Confused (scene 9)

Mum sips her coffee. I've finished my chocolate milk and I'm now tapping my chair leg with my foot in the waiting room. Mum told me to give them some space, that Tara's parents would call with any news. But I couldn't just sit at home. Mum patiently watches the passers by. I on the other-hand squirm in my chair, playing with my hair, and going to the bathroom a million times. I want to march into Tara's room and hug her, or slap her, whatever is needed to bring my best friend back.

I practically tip the magazine stack and coffee table over seeing Tara's dad coming through the ward doors. He looks bamboozled. He sees us and half smiles. An unsteady, tired smile.

'Mostly she's okay.' Mum hugs him as he breaks down.

'Can we see her?' I ask. James pulls away from Mum.

'Sorry Davina.'

'It's okay James, really,' Mum says.

'Physically, Tara seems alright. She's still quite confused and can't really tell us much about where she's been. She can't remember her home address, but thankfully recognises us as her parents.'

'What do you mean recognises?' I butt in.

'There's things she can't seem to recall like what year it is or when she was born.'

A cold feeling explodes inside my chest. My mind replays the weird look Tara gave me when I found her: like she didn't know who I was either. Get Real Reilly. It didn't matter what was wrong with her, she'd never forget us. Forget how she dared me to shove a whole bag of marshmallows in my mouth at once and how I'd managed about three quarters before almost choking to death. Or how I had the biggest crush on Kevin Langford in the year above us at school, and Tara asked him out for me. We lasted about a week. Kevin was about as much fun as watching my mum clipping her toenails on a Saturday night, snorting at the latest episode of 'The real housewives' of who knows where.

'Can we see her?' I ask again. James nods.

'It might be good for her to see some familiar faces. But please, try not to get offended if she can't remember who you are. Until the scan results come back, it's a guessing game.' I nod, not really listening and charging on ahead.

I find Tara's room. She is sitting up-right in a hospital bed, wearing a gown. Tara's mum Sandra is sitting next to her. She looks much better than when I found her. Tara smiles as I enter the room. My spirit rises. She does remember me.

'Thank you for calling my mum. I guess without you I wouldn't have found them again.' I give her a great big hug. Her body is stiff.

She shifts uncomfortably on the bed, allowing my arms to drop by my sides. I look at her.

'Tara I've missed you so much, you've know idea how much.' She's giving me that look again. Her mum is watching too.

'Thanks again,' she mumbles.

'Tara, it's Reilly. You know Reilly?' It doesn't even take her two seconds to shake her head as if I'm a total stranger. It feels like someone is punching me in the gut. Sandra throws me a kind smile, but she has no idea how I feel. I get up and leave the room. Mum is in the hallway with James. I see her and burst into tears.

#Memoryloss #Family #Bestfriend #confused #Dazed #Forgotten