I look at these people and I don't know them anymore. These smiling faces, so hopeful, so happy... who are they? The doctors all say that they're my family... but how can that be when I have no idea who they are, or who I am? Oh, they look nice enough, especially that little girl with the big brown eyes, but they can't be my family. I would remember the important people, right?
What happened to cause this... big empty void in my brain? Am I going insane or something? did I do something bad in a past life, and now I'm being punished for it? I don't believe in past lives, so there goes that theory.
"Who are you people?" I ask. All the happy faces disappear. The little girl with the big chocolate brown eyes starts to cry. The older woman, in her mid fifties, turns away, her eyes misty. What did I do? All I did was ask a simple question.
"Don't you remember, Mommy?" The little girl asks. "I'm Angela, and this is Daddy." She points to the tall, well muscled man standing beside her.
"You were in a car accident, Melissa." Angela's father says. I notice a wedding ring on his finger and I look down at my hand. There's a diamond ring on my finger. So, my name is Melissa, and I'm married. At least I know my name and marital status. But, what about these other people?
"Who are they?" I ask in reference to the old couple near my bed and the younger woman standing by the door. "I'm your mother." The older woman said softly. "This is your father and your sister Catherine. Cathi, come here." The old woman holds out her hand and Catherine reluctantly takes it. She does not look happy to approach me. I wonder why? I was just about to ask when another doctor enters the room. She doesn't look as though she has very good news.
"Mr. and Mrs. Canter?" She asks. The old couple nod.
"Do you have news about our Danny?" The old woman -- my mother -- asks, hopefully. The doctor nods sadly.
"I'm sorry, but he didn't make it." My mother screams, my father pulls her to him tightly. My daughter begins to cry and my husband picks her up, trying to fight his own tears. He is unsuccesful, and one rolls down his cheek. "There was just nothing we could do. I'm so sorry." The doctor hurries out of the room, tears brimming in her own eyes.
"Who is Danny?" I ask, not sure that I want to disturb the silence. Curiosity was getting the better of me. If these people -- my family-- were so upset, then surely I should have been as well.
"He was our brother and it's your fault he's dead!" Catherine screamed.
"Cathi!" My mother yelled, a hand pressed to her chest. "Don't say such things!"
"It's true, Momma! If she had taken the keys from him, this wouldn't have happened! It's her fault!" Catherine yelled, roughly jerking away from our mother when she tried to put comforting arms around her. "Don't touch me! I never want to see you again!" This last comment was directed to me. Catherine's eyes were red, puffy, and angry. She meant what she said.
"Catherine, you don't mean that! Tell Melissa you didn't mean it!" My father said. "She didn't mean it." He said to me, trying to reassure me, though he didn't need to. This woman who was supposed to be my sister was a stranger. I didn't know her, so her telling me that she never wanted to see me again had no effect on me.
"I do mean it." Catherine said, her voice soft this time. "I will never forgive you." She turned on her heel and wtalked out of the room, slamming the door as she let. My mother let out an anguished wail and my father comforted her. My daughter began to sob again, and my husband finally stopped fighting his tears.
I have no idea who these people are, but I've ruined them. Divided them. Those who stand with me are against those who don't. How are they supposed to choose? How would I choose? Would I side against the person who could have prevented the agony by simply taking the keys, or would I be the understanding one, and forgive them for the horror they accidently caused? I don't know. I am so glad that the choice isn't mine.