Chapter 4
18 years later. Corrie has grown up into a fully functional member of society. She works at the Grand Harmony Theater. She is in love with Miguel, but she has never told him. Kay, Corrie's older sister, is also in love with Miguel. Kay believes that Miguel loves Corrie. In a fit of jealousy, Kay sabotages Miguel's car in the Grand Harmony Theater parking lot as he is watching a movie inside.
Kay: If I can't have you, Miguel, nobody can! Especially not my stupid little sister, Corrie.
Miguel exits the theater and goes to his car. Kay watches from a distance, quietly crying, already regretting the violence of her actions. She almost runs out to stop him, but she is not brave enough. Miguel gets in his car, turns the key, and starts to drive. Corrie is also watching him from inside the theater. She is making popcorn and daydreaming about kissing Miguel.
Miguel drives toward the exit, and his car speeds up drastically. He tries to stop, but the breaks won't work. He is getting faster and faster. At that exact moment, Sam pulls into the parking lot to drop off some lunch for Corrie.
Miguel's car smashes into Sam's car. There is a giant crash. Sam goes flying through the windshield. He never even saw Miguel coming.
Corrie rushes out from the theater. Kay runs from her hiding place toward the crash. Miguel is unconscious inside his wrecked car, which has caught on fire. Sam is on the pavement, blood trickling from his mouth. His eyes are closed. Corrie heroically pulls Miguel from the burning car just in time. She screams at Kay.
Corrie: Kay! Call an ambulance! Dial 911 right now!
But Kay doesn't move. She's in shock.
Kay: What have I done?
Corrie: What do you mean, Kay? It was an accident. Wasn't it?
IN THE HOSPITAL AN HOUR LATER
Sam and Miguel are on life support. Their beds are right next to each other in the ER. Ivy, Corrie, and Kay are in the waiting room. They are worried sick. Ivy and Corrie are talking about the accident. Kay has not said a word. Eve, the doctor, enters the waiting room.
Eve: They're both unconscious. They're stable for now. I expect Miguel to make a full recovery. Sam's condition is critical however. We're doing everything we can.
Ivy: Oh my poor Sam. He doesn't deserve this. How could this have happened?
Corrie looks at Kay, who is staring at her feet.
Corrie: I don't know, Mom. I guess it was an accident.
Ivy: What the heck was Miguel doing driving so fast?!
Corrie: I guess we can ask him when he wakes up, if he remembers.
Kay suddenly snaps back to reality. She looks up at Corrie.
Kay: Yeah. That's right. He might not remember anything.
Ivy: Can we see him? Sam, I mean?
Corrie: Yeah, can we see them both, Doc?
Eve: Yes. It might help them to hear your voices. They won't be able to respond though.
Eve leads them into the ER. Ivy sees Sam and immediately bursts into tears. Having flown through the windshield of his car, Sam's face is covered in deep lacerations. The nurses stitched up his cuts. He is covered in bandages.
Ivy: Oh Sam. My darling. We're here now. It's me, Ivy, your wife.
Corrie: Hi Dad. It's Corrie. We love you, Dad.
Ivy: Kay, say hello to your father.
Kay doesn't say anything. Her face is white as a sheet. She is staring at Miguel. She looks like she's seen a ghost. Corrie looks up at Miguel and notices that his eyes are wide open. He is staring at Kay with an intense anger. Ivy doesn't notice. All her attention is focused on Sam.
Ivy: Kay is here too, Sam. She's too shocked to speak right now.
Kay bursts into tears and runs from the room. Corrie looks from Kay to Miguel and back again. She is beginning to put the puzzle pieces together. She glances back at Miguel to see his eyes are closed. Where they ever open? She's not sure anymore. Suddenly, Corrie hears a noise coming from Sam. She quickly looks over and sees his eyes opening!
Ivy: Sam! You're awake. Nurse! Nurse! He's opened his eyes!
Corrie: Dad!
Doctor Eve runs over and checks Sam's vital signs.
Eve: It's a miracle! We were expecting Sam to slip into a coma any minute now. I can't believe his eyes are open. He should be almost dead.
Corrie: My dad is a fighter. He's stronger than you think!
Eve: It appears so!
Ivy: Sam. We were so worried about you. Say something!
Sam: Where am I? What happened?
Ivy: Darling, there was an accident. A car wreck. A head on collision. You're in the hospital.
Sam: A car wreck? But… but… who are you?
Ivy: It's me, silly! Ivy. Your wife. And Corrie's here too.
Sam: My wife? Grace is my wife. And who's Corrie?
Corrie: It's me, Dad. Your daughter.
Sam: You're not my daughter. Kay is my only daughter. Where's Kay? Where's Grace? Doc! Who are these women? Please get them out of my sight!
BACK AT HOME
Ivy is writhing in anger. She is crying her eyes out over her husband's amnesia. Eve is trying to comfort her.
Ivy: Why the heck can't he remember me? He's supposed to be in LOVE with me, for cryin' out loud!
Eve: Ivy, Sam's lived through some major head trauma. He's lucky to be alive at all. Memory issues are typical in cases like this. Give him some time. It's a miracle he survived.
Ivy: A miracle?! You call this a miracle?!
Eve: Would you rather he was dead?
Ivy: Oh of course not. It's just so hard. I want my Sam back.
Eve: You'll get him back. Just be patient. Let's go visit him. It's almost lunchtime.
Ivy and Eve drive over to the hospital. They walk straight to Sam's room, only to find him awake and happily chatting with Grace.
Sam: Oh, my darling Grace, it's so good to see you.
Ivy: WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING HERE!? GET OUT OF MY HUSBAND'S ROOM!
Grace: I am here because Sam asked me to be here. And funnily enough, he says it's me he's in love with, not you. From what I understand, he doesn't even remember you! Oh how the tables have turned.
Ivy: I'll turn your tables right now if you don't get out of here!
Sam: Please, both of you, stop!
Eve: Yes, I agree. Let's talk about this calmly, like grownups.
Ivy: I can't be calm right now, I'm too angry. I need to cool down.
Grace: Fine. You know where to find me when you're ready. Or at least, your husband does.
Grace saunters to the doorway, glances back at Sam, winks, and walks away.