Dahlia and Darren

Sandee visited as well, she sat for a long time that night on the other side of the bed holding Dahlia's hand and fixing her hair and talking to her.

The next day, her eyes flickered more and more, he watched her jaw moved up and down as if she was moving her tongue. He saw a facial expression, a wince, as though she had tasted something bad. He thought perhaps her mouth was dry. He remained holding her hand, and smiling at her every time he saw her eyes flicker. Late that night, he saw them appear to be half open. He sat in silence staring into them, running his hands through her hair, smiling. It lasted maybe 10 minutes and they were fully closed again.

Over the next two days he continued whispering to her, holding her hand, looking for more signs of awareness. Little by little she would move her head more, or move her thumb faster across his hand, or hold her eyes open a little longer. He couldn't help but get choked up with tears of joys as he watched her slowly become more and more aware and awake. Dr. Decker informed him this was normal and that people don't just suddenly wake up like they had a nice long nap when they come out of coma. It takes time.

Darren rested he head on the rail again a week after his mother showed signs of awareness. He was smiling with his eyes closed, when he felt her squeeze his hand. He cleared his throat and looked up to her. His eyes locked on to hers. They were fully open, she was staring into his. A small smile came across his face. He watched her lips curl into one just as small. Then she spoke, it was barely a whisper, but he heard it.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," Darren replied, barely able maintain his composure. She smiled at him again, and closed her eyes, going to sleep for the night.

The next morning Darren and Sandee sat with Dr. Decker as he explained his findings. "She's doing great. She's become more responsive, more aware, and awake for longer periods of time, and her newest MRI looks wonderful. All normal, and expected. As soon as we can sit and talk with her we will find out what she remembers. I would advise you two to not be in the room when we do this. I've seen situations where someone doesn't remember their name and it can be quite unsettling for their family members to witness this. We will ask her a lot of questions and get an idea what she does and doesn't remember. We'll also run other tests. We'll ask her to move her left arm, or draw a circle, or count to 10. It'll be very thorough so we can see what damage remains."

That evening Sandee took Darren to a celebratory dinner. She gave him a long kiss goodnight and equally long embrace before he changed and headed back to the hospital. There was a nurse in his mother's room when he arrived.

"Ah there you are, she was asking about you," the nurse said.

"What? She was? What do you mean?"

"Yes, she was whispering to me, 'Where he is?' and looked over to your seat."

Darren was amazed and fought back tears as he went to her side, grabbing her hand. "I'm right here! I Just went to get some dinner, I'm right here now, ok?" He saw a small smile come across her face while she rested peacefully.

She told him 'hi' again the next day. They held hands and smiled at each other nearly 30 minutes, before she went back to sleep. She woke up several times for him, smiling at him continuously. Darren observed her watching the nurses check her vitals. They would say hello to her and she would say it back.

Darren was dozing off close to 10 pm that night when he felt fingers run through his hair. He thought maybe Sandee had shown up. Usually she kissed him or touched his shoulders, but sometimes she'd tousle his hair. It wasn't Sandee though, it was his mother. He sat up and to see her looking at him again, smiling.

"Are you an angel?" She asked just above a whisper. Darren almost lost it there.

"No, no I'm not. I'm," he paused, not sure if she could comprehend or process the fact she had a child, "I'm Darren."

"Darren," his mother said, closing her eyes and smiling. He watched her drift back to sleep with a smile on her face. His smile faded when he accepted the fact she didn't know him. He sighed, thinking that one battle was won, and another one was on the horizon in this war of recovery.

Chapter 7

"Ok have a seat you two and thanks joining me. Just wanted to go over what we've found. Firstly, let me introduce you to Wendy here, she's a family counselor specializing in families who are dealing with life changing injuries or trauma. She's been doing work with families who have a member that is suffering from amnesia and other forms of brain damage." Dr. Decker explained to Darren and Sandee in a nearby small conference room.

"We have performed a thorough examination of your mother. We have found a couple issues - in a moment you'll see why I've asked Wendy to join us." Dr. Decker gestured to the shorter woman in her mid-30s who appeared to be of Latino decent.

