Page 4 of The Liar I Married

THREE

I’m awake early. Through the window I see the sun just rising above the horizon.

Birds hop from branch to branch but I can’t for the life of me remember what they’re called.

I close my eyes as the car wreck plays over and over in my mind like re-runs of an old movie.

There’s something on the edge of my consciousness, something very important that I can’t grasp.

It’s the whisper you can’t hear. The urgent warning I desperately need to know that’s just out of my reach.

I stare at my hands, trying to recreate the accident.

I remember gripping the steering wheel and not being able to move it.

Had something happened to the steering? Or perhaps the engine had failed?

I close my eyes and I’m there inside my SUV, racing along the road in the darkness.

Where are we going? Who is in the car with me?

My girls are in the back seat but is John there?

He says he wasn’t but can I believe him?

It’s as if my life is cloaked in shadows—who is hiding in the corners of my memories and can I trust them?

Last night, after a dinner of chicken soup, Dolly explained why the doctors had put me into an induced coma for almost a year.

I lost it for a time, screaming out for my daughters and demanding to see them.

Each time I think about them, my stomach drops.

Are they dead? Did I kill them? Why won’t anyone tell me?

Dolly just stared at me with her mouth in a tight thin line, saying nothing.

I couldn’t stop sobbing, and she stuck another needle into my drip.

I don’t recall anything after that. Lesson learned, I mustn’t get upset or ask questions or I’m silenced and there’s nothing I can do about it.

I can’t do anything or call anyone to help me.

I’m too weak to get out of bed just yet.

“Good morning, Mrs. Harper.” Dolly walks into the room carrying a tray which she places on the overbed table.

“You’re having something a little more substantial this morning.

Your husband mentioned that you enjoy scrambled eggs and toast. The housekeeper made these; I hope they’re to your liking.

She will be in this morning to clean. Is there anything else you need?

” She presses a button which raises me up to a sitting position and then slides the overbed table in front of me.

The meal looks delicious but I can’t eat.

I just want answers to my questions. Everything I ask is ignored so I must find another way to get information.

“I would really like a cup of coffee. I’m over drinking water and orange juice.

” I lift my fork and taste the eggs. They are as good as they look.

I smile at her. She stands by the bed, a pleasant expression on her face.

Maybe she is a friend? “Have my parents been by or my brother?”

“No, but I’m sure they’ll be by when the doctor clears you for visitors.

” Dolly adjusts my pillows. “Your husband is keeping everyone informed. You’ll be teeming with visitors before you know it.

Although I do know your mother is in Florida, your father is fine, and your brother is overseas at the moment. I believe he is due back soon.”

So my parents are alive and well and Michael is off spending his inheritance in the south of France, no doubt. Interesting. I nod and continue eating. “She did talk about wanting to move to Florida. I hope she comes to see me soon.”

“You can’t rush things, Mrs. Harper.” Dolly studies my face and pats my shoulder in a friendly gesture.

“The doctor insists you allow the memories to return naturally. You don’t need any sudden shocks or bad memories creeping in and upsetting you.

I’m not saying you have bad memories, but we all have things we’d rather forget and it’s those things that cause the trouble.

” She smiles and nods at me. “I know it’s unsettling but it’s for your own good. ”

I raise my gaze to her before she leaves the room again. Maybe she has something interesting to chat about. “I guess I’ll just wait then. What do you find to do all day?”

“Caring for you is a full-time job. I monitor your vital signs, administer your medication, and bathe you.” Dolly gives me a long considering stare.

“While you’ve been unconscious, I’ve given you physical therapy so that your legs will work when you decide to stand up.

We’ll try that soon. Once I remove the catheter you’ll need to use the bathroom.

” She sighs. “I live in a room along the passageway. I have a monitor there where I can watch you in my downtime. I’m in constant communication on FaceTime with your doctor.

He requires a daily update and I need to keep a diary on my computer of everything that happens during the day and upload it to his server. ”

I eat slowly, enjoying each mouthful. “It’s very boring in here alone. Can you organize a TV for me or a radio? Do you know what happened to my phone?”

