I answer excitedly, forcing myself to sit down so that I don’t accidentally fall over. “Adas! Where have you been? I’ve missed you,” I say, fighting back tears.
“I’m sorry, darling. The area that I was in was horrible for cell signal. I can assure you I was just as upset that I couldn’t be speaking with you,” he replies, his voice sounding a little bit tense.
I kick off my shoes and try to see how much of the grass I can feel on my feet, smiling so much that I can’t stop. “I can walk by myself now! I was given crutches at my appointment today. The doctor was really impressed with me.”
“Really? I’m so proud of you, River. You’re an amazing woman. You always have been,” he replies as his voice livens up a bit.
My heart is gripped by my longing for him at the sound of his voice, prompting more stupid tears that I have to fight back. “Are you alright? I miss you so much. It’s so weird being by myself here.”
“We’re fine. We’re just staking out Marat’s place because he’s a big bitch who won’t come out and fight us himself. Honestly, it’s just boring. I was able to make this call because I ran back into town for supplies,” he replies.
My heart sinks, knowing that he’ll likely be disappearing back into the dead zone of the desert soon after this phone call. “I just want you to know how much I miss you. You need to promise you’ll stay safe for me.”
He laughs a bit. “Actually, you don’t need to be missing me for much longer. I’m sending a private jet to come pick you up tomorrow morning. I’ve already arranged a valet for you. All you need to do is be ready by the door at five AM tomorrow.”
I feel my heart swelling with joy and excitement as well as a hint of unease at the thought. I’ve only been conscious in this brain for just under three months. How am I supposed to navigate air travel? I’m practically weeping over the ability to hold myself upright for longer than five minutes.
“Is that going to be okay? WillIbe okay?” I ask, feeling uncertain of how better to word my statement. Even if it’s inarticulate, it says what I need it to: “I’m scared, and I’m not sure about this.”
“Of course, you’ll be fine. Do you think I would send someone I didn’t trust to take care of my wife? You are the love of my life, River,” he replies in that comforting, warm tone that he uses when he witnesses me getting upset about something.
I take a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll try to pack light. I can’t wait to see you.”
“I’ll see you soon, my love. Sleep well tonight.”
21
ADAS
Seeing River walking already feels surreal and, if I’m honest, a little scary.
If she’s walking this quickly, soon she’ll have more access to information about her past, about who shereallyis.
For right now, I’m just going to enjoy it. I’m going to enjoyher.
“So, are you remembering anything from before? With all the progress you’ve made, I’d think that you would have things starting to come back to you,” I ask with a little bit of hesitation.
River sighs heavily, brushing a sweaty tendril of hair from her forehead. “No, nothing yet. All I have in my brain is anger issues since the accident.”
“Are you sure you didn’t have those before?” I ask playfully.
She doesn’t find this funny at all, smacking me lightly on the arm. “This is serious, Adas. What if there’s a piece of me that will never heal? Something that’s left a mark on my personality forever?”
Even though I have no idea if she had any anger issues before the shooting, I rub her shoulder soothingly. “Whoever you end up being at the end of your recovery is still my wife. You don’t need to worry about who that person is.”
She lays her head down on my hand, taking my forearm into her hands in a sort of makeshift cuddle.
Her touch feels incredible, especially after spending all this time out here with nobody but other men. Stupid, shortsighted men.
“So, am I like... in danger by being here?” she asks, limping her way over to the van I’ve been sleeping in for the past few days.
I try to help her, but she’s determined to do it herself, even if it means she’ll take three times as long. Nevertheless, I encourage her.
“What? If Marat tried to harm you, I would blow his entire vacation home into the fucking sky,” I reply.
She laughs nervously. “I mean, alright, but I’m really hoping it doesn’t come to that. This is a nice home, all things considered.”
“If it’s nice enough to live in, it’ll be nice enough to blow up. As you said, though, hopefully, it doesn’t come to that,” I say, taking her hand and leading her gently toward the van I’ve been sleeping in.