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“Tim!” Zoé reaches out as the man in question gives her a bittersweet smile.
“I love you, my Honeybee. Remember me.”
Like that, he was gone. Everything was black and there was no more feeling to be found in her body. Numb is but a weak attempt to describe it.
Black starts to whiten then bleed into the screaming yellow of the lights above. Zoé attempts to sit up but the strain of her side forces her down.
The motion at her side startles Zoé slightly, causing more pain to shoot through her body. It’s the hand upon her shoulder that confronts her in a strange way.
“Zoé, how are you feeling? I’m so sorry. I should have been there.”
“What are you talking about? Who are you?”
The dual, black pigtailed woman beside her nearly breaks into tears but holds them back. Zoé’s eyes fall as she regrets her questions despite needing the answers.
Zoé has no idea how she got hurt, why she was here, or who this was talking to her. Some deeper feeling screams the answers to a deaf brain.
“I know you. I’m not sure how but I know I do. Did I do something irrational instead of waiting for you to come? How did I end up here? I have so many questions that you probably don’t have the answers to. I’m sorry.”
The mystery woman puts her hands up as she shakes her head. Something in her eyes calls out to Zoé.
“Please don’t be sorry. You were in a terrible accident. A building collapsed around you but miraculously the debris kept you from getting fatally injured. I was your next emergency contact and I’ve been here ever since I got the call.”
Zoé stares back up into the sickening yellow above. Instead of forcing herself awake, she lets the weight of her pain pull the eyelids down.
‘Zoé, Honeybee, wake up. I have something to show you.’
The jet black haired young man grabs her hand, helping her out of bed. Zoé smiles as he plants a kiss on her cheek.
He leads the two through the bedroom door, down the hall, stopping at a locked room. Zoé looks at him with a raised eyebrow. He motions for her to open it.
Zoé reaches forward, grabs the door handle, and turns it slowly. The man covers her eyes as they shuffle into the room.
‘Are you ready, my sweet?’
‘Yes, I’m always ready with you Tim. Show me what you have in store, my honeycomb.’
The hands move from her eyes and the blinding yellow turns into white as she looks around the room. This time, the woman was no longer there and Tim looks back at her from the seat she was once in.
Zoé shines a smile at him as she looks down toward her stomach. A small yet noticeable bump shows itself. The awe that escapes her mouth leaves her breathless.
“Tim, we’re pregnant! We’re going to have a baby!”
Tim chuckles at her reaction and the two share a moment that only lasts until the door opens. Zoé’s attention is stolen by the noise and she turns to it.
“I thought I heard you down the hall. It’s good to see you are awake. Were you on the phone with someone?”
“No. My husband and I were talking. He told me that we’re pregnant! Isn’t that exciting? I’m going to be a mother!”
“That is exciting. My dear, you seem to be a bit confused though.”
“I don’t understand what I would be confused about. Tim, did I miss something else that you said?”
The nurse lets out a breath as they approach the side of the bed. Zoé tilts her head. They place a gentle hand on her shoulder then directs Zoé’s sight to the chairs. She blinks.
“My dear, no one’s there.”