Antonio - Ashlee Price Page 0,3

her skills, I can now see my eyes and my ears. I look cleaner, too, especially since she also gave me a good shave.

I touch my smooth chin. I guess I look more like a person now, no longer a mess.

"It's good," I answer. "You did good. Thank you."

"Don't thank me for your good looks." She pats my shoulder. "Unfortunately, they're not from me."

There it is again. That longing in her voice. That sadness in her eyes.

I know the reason for it now. Abby and Mitch don't have a child. They had a son once, David, but he had a congenital blood disorder and died when he was just four years old. Apparently, Abby had a hard time conceiving him, too, and they couldn't have another child after. It's been more than a decade since then and Abby still hasn't overcome the loss. Once, I overheard her telling Mitch that if their son had survived, he'd be close to my age by now. She even said he'd probably be just like me - as tall as me, handsome, smart, kind. Mitch didn't say anything. He doesn't talk about David at all. Sometimes, though, I catch a glimmer of anguish in his tired eyes. I can only guess that it must be either because he, too, is still grieving over his son's death or because he feels sorry for his wife.

At any rate, my presence has caused them some pain, and so it's a good thing I'm leaving.

"I have lots of things to thank you for, though," I tell Abby as I send her a smile over my shoulder. "For taking me under your roof. For feeding me such delicious food. For tending to my wounds. For saving my life and helping me get back on my feet. I doubt I can ever repay you and Mitch for your kindness."

For a moment, she doesn't answer. Tears brim in her eyes. Ah. Just as I thought, she's going to cry.

"Don't go, Antonio!" Abby pleads as she wraps her arms around me. "You don't have to go. You can stay here until all your memories return or until you find out who you are. Or you can just forget them all and start over. I know Mitch and I aren't your family, but we'll take care of you and give you a home and..."

"Abby," Mitch cuts her off from the doorway. "We already talked about this. Antonio can't stay."

"Why not?" She takes her arms off me and faces her husband. "It's not like he has somewhere to go or anyone else to turn to. And you need..."

"Abby," Mitch says her name in a more serious tone this time.

She looks like she wants to say more but she just purses her lips and dries her tears. Then she gives me another hug.

"Take care, Antonio."

Before I can reply, she lets go and leaves the room, walking past her husband without so much as glancing at him. Mitch doesn't flinch.

"Are you ready to go?" he asks me.

I nod. I might as well leave before I cause more trouble.

"Sure."

~

The ride from the Woods Clinic to the Summerset bus stop in Mitch's silver four-door pickup truck turns out to be a quiet one except for the country music drifting from the speakers.

I can't tell what Mitch is thinking. Is he still upset with Abby? Is he mad at me for making her upset? Does he wish I had never showed up, that he had never taken me in?

I don't blame him. I did disrupt their lives. And not just theirs. While I was staying at their house, I noticed townspeople dropping by almost every day, some to have someone treated, others just to chat. Based on what I heard from them, the whole town knew I was there - and not everyone liked it. Why would they? I'm an outsider, a stranger, and the people here have probably known each other for years. They don't know who I am. I don't even know who I am. I'm an unknown variable inserted into a setup that's been working smoothly, a new cog thrown into the gears, unfamiliar and completely unnecessary, so of course they want me gone before I cause any more trouble.

And I am going. I'll hop on the next bus and leave. It's the right thing to do. I don't belong here.

Still, there's a part of me that's begun to wonder if I can stay in this town, if I can make a place for myself here,

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