I've been trying to find the time since my last update to write more for you guys, but between school, work, and doctors visits, I had little time and energy on my hands. I still have a lot coming up this next month, but I'm hoping the fact that I received a diagnosis will help clear some head space so that I can sit down and write some more. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.


It was Rachel who drove me home the day that they released my discharge papers, and she has been nothing if not overbearing every since. It seems I have become her new project, or patient rather. Turns out, she's a physical therapist, and so I only have to come in to the hospital's facilities once every two weeks just so they have a record of my progress, which I'm rather excited about because that means two less visits to the hospital every week during which I'm the patient. You learn something new every day!

Or I do at least, ever since my memories slowly started coming back. I learned that Rachel was a certified physical therapist for one. But I also learned other things, like how my apartment is on the fourth floor and how difficult it is to cover four sets of stairs when you're on crutches. I learned that I'm still allergic to chocolate and codeine (I'm still covered in hives and I am not handling it well). I learned that Rachel really had gotten me hooked to photography in recent months, and my favourite subject was a certain individual (though that really comes as no surprise). I learned that there's a drawer in my room that's filled with things that aren't mine. I learned that I never stopped loving getting up before the sun for nothing more than just to admire the world at rest as it wakes up. I learned that I softened up a bit since I started college. I learned I had managed to keep some really good people in my life, and I learned I had lost some of the negative ones. But most importantly, I learned that I don't know as much as I thought I did; and that has given me my next adventure. I'm going to put these pieces back together. I'm going back to the start.


"Paige, I'm heading out, okay? If you need anything, call me," Rachel hollered as she scrambled to find her keys.

It was a few days after I had been discharged, and I had finally convinced Rachel that I was more than capable of getting through the day on my own while she was at work. Of course it was met with much protest and grumbling, but she finally gave in when I mentioned she would be of no help to me if she lost her job because she was too busy fussing over me at home. "I'm not entirely incompetent!" I shouted back. "I'm not a-"

"Gimp!" Rachel finished, laughing as she walked over to my bed and placed another water bottle on my night stand.

I pouted. "Shut up! I am not a gimp!"

"God, I can't find my keys!" Rachel grumbled, taking a minute from screwing with me to pace around the apartment in a panic.

"They're right there," I pointed, smiling as she struggled.

"Huh?"

"Coffee table by the door."

Rachel left out a breath of relief, finally figuring out where I was pointing. "Thanks," she smiled, curling a finger around the key loop before turning back to me again. "You know it never gets old," Rachel smirked, cradling the keys she finally found.

"What?" I asked with a perplexed expression.

"Watching you get flustered. Bye!" and Rachel slipped out of the door before I had the chance to rebuttal.

Leaning back into my bed, I sighed, staring up at the ceiling to think. It was a little after 8, and I had been up for a few hours now. Rachel made sure to bring me some breakfast in bed, aka omelettes and medicine, along with a healthy-sized water bottle. Basically, she did everything in her power to give me no excuse to get up other than to use the bathroom. However, I think she knew very well that that wasn't going to happen. After being confined to a bed for two weeks, I needed to be moving around again, feeling something other than blankets and looking at something other than ceilings that needed painting. So, after shoveling in the last spoonful of my breakfast, I took a deep breath and willed myself the strength to get up.

Luckily, the crutches were neatly placed leaning on my nightstand, making getting up little more than a quick reach and a few low groans before I shifted my body into a more comfortable position. After spending the night looking at my cork board and the photos and reminders that adorned it, I wanted to look through my desk drawer to see what more I would find that might help in bringing some of those lost memories back. Although my desk was on the opposite side of the room, it took no more than a few paces to get there. After lining myself up with the chair, I slowly sat down, letting my leg slide out carefully as I leaned my crutches against the desk. I was surprised and slightly proud of myself that, upon opening the drawer, it seems I had kept everything relatively organized. Inside, there were a few folders, some pens, and several notebooks. I picked the first one up and opened it. A diary.

October 4th, 2016

Work. Work. Work. Eat. Work. Work. Eat. Work some more. Drive home. Sleep. Yeah, that summarizes it well, don't ya think?

October 14th, 2016

I swear to God if my neighbors can't learn how to be quiet about it, they're gonna have to keep it in their pants. No one wants to hear that at three in the morning when they're trying to sleep! Make it stop!

