long was I out for?” That’s the only question I can formulate. Not the fact the doctor just told me these strangers are my parents and my sister. I mean, they must be, right? Random strangers wouldn’t waste their time here with someone they didn’t know.
What else can I do but believe what I’m told? What would you do?
“Only a few hours. You’ve been in and out of sleep from the pain meds. Nurse Jackie and I will leave you to visit with your family now. I know it’s hard when it seems like you don’t know these people but try to take comfort in the fact their love for you is written all over their faces.” Dr. Evans and Nurse Jackie smile before exiting the room.
“Oh, Jules, I’m so sorry, baby. This is killing me.” The woman, who I assume is my mother, fishes in her purse and pulls out pictures. “You’re our firstborn, Juliet Marie, and we love you very much.”
I glance at the pictures, but they don’t help. I don’t recognize anyone. But what I can recognize is the pain and love etched on her face. When I glance at the young woman, who must be my sister, I smile slightly, and she bursts into tears and runs around the side of the bed to hug me.
“Jelly Bean, I’m so sorry. You’ll be okay. I’m here for you,” she whispers and hugs me tight. I hug her back because what else can I do? Her love is strong, and I can’t help but want to feel a piece of it.
It’s weird knowing what these feelings are when I don’t know who I am. My mind drifts as I take in my room. I know it’s a hospital; it’s sterile-looking with beeping machines and a plain white clock with a black rim around it. How do I remember what a hospital looks like, but I can’t remember these people in front of me with so much love pouring from them?
“Jelly Bean?” I mumble as she pulls away.
“My nickname for you. You call me Lil’ J.”
“Your name starts with a J, too?”
She nods. Her hair is dark, her eyes even darker. I imagine I look like her, or I should say I hope I do because she’s gorgeous. Her tan skin, her big eyes and long lashes, and heart-shaped face, she must get whomever she wants. “Jess, Jessica Diane. Our middle names are from Mom. She’s Diane Marie, and Dad is Peter Michael.”
I nod and glance at the man next to my mom, who I assume is my father. When I look back and forth between my mom and dad, I do see my sister’s looks from them. I need to see what the hell I look like.
“Does anyone have a mirror?”
They give me a weird look, but Jess runs over to her purse. “I do.”
It’s in front of my face a second later, and when I see my reflection, my mouth drops open.
My look is similar to Jess, yet different in my own way. Soft features like my mother, and tan skin like my father, my own eyes big and slightly lighter in color than Jess, yet our similarities can easily be seen.
I hope studying my face would wiggle a memory, but nothing.
I’m a complete stranger to myself.
Handing the mirror back to my sister, she looks down at my hand. “Jules, where’s your ring?”
“What ring?” I look down at my fingers and wonder what she’s talking about.
“Your engagement ring. I’m going to ask where they put your jewelry.”
My head reels with the new information. Engagement ring?
“You’re engaged, Jules. His name is Will,” Jess whispers.
Another bomb dropped on me. Shit. This is all so fucked up.
“Where is he then?” I blurt out.
“He’s on his way,” my mother assures, patting my hand. “He went out of town for a conference, but he took the next possible flight. He should be here anytime now.”
The door opens, and a man stumbles in, looking disheveled and out of breath. Frantic and worried. But when his eyes land on me, his entire face melts.
My heart picks up in speed again.
But not from nerves this time.
I don’t know what for, but it’s there all the same, like my heart suddenly joined a race I didn’t know about.
He rushes over, and the air changes, shifting in intensity. “I got here as fast as I could. Jules, are you okay?” He grabs my arm, and I jump from his touch like I was sparked with an electrical