Pieces

1

Michael

I was distraught as I helped Maddie into the house. She had been in a coma for a week and when she woke up, she didn't know I was her husband. She only knew me as her friend from college. Dr. Jones told me she had Infantile amnesia, which means she couldn't remember anything from the last three to five years of her life.

"When did we get married?" Maddie spoke as I helped her to the couch, sitting her down softly.

"Two years ago." I told her and she started giggling. I gave her a confused look and she tried to calm herself before speaking again.

"I'm sorry, it's just I never thought we'd ever be married. I didn't even know you liked me that way." She said.

"It's not that hard to believe, you confessed your love for me when you got drunk at a party." I told her and she gasped.

"I did?"

"Mhm. Do you want to lay down?" I asked her and she nodded. I picked her up bridal style and brought her to our room. Thank God we decided on a one story house or I'd have trouble trying to go up them stairs. I laid her down softly on the bed and she thanked me.

"Could you tell me how I got into the accident again?" She asked before I could leave the room. I nodded and sat down at the door of the bed.

"Doctors said your car slid off the road and crashed into a tree." I explained. "I tried to get you to stay home that day but not even the rain could change your mind."

"I'm sorry for being irresponsible Michael but for now all we'll have to do is create new memories since I lost the ones I had." She said.

"Get some rest." I told her as I got off the bed and left out the room and closed the door behind me. I didn't really want to talk anymore. All I wanted to know was what could have been so important that she needed to go out in a storm. She damn near killed herself for some mail? That doesn't make any since. She has never done nothing like that before.

I decided to occupy the guest room, thinking she wouldn't be comfortable with us sharing a bed right now. I wasn't too happy about sleeping alone but if it means she'd stay here in the house with me then so be it. After taking a much needed shower, I decided to make brunch since we missed breakfast. I made her a plate and almost walked to her room with it until I seen her occupied on the couch.

"What are you doing up? The doctor said—"

"I know what the doctor said Michael and I just didn't wanna stay in bed any longer." She told me. She patted a spot on the couch, indicating that she wanted me to sit. I brought the tray of food to her and sat it in her lap then walked away. I decided to eat in the dining room instead. My mind was still pretty clouded and I wasn't in the mood to talk to Maddie, the friend.

What if I'd never get my wife back?

It was now night time and I was getting ready for bed. Maddie and I haven't spoken since earlier and I didn't mind it. I needed more time away. I just couldn't process this. I'm more than happy knowing that she's alive and still here with me but she's here as a friend who thinks we're still in college. This hurts knowing I can't be affectionate with her anymore.

"Michael?" I heard. I turned around to see Maddie standing at the door in her pajamas. "Is it alright if I invited someone here?"

"What?" I said, becoming a little defensive. I didn't mean to sound so harsh but I was afraid of who she planned to invite.

"I-It's only for tonight Michael. I just wanted my sister to come over and keep me company." She said.

"Oh...yes, yes she can come. I didn't mean to—"

"It's alright Michael. If you want, you could join us in the living room for a movie." She gave me a small smile then turned on her heels and walked away. I slapped a hand on my forehead, feeling stupid for even thinking she'd bring another man in our house.

Her sister arrived twenty minutes later and the two of them were giggling in the living room and eating popcorn as they watched some comedy movie. I thought about joining them but I didn't want to make things awkward for the both of us. I stayed in my room for a little until I heard her sister ask for me. I sat up in bed and started to leave when Maddie came to the doorway.

"Come on Michael! When's the last time we did this? Like old times?" She asked as she grabbed my arm and dragged me out the room. My heart broke a little as she said that. The two of us used to do movie nights when we were the best of friends. Gathered the whole crew and stayed in the dorm to watch movies.

"Michael! I haven't seen you in awhile!" Her sister exclaimed as she got up to hug me tightly. I couldn't hug her back from how tight her arms wrapped around mine. She finally let me go and I was able to breath again.

"I know, I'm sorry. We just didn't have any time to visit." I lied. I wasn't too fond of her family and they felt the same about me.

"Don't be a stranger, come sit." She said as she directed me towards Maddie. I sat down in the middle of the two as they focused on the movie. The whole time I stayed quiet and felt more awkward than ever as they laughed and damn near talked the whole movie. I was just about ready to go to bed.

Once the movie ended, I said my good nights to the ladies then went to end. As I shut the light off, I could hear the two talking. My ears perked up once I heard my own name.

"How do you feel about Michael now?" Her sister asked.

"What am I suppose to feel? We're best friends, nothing more." Maddie said.

"What? You don't feel an ounce of love for the man you married?"

"No I don't. I don't even remember us dating or anything, how could I remember to love him?" Maddie said and I sighed sadly. My fears were more than true. She no longer loved me and will never love me at that.

"Will you tell him?"

"Maybe..if I can't seem to remember nothing, or feel anything at all in the next six months then I'll have no choice but to file for a divorce. No point in staying in a loveless marriage." I closed the door silently, hoping they didn't hear it. I had enough of eavesdropping in their conversation.

I laid in bed that night, staring at the ceiling as tears fell from my eyes. I had lost her. No matter if she stayed and waited, I knew I had lost her already. Times like this makes me wish I was able to go back in time and change things. Even if she did gain her memory back, it wouldn't be the same. Everything would still change and I'll still be sad