Then again, it might be the best thing that could happen to Henry. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was in danger from the stranger next door.
7
After checking in at the registration desk in the hospital lobby, Sonia took the elevator up to the third floor where Ray’s room was located. She hesitated in the hallway outside his door for a moment or two, watching as a young nurse fussed around his bedside. To Sonia’s surprise, Ray’s eyes were open, and he appeared to be conversing in low tones with the nurse. Feeling somewhat less anxious about the gravity of the situation, she knocked gently on the door and entered. “Hey Ray, how are you doing?”
His head jerked in her direction, his eyes sweeping her face like a searchlight. He studied her with a blank expression for an uncomfortable moment before turning to the nurse, his brows hunched together.
The nurse glided discreetly over to where Sonia stood. “I’m afraid he doesn’t recognize you,” she said in a hushed tone. “He sustained some head trauma in the accident—a nasty concussion. The doctor should be around shortly. He can give you more details about his condition. Are you his wife?”
Sonia shook her head. ”No. I’m Sonia Masterton, his next-door neighbor. I’m looking after his son.” She shot a furtive glance at Ray and then whispered, ”His wife passed away recently.”
The nurse pouted her lips. ”That’s so sad to hear. He’s not had it easy, has he? It’s fortunate he has you to help him out. Make sure you address him by name when you’re talking to him, it helps anchor him.” She walked back over to the bed and tucked in the sheets. “Anything else I can get you, Ray? Would you like some more water?”
He turned his head, wincing as he eyed the half-full disposable plastic cup and straw on his bedside table. ”I’m good for now, thanks.”
“You have a visitor, Ray. Your neighbor is here to see you,” the nurse said in an encouraging tone. “I’ll be back to check on you later.” She flashed a grin at Sonia as she breezed out of the room.
Gulping a breath, Sonia approached the bed with a trepidatious air. ”Hi there, Ray. I’m Sonia Masterton, your next-door neighbor. I live in the bungalow that backs up to your mother’s old house.”
Ray lifted a hand to his cheek and scratched it, a flicker of a frown traversing his forehead.
“Your mother’s name was Celia Jenkins,” Sonia went on, sitting down in the chair next to the bed. ”She passed away recently. You moved into her house a couple of weeks ago.”
Ray twisted the sheet between his fingers in an agitated fashion. ”I’m … sorry. I don’t remember any of this—or you.”
“It’s okay,” Sonia said, trying to mask her dismay. “I know this must be difficult for you—the shock of it and all. Henry’s fine, so you don’t need to worry about him.”
Ray threw her a baffled look, as he attempted to adjust his pillows. “Who’s Henry?”
Sonia trapped the startled gasp that almost fell from her lips. It was clear from Ray’s tone that he had absolutely no recollection of his son. How was that possible? She couldn’t imagine forgetting who Jessica was. It was a truly terrifying prospect to think a concussion could make you forget you were a parent.
Despite her misgivings about Ray, she leaned forward and laid a reassuring hand on his arm. ”Henry’s your four-year-old son. Don’t you remember? He came over to play with my daughter, Jessica. She gave him her teddy bear, Fudge, to take home.”
A haunted look crossed Ray’s features. ”Are you … sure I have a son?”
“Positive!” Sonia pulled out her phone and scrolled through to a picture she’d taken of Henry playing with Jessica’s blocks. “Look, here he is!”
Ray gave a dubious shake of his head. ”I don’t remember him at all.”
“I can bring him along to visit you tomorrow, if you like,” Sonia suggested.
“If you think it won’t scare him.” Ray gestured to his IV. “Seeing me … like this.”
“I think he’ll be fine. That reminds me, I need to pop over to your house to pick up some clothes for Henry. Your mom kept a key in the planter out back. Would you mind if I grabbed his PJ’s and some of his favorite toys?”
Ray sighed and leaned his head back against the pillow, staring morosely up at the ceiling. ”Of course. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I can’t remember what the house looks like, let alone what planter you’re talking about.”
“Is it just short-term memory loss you’re experiencing?” Sonia asked. “Do you remember anything further back—what about your brother, Tom?”
Ray’s brows shot up in surprise. “I have a brother?”
“Yes. You haven’t been in contact with him in years. But you mentioned that your mother’s been sending him money. Maybe you can track him down through his bank account.“
“Maybe,” Ray said, the frustration in his voice matching the defeat in his eyes.
Sonia shifted position, the vinyl chair squeaking in the awkward silence that fell between them. ”Do you recall the accident at all?” she ventured.
Ray shook his head. ”I had no idea where I was when I woke up. I don’t remember how I got here either.” His frown grew deeper. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know my name until they showed me my driver’s license.”
“I’m sure it’s only a temporary memory loss,” Sonia soothed. ”The nurse said the doctor will be making his rounds shortly. He’ll be able to tell you more.”
As if on cue, a knock on the door interrupted them and a tall, gray-haired man with a shiny bald spot stepped into the room, one hand tucked into the pocket of his white coat. He nodded to Sonia as he approached the bed. “Good afternoon, Ray. I’m Doctor Robinson. You might not remember me. I treated you when you were brought in. How are you feeling?”
Ray frowned. “Bruised, and
