Our Little Infinity

Chapter 2

I wake to the smell of antibiotics and cleaner. I open one eye to survey my surroundings. I'm all alone in a white room with two chairs, an old TV, a window, and a tray. I open my other eye and I'm blinded by the room. It's so bright!

My head starts throbbing and I feel bad and achy. I see there are tubes in my nose and I'm confused on how I ended up here. I see an IV in my arm as well. I try to sit up but instead I moan in pain. I feel like crap. What happened to me?

I carefully turned my head when a tall lady with brown hair and black rimmed glasses walked in.

"Oh good! You're up!' She said enthusiastically. She smiled and walked over, "Do you know where you are?'

"I'm in a hospital." I managed to choke out. "But why?"

"You were in a car wreck. With your mother," she said with a frown.

"So... where is my mother?" I asked. She opened her mouth but stopped. She hesitated before saying,

"Honey," She looked up at me with a glint of pain in her brown eyes. I almost swore I saw tears swelling. "She's... dead." She turned her head away, as if she was in pain. She's a nurse. Shouldn't she be used to giving bad news? This probably happens more than I think it does. But I really shouldn't think about it.

"Wh-what about my dad?" I manage, fighting off tears. I have to stay strong.

"He's in Kentucky. We called him and he's on his way. He was visiting his family so he won't be here for a while. From Kentucky to Alabama is a long drive." She informed me.

"Do you know why we weren't with him?" It's hard to hold back tears. I don't know if I can take the pain.

"Well he said he left for Alabama when you were at school. He said he didn't want you to miss school. Your mom stayed with you and your brother. That's as far as I've heard."

"Oh...ok." I'm disappointed she didn't tell me more. But I doubt she knows. She's an innocent nurse. It's not like she knows everything.

"Your brother is in the hall for you,"

I cut her off before she can finish, " I have a brother? Where is he? What's his name? How old is he? Oh...sorry. I doubt you know any of this. I don't even know all this. What happened to me?!"

"Oh honey, Your brother... Travis I think is waiting out in the hall for you. He is nine, well I think that's what he said."

"How'd he get here?" I know it's a lot of questions but I can't remember anything.

"Your Grandma Kelly brought him. Honey, are you alright?" No. I feel sickly pale and weak. Why can't I remember anything? This is weird.

"Uh...yeah. Why?"

"You look sick. Are you sure you're all right."

"Yep. Positive." Lies.

"Ok. I'll tell Travis he can come in" she asks as more of a question.

"Okay" I smile. I'm so dumb. Why can't I remember anything? Ugh! I mean not even my own name. That's sad. Wait, what is name? Kelli? No that's not it. Karen? Nah. Whatever. It's like my mind is some sort of puzzle that I have to put together. But I can't find the pieces. Yeah, that's it. Should I ask? I bet I'll sound stupid. Oh well.

"Um...what is...my name?" Yep stupid.

She looks at me like I'm this weird alien. Then her look softens. "Oh dear! You-You don't know? This is terrible. But um... your name is Kristen Smith. your papers say your middle name is Ann. Do you need to know anything else? I'm always here. Well not always but most of the time. If I'm not-"

"It's fine" I chuckled at her blabbering. I'm surprised her tongue isn't in a knot! "Thanks" I smile.

"Oh you're welcome" she returns the smile and walks out.

A few minutes later a cute little blonde boy walks in. He has sky blue eyes and a beautiful smile. So this is Travis? He's adorable!

"KRISSY! ARE YOU OKAY?" He runs up to me. He attacks me with a bear hug. I chuckle,

"I was" I smile.

"Oh, whoops. Sorry" he chuckles then looks at the ground.

"It's fine." I can't believe I can't remember him. I had to ask a nurse who I barely knew. She hasn't even met him until today! Unless my mom had him here. I don't know.

"So how are you?" he says.

"I'm good. How about you?"

He sits on the bed and takes my hand. "Just hurt. Mom is... dead. Dad won't be here for a while. You're hurt. The nurse said you've lost your memory." he hesitates then adds, "So how do you know my name?"

While he talked, he had this pained smile. You could tell he forced it. "Um..." I don't want to say it but I will. "I asked the nurse. I'm sorry Travis. I should've waited to show mom the picture. Then your life would be so much easier. I'm sorry." I start balling as Travis scoots over.

"Shh Krissy. It's it's okay. It wasn't your fault"

"Yes it is Travis. I shouldn't have shown her the picture. I distracted her. I'm sorry" The tears sting the cuts on my face. I can't believe I did this. I ruined Travis' life.

"It's fine Krissy. She would want us to get over her and move on with our lives wouldn't she? There is nothing we can do to save her. She's already gone. It's okay."

I sigh, "You're right Trav. She would. Thanks." I smile.

We keep talking for a while. He catches me up on my life and what I did and everything. I love him. Even though I barely know him.