Darren nodded at Wendy as the doctor continued. "Firstly, most of her cognitive abilities are intact. She can perform simple tasks, like raising her left arm for us. She can talk, she can read, she can count, she knows what things are: the TV on the wall, the window, people, the bed, pictures of animals or other objects, basically everything in her environment and so on - just like you and I. She understands concepts like time, days, nights, months, and years. We did a simple arithmetic test; she passed it with no issues. She is basically undamaged when it comes to problem solving, analytical thinking, logic, and overall brain functions except one particular area: memory."

Darren froze up, as his heart rate increased. He listened to the doctor confirm his fears. "We were unable to be as thorough as we had hoped with our line of questions, but she didn't know her name. She also didn't know why she was here, or recall any events that happened the night she was attacked. We asked if she could name some of her friends, she couldn't. We asked if she could name some of her family members, she couldn't. We then asked her if she had any children," the doctor paused, glancing to Wendy sitting next time, "she said she didn't know."

Darren sighed heavily, looking toward his lap. Sandee placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Darren," Wendy spoke up, "she has a form of retrograde amnesia. Dr. Decker's test also revealed she can create and retain new memories, but the ones that were already there from before the attack are not being accessed. Now, as is the case with most amnesia patients, it is temporary. The brain will sort of fix itself over time. Sometimes a few weeks, or maybe a few months."

Darren nodded slowly, looking to his lap, thinking for a moment as he ran his fingers through his short hair. "Ok, so what do we need to do?"

"Well I have been working with patients with amnesia for a few years now and I have experimented with different methods of therapy. One method involves reminding the person over and over again who you are, and acting like things are what they've always been while the family members wait for the patient's memory to return. I've seen that can be successful but overall I've been told it's stressful and can be depressing for all people involved."

"I have instructed a few families over the course of a year to try a different method. Instead of bombarding the patient with information that they don't remember, simply let them remember it on their own - since that's what will happen in due time anyway. Imagine if you had amnesia and you were married. You don't remember your wife, or know who she is. If she told you who she was, and you looked at her like 'Ok, I don't know you though, sorry' that could hurt her and I suspect it'd hurt to see that. It may difficult and create stress for you to know that you have these people in your life, a wife, child, friend that you don't know anymore. They would be hurt and struggle with it and you would be too."

"Yes, I can see how that would be a difficult experience for everyone." Darren spoke up, starting to see where Wendy was going with her proposal.

"Imagine if your hypothetical wife said to you that she was someone who's here to help you and cares for you and simply leaves it at that. You'd probably nod and smile and say 'Ok.' It may still be difficult for her, but you wouldn't be beating yourself up for not remembering this person, right?" Wendy asked.

"Setting the bar so high like, 'I am your wife and am waiting for you to remember me so we can resume our relationship' can be stressful. I have seen that, lowering the bar, 'I am a person who cares for you and is here to help you,' makes the process of recovery less stressful."

"Yeah I guess that makes sense," Darren said. "So I don't tell her I'm her son?"

"Right, just let her remember you when she's ready and not focus on pushing her or accidentally creating some kind expectation from her. Just let her memories return at their own pace, which they usually do anyway, and keep that process as stress free as possible." Wendy explained with a smile.

"I see, so just tell her I'm here to help her and take care of her," Darren reiterated what he was told, thinking to himself about the hypothetical wife situation. The thought of unintentionally upsetting his mother over her not remembering him made him feel ill. He could never make her cry, not after what happened that fateful night - a night he still feels he could've prevented.

"Yes! I will be checking in on you regularly and I'm always available if you have questions or concerns. Will other family members be visiting?" Wendy asked.

"Probably not, no. They are on the east coast and we aren't really close. Phone calls are about it."

"I see. I have a sister who lives out that way." Wendy replied. "Anyway, here is my card; I'll probably call you a week after her release to check in."

Darren and Sandee left the meeting feeling better about the situation. They had dinner that night and discussed things in more detail. Sandee offered to let him and Dahlia move in with her instead of staying in a hotel room while their house is being repaired. She volunteered to provide any information to the insurance company if they needed paperwork filled out regarding their lack of hotel accommodations.

