I laugh again and shake my head. “What? That can’t be true. I think I’d remember my own son!” The laughter dies on my lips when I see she isn’t joking, and an uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.
“You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?” I say quietly. She nods. “I have a son?” She nods again. “I missed almost three years of his life?”
“No! You were there for every second. You’re a great dad. Jacob adores you.”
“God, this is fucked up!”
A knock sounds on the door and I turn as it opens, relieved to see my parents walk in. “Honey, how are you feeling?” my mum asks as she crosses the room and sits on the other side of the bed.
“Confused. I have a son, Mum. A son I can’t remember.”
“I know, sweetheart, but the doctor said there’s no reason why you shouldn’t regain the memories you’ve lost.”
My dad comes to stand beside her. “It’ll all come back to you, son. Just give it some time.”
I sigh loudly and Zara lowers her head, brushing her lips against mine. Hearing a small gasp from across the room, I look around Zara to see a woman standing awkwardly by the door. Her eyes are fixed on the floor and I find myself willing her to look up so I can see her face. After a few seconds, she lifts her head, and my breath catches in my throat as her beautiful blue eyes meet mine. She’s stunning, but there’s a sadness on her face, and I can’t help but wonder who or what caused it.
“This is Aria,” my mum says.
“Aria,” I whisper, my eyes still fixed on her.
“She works on the ranch.” My head swings around to look at my mum.
“The ranch? As in Texas?”
“I hadn’t gotten around to telling him that part yet,” Zara bites out, her voice tinged with annoyance.
“We’re in Marble Falls, Jack,” my dad says, ignoring Zara’s tone. “You came out here with Jacob. Me and your mum followed a few weeks later.”
“I guess that explains why the doctor and nurse have American accents. Wait. Why are we here? In Marble Falls, I mean. Is Libby okay?”
“She’s fine. In fact, you’re an uncle. She and Mason had a baby a few days ago. That’s why she’s not here. She wanted to be.”
“A baby? But they only just got married…” I trail off, dropping my head back on the pillow, wincing as pain shoots through my head. “They didn’t just get married, did they?” I ask, looking at the ceiling.
“No, Jack,” my mum says gently. Sighing, I sit up again, slower this time. Looking across at Aria, I smile as I find her looking at me. “I’m guessing we’re friends?” I ask her. “I’m sorry I can’t remember.”
“That’s okay, and yes, we’re… friends.” She smiles and my heart pounds in my chest as our eyes lock. After a few seconds, Zara clears her throat from the side of me and I snap out of my daze.
“Maybe you should all leave and let Jack get some sleep,” Zara says.
“No, wait,” I shout. “I want to see Jacob. Where is he?”
“He’s fine, Jack. Savannah is looking after him,” my mum assures me. “We’ll bring him to see you in the morning.”
I turn to Zara and take her hand. “Do you have a picture on your phone? Maybe seeing a picture of him will help me remember.”
“Erm… I don’t have my phone with me. It’s back at the ranch.”
“I have a picture,” Aria says quietly, and she reaches into the pocket of her shorts and pulls out her phone. She spends a few seconds finding the picture before walking toward the bed and handing me the phone. Aria’s sitting on top of a horse, her arms wrapped around a little boy who’s laughing as the picture’s being taken. He looks a lot like me, but I don’t recognize him, and that breaks my heart.
“Anything?” my mum asks. I shake my head and hand the phone back to Aria.
“Did he like going on the horse?” I ask her.
“He loved it. He thought he was a cowboy.”
I smile, wishing I could remember. “Who took the photo?” Her eyes go from me to Zara, then back to me.