Page 20 of Last Summer

“Oh, Ella,” Davie says, teary-eyed. “Your baby.” She sobs, overcome with emotion, and gives Ella another lung-crushing hug. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Ella says, even though it’s not. She’s the one who’s sorry. She’s the one who messed everything up by getting into the car after...

After what? She has the vague sense she and Damien had been arguing.

About what?

Davie releases her grip and holds Ella at arm’s length. “It’s not okay. It’s horrible. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. You forgot your baby.”

“Damien told you about my amnesia?” She looks at her husband. He’s staring into his drink, looking like he’s working through a particularly complex coding issue.

“Yes, while you showered. Do you remember shopping with me last week?” Ella nods. “What about seeingHamiltonlast month?”

“Yes. Loved that musical.”

“Me too. But you don’t remember anything about the accident?”

Ella shakes her head. “Or my pregnancy.” She doesn’t remember decorating the nursery or wearing maternity clothes. Ella felt like she was snooping through a stranger’s closet while looking for clothes after her shower. Her wardrobe of designer jeans and dresses had been pushed aside for blousy, A-line stretchy shirts and pants with elastic waistbands.

“How unusual,” Davie murmurs.

“That I can remember buying a size largeHamiltonshirt but not the reason why?” She wore a size small. Used to, anyway.

“Well, yes, but more that you lost your memory, rather, fragments of your memories—”

“That’s a good description,” Ella replies.

“It is, isn’t it? I’d drink to that if I had my glass with me.” She looks back at the dry bar. “I meant that your memory loss happened five days after the accident.”

“I know. It’s unusual.”

“Did the doctor say why?”

“He thinks losing the baby was too much for me to handle.”

“Did something happen at the hospital to bring it on?” Davie whispers. She glances at Damien. He has moved into the kitchen and is popping the lasagna into the oven.

Does he know something? Ella wonders.

Damien returns to the dry bar and mixes himself another cocktail.

“I have no idea,” Ella answers, turning back to her friend. “If something did happen, I blocked it out.”

The lobby buzzer sounds.

“Who’s here?” Ella asks Damien, who hands Davie a tissue on his way to the door. She takes it graciously and dabs her eyes.

“Andrew. He called while you were in the shower.”

“How is that annoying little brother of yours?” Davie asks.

“Still annoying, I’m sure.”

When Andrew comes in, dressed in baggy jeans and a faded red hoodie, he shakes Damien’s hand. He then sees Ella and his face falls. In two long strides, he is at her side and grabs her up in a tight embrace. Ella makes a noise of distress when she feels a burn in her abdomen. He quickly lets go.

“Yikes, sis.” He grimaces when Ella gently massages the area around her scar.

“I’m fine.”

---