Stolen Angel

Chapter 6: History of Life Lost

Frank's big hazel eyes were fixed on her intently. It was unnerving and she struggled to gather her thoughts. "About a year ago I woke up in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. I was told I had been in a coma for about 3 weeks. They also told me that I had run from the side of the road directly into the street in front of a car or at least that's what the guy that hit me told them when he brought me in." She took a deep breath. "Frank I don't remember anything before waking up in the hospital a year ago."

She paused her story allowing it to sink in. Frank's eyes widened at the realization that Maddy didn't know who he was. Maddy didn't remember how close they had been. Maddy didn't remember that her name was Maddy because Maddy had amnesia. He sat back in his chair trying to wrap his head around what was happening as she continued her story.

"When I woke up I couldn't remember the simple things like who I was, where I was from, but I also couldn't remember little things like the names of certain objects and how to tie my shoe. I worked with a therapist at the hospital on my speech and relearning all the simple things you know," She smiled, "One good thing about not having a memory is that experience is something new. Like tasting coffee." She took a triumphant sip of her latte and closed her eyes savoring the taste.

"So the the accent?"

"I guess I picked it from the therapist. But it's already starting to fade and I've only been back in the U.S. for a month."

He nodded. "So how did you get back to the States."

It was evident to the hospital that I was a U.S. citizen. I did speak English when I woke up and I was hit not far from the Embassy the hospital got in touch with the Embassy an had a representative come to the hospital to meet with me. She said that they were going to send me back to the States with a new name and social security number and everything. She said when I got here I would be given a place to stay and received financial assistance while I put my life back together and they try to figure out who I am."

"And they gave you the name Julia?"

She laughed. "Well actually I picked that out. The doctors and nurse at the hospital named me Julia because they said I had a smile like the actress."

Frank smiled. He didn't see the resemblance at all but he would go with it. "So how did you find me?"

"I heard your music on the radio and became a fan and the more I learned about you and the band the more I learned about Maddy. I figured it was a long shot for us to be the same person until I saw her picture on the website for your foundation then I realized there was a possibility. I had no idea how to get in contact with you so I resorted to the radio show. I don't know what I was hoping to get out of meeting you, I guess I was just hoping I would finally find someone who could tell me who I am."

"I know who you are," he smiled. "Your name is Madison Louise Phillips from Belleville, New Jersey. You were born May 5, 1990, you went missing on September 12, 2000 and your favorite color is purple," he added lightly touching the hem of her lavender dress.

She giggled. "So what about my family? Do I have any family? How did you and I know each other?"

Frank's smile faded. She seemed to finally be warming up to him and he had missed that smile. He hated to hurt her. "Actually I dated your older sister Addison in high school."

She scrunched up her nose in the same way she used to when her mom tried to get her to eat broccoli. "Addison and Madison?"

He laughed. "Yeah Addy and Maddy."

She shook and head and chuckled. "Bad names choices aside I have a sister! Where is she back home in Belleville? Is she here in LA? What's she like? What about my parents?"

Frank sighed. "I'm sorry Mad...Julia. Your family...they died about two years ago."

She gasped in shock. "What? How?"

"Car accident," he said simply. He just couldn't bare to tell her that her father had become an alcoholic after she went missing and he had killed his entire family, himself, and three people from another vehicle in the crash. She was upset enough already that information could wait for another time.

Tears sprang to Julia's eyes. She couldn't believe the odds she'd overcome: waking up from a coma, learning to take care of herself again, coming to the U.S. to start her life over, finally finding someone after a year who could tell her who she was; and after all this time of hoping and wishing, it didn't even matter because her family was dead. She was still alone only this time without the hope that somewhere a family was waiting for her.

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