Listen to the heart

Chapter 19

"Sometimes I feel that Henry will never recover, it's been so long." Mrs. Bournemouth said sadly.

The sorrow in her eyes was heartbreaking. It had been two months since the accident and Henry had yet to show any recovery from his amnesia. The doctor's hadn't said anything definite about it being permanent till now but hope was starting to dwindle.

Henry's parents had aged within these two months. There was a permanent sadness in Linda's eyes. She put up a brave front in front of Henry and others as well but at times the sadness skipped through. I couldn't even begin to imagine the magnitude of her pain. Raising a son for 18 years and having him lose his entire memory, not recall who she was, not recall their times spent together. It was truly heart wrenching.

Henry had indeed eased up with all of us but he still had no recollections of us. It was because of the time we spent with him that he was beginning to be comfortable around us. At times he would do things that the old Henry did giving us hope but it was just an action of his unconscious brain.

I hadn't stopped visiting Henry. I meant it when I said I was willing to start over with him if he can't remember his past. His friendship was previous to me.

I hugged Linda softly and patted her back. She welcomed the comfort but didn't say anything. I had grown pretty close to Linda in the past two months. Tragedy does indeed bring people closer. Sometimes Linda would confide in me about Henry and I listened patiently. I knew all she wanted was someone to talk to and let out the pent up, overwhelming emotions. Henry was taking a nap hence I was spending time with Linda.

"Thank you so much sweetheart for always being here. It means a lot to me." She said giving me a sweet motherly smile and kissing the top of my head.

I just smiled back in response.

"Well I should get dinner started can't let you all starve." She said putting on her apron and removing her earlier glum mood.

I respected her for her strength. The great strength with which she kept going each day, kept smiling each day and taking care of everybody.

"STACEY STACEY! WHERE IS SHE?" Hysterical shouts were heard from the living room where Henry had been taking his nap.

Linda and I ran towards the living room our hearts pounding, fearing the worst.

"Stacey OMG stac you're okay!" Henry got up and hugged me so tight I felt like I was gonna suffocate literally. I had no idea what was going on. I was feeling baffled. Did he have a nightmare? But why was he hugging me? Why not his mother.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. I woke up and I thought you were hurt or even worse. I'm so glad to see you're okay." He said checking me for damages.

"Henry what are you talking about?" I said completely baffled. Linda looked shocked and speechless as well. His behavior was making no sense.

"The accident. We were in an accident. Don't you remember?" Henry asked staring at me as if I was crazy.

He mentioned the accident. He was referring to the accident. Did he remember the accident?

"Henry what do you remember about the accident? Can you tell me? Do you remember who I am?" I asked.

Henry stared at me like I was crazy. He clutched his head and fell on the couch with a thud.

Oh shit he had fainted. Linda screamed. We both were scared shitless. What the hell had just happened. Linda called Henry's father. I called Nate. We needed a male to carry Henry to the car so we could rush him to the hospital.

Nate arrived before Henry's father. He was confused. I hadn't explained what had happened to Henry just that he had fainted. I told Nate the proceedings of earlier during the car ride and he was as baffled as me and Linda.