Page 8 of One Little Memory (Cherry Valley Novella)

“You’re letting me go?” she asked. Her stomach dropped. It was late morning on Saturday. She’d been hoping they’d at least keep her for the weekend. She couldn’t begin to think of where she might go.

Dr. Cahill smiled. “I know you probably still have a headache and some bruises, but other than that, there’s nothing physically wrong with you.

Your memory will come back in time. There’s nothing I can do to speed it up.

You just have to be patient.” He reached out and touched her arm.

“I know that sounds patronizing, and I really do wish I could do something magical and make it all come back for you, but that’s just not possible.

You should take it easy. That’s the best thing you can do for yourself at the moment. Your brain will heal in its own time.”

She swallowed. How the hell was she going to leave the hospital?

Where was she supposed to go? She needed money, she needed clothes, she needed everything.

And as far as she knew, she didn’t have any darn thing.

Did Detective Halston or someone find her purse at the crash site?

No one else had been by to see her, so she assumed the answer was a big, fat no. She sighed. “Thanks, Dr. Cahill.”

“I’ll sign your release forms, and we’ll get you going in the next half hour or so.

” He left the room. She stared after him and bit her lip.

Be practical. What would she need to survive outside of the hospital?

Clothing was the first thing. She wasn’t going around in a hospital gown.

Maybe her clothing from the accident wasn’t so bad. She could re-wear that.

A place to stay was another issue. She needed a place to take it easy, and since she had no clue who she was or where she was supposed to be, it left limited options as to where she could go.

Plus, she had no money. Was she even allowed to leave town?

She should call Halston. He would know how to proceed, and maybe he could help her procure some clothing and a place to stay.

She hit the call button, and a young nurse appeared. Her name tag proclaimed her H. Kincaid. “I’m sorry to bother you, but would there be a phone I could use?”

The nurse nodded and pulled out her cell. “Who would you like to call?” She pointed to herself. “I’m Hazel, by the way.”

“I need to call the detective that was here. Halston was his last name.”

“Phoenix. Sure, no problem.” She hit a button on her phone.

She had the cop’s cell number. Were they friends?

Another thought hit her. Were they dating?

Not that it was any of her business. She wasn’t in a position to even contemplate dating anyone at the moment.

Hell, she could already be married, although the lack of a ring on that finger did offer her some comfort.

And wasn’t that a weird thought? Did she not want to be married?

Maybe she’d been married already and now she was divorced and never wanted to get married again. Ohmygod, what if I have kids?

“Hey, Phoenix,” Hazel said. “I know you’re swamped, but the lady who was in the car accident wanted to speak to you. Do you have a minute?” She paused. “Jo?” Hazel looked at her eyebrows raised.

She mouthed the word yes .

“Okay, here’s Jo.”

She took the phone. “Um, Detective Halston?”

“Jo. Everything okay?”

“It’s just that Dr. Cahill is signing me out and um, I…I was wondering if you’d managed to get my purse back? I, um, need to know if I have any money or idea where I should be headed.”

“I’m sorry. Something came up. It’s very muddy after all that rain. My guess is it will take a few days before we can get someone down that embankment.”

“Oh, I see.” What the hell was she supposed to do now? No money. No idea who she was or where she belonged in the world. Her stomach knotted and sweat broke out on her back. “Well, thanks anyway.” She handed the phone back to Hazel.

Hazel glanced at the screen. “Phoenix, are you still there?” She was silent for a minute and then she said, “No problem,” and ended the call. “So, Phoenix said to tell you to wait here for him. He’ll be another hour or two but wants to talk to you before you leave.”

She let out a sigh. It wasn’t like she had anywhere else to go. “Sure.”

Hazel gave her a kind smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t process your release papers until Phoenix gets here. You just rest up.”

“Thanks.” Relief flooded in at having a slight reprieve.

Hazel fluffed her pillows. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Is there any chance I could get some clothes? I’d be happy to wear the clothes I wore into the hospital, but I can’t find them.”

“Right. Those were put in a bag somewhere, but I don’t think they are wearable anymore. Let me look around. I’m sure we can find you something.” She bustled out of the room.

She leaned back against her pillows. This was such a nightmare. What the hell was she supposed to do? She closed her eyes and tried to relax.

