I Don't Remember

Chapter 7: Home

            Eventually, Monday rolled around and I was more than eager to leave.  I cooperated with the nurses and doctor as they gave me a few final tests and asked me questions.  I was a little disappointed that Maddie wasn’t here yet to pick me up, but I knew she probably had a good reason.  Last night, Niall had left a change of clothes for today for me so once I was officially checked out, I changed into them.  I glanced at the clock in the waiting room for the millionth time.   Maddie was supposed to be here two hours ago, I thought to myself.  I tried calling her, but there was no answer.  My only other option was calling Niall, so I did that. 

            “August? Is everything alright?” he asked with concern. 

            “Yeah, um, Maddie was supposed to get me but she isn’t here and she isn’t answering her phone, could you come get me?” I mumble, feeling bad for interrupting his schedule.  It was only nine in the morning; he could have been sleeping.

            “Yeah! I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he replied.  We said goodbye then hung up.  I remembered him saying he lived about twenty minutes from the hospital, so I would have some time to read.  I pulled the book out of my bag and opened to the page I last read.

            “Ready to go?” I heard a familiar voice ask.  I look up to see Niall smiling down at me.  My eyes flickered to the clock to discover a half hour had already passed.  I must’ve been absorbed in the book.  I nod my head, tucking the book back into the bag.  Niall escorted me out of the hospital with his hand on my upper back: a friendly gesture to assure everything was alright.  I followed him to his car and slid into the passenger seat, buckling my seatbelt. 

            “Did I wake you this morning?” I asked curiously. I owed him an apology if I had.

            “Nah, I was just eating breakfast was all,” he explained.  I nodded my head in response, not knowing what else to say.  He turned up the radio, quietly humming along to the song.  He pulled into the driveway of a small, white house. 

            “Is this your house?” I asked, finding the house to be a cute, simple one.

            “Nope, it’s yours.  And Maddie’s,” he explained.  I collected my belongings out of his car and followed as he walked me up to the door.  “There should be a spare key right here,” he said, lifting up a small flower pot that sat on the porch.  Sure enough he pulled out a key and unlocked the door.  “There you go.  I gotta get to work, but call me if you need anything, alright?” he states.  I nod, smiling, and wave goodbye as he leaves the driveway in his car.  I stepped inside the house, inhaling the scent that filled my nose.  I liked it – it smelled homey.  I slowly walked around the house, exploring the new sights until I found the kitchen.  I noticed a box of doughnuts on the counter and took one, enjoying the treat as I bit into it.  I found the stairwell quickly and went upstairs to find my bedroom.  I peeked in all the doors, finding the bathroom, a closet, and finally a bedroom.  I went in, looking at the decorations.  Various picture frames on the dresser caught my attention as I walked past them.  Paying more attention to them, I saw pictures of Maddie and Harry, and realized this must be Maddie’s room.  I exited and returned to the hallway.  There was only one room I hadn’t been in, so I assumed that it would be my bedroom.  I entered, finding it to be a fairly simple room.  The only framed picture in it was one of Harry, Maddie, me, and Niall in a group hug.  I smiled, grateful that I had that to look at.  I found different books lying around, and a few articles of clothing thrown on the floor.  Wanting nothing else, I climbed in bed a fell asleep thankful for being in my own bed.