"I remember the night I met your mom. There was this drunken guy at the strip club I worked at. He kept trying to get me to give him a private lap dance. Our manager had said not to do this for drunk or unruly people. So I refused. He kept begging for one and wouldn't let up. Your mom intervened and bought three private lap dances back to back, to give my manager enough time to kick him out." Sandee told Darren as they walked to his hotel room.

"Sounds like something she'd do - sticking up for people and not taking crap from anyone."

"Exactly. I danced for her for three different songs, and we chatted the whole time. It was really fun. I gave her the money back too. She insisted I keep it, but I couldn't. She finally relented. After that every time she came to visit me with friends or later on with Victor, I'd always give her a private dance for free. She'd sit there and we'd chat and laugh while I danced on her. I remember when she lost a lot of weight, she told me she was going to dance for me in one of those private back rooms. I laughed it off, but she actually did it."

"Really? Wow. How was she?" Darren asked.

"She was amazing." Sandee lowered her head onto Darren, resting it on his chest, fighting back tears. He put his arms around her, holding her tightly. After a moment Sandee looked up to Darren.

"We just have to be patient and hope she'll be back to her old self in no time," Darren told her. He leaned down to bring his lips to Sandee's, kissing them softly.

"Do you have to get back to the hospital?" She asked, returning his kiss.

"Yeah I do. Maybe when she's released from the hospital, we can, you know," Darren trailed off. He wondered if he was in his right mind. A 20 year old guy with a sexy 35 year old woman with a stripper's body coming on to him. Yet he reasoned he was in his right mind, his mother was at the forefront of everything right now. His guilt, her condition, he would always put her first from now on.

"Yeah," Sandee whispered. She smiled and stepped away. "See you later, sweetie."

Chapter 8

Baby steps; each day there were new baby steps. Dahlia would sit up, she would tell nurses how she felt, she would move her feet more, she would do some light stretching, and she would sip on water and nibble on solid foods.

Darren was at her side the whole time. They didn't speak much, but what his mother didn't say with words, she said with small side glances and smiles, or resting comfortably with her fingers entwined with his. Several times he caught her staring at him while he was settling in for the night, she loved to watch him.

"Hi Darren," Dahlia softly greeted the person who was there by her side since she woke up. She was sitting up in bed and had just completed an examination by the nurse and a bedding change.

"Hi. How do you feel?" He asked, setting his coffee on the table next to the bed. He wondered if he should call her Dahlia, but never has before, so he didn't.

"Great," She smiled, and giggled slightly. She watched him sit, smiling at him. He grabbed her hand as always, and the two sat in silence, occasionally glancing at each other.

"Well you look great," Darren said after a few minutes.

Then something strange happened, something he found adorable, his mother blushed. "Thanks," she said quietly and looked down to her lap.

It was in his mother's new quiet nature that Darren noticed something the doctor said may occur from a head injury - a personality change. She was bashful and mousey. It didn't bother him as much as he thought, mainly because he was so happy she was awake and told her that regularly. He told her he was so proud of her and that he's always going to be there for her.

"Why don't you sleep at your hotel tonight?" She asked Darren the next night.

"No, I can't do that," Darren said softly, as he lightly stroked her forearm. "I gotta stay here and keep an eye on you. You might try to escape!"

For the first time since the morning of the day she was attaked, 65 days ago, before they said their goodbyes and headed to work, and especially the 15 days since she woke, Darren heard his mother laugh. He couldn't help but laugh too. Her laugh was different, almost like she was trying to restrain it and not be so loud. Again, Darren saw a difference in personality.

Sandee was there sometimes too throughout this new chapter. Dahlia was polite and cordial to her, but Darren was the one she looked to and talked with.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Dahlia asked Darren the next evening after Sandee left for the night.

"Oh no, she's not, she's just a friend and is someone that cares a lot about you." Darren explained.

