pure, blinding white, and it was cold. There is outside cold, then there is hospital cold. Everything is always cold there.

•••

Once the scans were done and we were back in the check-up room, Dr. Langley began to explain the situation.

"It looks like she only has minor brain damage, and there is a way we can fix that. Try introducing her to things she used to be familiar with, such as friends, family, pets, even houses she has lived in."

"Her mother sold the house she used to live in, I don't know if we could get back to it."

"If it has a new owner, then we most likely won't be able to do anything unless you stand outside the house. If it is still on the market, schedule a tour."

"I think we can do that...should she meet her mother, people she was frequently around?"

"Yes, that has worked with past patients. Don't get your hopes too high, but still keep trying." he said.

Rosie and I nodded.

"I have a question, though." Rosie said.

"Go ahead."

"What happens if I don't remember anything?"

"Then you can get to know people again, and start fresh."

"That doesn't sound so bad."

"Of course, since this isn't the worst brain damage ever, you will most likely regain your memory within six to nine months."

Rosie and I smiled. "Perfect," she said.

•••

So it's true, Rosie isn't dead. Cleshe, right?

But...who else will die...for real this time?