Cady digested Jill’s words as she finished the last of her beer. She thumped her bottle on the table and held up her hand. “I think that’s what you do in a place like this,” she said. “Were they really going to tell me?”

“Yes, Cady, they were really going to tell you. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I don’t know what I’m thinking,” Cady said, slurring her words. “I guess I feel a little betrayed, a little angry, and yet I almost understand how afraid they must have been. The part I’m having trouble with is they left me there to die.”

“How do you know that? They all said they thought you were already dead. Except Boomer. He was the one who called the police,” Jill said, draining her third bottle of beer. She did what Cady did and banged on the table, holding her empty aloft.

“How do I know that they left me there to die? I just remembered it, that’s how. Oh, another piece just fell into place. We need to drink to that, Jill.”

“No, no, no. Didn’t you hear what I just said? They thought you were dead. At least Andy did. He told me that years ago. If that’s what they thought, it makes a big difference, Cady.”

The two women stared at one another, each busy with her own thoughts. They continued to sit, drinking their beer. “What am I supposed to do now?” Cady finally asked. Her tone was so belligerent, Jill shrugged.

Finally, Jill asked, “Exactly how much do you care about all this?”

“About them not telling me? I don’t know. I told you, I hate liars. Didn’t I just tell you that? All I want is to get my memory back. All of it. Every single little piece. They robbed me of that. I don’t think I can make any decision about anything until that happens.”

“Yes, you did tell me that. What happens if you don’t get your memory back, Cady?”

“I wish I knew, Jill. I feel like I’m in this holding pattern. Boy, do I have to go to the bathroom. Wait for me, okay?”

“Sure. I don’t have anywhere to go. Maybe we need to go outside and get some fresh air to clear our heads. What do you say?”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll be right back.”

The bartender with the dirty apron walked over to the table and slapped down the bar bill. Jill looked at it and suddenly remembered she’d run out of the hospital, leaving Andy with her purse. She hoped Cady had some money.

Minutes later, Cady slid into the booth and almost fell over. She eyed all the empty beer bottles on the table and then glared down at the bill. “Is he throwing us out?”

“I think he wants to be paid. I hate to say this, but I left my purse with Andy at the hospital. You have some money, don’t you?”

“Nope. I left my purse in Boomer’s car when I bailed out on him. What are we going to do?” She crooked her finger at the bartender.