Sun On My Face, Wind in My Hair

Chapter Eight

Chris opened his eyes and wondered where he was and what was going on. He saw the woman sleeping in the chair beside him and wondered who she was.

“Hey, hey,” he said, trying to wake her. Josie opened her eyes and realized that he was awake.

“Chris! You’re awake!” Josie exclaimed. “How are you?” She asked, touching his face.

“I don’t know. I don’t know where I am, what’s going on, who you are…or even who I am,” he confessed, confused about everything. Josie was happy to hear that he had amnesia. Hopefully he would not remember Penny and she could convince him that she was his wife, she thought.

The doctor and nurse came in to examine Christopher, and determined that he was physically fine, except for a case of amnesia. Chris told them both that he did not recognize the woman who claimed to be his wife. The doctor assured them both that as the swelling in his brain subsided, his memory would return. He recommended Josie taking him home in a couple of days, and that with patience and understanding, the familiar surroundings would help his recovery.

Josie thanked the doctor and smiled at Chris, assuring him that he would be fine. Josie hid Chris’s billfold in her purse, fearing that if he used his credit card or debit card, their location would be found. She planned to start a new life with Chris in California.

Withdrawing $16000 from Chris’s savings account, Josie bought a master card and put $15000 on it, so it would not be traceable. She also got rid of her phone and bought a trac phone. Hoping the withdrawal would send the message to Penny that Chris had run away with her, Josie smiled at herself at the genius of her plan. She then pulled all her money out of her checking and savings accounts, putting $5000 each on six separate cards. That would be enough to rent a house at the beach under a bogus name and hide out for a while.

Calling the airline, Josie terminated both their positions, stating that they had run away together and were starting a brand-new life away from everyone. Chris’s manager was very concerned and surprised, knowing how much he had loved his wife and children, and how dedicated he was as a pilot for twelve years with Universal Airlines. He was very troubled over this decision and asked to speak with Chris, but Josie made an excuse that he was not available to talk.

After all her business was taken care of, Josie went back to the hospital to stay with Chris. She kissed his cheek as she came to his bedside.

“I brought you some comfortable pajamas to wear instead of that hospital gown,” Josie told him, opening the bag and showing him three pair of pajamas. She had thought to pick herself up a gold wedding band and quickly slipped it on her finger when Chris was in the restroom to convince him that she was his wife.

After she had rented the house, Josie printed off some pictures she had photoshopped of the two of them that she could set around in frames, filled the drawers and closets with clothes from their suitcases, and bought groceries to make Chris believe that they had been living there.