Gretchen was ecstatic to hear the plan. She felt helpless and weak in the big hospital bed and wanted nothing more than to jump out and start running. She started to pull the covers back and move, but her legs felt two steps behind and fifty pounds heavier than she remembered.

“Whoa, now,” Dr. Melendez said with a hand on Gretchen’s leg. “Let’s wait for a nurse and the physical therapist. They’ll get here in about an hour.”

“Do you think the damage to her brain could’ve affected her body, too?” Jax stood with her arms across her chest. She appeared so casual, but Gretchen knew her better.

“I’m not overly concerned, but she needs to be evaluated, regardless.”

“She’s writing,” Amanda said excitedly. “Every word is clear, and her handwriting is exactly how it always was.”

Jax nodded. “Exactly the same.”

She eyed Jax curiously. Something in the way Jax shifted, and the way she stared at the floor with wide, blank eyes, told her Jax was thinking about something else.

“That’s very good.” Dr. Melendez made a note. “Later this afternoon, I’d like to do a thorough evaluation to determine what we’re dealing with in terms of her amnesia.”

“So you do think she has amnesia?”

Dr. Melendez looked at Jax like she just asked if she thought the sky was blue. “That much is obvious.”

“What does the evaluation entail? Will it hurt her?” Amanda’s concern was sweet, if completely foreign to Gretchen.

“It will be tiring and, most likely, frustrating, but all I will do is ask a series of questions to determine her memories and mental state. I will need you both to be present.”

“Why?” Jax said loudly, her tone sounding defensive.

“How else will I know if her answers are correct?” Dr. Melendez’s response was so no-nonsense that Gretchen wanted to high-five her. Jax nodded meekly. “Can you both be back here around four?” Jax and Amanda looked at one another and shrugged. They both agreed to the time. “Great. I’ll see you all then.”

Gretchen hated the dismay Jax wore so plainly on her face. “Great,” she said in a scratchy whisper.

Chapter Eleven

15 days, 20 hours, 10 minutes

Gretchen held her new notebook tightly. She was nervous for her evaluation, but what made her feel worse was how tired she was. Her physical therapist was more like a drill sergeant, and the nurses were his minions tasked with pushing her to her limits.

“Are you ready, Gretchen?” Dr. Melendez held her iPad and sat at Gretchen’s bedside. “Try to answer verbally as much as you can. I know you’re having difficulty, but the more you try, the better.”

She nodded, but Dr. Melendez continued to look at her expectantly. Gretchen licked her lips. “Okay,” she said, her voice steadier than it had been that morning.

“What is your full name?”

“Gretchen Rebecca Mills.” Her words were slow but clear.

“Date of birth?”

“November twenty-third.” Gretchen cringed at how hard she worked for simple words.