Rachel opened her eyes, grimaced at the pain in her head, and promptly closed them again. Where was she? She squinted and peered at the dimly lit room. Her mind spun in circles of confusion.
She glanced to her right—wrong move—a stab of pain shot through her. She thought she saw Lizzie standing by the window.
Then she remembered. That’s right. Lizzie had pulled her out of the river. That’s why she was here in the hospital. Lizzie had saved her from drowning. She’d have to thank her for that.
Why had she been so foolish to go swimming alone? Her mom was going to kill her. She’d probably be grounded for life. Where was her mother?
Her thoughts swirled around and she closed her eyes and surrendered to the darkness.
Later she tried to open her eyes again. The room was quiet. Dark. But there was Lizzie, still here. Sitting in a chair beside the bed now. Wasn’t Lizzie’s mother worried that she was still here? And where had she gotten a change of clothes? She’d been in her swimsuit at the river.
Thoughts tumbled around her brain, but she couldn’t sort them out.
“Lizzie?” She croaked out the name.
Lizzie jumped up and came to stand beside the bed, taking her hand. “I’m here.”
“You saved me.” Gratitude swept through her.
A deep frown etched her face. “I… I didn’t. I couldn’t catch you in time. You hit your head.”
“My head? No… I was drowning.”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “No, Rach, that was… that was a long time ago.”
“But I’m in the hospital.” She moved her head to the left just the tiniest bit. Definitely in a hospital room.
“You fell. You hit your head on the tile. There was a lot of blood. The doctor thinks you have a concussion. You need to stay here overnight.”
“Where was I?”
“You were at your house.”
“Is Mom mad about her tile? Is she there getting the blood cleaned up? Is that why she’s not here?”
“No, Rachel, not your mother’s house. Your house.”
“I have a house?”
“I’m going to call the doctor to come see you.” Lizzie’s face clouded with worry, and she pushed the call button.
She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate. She had a house? When did she get that?
Vague memories of a big, white house clouded her memories. A nice patio out back. Pretty furniture inside. And Lizzie had helped her pick out the furniture. She opened her eyes and stared at Lizzie. She was… older.
She reached up to touch her head, and as she pulled her hand away she saw a big sparkly diamond on her left hand. And a… wedding band.
Memories wove back and forth, confusing her. Ronnie. That’s right. She’d married Ronnie. They lived in the white house. She licked her lips. “Where’s Ronnie?”
“He’s, ah…” Lizzie looked around in a panic.
The door to the room opened, and a man in a white coat hurried in. “Ah, she’s awake. Good.”
“She’s… confused.” Lizzie glanced worriedly at the man.
“That’s not surprising. She took quite a fall.”
“Lizzie… where is Mom?”
“She’s on her way. She’ll be here soon.”
Lizzie’s hand touched her face—it was so warm. Lizzie pushed back a lock of her hair. She reached up and grabbed her hand.
“And Ronnie? Where’s he?” Shouldn’t her husband be here?
“Uh… he…” Lizzie looked questioningly at the doctor.
“Do you remember your accident?” the doctor asked.
“No.” She thought back. She really couldn’t remember anything about today. All her thoughts swirled around in a big quagmire of flashes of memory. Her first date with Ronnie. She’d fallen in love with him on the very first date. Her wedding day. She remembered it. A huge affair with lots of flowers. She’d loved her dress. Lizzie had been her maid of honor. But today? She couldn’t remember today.
“I was over visiting you,” Lizzie stared at her, eyes hopeful.
She didn’t know what Lizzie wanted from her. She was doing her best to remember. That’s right. Lizzie often came over when Ronnie was out of town. Ronnie was always out of town. She remembered that. But he was coming home tonight. She was certain of that. Surely he’d be here soon.
Ronnie…
She sat straight up in bed as her memory cleared and every horrible detail of the evening crashed down over her. She looked wildly around the room, refusing to believe the thoughts cramming into her mind, struggling to breathe.
She howled and screamed, clawing the air around her.
But all the memories were back, firmly clinging to her mind.
The doctor was standing over her on one side and the nurse on the other, with Lizzie hovering beside her. She willed herself back into the darkness. Slowly the memories began to fade, though she thought she still heard someone screaming.
Then blessed darkness descended on her again.