As soon as he says "Chloe Butler," I known he is right. I am Chloe Butler, not Aubrey Patrick. But while I know I am Chloe, I still have strong feelings about the name Aubrey Patrick. Who is she? Is she my best friend? My cousin? My teacher? Who is Aubrey Patrick?
The doctor continues to stare at me. "Chloe? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Aubrey was, um, just the first name that came to mind. But, um, something feels right about the name Chloe. I think I remember, uh, that I'm Chloe," I stammer nervously.
The doctor smiles, relieved. "Oh, good. I was a little worried. If you had a case of, hmm, let's call it 'mistaken identity,' you might have a mental problem. However, we have wonderful specialists up on the fourth floor that help people with problems like that."
Mental problem. Specialists. Fourth floor. Now there's no way I'm telling the doctor my thoughts about the name Aubrey Patrick. He'd send me off to the crazy floor, I think. Out loud, I say, "Okay."
"But you did remember your name, right?" the doctor asks.
"Well, I did as soon as you said it," I admit.
The doctor makes some notes on his clipboard, muttering to himself. Finally, he looks up. "Well, Chloe," he begins. "You definitely have amnesia, but your memories will return with time. I'm going to call your parents and let them know you're awake. They'll come here as soon as they can. Why don't you lie down and get some rest, at least until they arrive?" he suggests.
I nod, and the nurse lowers my bed. "I'm glad you're awake, honey," she whispers. "This room has been quiet for a little too long."
I don't bother to reply, because I am already drifting off to sleep.
* * *
"Chloe!"
I look up from my container of flavorless hospital pudding. A woman in a green sweater and jeans stands in the doorway. A man with very little hair is right behind her.
"Are you my mother?" I ask. I don't recognize this woman at all, but based on what the doctor said, it would make sense that this woman would be my mother.
"You remember me?" My mother's eyes fill with tears.
"Well, no, but the doctor said you would be coming." I hate to break her heart, but I'm trying my best to be honest.
My mother nods quickly, wiping away her tears. She steps closer to me.
"I'm so glad you're awake. We've missed you so much!" she says.
What do I say? I've missed you, too? I'm glad I'm awake? Finally, I settle on just smiling.
"Hi, Chloe," the man says.
"Hi... Dad," I answer, trying the word out. He smiles, so I know I used to call him Dad.
"And I called you...Mom?" I ask the woman. She nods.
Another adult enters the room. "Hey, Chlo, glad to see you're up!" the stranger says.
"And you're my... uncle?" I guess. The young man laughs, so I must have got it wrong.
"Nope, sorry. Try again," he says.
"James, don't tease your sister," my mother scolds him.
My eyes widen. "You're my brother?" I ask.
"Wow, you really do have amnesia. Yeah, Chlo, I'm James. I'm your older brother."
I don't know how old I am, but I can't be close to his age. "How... how old are you?"
"I'm twenty-seven," he answers. "And, because I know you're wondering, you're fifteen."
"Wow," I say. "This is a lot to take in."
I'm not sure what to say next, but luckily, the nurse saves me.
"All right everyone, I think Chloe is a bit worn out. Why don't you come back in a few hours, once we do some tests and let her rest a while?" the nurse says, ushering them out of the room.
"I love you, Chloe!" my mother calls as she is leaving.
In a way, I just met her! I realize.
I say nothing.
