Page 15 of Tell Me You Love Me Again

“So, how you holding up for real?” he asked as we sat in my truck. Pressing my head against the headrest, I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath.

“Man, I feel so fucked up. She felt it was better to sneak off instead of talking to me. Yeah, we argued about the shit, but she didn’t talk to me. I feel like I should’ve just told her about the house. That way she would’ve understood.”

“You can’t blame yourself, though. You were trying to do something special for your wife. There’s nothing wrong with that. I do agree that y’all need to communicate better. Maybe she would’ve understood where you came from, and you would’ve understood her better. I know it’s always been in your nature to provide, and you were taught ‘Happy Wife, Happy Life’, but what about you? There has to be a balance, bro. How do you think that me and Shan made it this long? Yeah, I kiss her ass and feet, but she allows me time to unwind and reset. You’ve been on go grinding because you didn’t want to go back into the streets, and I get it. But you were straight before prison and you’re straight now. Take this time off with your wife and make her remember why she fell in love with you in the first place.”

Everything that Gary said seemed so much easier said than done. I wasn’t giving up on my wife or our marriage by any means. It’s hard to ignore the fact that she obviously had. Even though I was in my feelings, I was going to take his and the doctor’s advice and introduce my wife to the man that she fell in love all those years ago.

“You’re right, bro. I don’t know how long I’m going to be down with Chi, so I’ll need you to rearrange some things until I get back.”

“Already done. Make sure sis is good. I got the business and don’t worry about the money because it’ll still be there.” I dapped up my brother, and we got up to head back upstairs to the room. It was a little past eleven in the morning and it seemed like we’d been here forever, so I can imagine how Chi must feel. When we stepped back into the room, everyone was quiet since Chi was still asleep.

“Hey, I’m about to go get some food while she’s asleep. You want me to bring you something back?” Chiquita asked.

“Nah, I’m straight,” I responded.

“When was the last time you ate anything, Gabe?” I looked at Shan but didn’t answer. “Exactly. I’ll go with you, Quita.” I watched as the ladies gathered their things and Gary handed her his card before they exited the room.

Once the ladies left, it was just me and Gary, along with Chiara’s parents. A few minutes of silence passed before Chiara’s mother, Sharon, spoke.

“Gabe, I want you to know that we don’t blame you for this. I talked to Chiara earlier yesterday and told her she was being a spoiled brat and she needed to talk to you instead of throwing a tantrum. I don’t know your reasoning, but I’m sure it has to be plausible.” While she spoke, her husband, James, sat beside her with his face balled up, looking like shit.

“I appreciate that, Sharon. Chi has always been my top priority and everything that has been done has been for her.” James gruffed at my statement, but I ignored his ass, or he’d be lying in a bed next to his daughter. After a while, he got up and left the room, which was a good idea. I didn’t have time for his shit right now.

***

Later that night

It was almost six in the evening, and everyone had finally left. Chiara’s mom had to go home so she could take her treatment. It was a good thing that she had it set up to do at home. They went back home tonight but would be coming back tomorrow and staying until the doctor released her. Gary and Shannon offered to stay, but I told them it wasn’t any need. My niece needed themmore than I did. Now it was just me and Chiara sitting here in an awkward silence. Thankfully, the doctor came in to break the silence.

“How’s my favorite patient doing this evening?” he greeted.

“I’m doing okay,” she responded with a small smile.

“That’s good to hear. I have your results, and everything looks good. There was no swelling, so you can expect the headaches to go away soon. As for your memory, I wouldn’t force it. Let it happen naturally.” He looked my way before he continued. “I suggest doing things that are familiar to see if anything comes back to her. I’m only going to keep you one more day and then you can go back home. Even though the tests are normal, I rather be on the safe side,” he informed.

“Thank you, doctor,” she said.

“I appreciate you, Doc.” We both watched as he walked out of the room. A thought came to me, and I pulled my phone from my pocket. Opening it, I went to my photo gallery.

“Snook, I want you to look at something.” As I helped her sit up a little bit, I placed the phone in her hands and watched as she focused on the picture.

“We looked so happy…so in love,” she choked out. I didn’t mean to upset her, but I wanted to see if any of this would job her memory.

“Snook, why you crying?” I asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“It’s ju-I don’t remember any of this, and I feel bad. It looks like you did everything you could to put that smile on my face and I can’t remember anything.” She continued to cry.

“Shh…it’s okay, baby. I’m going to be right here to help you remember all the good things so we can get back on track. That’s if you want me to?” I peered into her eyes, and I saw a small glimmer of hope, and that’s all I needed.

“I can do that.” She smiled softly.

Lord, if you can get us back on track, I promise I’ll do better by her.

Chiara

Today was the day that I would be discharged from the hospital. I was happy to finally be leaving, but I was a little nervous about going home with Gabe. I know he’s supposed to be my husband, but not remembering the life that we had before the accident puts the fear of the unknown within me. I have to admit that he’s been the perfect husband so far. He hasn’t left my side not one time. I asked him would he lose his job, but after he informed me he was in business with his brother, I was a little more at ease. As we sat in my hospital room waiting for the doctor to come in with my discharge papers, we held idle chit chat where he was telling me stories about our relationship before we were married.

“I did not do that!” I laughed through my words as he told me we were out one evening when one of his ex-girlfriends approached us. He said that they broke up right before he met me, and she couldn’t let go. Long story short, sis saw us out andthought it was a good idea to say something to him, and when I walked back up, I snatched her by her wig and it came right off.

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