As soon my name was mentioned, the memories began flooding back. Not only was I eighteen years old, but I had just graduated from high school, the salutatorian of my class (only .03 grade points off of the valedictorian too). I was the oldest of two sons, my thirteen-year-old brother Aaron and I both living with our mother after our father had died unexpectedly in his sleep five years ago. The wooziness and unclarity lifted from my mind like a fog lifting from a swamp. But one thing remained unclear: the hospital. I had no idea why I would be in there.
“C-can you turn the lights on or something?” I asked the voice.
“Certainly,” it said. As I listened closer, I could make out a hint of femininity to it. It had the sound of someone who had been alive for quite a while, but hadn’t let those years jade them in any way. “You might want to shield your eyes,” she warned.
“Okay.” I did so, and with a flicking sound, bright stale light filled the room. My eyes took a few seconds to adjust, and when they did, I saw the smiling face of an African-American woman wearing a nurse’s uniform.
“Well, nice to see ya up and awake again, hon,” she said, as she started to check the machines next to me. As I looked around, I felt a dull poking sensation throughout my body, and looked down and noticed half-a-dozen tubes and cables hooked up to me.
“Why am I here?” I asked, shifting around a little. “What happened to me? And who are you?”
“Hm, you really don't remember me, do you?” The nurse shook her head and sighed. “Well, I suppose the doctors did say that you might experience a little temporary amnesia. Okay, fine. You’ve been here at Assumption Hospital for over two weeks, since you were in a big car wreck. And my name is Nurse Childs; you and I have talked nearly every day since then.”
I shook my head, trying to clear it. Her name did sound familiar, and yet there was something strange about it, like I was hearing it for the first time still. Even if I wasn't quite sure who she was, I decided that I just had to fake, if only to spare her feelings.
"Oh, yeah. I remember now." I nodded, trying to smile. At that moment, though, the sharp pain reappeared in my head, and I winced.
"Oh, hon, lie back down and take it easy. No need to stress yourself out on my account, ya hear?"
I nodded and did as she instructed. She continued to fiddle with the machines for a while, during which I drifted back off into sleep.
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