“Do you know where you are?”

Gretchen managed the most incredulous look she could. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize a hospital room. She could also easily decipher the concerned look on Dr. Melendez’s face.

“Can you talk?” Dr. Melendez said.

Gretchen looked from Dr. Melendez to Jax, who looked sad and tired, her normally bright and bold demeanor now dull. How long had she been in the hospital?

Jax took her hand. “Can you answer the doctor? One word, that’s all we need.”

Gretchen’s eyes burned, and she flinched against prickly tears. She wanted to yell and scream, but all she could do was open her mouth.

Dr. Melendez backed away from Gretchen and motioned for Jax to join her. Gretchen stared at them as they talked. She hated the way Jax looked back at her with pity. She might be the patient, but she wasn’t helpless. They should be including her in the conversation. She needed to know what was happening and what was wrong with her.

Gretchen tried to get their attention by knocking again, but neither of them budged. She slapped the mattress as firmly as she could, but it made no difference. She tried to whistle, but nothing more than a gust of air came out between her curled, dry lips. She could feel her face getting red and hot with anger. She did not handle being ignored very well.

She pushed her bedside cart and tried to speak one more time. “Hey!” The one word echoed in the room. She fought to catch her breath from the exertion.

Jax was the first to turn back to her. Jax’s smile should not have been so big after being yelled at, but she grinned, regardless.

“It’s not much,” Dr. Melendez said, typing on an iPad, “but I’ll take it as her first word.”

Gretchen reached for Jax again, hungry for her comfort and their connection. She was much less scared when Jax was near. It had always been that way. She held Jax’s hand with the tightest grip she could manage and gave it three quick squeezes. She guessed it was too firm by the strange look on Jax’s face.

Dr. Melendez started to make her exit. “I encourage you to rest some more. Sleep is the best medicine for a healing brain. I’ll be back in in the morning to check on you and ask some questions to figure out your progress.” She looked between them. “But for now, I’ll let you relax and enjoy the rest of visiting hours.” Dr. Melendez left the room, and an odd silence fell.

Gretchen was tired, but she felt like she had been sleeping for years. She had so many questions, and no ability to ask them. She found solace in knowing Jax was there. A thought hit her.

“Caleb,” she whispered. The sound of whirring machines almost drowned out the name. She knew Caleb was safe, but a nagging image and memory kept bothering her. Caleb was a baby…but was he still a baby? Gretchen jolted at the loud, intrusive memory of a screeching toddler with hair like hers. He had Caleb’s eyes but… She looked at Jax.