Inversion

Excuse me who?

Unlike the first time I regained consciousness, the second time was less disorienting. Even my body hurt way less than it did before. I figured I had to be alive since I was no longer stuck in that place. There was no one else in the room with me so it gave me time to scan my surroundings. It wasn't particularly easy doing so as the neck brace made it so hard to turn. Luckily, the adjustment panel was within reach so I was able to adjust the bed upwards, giving me a better view of the room.

I hadn't been in a lot of hospital rooms before but I could tell this one was larger than usual. In the middle of the room, on the oval oak table  was a bouquet of tulips adding a pop of colour to the dull-painted room.  A neatly folded grey overcoat  was resting on the arm of the sofa. '' I wonder which of them it belongs to'' . Liby and mom. I can only imagine how scared they must have been. Knowing mom , she'd probably prayed so hard while Liby tried her best to comfort and reassure both herself and mom. I assumed they had been informed of my state however I wondered what they were doing outside. ''It doesn't even matter Morana they deserve the break'' said my inner voice. Then again it had only been four minutes since I'd woken up according to the clock above the door.

A little while later came in the nurse . She checked the monitors and then on me making sure I was okay. As if reading my mind, she reassured me that my family  had been here and worried all through. '' It's been quite a week'' she said with a smile. '' A week..... That's right such an accident would take time.'' I thought.

''The rest of your family has gone to freshen up. But your partner is still here. He went to get some coffee downstairs'' '' We couldn't get him to step out even for a bit'' 

My heart felt full at the mention of that. For once I found his stubbornness so soothing. She was about leaving when I asked about the taxi driver . She seemed a bit lost .

 Breathing heavily , taking short pauses as I spoke '' We .were.  in the car. together. after the accident'' 

She seemed much more confused. ''You were rushed in alone. There was no other person admitted with you''

'' Errmm... okay. thank you '' I muttered . Lines drawn on my forehead with confusion.

It dawned on me that he must not have made it out alive. It was quite heart breaking now that I knew. Like '' did his family know already? Had they seen him?''

The nurse whom I'd now known her name to be Patty because of her name tag , turned back towards me upon opening the door. '' Your partner is here '' and with that she stepped out giving us some space.

Nothing could have possibly prepared me for the face I saw next. My smile dropping before being fully formed . He rushed towards me with urgency in his movements. He engulfed me in his embrace instantly upon reaching where I was . I could have sworn I heard her say ''your partner'' but this wasn't Scott. That wasn't even the issue in all honesty the fact that he's here is. ''What exactly is he doing here? Our discussion certainly didn't give the impression that we were close .If anything it was the exact opposite so ''why's he hugging me like he's about to crush my bones?'' My attempt at wiggling out of his arms wasn't exactly working. Luckily I was able to do so once he loosened his grip.

''Your body must hurt'' he spoke bringing his left hand to his face .To think I should have spoken yet found my self staring at him. It wasn't the stare of admiration but that of ''what in the chaos is happening right now?'' Finally finding my voice I spoke. ''What are you doing here? Where's my family?'' I flinched as he reached for my face so he withdrew his hand. And placed it on my hands. His hold wasn't tight yet I could not free my hands. '' Has he lost his mind? Why must he touch me at all?'' I wondered frustratingly  whilst my eyes shot daggers at him.

'' Tony and Mary went to freshen up. They'll be back soon''

''Tony and Mary? I'm asking about my mom, Liby and Scott. Not Tony and Mary.''  my lips parted as I withdrew my hands from him.

As if not taking the hint already, he pats the top of my head and gradually runs his fingers through my hair bringing it just below my neck brace.'' I know you're still mad at me . And Rightfully so . But I'm still your family'' smiling sadly as his eyes searched mine. At this point I was ready to scream because I wasn't understanding what he was saying . Honestly, I wasn't even trying to make sense of all he'd been saying. Except. I don't  have long hair. I have chin length hair . That's how I'd been keeping it for 2 years now. And. It is definitely not brownish blonde.

My attention no longer on him but on my hair. It certainly couldn't have grown this long in just a week. Patty definitely said '' quite a week''. Even if it somehow did go , it still wouldn't explain the colour. It was becoming so frustrating that I simply wanted to claw my eyes out. I just needed my mom and Liby right now. I didn't mind if the doctor came in at this point because I needed a proper explanation. The most logical diagnosis would be temporary amnesia considering the impact of the accident but my memories seem accurate.

''Loraine, are you listening to me?''

'Can you call.... Wait . Lor who?''

''Lorraine'' He repeated with worry on his face.

''Please get the doctor . And a mirror''

''Alright. I'll be back soon '' with that he rushed out of the room.