I started to get choked up a little bit. Luke placed his hand back on my shoulder and comforted me. “I am so sorry. That must be so hard to deal with. I can’t imagine that.”
I swallowed and tried to stop my tears. “Luke, I remember a whole summer with you in it.” He looked at me confused. “I know that we didn’t spend this past summer together but while I was in the coma I basically dreamt of spending a whole summer with you.” He remained silent, so I continued on. “Some of the things I remember actually include real facts. I’m still trying to figure out how my brain could have completely fabricated all of my memories but I actually remember this stuff happening. You crashed into me on your bike while you were delivering pizzas. We spent many nights on the boardwalk together. You took me on a date and then showed me the sunflower field and told me all about your parents.”
Luke's eyes widened but he was still quiet. “You drove your uncle’s old fashioned red truck all summer long. We spent the Fourth of July together and that night Officer Galer had to bring home your Uncle Roger. I met your grandma at the nursing home. My dad came to visit and met you and we spent my last week here for the summer zip lining, going to the aquarium, watching your home videos, you threw me a going-away party, and then we stayed up all night. Then the next thing I knew I woke up in my hospital bed and was told none of that was true.” Now I was rambling and tears streamed down my face.
Luke put his head in his hands. “I’m, I’m so sorry Sutton. I don’t know what to say. I wish I could tell you that was true but it’s just not.” I started bawling and Luke pulled me in close, hugging me.
“I talked to you while you were in the coma but what the fuck... I didn’t mention everything you just said and some of it is true.”
We sat there in silence and I continued to cry just enjoying the feeling of Luke’s body against mine again. Just then, his phone rang.
He pulled away from me and reached in his pocket to pull it out.
“Hi Uncle Roger. No, yeah, I’ll be there in a few minutes. I just got distracted.” He said before flipping the phone closed.
“I have to get going Sutton. Like I said earlier, I just graduated. My Uncle is throwing me a little party down at the Pizza Shack.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I am so glad you’re okay and I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through so much. This is all just a lot for me to take in.” He stopped for a second. “But maybe we could meet up again sometime and continue this conversation.”
“I’m only here until Saturday,” I replied.
“Put your number in my phone.” He said. I entered my number into his phone and then stood up.
“You shaved your head.” I blurted out as we walked towards the door. Luke smirked.
“Oh yeah.” He said rubbing his head. “My curly locks are gone. At least for now. I figured I looked more professional this way.” He replied. I smiled and nodded.
He held the door open for me and then we both stood on the stoop. “Stay safe Sutton. I’ll see you around.” It killed me to have him standing right there in front of me and not being able to plant a kiss right on his lips.
“See you around Luke,” I said as I walked to my mom’s van where everyone was clearly staring at us.
It was silent the whole car ride home. We pulled into Aunt Helen’s driveway and my mom put the car in park. Nobody moved or spoke until Reagan broke the silence. “Okay I’m sorry Lynn, I know you said to let her talk to us when she’s ready but I can’t take it anymore. How DID it go, Sutton? I mean after Luke fainted and all.” She giggled a little bit.
I bit my lip. “I’m not sure.”
“Well tell me what happened after we left!”
“We just talked. He rambled about how I must think he’s crazy.” I burst out laughing. “Since he didn’t even know me but he came to visit me.” I continued to laugh so hard that I cried. “But then I told him about what I remembered after I woke up from the coma. I should have said who is the crazy one now Luke?” Reagan gave me a weird look and my mom and Shane just stared at me.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and let out a big sigh. “I’m sorry, I just can’t believe this is actually my life.”
“Well, where did you leave it?” My mom asked, trying to pretend her daughter didn’t just have an outburst.
“I gave him my number and he mentioned us possibly meeting up again.”
Yay!” Reagan cheered. “Well, that’s good news right?”
I nodded. “Hopefully.”
I went about the rest of my day at Aunt Helen’s house. Reagan and I picked a new show on Netflix about life in high school. Every time a couple was pictured on the screen I swore I saw Luke and me.
“Where’s the note?” I said in a panic.
“What?” Reagan asked me, her eyes still glued to the makeout scene on the TV. I fumbled around the room trying to locate it.
“The note I wrote Luke. I didn’t give it to him. I had it in my hands when I left right?”
Reagan finally focused her eyes on me. “Let’s go check the van.” She
