My "Accidental" Amnesia

"Who are you people?" I asked, feigning confusion. It was a total act, of course, but after the car accident, I figured I’d have some fun with my husband and son.

My son's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint, and he pulled a woman standing outside the hospital room in.

"This is my mom and dad," he announced, "They're just visiting you, lady.”

My husband, standing off to the side, didn't say a word, seemingly okay with my son's new nickname for me.

1

"This is my mom and dad, they’re just visiting you, lady.” The sweet, sing-songy voice echoed in the sterile room.

I glanced down at my five-year-old, Leo. He had one of my hands in each of his, a sly grin plastered on his face. My head throbbed under the bandage wrapped around it.

Standing beside Leo, looking all business in his suit, was my husband, Ryan. He just watched me, his gaze a mix of suspicion and something else I couldn’t quite place.

The woman Leo had dragged in wore a flowing white dress. She was elegant, with a soft grace about her. She looked a bit flustered as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear under my stare. Leo, always the protective one, stepped in front of her, his eyes narrowed at me.

If I actually had lost my memory, I’d probably believe I was looking at a happy, loving family.

Leo tugged at Ryan’s hand, whispering loud enough for me to hear, "Dad, now that Mom has amnesia, can you guys finally get divorced?"

He was playing his little game, a way to punish me for the way I’d talked to him in front of the staff the day before. He was always like that, making it his mission to get back at me.

But I was done with his little games. If I said I had amnesia, I was going to run with it. I wasn’t going to acknowledge my son or my husband.

“Excuse me…who are you people?”

Leo’s eyes widened, a hint of panic in them. “You don’t remember me? There's no way you forgot me! I’m your favorite…kid.”

Ryan's brow furrowed. His cold, gray eyes narrowed. “Stop it, Sarah. The doctor said it was just a mild concussion, nothing serious. Don't think that pretending you have amnesia will get you out of this divorce.”

“Yeah, stop pretending! You love us so much, how could you forget us?” Leo chimed in, his expression mimicking his father’s.

I felt a headache throbbing in my temples.

Before I could even answer, a nurse poked her head in. “Patient needs to rest. Could visitors step out?”

Ryan and Leo, along with the woman in white, promptly left.

The nurse stepped in. “Your husband was just here. He went out to get you some soup.”

“My husband?” I was so confused. Hadn’t he just been kicked out?

The nurse blinked. “Yeah. I actually worked in OB four years ago, and saw you a few times. You guys are so good-looking, it’s hard to forget you.”

I did do my prenatal appointments at this hospital. But Ryan was never there with me.

The nurse went on, "And your husband was one of the few men who didn't stare at his phone the whole time. He was so anxious, waiting for your checkups. T...