“Unfortunately I can’t. We need to follow a certain protocol for someone that’s just woken from a coma.

Seeing things on TV that might upset you could put you back weeks in your recovery.

The world has changed considerably in the last twelve months but you really don’t need to worry about anything.

Give it time and you will regain your memories.

” Dolly’s mouth curls into a little smile.

“I could get you some books from the library. The one here is extensive and I’ve been enjoying it immensely. ”

Why can’t she ever give me a complete answer to anything I ask her? “Yes, I would like a book. A nice romance would be good, thank you. Can you tell me who else has been by to see me since I’ve been here?”

“Mrs. Harper and Amanda Blake came by to view the house.” She must have caught my astonished expression. “Do you remember your mother-in-law?”

View the house? I have absolutely no memory of my mother-in-law but I nod and sip my juice. There’s no need for Dolly to believe I have blanks in my memory and John’s mother just happens to be one of them. “I do indeed, we’re very close, but who is Amanda Blake?”

“The Realtor.” Dolly smiles. “Mrs. Harper mentioned wanting to get the house valued now you’re recovering, as you’d planned to sell it before the accident. Do you remember discussing the sale with your husband?”

I drop my lashes and stare at my plate. Sell my grandma’s house?

—Never. Stonebridge Manor has been in my family for generations.

With ten bedrooms, there’s room for everyone, and the cottages around the grounds offer privacy if necessary.

I expected my parents to remain after my grandmother died but they’d decided it was my time to raise the twins in the family home and they purchased a house in Palm Springs.

I wondered in that second if my mother had visited me.

I lift my gaze back to Dolly and allow the lies to flow.

“Yes, I believe I do. Have my parents been here to visit me?”

“I have no idea. I only took over three months ago.” Dolly frowns. “It’s unusual when coma patients are placed into palliative care, for them to get visitors. The family knows, they’ll be notified of any change.”

Say that again? I’d imagined John had brought me here to recover.

A beautiful view over a rose garden, a tranquil setting to calm me while I gained strength.

No wonder he’d looked so strained. He’d expected me to die.

“So they weren’t expecting me to regain consciousness?

” I waved a hand as if brushing away any concern.

“It must have been a difficult decision for John to have the life support terminated. I remember discussing our feelings about placing a ‘do not resuscitate’ clause in our wills.”

In fact, it was one I’d argued against, saying that all life was precious.

“Yes, I do recall that was in your case file.” Dolly looks at me and seems at ease revealing the details.

“Your life support was terminated after the first month, but you were obviously determined to live. Three months after the accident you were moved here and I’m the third nurse that your husband employed to care for you.

I’ve been noticing an improvement of your brain function over the last few weeks; in fact it happened only days after I decreased the medication—on the instructions of your doctor, of course. ”

I lean forward, interested in what she is saying. “I can’t understand the reason for keeping somebody drugged when they’re in a coma. Unless it was an induced coma and I’m sure that wasn’t the case, was it?”

“At first I believe it was, yes.” Dolly lifts a tablet from a small table near the window, and scrolls through pages.

“Yes, here it is. You had swelling on the brain and were placed in an induced coma to allow the swelling to recede. When the medication was reduced, apparently you seizured a few times and it was reintroduced and has been administered on lower levels over the last few days.”

I force a smile on my lips. “Well, it’s good that I made it through, isn’t it? I’m sure I have you to thank for my excellent care.”

“Thank you.” Dolly pats my foot. “You relax now and I’ll go and get you a cup of coffee.”

I watch her go and my mind is in turmoil again.

I can’t believe what she just told me. I’d not only been placed in an induced coma but my husband allowed them to turn off the machine to let me die.

When I didn’t die, he sent me here with one nurse to care for me and this nurse wouldn’t hesitate to reintroduce the drugs if instructed.

Now he has plans to sell my house. My house!

It’s not his damn house. He doesn’t own my house .

He’ll sell it over my dead body. Maybe that idea has already crossed his mind?