Chapter Four
1058 Words
On Thursday Genevieve came to visit at nine in the morning. She stayed for thirty-one minutes.
Marisol was not really paying attention to how Genevieve was with the man. She just wrote down the time when Genevieve arrived and the time when she left. This was part of her job as a nurse to keep track of time.
Marisol could see Genevieve through the window. Genevieve was sitting in a chair beside the man's bed looking very calm and attentive. Genevieve was holding the man's hand and answering his question, Marisol could tell they were having a conversation.
Genevieve did everything right. The way she was sitting and talking to the man it all seemed natural.
It was like Genevieve was performing. She was very good at it. Marisol started to think that everything Genevieve did was like a performance.
When Genevieve was leaving she stopped by the nurses’ station.
"The man is asking about the two years " Genevieve said quietly. "I told him what the doctors said, the basics."
Marisol thought that was a thing to do.
"He asked about you " Genevieve said.
Marisol looked up from the chart she was reading.
"He asked who the night nurse was " Genevieve said. "I told him your name, Marisol. He said you were honest. He appreciated that." Genevieve looked at Marisol for a moment. Marisol saw something in her eyes that she did not understand.
"He does not usually say things like that about people " Genevieve said.
Marisol did not say anything.
"Keep being honest with him " Genevieve said. "Tell him the truth about his recovery and progress." Genevieve said this with a lot of emphasis. "We understand each other, Marisol."
Then Genevieve left.
Marisol looked at the chart she was reading. She did not understand anything for thirty seconds.
That night the man was different. He had medicine in his body so he was more aware of his surroundings but more aware of the pain. He was sitting up in bed with a book on his lap when Marisol came in.
"You do not have to pretend to read " Marisol said, checking his IV.
He looked at the book. "Is it that obvious I am not reading?"
Marisol said, "The page has not turned in forty minutes. Patricia noticed it when she was leaving."
He closed the book. "Patricia is very observant."
Marisol said, "It is her job to be observant."
He put the book on the side table. Looked at Marisol. He looked at her directly without trying to be polite. "I have been trying to remember the two years " he said. "The doctors say I should not try to force it that it will come back when it is ready." He paused. "I have never been good at waiting."
Marisol asked, "What do you remember, before the gap in your memory?"
He said, "Everything. My company, the people in it, and the years of building it. I remember all of that clearly." He was quiet for a moment. "I remember what it felt like when the work was still mine."
Marisol asked, "And it stopped feeling that way?"
He looked at her. "I think it must have. Based on what I do remember from the edges of the gap in my memory." He shook his head slightly. "It is like trying to read a page that has been torn out."
Marisol pulled up a chair. Sat down. This was the time she had crossed the line from being professional to being more present.
He asked, "Can I ask you something, Marisol?"
Marisol said, "You can ask me anything."
"Genevieve " he said. "We were engaged Genevieve and I."
Marisol said, "Yes you were engaged."
He said, "I do not remember deciding to ask her to marry me. I do not remember what that felt like." He looked at the window. "Is that something I should be worried about?"
Marisol was very careful. "The doctors say that emotional memories can be slower to come than factual ones. It does not mean they will not come back. It also does not mean they will."
He was quiet. Then he said, "Do you think Genevieve knows that?"
Marisol thought about the bathroom floor the test and the ten thousand dollars that Genevieve had given her.
Marisol said, "I think the people who care about you are all dealing with a lot of uncertainty now. Including Genevieve."
He looked at Marisol. She saw something in his eyes that was grateful.
He said, "You are careful but you do not lie."
Marisol said, "I try not to lie."
It cost Marisol something to say that. She did not think about it much.
He said, "My friend Callum is coming tomorrow. He has been trying to visit since the accident. Something with work kept him." He paused. "I am looking forward to seeing someone who knew me before."
Marisol said, "That will be good for you."
He said, "Will you be here?"
Marisol said, "I am on nights until Sunday."
He said, "Good." He said this like her presence was a fact about the world that he was relieved by.
Marisol stood up. Put the chair back. She checked his chart one time.
He said, "Marisol."
Marisol said, "Yes."
He said, "The clinic."
Marisol turned. "What?"
He said, "You mentioned it earlier while you were checking the drip. You were on the phone briefly. Something about a property assessment. You said the clinic and your whole voice changed."
Marisol stared at him. She had taken a thirty-second call from her landlord about a building inspection in Riverside. She had not thought he was conscious enough to notice.
Marisol said, "It is a clinic. In Riverside. I have been working towards it for some time."
He asked, "What kind of clinic?"
Marisol said, "Community health. The neighborhood needs one." She paused. "It is a way off still."
He looked at her steadily. "Do not let anyone talk you out of it " he said.
Marisol held his gaze.
She said, "Get some sleep."
Then she walked out.
Marisol stood in the corridor for a moment. She thought about how a person could be so careful about things and still find themselves in a situation they had no business being in.
Then she went back, to work.
- Writer
