The afternoon light filtered into the kitchen as Hank sat nearer to the counter, his chair pulled out slightly, while Ed sat across from Hank and Wordy sat next to Ed for support. "Like I mentioned a few minutes before, there's been a break in Donna's case."
"What kind of a break?" Hank questioned, breaking his focus as he stared at the table grain. "What could you possibly tell me that you haven't already told me before?'
"When we got the preliminary results from the bombing, they seemed odd." Ed ignored Hank's line of questioning and continued explaining the situation. "So I started digging, eventually including the help of Sam, Wordy, Greg, and Spike."
"And?"
"Preliminary results stated Jimmy was burned on his arms, legs, and face. There was nothing on Donna like we originally thought there would be." Ed stated as he and Wordy watched for a reaction. Instead, Hank stared at the nearby wall, so he continued explaining. "Not only that, her vest and phone were found in two different areas of the building."
"What do you mean her vest and phone were found in two different areas of the building?"
"Her vest was found lying on the floor underneath, and her phone was found in the stairwell."
"What does that mean? That my wife was blown to pieces during the blast?"
"That's not what we're saying at all." Wordy did his best to smooth the shock Hank must have been feeling at the moment. "What Ed is trying to say is we found something we never thought was possible: that she could be alive."
"Alive?" Hank stuttered, his head jerking in their direction. "If you're messing with me, Ed-"
"I'm not. Trust me, the first time any of us saw this information, none of us believed it."
"I can't believe this. I have so many questions."
"Of which we'll answer in due time." Ed sat up straight up in his chair as he gaged how many more questions this would bring to the once grieving widow. "Before we go any further, there are some things you need to know about your wife."
"Like what?" Hank froze in his seat, the relief fading from his expression. "Did the blast do something to her?"
"It did. Probably not like what you're thinking." Ed pointed out as the wheel's in Hank's mind turned to the worst possible scenario, which included something along the lines of a broken arm, broken leg or even an amputation. Anything that had to do with injuries sustained after a bomb went off. "The blast caused her to have amnesia."
"Hang on. Are you telling me she doesn't remember who I am?"
"I believe somewhere inside, she knows who you are," Ed reassured him as they continued to sit around the table. "Donna's slowly remembering bits and pieces, but it hasn't been easy for her to come back to this life."
"So what do we do?" Hank shrugged his shoulders as if he were at a loss. "I mean what next?"
"Be there for her. These memories have been overwhelming and confusing and she's going to need all of us to be there for her, especially you."
"And if she doesn't want us to?" Hank's words were heartbreaking but a real concern in his mind that he wife may never come back to him.
"Whether she thinks she needs us or not, we still have a responsibility to help her as much as we can." Wordy chimed in from his thoughts as he stared out the kitchen window. "We are her family and she deserves to know the people who love her."
"Okay." It took several minutes before Hank gave his response, and they all grew quiet when the doorbell rang.
"You expecting anyone?" Ed asked Hank quickly before throwing a look over to Wordy. By the look on their faces, they had an inkling who it was way, yet they only conveyed that fact silently as Ed stood up from his seat.
"Not many people know I'm home yet," Hank stated quietly as he turned around in his seat. As Ed walked across the room, another rap sounded against the door as he reached for the handle and pulled it open.
JULY 17, 2011
I'm sure we had been quite the spectacle-crying and hugging as we sat in the car for nearly a half an hour talking. As we all wiped away our tears, Sophie remarked that we had to pull ourselves together to pick up the kids from school.
I know we had talked about this being a possibility if we were still hanging out in the afternoon, I would tag along with them to pick up the kids. As we pulled onto a busy street, I suddenly felt a little nervous. Kids were notorious for picking up on things, and I was afraid they would pick up on the fact I had been crying. However, when the girls saw the van, their eyes sparkled and there was a little more bounce in their step as they greeted us and I wasn't so sure they had noticed.
"Mommy!" Lily was the first into the van as she wrapped her little arms around Shelley's neck as she entered the van.
"Hey, Pumpkin. How was school?" Shelley asked her as Lily pressed her cheek against hers.
"Good." She beamed as she immediately sat next to her in the van. "I was hoping you would still be hanging out together."
"How come?"
"Because then I could see Aunt Sophie and Aunt Donna too." She beamed as she giggled and wrapped her arm around Sophie, and then pressed the sweetest kiss on my cheek and bounced towards the back seat so her sisters could get in.
"Hi, Mom." Ally greeted, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck as she looked towards the front seat.
"Hey, Ally!" Shelley greeted her oldest daughter enthusiastically. "How was school?"
"Good. I'm glad to hear it."
"Hey, Aunt Sophie." Ally gave her a grin as they locked eyes through the car mirror before she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Aunt Donna."
"Ally. How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Doing better, thanks." I thought she might just go sit down next to her sisters, instead, she surprised me and gave me the tightest hug I had experienced in a long time. It was something I didn't know I needed until her arms were around my neck.
Thank goodness for small miracles: someone knew I needed them today.
