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I started my therapy with a psychiatrist and the sessions were short. You couldn’t do much with a person missing most of their memories. I didn’t dare speak of the Angel of Death. That would land me in a psychiatric ward.
The psychiatrist assured me that, if I relaxed and took it day by day, I’d likely have flashbacks and memories come back. I nodded, treating him with the same patience that I did Aunt Tracey, knowing he was wrong.
“Looks like you haven’t forgotten the computer crap after all,” Ralph said, throwing a miniature football in my direction. He’d come over after school to drop off my homework.
“Seems like it.” I picked up the ball and threw it back at him.
“So, you’re still headed to that fancy school I’m guessing.”
I looked down at the computer keys. “I think so. It’s easier that way, to go through with plans already made than to back out and try something else.” Then, I looked over at him. “What about you? What do you think is next for you?”
He fell back on my bed, tossing the ball up and catching it before answering. “I was offered a football scholarship with USC. Los Angeles sounds fun. I’ll probably do that, get my bachelor’s and figure it out from there.”
“Opposite ends of the country, huh?” I swiveled my chair to face him.
He stood. “Yeah. What’s losing one more friend?” He set the football down on the desk and walked out of my room.
I expected annoyance and maybe anger, but not this. I made my way down the steps, hoping to catch him before he left. By the time I made it to the front door, he was pulling out of the driveway in his dad’s pickup truck. “Damn it,” I said under my breath.
“Everything all right?” Tracey asked, stepping into the living room.
“I think I upset Ralph. We got to talking about our plans after high school.” I sat, running my hands through my hair, setting it in disarray.
She chuckled. “You guys never saw eye-to-eye on that subject. He probably figured you wouldn’t remember, so you wouldn’t go. Don’t worry too much about it. He’s got his own issues to sort through.”
I nodded and reached for the hair tie on my wrist, pulling my hair back into a bun.
“You ready for school?” Her eyes appeared to be looking for signs of wariness.
I kept my face impassive. “Should be fun.”
She sat next to me. “I shouldn’t be freaking out, right?”
“Don’t freak out, Tracey. I’m almost caught up. I just have to finish what Ralph dropped off and everything will be fine.” She was supposed to be comforting me, but I was content to do it for her.
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” Her eyebrows lifted at the question, like she was still searching for an inkling of distress.
Itistoo soon.
“No.”
“We still have the weekend together,” she said. “Want to see a chick flick with me?”
“Sure.” I pushed off the couch carefully with a smile. “Let me know when. I’m gonna go finish my homework.”
“How did I get so lucky? A kid who does his homework without having to be told.” She pranced off dramatically, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
I was lucky.Dexhad been lucky. For all the trouble he’d given Tracey, she was an unwavering support system who loved him through it all—his biggest cheerleader.
Yes, I was lucky.
* * *
When we pulledup to the house after the movie, I saw Ralph sitting on our stoop. I got out and, using one crutch, walked up to him.
“You good, man?” I asked, tempted to sit my crippled body next to his.
He looked up, his eyes red. He looked tired. “I’m good. I feel like shit but I’m good. Mind if I crash here? I promise not to bitch at you anymore.” There was a ghost of a smile, but that was it.
