Page 11 of Lost and Found

I head into the children’s clinic before I head over to the office. I need to talk to Arden about Paige. When I enter, the bright colored walls welcome me. The waiting room already has a few parents with their children in the seats. The receptionist at the desk waves at me as I enter. I smile and wave back as I make my way into the main part of the office. I head straight for Arden’s office. I knock once and she opens the door pretty quickly.

“Reid, is everything okay?” There is a flash of fear in her eyes. I have to admire how close she is to Paige. How much she cares about her. I’m not even sure Jonas or Janelle care about me that deeply.

I nod my head. “Yes, everything is fine, good actually, but we probably need to talk.”

Arden steps aside and lets me enter her office. She closes the door behind me. Her office smells clean and like a rose garden. The light gray walls and dark wood furniture give the small office a cozy and inviting feel. She motions to one of the two dark brown leather chairs sitting directly in front of her desk. As I sit, I notice the picture of her and a little boy who resembles her, except with curly hair. He must be her son, Gideon. “What do we need to talk about?”

“Paige. She’s done remarkably well-considering everything she’s been through. She’ll be released today I’m sure. However, without memories and her full set of motor skills, I’m not sure where she’ll go once she’s released. I know she doesn’t have any family and I doubt you’ll want her to go back to the house she shared with Codi right now.”

Arden smiles. “She’ll stay with me. I’ve already got my guest bedroom fixed up for her. I added just enough memory triggering items to try and help. Plus, I can help take care of her,” Arden explains.

I sigh. “Oh good. I was worried this would be awkward,” I chuckle. “She’ll have to attend physical therapy probably three times a week until her motor skills are back to normal.”

“And her memories?” Arden asks.

I shake my head and run a hand through my hair. “Honestly, I don’t know. In most minor head trauma cases, within forty-eight hours the memories start to come back. Then again, every head trauma is different and they can all have different rates of healing. I wish I could give you a more definite answer, but I just don’t have one.” Arden nods. “I can tell you that most studies show that it’s best to get the patient back into a routine. Did Paige work before the accident?”

“No, she has a teaching degree, but shortly after she and Codi got married, she found out she was pregnant.So, she became a stay at home mom.” Arden winces as she admits that, almost as if it hurts her and maybe it does. She’s a mother, so she can understand the possible pain that Paige might have to go through in the future if her memories resurface.

“I see. Well, let me see if I can find something around my office she could do.” I’m trying to think of somewhere I can shove Paige, so that I can both keep an eye on her, and help her make some income.

Arden stands up abruptly. “She can work here. Paige is great with people and children. She could work at the desk along with Patty.”

“That’s a great idea. Plus, with you around, she’ll feel more comfortable and I know you’ll look after her,” I tell Arden, as I stand up.

Arden nods. “Of course.”

I smile and head for the door. “I should be going, but I’m glad Paige has you to help her through all of this.”

I’m halfway down the hallway when I hear Arden ask, “Will she continue to see you?”

I nod my head as I turn around. “Over the next few weeks. I’ll just be monitoring her healing and pressure. Hopefully, by the end of this, I can write temporary amnesia on her charts and not permanent.” Arden and I both exchange a look, because we know just how serious this situation is.

****

It’s a beautiful California day. The sun is shining and there’s a light breeze coming through the town of Sunnyvale. As I make my way to the entrance of the hospital, I notice a familiar head of blonde hair sitting in a wheelchair under the sun. “Paige?” I ask, once I’m close enough to her.

“Dr. Reid,” she replies, with a tone of shock.

I smile at her as she smiles at me. “Please, just call me Reid, everyone does.”

“Really?”

I nod. “Yeah, ever since I was a kid, they’ve called me Reid.”

She tilts her head to the side, and I watch as the sun catches the honey-colored strands that run through her hair. “Why?”

I shrug and take a seat next to her on the bench. “I’m not sure. Maybe, because my brother’s name is so similar to mine. He’s Jonas and I’m Jonah.”

“You have a brother?” she asks.

I nod my head again. “Yeah, an older brother and younger sister, Janelle.”

I watch as Paige scrunches up her nose. “I think I like Reid better. You look more like a Reid than a Jonah.”

I chuckle at her reply. “What makes you say that?”

She laughs and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. I could get very used to that sound. “I don’t know. Isn’t that a saying that people say from time-to-time.”

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