O2 17/18
Chapter Sixteen:
When Don awoke, he was alone.
Olivia and the picnic basket were gone.
All that was left was a note in her now stronger handwriting.
"Mi Corazon,
You have not lost me. I have lost myself.
The O you knew really is gone and I want her back.
There is a medical facility in London that specializes in assisting in the recovery of brain injury victims. They do great work there and I hope they will be able to help me learn to communicate again even if I never do regain the power of speech.
I don't know if you knew but I have a daughter, Bella. Brian's one true gift to me. She's old enough to remember losing her father and seeing me in the hospital was very hard on her. I think going away to live in England for a while will be good for her as well.
I cannot ask you to come and I cannot ask you to wait for me.
Just know that last night was very special to me and I will remember it for always.
Perhaps the O you knew will traipse back into your life again someday. I can only hope.
But for now, Don, please live. Live strong. Live safe. And live happy.
I love you,
O"
"Love you too, O," Don whispered.