Forgotten ✓︎

Chapter 21

Megan

"Are you okay?" my mom asked me. 

I nodded, setting my bags down as I kicked my shoes off by the entrance. 

"I made some dinner if you're hungry," she spoke, looking over me in concern. 

I was exhausted from training today. 

"Yes, please," I responded. "I'm going to make a protein smoothie first, if that's okay."

"Are you sure you're not overdoing the training, honey?" she questioned. 

"It's okay, Mom. I just get a little tired more easily than before," I lied. "Doctors said it was normal since my brain is doing a lot right now."

Well, it wasn't a total lie. My doctors had mentioned that I would tire out more and that I needed to rest as much as possible considering everything my brain and body were being put through. But I didn't have time to rest. I needed to be as prepared as possible. 

My mother kissed the side of my head after I took a seat at the island in the kitchen. 

"You want me to make it for you? I still have some time before I have to leave for my night shift," she spoke. 

"That would be great, if you don't mind," I answered with a smile. 

"I never mind," she laughed. 

I watched my mom flit around the kitchen, getting the ingredients for my protein smoothie. She tossed in a scoop of the powder my doctor had recommended. It was apparently supposed to work as a brain boost or something to help with my recovery process. 

"How was your workout?" my mom asked, drawing me out of my thoughts.

"It was good," I answered. "I'm making some real progress with some advanced moves. I was even thinking of changing classes soon, moving into some mixed marital arts or something."

My mom looked up from her task and frowned. 

I kept my face as neutral as I could. 

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked.

I tried to shrug casually. 

"Why the change?" she asked. 

"I've started to get a little bored with just kickboxing and weightlifting," I answered honestly. "I think moving up could be helpful."

She nodded thoughtfully at that. "That makes sense. You have been in kickboxing for a few years now. I'm concerned about your head, though. You're supposed to be taking it easy, especially now."

I blew out a breath. I knew that if I told her the real answer why I wanted to switch out of kickboxing, she would put me on lock down and go into protective momma bear mode. She wouldn't let me finish my hypnosis therapy either, especially if it meant putting myself into further danger by remembering everything. 

"There is another reason," I spoke carefully. 

My mother looked at me questioningly. 

"I'm starting to remember more, and I remember more about the day I was kidnapped. It's put me on edge, and I think I would feel better knowing how to defend myself better," I answered cautiously. 

"Oh, honey," she sighed sadly. 

"I know I'm safe on a daily basis, but it's not about feeling safe around the people I'm with. I want to have the satisfaction of knowing I can defend myself if the need ever arises," I explained. "If, for whatever reason, I'm in the situation where I need to know some advanced self-defense or something, I want to have the comfort of knowing I have those skills."