"Oh." Was all Dahlia said. Darren chuckled a bit, watching her attempt to hide discreet smile as she looked to the TV.

The next evening, Sandee was painting Dahlia's nails when he entered the room after dinner in the cafeteria. "You should have seen her Darren; she got up on her own, used the bathroom, and brushed her pretty hair. She'll be out of here soon."

"Oh that's wonderful!" Darren exclaimed going to her side, and patting her forearm. "I'm so proud of you, m - " he stopped himself before saying 'mom.' Sandee flashed Darren a sympathetic smile.

"Ok, your nails look great now. Are you sure like that color? Pink?" Sandee asked.

"Mmhmm." Dahlia replied. Normally she wore dark red nail polish or even black on occasion. Darren hugged Sandee goodbye for the evening. She commented on how much better and happier he looked.

The next morning Darren walked with her down the hallway. "Here hold my hand," he said, helping her out of the bed. He noticed her smiling and occasionally glancing down at their hands. The next few days, Dahlia and Darren would walk around the hallway for 10 minutes three times a day, per the nurse's instruction. She was limping slightly, but each day the limp seemed to be less and less.

"There we go, let's get you back in the bed for a good night's rest. We have a meeting with the doctor tomorrow." Darren said, leading her back to her room. Just as they got to her bed and she was about to sit on the mattress, they stood looking into each other's eyes for a moment.

"You're doing so good. You're doing better each day," He said, running his fingers through her hair.

Dahlia cleared her throat and looked downward, "I couldn't do it without you."

"Would it be ok if I hugged you?" He asked his mother.

She looked back up into his eyes and nodded. He wrapped his arms around her and held her gently. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted when she hugged back. She was warm and soft. Her large braless breasts pressed into his chest through her hospital gown. He wanted to tell her he loved her and kiss her cheek but he was too nervous and didn't want alarm her. He had been following Wendy's counsel to perfection. He ended the embrace and looked into her dark brown eyes once more before helping her get into her bed.

They chatted for another two hours, until Dahlia couldn't stay awake anymore. She asked him many questions, mostly about his and her lives; where they worked, lived, and so on. Darren explained he has been given as much time as he needed to care for her by his employer, who is also family friend. Eventually by 10 pm she could barely keep her eyes open. Darren held her hand and watched her drift off to sleep. It was Christmas Day and one of the best ones he's ever had.

Chapter 9

"Dahlia try not party too much for New Year's this year ok?" Dr. Decker joked with Darren and his mother. She was going to be released from the hospital December 30th - in four days. Darren was ecstatic. They would be staying with Sandee until repairs on the house were complete - which happened to be progressing much quicker than Darren assumed. They would be staying with Sandee for five days tops.

They walked, talked, ate together, and laughed the remainder of her stay in the hospital. He loved making her laugh, no longer a loud, boisterous cackle, but a quiet soft one.

They arrived at Sandee's small home just after lunch on the 30th. She had a small, 2 bedroom rental home. She used the guest room for storage but was able to clean and move some things around so the small twin bed was accessible. Darren, simply happy to be there and out of the hospital with his mom, took the couch in the living room. The first night they all ate spaghetti prepared by Sandee. She wasn't much of a cook, but it was nice to have something created in one's home instead of a cafeteria. Darren escorted his mom to her bed in the guest room, giving her a long hug goodnight.

The next day Darren made a call to his employer. He made arrangement to start part time the first week in January. The rest of the day was spent with his mother and Sandee, watching movies and chatting. That evening, New Year's Eve, he and his mother were alone. Sandee left around 10pm to attend a party.

"You think you'll be able to watch the ball drop?" Darren asked his mom, sitting next to her on the couch, holding her hand.

She yawned and stretched her free arm. "I'm not sure, getting pretty sleepy," she replied, resting her head on Darren's shoulder. He extended his arm around her and pulled her against him gently. He rested his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes. Dahlia placed her hand on his stomach, and drifted off to sleep. A little while later, he did the same, with a smile on his face. Sometime around 4am he heard Sandee arrive. He looked over to her as she walked into the living room. She was smiling at the two of them.