As The Memories Fade // c.h.

3. Keeping Secrets

“Who leaves out the back entrance of a hospital, mum?” I groaned as we passed through a set of doors out into the sun. I’d been released only twenty minutes ago, and, instead of leaving the hospital through the front like normal people, my mum had decided to usher me out the back. Janette was the one who answered my question.

“Some celebrity was brought in earlier for alcohol abuse. There’s a lot of fans and paparazzi out front, and they’re being fairly obnoxious about the entire thing.” She explained. I nodded understandingly. Poor celebrity. It must suck to have every bit of one’s life scrutinized by the entire world. I would hate it.

“Well, I hope they end up being okay. Must suck to have no private life. I couldn’t do it.” I stated as my mum opened the door to her car. It was the same navy blue Taurus I remembered, though there was a dent in the door that was new. She hummed in agreement as she helped me into the car.

“I agree, being a celebrity does seem like a tough life. But I think you’d be able to handle it.” She said simply before closing my car door. Janette waved at me through the closed window before turning to my mum and saying something. The two hugged briefly, then Janette was disappearing back through the doors of the hospital. I’d be seeing her quite often over the next month or two, despite not being in the hospital 24/7. I had to come in for weekly check-ups and physical therapy sessions.

My mum seemed rather giddy on the way home. She wouldn’t tell me why, nor would she explain to me why she wouldn’t allow me to listen to the radio. So, the two of us sat, listening to a stupid political station as they droned on and on about laws and things I hadn’t even heard of.

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“You need help getting out of the car, dear?” Mum’s voice sounded muffled as she dragged the large duffel she’d had at the hospital around the car.

“Yeah, that’d be delightful.” I grunted as I tried to maneuver myself from the car. A hand reached down, and I gladly took it, using the attached arm as leverage to pull myself from the car.

“You’re lucky I’m still strong.” I looked up in surprise as a decidedly un-feminine voice spoke.

“Dylan!” I squealed, dropping the purse I was holding in my left hand and flinging my arms around his neck. He’d grown a bit since I remembered, but his boyish face and dark hair still remained the same. “Please tell me Jessie is here too.” I said, using him as a stabilizer as I attempted to peer around him and locate the tall, leggy girl he called his twin sister. He coughed somewhat awkwardly before leaning down to pick up my purse for me.

“She’s moved to America. Owns a small flower shop and everything.” He explained. “But, I do have some people for you to meet.” He said, smiling as he led me towards my house. The process of getting to the house was a slow one. I was allowed to use my ankle, but it was still rather weak, so I found myself relying heavily on Dylan as a sort of crutch to help me stay upright.

I had no more than sat down on the couch in the living room when a small, curly-haired child came storming into the room.

“Aunty Rosie!” She called out excitedly as she ran up to the couch and climbed up next to me. I watched her silently for a moment, a bit confused, before Dylan reached down and plucked her off the couch.

“Samantha Claire, you be careful. She still has owies, and needs to let them heal.” He scolded. I gave him a raised-eyebrow look as a woman came out of the kitchen. Dylan walked over to the woman and pecked her on the lips briefly before turning to me. I connected the dots immediately, taking note of the glistening ring on the woman’s left hand.

“You got married?” I exclaimed in surprise, looking up at him. He shook his head.

“Not yet, we haven’t. The wedding’s in a few months.” He clarified. I nodded, smiling at the woman.

“I’m terribly sorry to ask this, because I know I should know the answer, but what’s your name?” She shook her head, causing her chestnut hair to fan out around her face.

“No, no, I understand. Don’t apologize. My name is Leanna.” She said.

“Why are you telling Rosie your name, mummy? She already knows it, silly!” I looked down at the carpet as Dylan set the girl on the floor and scolded her.

“What did mummy tell you before I went outside? Aunty Rosie got an owie on her head, and she can’t remember some things.” He said. I looked up at him as he did the same to me. He must have seen the expression on my face, because he stood up and whispered something to Leanna. She took Samantha by the hand and led her from the room, saying something about ice cream. After they were gone, Dylan came over and sat down next to me on the couch. My mum walked in a few minutes later and sat down on the chair in the corner.

“What do we do next, mum?” I asked, the tone of my voice sounding defeated. She shrugged.

“We move on. Just because you can’t remember some things doesn’t mean your life has ended.” She said simply. I nodded slowly.

“I guess. But what happens when people expect me to know who they are? What do I do then?” I asked.

“Nobody is going to expect anything from you, honey. We all know what’s happened, and we’re all going to do our best to help you out as you adjust.” She assured. I smiled weakly and nodded.

“Thanks, mum.”

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“In other news, our sources have confirmed that Rose Cleary, girlfriend of 5 Seconds of Summer bassist, Calum Hood, has been released from the hospital.” I froze in the middle of bringing the spoon of cereal to my mouth. Wait, what? I stood up from the kitchen table as quickly as I could and rushed into the living room. My mum had the remote in her hand, and was about to change the channel.

“Don’t.” I snapped. She looked up at me with wide eyes and slowly lowered the remote. The pretty blonde talk show host continued speaking.

“Neither Cleary nor 5 Seconds of Summer have made any more statements about the car accident that took place nearly three weeks ago. Now, please be wary, as the footage you’re about to see is a bit hard to watch.” She announced. A moment later, the screen showed a blurry, low quality video.

The two cars were totaled, glass shards scattered everywhere. The small silvery car was practically unrecognizable, its front passenger side almost completely bashed in. It wasn’t the sight that chilled me to the bone, however. It was the sound. In the first few seconds, after the person recording the video finished saying ‘Oh my God’, there was an anguished shout from inside one of the cars. I watched the video numbly as one word was repeated over and over again.

Rose.

The video cut out, replaced once again by the reporter. She shook her head sadly.

“So sad. I’m very happy to hear that she is alive and well. I remember having the band here only a month ago, and she came with them. Such a lovely girl, she is. So kind and polite. Very funny, too. Just like her boyfriend.” As the talk show moved on to another subject, I let my gaze slide to my mother. I could feel my hands clenching and unclenching as my shock was replaced with anger and frustration.

“What else have you been keeping from me, mum?”

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So, how are you all liking it so far? I know there haven't been many reads, and maybe that's because this is only the third chapter. Anyways, I'd love to know your thoughts. Is it a good story? Worth continuing?