Page 18 of Remember Me

“Breathe with me, follow my lead.”

We breathe in and out together until I can finally take in some much-needed oxygen.

“You’re doing great, Lotts. Now, tell me three things you can see.”

Taking a look around me, I answer, “Cars, trees, and a lamp post.”

“Excellent, now what three things can you hear?”

“Your voice, the rustle of the leaves, and birds chirping.”

“Amazing, one more, which I know might be hard right now, but humor me. Can you move three parts of your body?”

I wiggle my fingers, lift my good leg up, and stick my tongue out at him. He chuckles at that one.

“Ok, smart ass. You feel ready to go now?”

I nod, and just as he moves around to take the handles of the wheelchair, I grab his forearm.

“Thank you. For knowing what I needed at that moment.” I offer him a small smile.

He shrugs. “It’s not my first rodeo.” He offers no further information, and we head toward a shiny black BMW SUV. It looks fancy. Jake told me he plays hockey in the NHL, so I knew he was earning big bucks, but this car looks like it’s worth more than my house.

Doors open, he walks toward me and goes to grab me under my legs to lift me up.

“W-what are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m lifting you into the car? Last I checked, you had a broken leg, and this car is too high for you right now,” he raises his brow.

Of course it is, eugh I’m so stupid. What did I think he was going to do? He lifts me like I weigh nothing, holding me like I’m something precious, like if he squeezes too hard, he’ll hurt me. I’m settled into the front seat, which he’s reclined and pushed all the way back. A blanket is thrown over me and my seatbelt is fastened over the top.

“You good?” he checks, looking over at me for any sign of discomfort, and when I give him the ok, he shuts the door and pops the chair in the trunk before getting in and starting the engine.

The drive to mine is silent, with nothing but the hum of the radio between us. My mind drifts back to the list of things I’ll need to do for my parents, and it hits me: I have no idea how to do any of these things or what I even need to do. Oh my god, will I have to get up in front of everyone and say something? My heart rate starts to speed up. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, breathing through my nose and desperately trying not to throw up.

“What’s going through your head, Lotts? You’ve got your thinking face on.”

He can read me well, that's for sure.

“Just thinking about my parents and how I’m going to say goodbye. God, Jake, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do now. Do I just call a funeral parlor? How do I find their will? There’s just so much I don’t know or want to deal with right now.” I sigh and cover my hands with my face.

“We can figure it out. My mom’s been through all this when my dad died, so she’ll definitely be able to help you, and you know her.”

“I do? Also, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Yeah, Hannah is my mom and Alyssa is my sister. And it’s ok. He died a long time ago.” Jake reaches his hand out to mine and clasps it in his.

“Hannah is your mom?”

He nods. Wow, ok. So we’re definitely close then.

“And Alyssa is your sister.”

“Yep, she’s my younger sister.”

This is so weird. How can I know these people but not him? It’s making my head hurt just thinking about it. Hopefully my memories make an appearance soon.

Chapter 13