She slid her body backward down into bed and shut her eyes. Something ached inside of her, a pain she couldn’t place. Something terrible. Something familiar. She concentrated on her breathing and felt the tension slip from her body. She slid back into sleep as the ache within her eased away.
Something soft and pleasant brushing her face caused her eyes to flicker open. A fan blew on the nightstand, keeping the white lace curtains steadily sweeping Allison’s cheek. She was cradled in a fluffy bed covered in a charming, bright quilt. She pulled the quilt up and covered her face with it. Inhaling the pleasant smell, enjoying the softness of cotton against her body. How long has it been since I slept in a bed? The room was simply furnished with just the bed, one nightstand, a dresser, and a rocking chair. Old wallpaper peeled in the corner above the door. The once brightly colored blossoms that covered the walls were faded, but it added to the charm of the modest room.
Allison sat up and glanced out the window above her bed. There was a towering tree with a tire swing dangling from one of its many branches, a wood fence partly painted white, and a dulled crimson barn. It was peaceful, forcing her to forget the chaos that was now her life. Allison tore herself from the window and looked around the room again. There was a pair of hiking type boots and a perfectly folded stack of clothes on the dresser. She put the clothes and shoes on. They weren’t Zara or even a brand from Dillard’s, but they fit well enough. She would kill for a flowing Gucci dress with a pair of strappy sandals right now. Something to make her feel like herself, to feel normal.
The smell of bacon wafted into the room, accompanied by clangs of pots and pans being shifted around. Allison wandered to the door, following the wonderful smell. Her stomach turned, and she realized she was starving. When had she eaten last? She couldn’t remember. Allison found the kitchen with Sandra at the stove flipping bacon.
“Well, hello, sleepyhead! I sure hope you like a good ole country breakfast,” she chirped, her face graced with a motherly smile.
Allison smiled and sat at the table in front of an empty plate. Sandra picked up a platter full of bacon, eggs, and biscuits and began serving it to her. A heaping mound of food, more than enough for four people, quickly jam-packed her plate. Allison shoveled enormous amounts of food into her mouth, chewing vigorously, stopping only to take swigs of milk from the glass Sandra placed in front of her.
Sandra was back at the stove filling a bowl with something from a steaming pot. She set the bowl at the front of Allison’s almost empty plate. Grits—warm, yummy, grits. Allison consumed the second course, leaving a gelatinous mix oozing from the corners of her mouth. Sandra refilled Allison’s plate.
“You were hungry,” Sandra said, laughing.
“Sorry.” Allison came up for air. “I don’t remember ever being this hungry.”
Sandra chuckled and said, “You’re welcome, sweetie.”
Dave walked in from the yard. “I smell a mighty fine breakfast,” he said happily. He looked up and his eyes met Allison’s. “Well, look who is finally up.”
He pecked Sandra on the cheek, then sat at the end of the table in front of another place setting. Sandra filled his plate, smiling at him.
“Thanks, Sandy,” Dave said, filling his fork and taking a bite.
Sandra set the serving platter on the table and joined them. Allison finished her food but was still hungry. She reached for the serving dish at the center of the table but stopped herself. She had already eaten more than she ever had in one sitting. Except maybe during that pie-eating contest at the twelfth grade pep rally. But most of that pie ended up coming back up, so it didn’t really count as eating it. She did not want to make herself sick this time.
Dave and Sandra finished their food and began clearing the table. Allison stood and took her dishes to the sink, following their lead. Dave placed a hat from the coat rack by the door onto his head and kissed Sandy’s cheek once more.
“Farm needs tending to.” Dave walked back outside and Sandra began putting away the food. Allison didn’t want to be rude, so she began rinsing dishes. She looked around for a dishwasher but only saw a drying rack on the corner of the counter. She pulled it over and began hand-washing them. Soon they had a smooth rhythm going. Sandra would put the food in a storage container and hand the empty cooking vessels to Allison to clean. The kitchen was quickly in order, everything put in its place.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Sandra said.
Allison followed her out the door, keeping stride with the older redhead. They walked in silence for a time, Allison enjoying the feel of the spring breeze. Sandra sat on a wood swing under a tall oak overlooking a pasture and motioned for Allison to sit.
Sandra broke the silence: “You’re safe here and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Her kind eyes looked at Allison. “But I don’t think you will want to stay long.” Allison gave Sandra a questioning stare. Sandra smiled and patted Allison’s leg gently. “You’ve been sick a long time. A lot has happened. Communication is still very limited. We don’t even have a working phone line and cell towers haven’t worked around here in years. The only way to get in contact with your family will be for you to go to them.” She wrung her hands together and let out a sigh. “By no means am I saying you have to leave. But I know once you have been sick you lose your memories. Memories of the time you were sick. But they will start coming back to you. You will need