“Jo,” a voice said. Were they talking to her? She opened her eyes slowly. Phoenix was standing beside her bed. “You okay?”

“Yes. Sorry, I must have nodded off.” She stifled a groan as she pulled herself up to a sitting position.

“So, Dr. Cahill is releasing you. Do you have somewhere to go?”

She bit her lip, mostly to keep from bursting into tears.

She didn’t know if she was a weepy type of person, but honestly, this situation would make the most stoic person cry.

She was annoyed by her reaction, so she was guessing she wasn’t a wimp.

She swallowed. “No. I’m not sure where to go or what to do. ”

He nodded. “I thought as much. I asked the victim advocate to drop by and help you get situated but they weren’t sure they could.

They’re short-staffed and your status as a victim is unclear.

The social worker, Bonnie, that would normally handle these things is out on maternity leave and her replacement doesn’t start until next week.

Bonnie left a bit earlier than planned.”

“I see.” It was like she was falling through the cracks in the system. An abyss of darkness waited to swallow her up. She took a deep breath.

Phoenix continued, “I’m really sorry about your car.

I did call my friends at the fire department, but no one can get down to it for another couple of days.

All the rain we had recently has made the embankment a bit unstable.

It’s Saturday. They’re thinking it might be Wednesday before they can get down there if the weather holds.

There’s a chance we could get more rain, so I’m not sure. ”

“Thanks.” She was determined not to cry. “I appreciate it.”

“I also put out a description of your car and you. I’m hoping someone will file a missing person’s report, and they’ll come looking for you.”

That hadn’t occurred to her. “I hadn’t thought about that.

I mean, I might have parents and siblings and…

stuff,” she finished lamely. She didn’t want to mention the boyfriend.

“I hate the idea that someone is out there worrying about me.” A mother and a father who would hug her and take care of her.

That sounded super amazing at the moment.

Mother. No. She had the impression that maybe her mother was gone, but when she thought about her father, her heart hurt.

Maybe she had a dad out there who was missing her.

“But just think of how happy they’ll be when they find out you’re alive.”

That was true. She really hoped someone was out there looking for her.

Hazel breezed into the room. “I have some clothes for you. They’re mine. I think we’re about the same size. I had them in my locker. Don’t worry. They’re clean.”

“Oh, Hazel, that is so nice of you. I…well, I appreciate it so much. I’ll get them back to you as soon as I can.”

“No rush.” Hazel shot a smile at Phoenix, and Jo’s stomach knotted. Were they dating? That would be…disappointing.

Hazel glanced at her phone screen. “I’m heading out.

I’ve been here since four a.m. I had to come in to cover part of two shifts.

It’s noon and I’m starving, not to mention exhausted.

I was going home to sleep, but Aiden and Jory are working on the kitchen, so now I’m going to my mom’s.

All that to say, I have extra clothes there. I can bring you some if you’d like.”

Jo blinked. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

Hazel raised a hand. “No worries. Aiden will be happy. He worries every time I go to my mom’s because I come home with more stuff. Aiden is my boyfriend by the way, and Jory is my brother. They’re with the fire department.”

“The friends I was telling you about,” Phoenix said to Jo. And then he explained to Hazel, “Aiden and Jory spoke with their boss, Chief Vickers, and it’s a no-go on getting to the car until Wednesday at least.”

“That’s too bad, so I’ll definitely bring you some clothes then.”

Jo wanted to hug Hazel. Just knowing she’d have something to wear was one worry gone. The question was, where would she stay?

Hazel started towards the door. “Wait,” she said as she turned around. “Where are you going to stay, Jo?”

“That’s a good question. I have no idea.” And she really didn’t. She swallowed the panic building in her throat.

“She’s going to stay at my place,” Phoenix said.

Jo froze. What?

Phoenix must have seen her distress because he rushed to explain.

“I have a small garage behind my house that I turned into an apartment for my brother, but he bought a house a couple of months ago so now it’s empty.

I haven’t gotten around to renting it. You can have it for the foreseeable future. ”

“I…that is…I just… I don’t have any money at the moment, but I promise I’ll pay you as soon as I…figure out who I am.”

Phoenix waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t think you’ll be there long. I have calls into all the surrounding towns here and just over the border in New Jersey. Someone will claim you soon enough.”

From his lips to God’s ears.