Chapter Three

Over the next ten days Obie saw more of St Luke’s Hospital than he’d ever wanted to. Jon had asked him to find out all he could about her but so far the name Abby Anderson wasn’t ringing any bells. Obie was worried about his boss as something had gotten into Jon and he wasn’t going to leave this woman until he knew she was ok. Obie knew Jon could get somewhat obsessive at times but it was usually getting a piece of music right or making sure a contract was watertight. He’d never known him to get obsessed over a woman before, but then again, he reasoned, Jon had been with the same woman for almost thirty years.

Jon had sat by Abby’s bedside and read to her. Because of the swelling to her brain coma had been induced in order to give the swelling a chance to go down and also as a painkiller, to allow her body to rest and, hopefully, recuperate.

On the first day he’d been allowed in to see her he’d brought along a book he’d picked up at home and had subsequently brought it in every day to read to her for as long as the nurses would allow. She’d been moved to a private room at Jon’s expense and all the nurses, according to Obie, were in awe at how attentive a partner he was.

Jon didn’t so much see as feel her fingers flexing. He’d fallen asleep whilst reading to her and was softly snoring when he felt a slight, feather light touch on his forehead. He opened his eyes and stared through a swath of blond hair that had fallen across his face. At first he wasn’t sure what he was looking at then he realised he was looking at her fingers and they were moving.

Jon shot up from the bed, ignoring the crick in his neck.

“Nurse! She’s awake!” he yelled, looking back out through the glass walls of her room to the nurses station outside. The blinds that afforded some privacy had been pulled back allowing the nurses outside to see in and keep an eye on her at all times.

Jon found himself being hustled out of the room as medical staff surrounded her bed. They’d begun the process of waking her up after scans had shown the swelling on her brain had gone down, now that she’d woken up they were doing all they could to make her comfortable and to check her vital signs.

He took the opportunity to go outside for a cigarette and to check his blackberry for messages. Outside in the bitter cold, he tugged his scarf closer and took a drag off the Marlboro light. He’d gotten an email from Richie and thumbing through his contacts list pressed the call button.

“Hey man, long time no hear, how’s it going bro?” Richie’s voice boomed through the phone, bringing sunshine and warmth to Jon.

“hey Rich, what’s up?” he replied.

“Nothing…well I spoke with Obie last week and well, he’s…we’re worried about you man. He told me about your girlfriend. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know you were dating anyone, you sly dog!” he chuckled.

Jon smiled.

“Yeah well, We’ve really only just met and we wanted to be sure before we told anyone, ya know?” the lies slipped easily off his tongue but he couldn’t stop them.

“How is she? More importantly, how are you? Have you been sleeping? Obie said you looked tired.”

“I’m ok, same shit different day, right? Abby’s just coming out of the coma she was in.”

“Coma? Shit! didn’t know about that, hell, must be rough on you man. Shit.” Richie expressed

“Well, she had some swelling on the brain and the doc thought the best thing to do while we waited for it to go down was to induce a coma. She‘s got amnesia.” Jon sighed, taking another drag of his cigarette.

“Oh hell man, that’s tough, especially after…”

“Yeah. Well I’d better get back inside, see how she is. Give my love to Ava and the flavour of the month.” he chuckled, preparing to disconnect the call.

“Hey Jon, I’m flying in next week to visit Ma. I’ll come over and catch up with ya, ok? Hang in there man, I’m sure everything will be ok.” Richie said, concerned.

“Ok.” Jon hung up and, stubbing out the cigarette, made his way back into the warmth of the building.

‘Yeah, everything will be ok.’ He thought, sarcastically. ‘Only if she’s still got amnesia. If she remembers everything then I’m in the shit. I‘ve lied to the docs, the police and now Richie.’

You put yourself there, you get yourself out of it. His conscience spoke.

Oh shut up!, he told his conscience, When I want your opinion I’ll ask for it.

He walked back in and headed for the cafeteria. His stomach was rumbling, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten in a long while. He felt hungry for the first time in days and welcomed the thought of food and caffeine.



She opened her eyes as a man walked into the room. She’d seen so many doctors and nurses over the past few hours, had been through so many tests and had been poked and prodded until she’d felt like a pincushion that the last person she wanted to see right now was another doctor.

He walked towards her bed, his brows furrowed. She smiled at him, apprehensively. He didn’t look like a doctor but then again.

“Hi” he said, his voice was aged whisky and smoke.

“Hi,” she replied, thinking how handsome and yet familiar he was and wondering why he was there, “Are you another doctor?” she asked. Her voice was soft and melodic and above all, British., “You look so familiar to me, have we met before?” she pondered as her Swiss cheese brain gave her no hints.

“I’m Jon.” he said, pulling a chair over to her bedside and sitting down. He was slightly shocked to hear a British accent but looking at her face, thought it suited her.

“Oh,” she smiled broadly, showing white, even teeth, “The doc said you’d been here at my bedside since the accident. He said that we’re…dating? Of course that would explain why I know your face.” she said, laughing softly her ice blue eyes clear and honest.

Jon looked into the woman’s face, saw the honesty and trust written there and something ignited in his soul. He wanted to help her and take care of her, get to know her.

“Yeah, it’s been low key and private but yeah.” he placed his hands on the bed and was slightly surprised when she placed one of her small hands over his and squeezed.

“Thank you.” she said, softly, “But I’m really sorry, I just don’t remember you, not really, it‘s like I know you but I don‘t. Does that make sense?”

Jon nodded.