Oddly enough, that memory was one I had not forgotten, despite the accident. There were many more entries similar to this, and so I scanned them over and flipped through the pages until one entry caught my eye.

November 25, 2016

I went over to the Field's home today, and for once it wasn't for Emily. She's out on a business trip all week, and so I found it to be the perfect time for me to make my visit without the risk of her knowing. I had been so nervous all day leading up to tonight though, and I thought my heart was gonna come right out of my chest when I rung that doorbell. It's such a weird feeling to be that nervous at a place you have learned to find comfort in, but I guess it's because today wasn't any ordinary visit, and the way the night went would have very large implications.

Still, despite my worries, dinner with Mrs. Fields went very well and her always welcoming spirit eased my nerves upon entering the doorway and being embraced in one of her warm hugs. I think she knew how nervous I was, as well as my intentions for being there, but she was still very gracious and didn't draw attention to it at all. From the lack of tear stains, I'm sure you can figure out what her answer was, but let me just say this: I am one very happy woman tonight.

Here's to next Friday, and that it all goes well.

- Paige

Immediately, the memories of that night began flooding back to me and I realized that perhaps this was the latest memory I had up until this point. I began searching through the folder Rachel had made of my medical files, looking for anything with a date on it, but all she had left me was a bunch of papers on my therapy exercises, and what medicines to take when. I slammed my fist on the table. Where is my cell phone?


"You almost home yet?" It was Friday night, and I had been waiting impatiently outside of my apartment complex for Emily every since she texted me that she had landed and made it through the baggage claims.

"Paige, you realize that the amount of times you ask that question has no impact on the speed of my arrival?" Emily laughed tiredly.

"That may be true-" I began.

"It is true."

"But it doesn't hurt to try."

I realized that the most childish smile had taken hold of my face as I began to lose my composure the more and more I teased."Why are you so anxious for me to be home?" Emily inquired.

"I always like it when you're home," I replied simply, trying to keep it together.

"Yes," Emily drew her words out. "But you're usually not this antsy about it. What's going on?"

I smiled into the phone, biting my lip as I tried to contain myself. "Nothing. Don't worry about it. Just tell the driver to move a little faster!"

"Paige, I'm not going to ask him to speed just because you're a little excited." I heard her laugh again, clearly enjoying my childish antics.

"Oh, c'mon, Em. You're excited too, don't lie."

"Of course I'm excited to see you. But Paige, it's only been a week. I've been on longer trips before," Emily rationalized.

"I know. But I've missed you. And I wouldn't be waiting to see you right now had you just called me to pick you up."

Emily sighed. "Paige, you know I didn't ask for a cab. The company provided it. What was I supposed to do, tell them 'thanks but no thanks'?"

"Yes, so your amazing girlfriend could come pick you up."

"You mean my impatient girlfriend who only needed to wait ten minutes more to see me."

I paused. "You almost home now?"

Emily waited a moment, talking slyly into the phone. "Are you wearing a dress? And those flowers look beautiful. You did well."

I scanned the area, trying to find a car. "How do you-" But then I saw her, stepping out in her form-fitting work attire with her suitcase in one hand and phone in the other, displaying a knowing smirk on her face.

"I've missed you, McCullers. Now are you gonna keep talking to me on the phone or are you gonna hang up and come kiss me?"


"Rachel!" I nearly shouted after finally making my way back to my nightstand where I had left my phone.

"Hey Paige. What's up?" It sounded like she was eating something. Was she on her lunch break already?

"When was I checked in to the hospital?"

"Uh," Rachel paused, probably straining to remember. "December 2nd. Why?"

"Thanks, gotta go," I spoke quickly, hanging up on her.

I turned then back to the calendar on my phone as I compared dates of the diary entry to the day I checked in. December 2nd- exactly one week after my last entry, the day Emily got back from her business trip- the day something important was supposed to happen... I picked up my phone again, dialing a different number this time.

"Hello?" a tired voice spoke, sounding broken and unfamiliar.

"Hi, Mrs. Fields. This is Paige. I hope you're holding up okay. I'm sure you have a lot of questions right now as do I," I paused, realizing I was rambling. Relax, McCullers. Just spit it out. "Would you happen to be available right now? I need to ask you something."


Well, that's it for now! I know it's a little short, but I figured it was better than nothing. Let me know what you think in the comments! I always appreciate your feedback. Have an awesome week, and stay well!