Becca laid still and quiet, listening to the sound of her own breathing. She thought she was awake, but it was so dark. A sound drew her attention toward a tiny light that beckoned her; she didn’t move. She was comfortable here, resting and feeling nothing.
The light persisted, growing brighter until it dissolved the darkness. I’m dreaming, she decided. She got up and looked around. Flashes of color sparked around her, accompanied by strange sounds. She watched them for a long while before she realized they were memories. Memory echoes, she dubbed them excitedly.
Intrigued, Becca reached out and touched one. It was louder than the rest, drawing her interest. As her fingers touched the light, the memory opened and played before her like an old home video. Familiar music sounded in her ears, making her heart leap with joy. But then a shimmering wall appeared before her, and a motorcycle--“Kayde!” Becca screamed, but then stopped short, withdrawing her hand sharply. Drums pounded in her ears and she breathed heavily. She didn’t want this memory. She loved Kayde so deeply, but he’d wounded her even deeper. She couldn’t handle it. She moaned in anguish as tears streamed down her face.
The memory returned to its previous state, moving along as a simple spark of color and distorted sound. Becca watched it trail away, and then turned to others, trying to keep a hold of her sanity. Each recent memory included him. Each one, Becca released and let it trail away to somewhere in her subconscious. She didn’t want those any more. She couldn’t survive with them showing themselves to her now. She shielded herself from them, refusing to touch another one until she knew her mind had gone back far enough to forget those things—to forget him.
Rabecca? A soft voice distracted her attention away from the lights and other sounds. She looked up, though not sure why. Maybe she thought God was calling her. Had she died? Was it time to go home? The thought thrilled her.
But another soft voice spoke in a whisper, different from the first. “Not yet. You must return for a time. You’ll come back when I call you.”
Though the words weren’t what she wanted to hear, she felt oddly comforted by them. The first voice sounded again, “Rabecca? Can you hear me?”
Becca closed her eyes. She suddenly felt heavy, tired, and in pain. She groaned and tried to roll her head to the side, but it wouldn’t move. Something was holding it still. Her eyelids fluttered open and saw Chris next to her, leaning expectantly in her face. For a split second, she thought she saw a man standing in the shadows behind Christ. The man vanished and Becca focused her attention on her brother. His dark blue eyes were wet and worried, like a stormy sea. Why was he looking at her like that? Better yet, where was she?
“She’s awake!” Chris shouted as he momentarily turned his face away from her. Several people filed into the room, but Becca couldn’t tell who all was there. Dr. Kasden, Toby’s dad, was suddenly hovering over her, shining a light in her eyes. The light seemed familiar, but Becca couldn’t fathom why.
The doctor took the light away and looked into Becca’s eyes. Colored spots appeared on his face every time she blinked. “What do you remember, Rabecca?” Dr. Kasden asked softly. His gray eyes darted to the side for a moment before they studied her face again.
Becca thought for a moment. She didn’t know what she remembered. She certainly had no idea why she was in the hospital. “I-I’m not sure,” she said, her voice raspy from her dry throat. She tried to sit up, but pain in her arm and neck stopped her short.
“Take it easy, Sis,” Chris said. “You’ve had a bad accident. Your arm is broken and you shouldn’t move your neck.” Becca looked at him, moving only her eyes. He blinked and smiled bravely, trying to hide his tears.
“I was in an accident?” she asked softly. Nothing was making sense. When had this happened? Well, obviously not long ago as she still lay here in the hospital! She looked at the doctor. “The last thing I remember was going to the Spring Fling. Did I crash on the way home?”
All color drained from Chris’ face as Becca looked at him again. A couple soft gasps sounded from the other people in the room. Chris looked worriedly at Dr. Kasden. Becca moved her eyes in the doctor’s direction again. His jaw was tight, his eyes sad. Becca looked back at Chris.
“Becca, the Spring Fling was well over a month and a half ago. It’s two days after graduation,” Chris answered in a small whisper.
What? This couldn’t be true, could it? They were playing a joke, trying to lighten the mood. She released a small laugh, waiting for them to join her. Chris’ face remained serious and sad. “You’re not joking, are you?” Becca asked, sobering. The tears were already distorting her vision. Chris shook his head slowly. Becca swallowed and her heart sank. I’ve just lost an entire month and a half of my life!