Three Rivers of Remembrance

Chapter Thirteen

She pulled her long brown hair up in a tight ponytail and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her brown eyes were red and puffy from the lack of sleep. But, she felt the girl need her constant attention, so sleep was not a top priority.

Sabrina watched her as she slept for the next six weeks. It was amazing, but slowly, each day, her body was healing itself. The head wound took the longest, but from what Sabrina could tell, there had been extensive damage. At night, Sabrina would sit and read to the girl, wondering if she could hear, and if so, if she understood the language. It was obvious that she was not from this planet. Sabrina also wondered if perhaps she had been attacked because of her appearance. The world can be a cruel place, which is why Sabrina chose to leave it, so long ago. Now, she lived in a small house, hundreds of miles from anything close to civilization. And this is how she preferred it.

As a scientist, Sabrina knew there was an explanation for most things, but as to common human behavior, it eluded her. It was on her twenty-second birthday, when she decided she'd had enough. Standing at the fresh gravesite of her parents, she wept. It had been three days since they had been burglarized and murdered. She could take it no more. Packing up her office, she declared that either her boss would let her work from home, or she'd quit. Since she had such a brilliant mind, they had reluctantly agreed. Sabrina was too valuable to lose.

They assumed at first it was a reaction to the violent and senseless killing of her parents, but it was not completely true. Sabrina had seen so much evil in her lifetime. First, when she was five years old, she buried her biological mother after she died in a car accident. A drunk driver, she had been told, caused it. For two years after that, she felt lost. The only girl, with one older brother who hurried in from school each day to feed her and help her with homework, and her father who worked all the time as an escape. She spent much too much time alone.

Then, her stepmother entered the picture. For the first time in a long while, Sabrina was happy. Both her new mother and her father seemed to get along so well, and the woman cared for Sabrina as her own child.

Yet, it was not to last a lifetime, as dreams should. Her older brother decided he would join the armed forces after high school. It would help their parents pay for Sabrina's college and his own as well. Two years later, when Sabrina graduated from high school, her brother was killed. Friendly fire they called it. It was a ridiculous term and she didn't understand how anyone could have come up with it. But, as before, she carried on. Finishing college with the highest of honors, she immediately went to work for Star-One, a scientific facility that studied the stars and universe. It was her passion. She always thought there had to be other life out there, but never had any proof.

Not until now. She stroked the green hand of this young girl, wondering what far away land she had come from. Sabrina was fascinated, but also mothering toward the girl. She longed to have a child, but living in the middle of nowhere was not exactly an inviting environment for any man. She was barely twenty-five, but she had resolved herself to a lifetime of solitude, therefore keeping any outside heartache to a minimum. With the enormous inheritance from her parent's estate and life insurance, plus her very sizeable income from Star-One, she did not have any financial worries. But, she loved her work. That is why she continued; it had nothing to do with the money. Sabrina did not want a lot of luxuries. A warm home, a glow in the fireplace during the winter. Simple things, that's what she craved.

Now, she was suddenly thrown into the role of caregiver. What if this girl never woke up? What would she do? She had tried to keep her nourished, putting IV's in her arm to begin with, hoping to maintain her hydration. It was something she learned long ago in school. But, there was no activity. No sign that anything was going on inside her mind.

Sabrina continued to sit by her side for the first few weeks, rocking softly in her comfortable chair by the bed.

Six weeks passed before the girl finally moved. It was only a soft moan, but it was enough to give Sabrina hope. With a warm washcloth, she had stimulated her stiffened muscles each morning. Then, the next day, the mysterious girl opened her eyes.

It was a slow process, but the girl had to learn to walk and talk all over again. But, she was strong and determined. And she spoke wonderful English after just a few weeks, so there was no communication problem. However, there was one major hurdle.

The girl had no memory. None at all. Not even a flicker of a flashback.

Sadly this young girl did not even know her own name, much less what race she was. So, Sabrina did not tell her at first that she was different, other than that she was found in the river. Sabrina was honest about that part, hoping it would jog something familiar. But, it did not.

"So, I guess it's time we give you a name, little girl." Sabrina joked a few days after the girl had woke up.

The girl smiled, thankful that this woman was so kind. "Whhatt.." She struggled to say.

Sabrina thought long and hard, but knew no ordinary name would do. "Well, you don't look like a Mary, or a Suzie…..not a Nancy….but, let's see. I found you in the water…..and you're a girl……" Sabrina snapped her fingers. "How about Jade? Cause, you're….green and all."

The girl nodded. "J..ade…" She said. "I…likkee."

"Then, Jade it is! It's perfect! A beautiful name for a beautiful girl!" Sabrina said.

For the next several months, Jade got better. She regained her strength, and then some as far as Sabrina was concerned. The girl was strong and agile, able and willing to help outside with chopping wood. It wasn't long until Sabrina could tell that Jade needed no help. She swung the ax like a pro, carrying in armloads of wood at a time.

Also, Jade grew fond of the old movies that Sabrina had around the house. Lucille Ball was her favorite. She made Jade laugh out loud, wondering why some people were so silly. Yet, Jade noticed early on that there was no one, not on TV anywhere, that looked like her.

"Who am I?" She asked Sabrina.

"Kid, I wish I knew." Sabrina said. "But, as far as I'm concerned, we're family now." She hugged her tightly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Me neither." Jade said. "I'm glad that I have you. But, someday, I'd like to find out who I really am."

"I'll help you all I can." Sabrina said, hugging what she considered to be her new daughter. "Now, I'm going to fix dinner."

Another strange thing about this girl was she didn't eat. Only drank water. "Nah, I'll get something to drink later. Think I'll watch that new DVD that came today!" She was excited about the latest episode of "I Love Lucy". Sabrina subscribed to a DVD club, and received new movies and TV shows monthly.

"Sure kid." Sabrina said, fixing her a sandwich and fries.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Sabrina sang happily. It had been one year since the mysterious girl had come into her life. "Since we don't know your real birthday, we'll just use today! The day your were born into my life!"

"I love you, Sabrina!" Jade said. "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you!"

"I love you too, kid." Sabrina said. "Now blow out the candles! Make a wish first though."

"What should I wish for?" Jade asked.

"It's your birthday, you can wish for whatever you want!" Sabrina said.

Instantly, Jade knew. In her mind, she repeated the same wish over and over, the same thing she had wished for from the first time she woke up and felt she was in a world that she did not belong to.

Who am I?……..Who am I?……..Who am I?…….Who am I?…….Who am I?………

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