Page 18 of This Love
I couldn’t remember pupils.
He leaned forward, and I leaned away.
“Look into the light.”
It was bright, and pain pierced my head. I closed my eyes tightly.
“Is this typical behavior for her?” he asked. “Is she cognitively impaired?”
I didn’t know what any of that meant.
Tucker said, “Her seizures hit the hippocampus. She’s lost her procedural memory. She’ll be pretty afraid. You’re scaring her.”
“Fascinating. You seem to know your stuff.”
“Of course I do. I’m her husband. Or would have been.”
I sensed the doctor leaning away and cautiously opened one eye. He had stepped back.
“I see she’s a patient of Dr. Simmons. I assume you want me to refer her to his care? It sounds like a complex case.”
“That’s fine. We may need a med adjustment since she’s had a breakthrough, but he will handle that.”
“Good. I’ll get the checkout papers initiated.” He clapped Tucker on the back. “Tough day for it.” Then, he was gone.
I held the jacket together tightly. “Can I go to the blue house now? I want the book.”
“Soon,” Tucker said. “Your dad will get you some new clothes to put on, and we will sign some papers. Then, we’ll get you home.”
“And get the book?”
“Yes, we’ll get the book.” His eyes turned to my arm, where the tattoo was. I was glad the jacket covered it. It felt like a secret between the Ava on the video and me. Even if Tucker was nice enough, I didn’t want him to see the handwriting that I had to trust.
I needed a break from the rush of noise and pain and sick feelings.
I wanted to get to that blue house with its flowers and its water hose. I needed the book. That was the only thing I knew to hope for in the little time I’d had so far.
Chapter 7
Tucker
When Ava was discharged, we led her out to the waiting room.
She wrapped her arms around her belly in the Longhorn sweats her father had brought. She didn’t let anyone help her change.
She was barefoot, and I carried her wedding gown and shoes.
The family stood from their row of chairs when we passed through the sliding doors.
Marcus explained the situation. “Ava would like to go to her house. Tucker is going to orient her. I’ll go with them. We can take Gram’s car.”
“What should we do?” Tina asked.
Jennifer and Amanda were hugging each other, distress on their faces. Vinnie stood near the back, not catching anyone’s eye.
I got it. This was a lot. They’d seen too much, and it was hard to wrap your head around the idea that someone you knew so well and loved so hard didn’t want to be near you.
“We could use some family at the country club to explain things,” Marcus said. “Gram, are you up for that?”
