Love in the shadows
ound the steady beep of the heart monitor. Olive la
de the bed, studying Olive's chart. "She's lucky to be al
ecked Olive's IV and adjusted the blankets. "Do we
a severe head injury and..."...some minor lacerations," Dr. Lee finished, her eyes scanning Olive's chart. "
e notes on Olive's chart. "I'll ma
icer, a tall, imposing man with a stern expression, accompanied by a
ashing his badge. "And this is Mrs. Jenkins
she gazed at Olive's pale face. "Oh, poor bab
ompson, I'm glad you're here. We've been
to take Olive in once she's discharged. We've notified Child Protec
fixed on Olive's face. "I'll take goo
at the unfamiliar faces surrounding her. She l
ng for something familiar. But there was nothing. Just s
he reached out a hand, her fingers brushing against Olive's foreh
ered, her voice barely audible. "It
there was a flicker of recognition. A spark of something f
nd she took Olive's hand in hers. Her grip w
her voice barely audible. The words hu
dness and compassion. "I'm your aunt, sweetie," s
cape. She looked lost, scared, and utterly alone. The machines beeping around her seemed
hart. "It seems she's suffered a significant loss of memory," she
Thompson's hand tightening. "What do yo
remember things from your past, Olive. But don't worry, we
her eyes darting wildly around the room. "No, no, no...I do
wn, holding her close. "Shh, sweet
ling point. Dr. Lee nodded to the n
," Dr. Lee explained to Mrs. Thom
ithin seconds, Olive's eyelids began to droop. Her pan
Olive drift off to sleep. "What's going to happen to he
ing we can to help her regain her memories, Mrs. Thomp
various tests and treatments. Mrs. Thompson stayed by her si
mbered fragments of her childhood, but everythi
her physical therapy, Olive suddenly stopped and
live said, her
e?" Mrs. Tho
emember something. "I think I remember something
it up with excitement.
uding over. "I remember...a boy," Olive
ression softened. "
ill distant. "Yes...I thi
ed Aunt Carol's face, her smile, and her warm hugs. Tears of joy
holding her tight. "I reme
ive back. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so glad you remember! Asher
n surprise. "Asher is
s, sweetie. And he's been worri
sense of peace wash over her. She had finally
door burst open, and a handsome young
is face lighting up with
e gazed at the stranger. But then,
hispered, her
th tears. "It's me, Olive. I've b
a tight hug, holding her close as if