I've been floating this story idea for several weeks and putting it together in my head. I like to do that before I start writing any of my stories. While I've been trying to hash out this story idea, I saw that a similiar story is currently being written, but with the opposite character take. I discovered Grapeoraubergine has a good story going, Finding Home Again, with Lisa suffering amnesia. This story is a different take with Jack suffering amnesia. Like my other stories, we will see where this takes us. I just enjoy borrowing the characters and jumping into their thoughts. Thanks for reading!

Forget Me Not

She turned off the light and settled in for the night, sighing as she realized she had made a mistake not grabbing her own pillow. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room, a room that was not her own, but a room all too familiar to her. With her eyes still open, Lisa started to wipe at the tears that had started to fall without her realizing it. In the darkness of the night, this is where she could let her guard down, let the tears fall, even if they had started without her being aware. She started to wipe at her face, but the tears kept falling.

"Lisa," she heard along with a soft knock.

"Come in, Sweetheart," Lisa replied, wiping quickly again at her face. She turned toward the door and saw Amy stepping into the room, also ready for bed. The soft light from the hallway illuminated her face, and Lisa could see she was giving her a sad smile. "Just wanted to see if you needed anything?"

"I'm fine, Amy, but thank you," Lisa sighed, pushing herself to sit up in bed. Lisa's hair was still damp from her quick shower, and she'd put on her favorite and most comfortable pair of floral pajamas. They were comforting, and right now, she needed that, with no one to give it. "You can come in and get anything you need. It's your room. I appreciate you letting me use it."

Amy stepped into the room, her hands loosely at her sides, almost looking like she had been defeated. Lisa gestured to the light.

"Oh, don't worry about the light," Amy told her, sitting down on the side of the bed, the side opposite Lisa. "I just wanted to talk, to check on you, and I hope it's not too late to be disturbing you."

"No, no, not at all," Lisa said, sitting up fully now, leaning back against the pillow. She decided to turn on the soft light next to Amy's bed, and at that, she met Amy giving her a sad smile. "I'd just gotten into bed, not that I think I'll be able to sleep well at all. I'm worried about him."

"Me too," she said with a nod. "Listen, I need to apologize for one, but I also want to tell you that we're all going to get through this. We're going to get him back."

Lisa bit her lip and looked down at her hands, hands that were not still but fidgeting with Amy's quilt. "I'm not so sure about that right now. It's really hard."

"Do you remember what you told me the night Ty died? I don't remember much from that night; it was such a blur, but I remember you being gentle, not hovering, but telling me you'd put Lyndy to bed as you pulled me in for a hug. You told me that while I couldn't fathom it, that one day I would smile again and find my way in life."

Lisa smiled softly at the memory, wiping at her face again. Why was she crying so much without trying? She nodded, "I remember."

"I know this isn't the same, but things will improve with Grandpa. Our family keeps going through these traumatic experiences, experiences most families don't see ever, especially one thing after another like we keep getting. We'll get him back. I know it, and I'm sorry I went on a rant earlier with you; you didn't deserve that, and I'm here to help and support. I couldn't have asked for better support when I've needed it, and you need that now. It's crazy, though," she paused as she thought about what she was going to say. Lisa studied her, waiting for the "crazy" comment she must have on her mind, Amy dropping her head slightly as she shook it and pursed her lips. She looked back at Lisa with a nod, "You know, I was only three when my grandma died, and you know I was 15 when Mom died. I had those two women in my life for just three and 15 years. You've been in my life now for 18 years, just about longer than the two of them combined. I absolutely realize after all this time, after trying to hold onto memories and traditions, that family isn't blood, and you know what," she said with a small smile, "I'm not sure I would have admitted to believing that even 10 years ago, but you've always been there for me, for all of us, all these years, and I do see it now. I do know family is not defined by a blood connection, and we are going to make Grandpa realize what a wonderful family he is surrounded by here, as long as it takes, as hard as it might be. So, Lisa," she paused and reached over to clasp Lisa's hand, "your family is here for you, both of you, and I, for one, and going to do everything I can to make sure Grandpa knows that too."

Lisa listened, nodded, and felt herself choke up as Amy spoke. When she met her gaze, she wiped at her teary-eyed face again, patting her free hand on top of the clasped hand she had with Amy.

"I love you, Amy, love this family, and you know I will do anything for all of you. I love your grandfather more than I could ever have imagined and just can't believe we have this uncertainty."

"We'll get through it, all together," Amy nodded. "Have you checked on him?"

"Yeah," she nodded, wiping at her face for what she felt was the final time. The tears weren't flowing, at least not at the moment. "The pain meds seemed to have knocked him out, which is good. He's been fighting everything, sleep, me, this situation."

"I know," she nodded. "I'm going to try and get some sleep. You need to do the same. I meant it when I said I'd sleep out on the couch-"

"No," Lisa shook her head. "I'm a very light sleeper. In fact, just leave your door open. I should have done that from the start. If he tries to get up, I'll hear him. You know how he won't ask for help, but at least he's mobile. I thought he was going to go to blows with Tim when your dad offered to stay on the couch. No, it's fine. I would have done the same, sleeping on the couch, but I will hear him. I also told you that you didn't have to give up your room-"

"Well, where were you planning on staying? You most definitely do not need to be on the couch. No way that is happening. I figured this was better than you being in Lyndy's room for a few reasons. You are closer to the bathroom to hear him, and Lyndy has that stuffed animal village," she paused and rolled her eyes, which the comment had both women chuckling, "and it's just easier if I bunk with her. Lou and Peter are out cold, which isn't a surprise with how Lou was flying around this place, cleaning it from top to bottom because she didn't know what else to do, but Katie is also awake late into the night. She said she'd listen too. You know she adores both you and Grandpa, so we're here. We'll all get through this because it's what a family does."

"I appreciate that, Sweetheart," Lisa said, leaning toward Amy to give her a hug. "You know I've always been in this quasi-state of fitting somewhere between your mom and your grandmother-"

"You've filled both roles with grace and compassion for 18 years, Lisa and will continue that for years and years to come. There's no one title that fits you, which I mean as a total compliment. You're everything around here, and I am so grateful for that."

"Thank you," Lisa said, pulling back after their hug and nodding at Amy. "You know, you are welcome to stay in here too. I don't mind if we have to share, really. You can't snore like Jack does, no one can," she finally laughed a little, and Amy nodded, laughing too.

"He's about as bad as I've ever heard. That's always been the one downside to camping with him or anything else, knowing he snores like a freight train." Both women burst out laughing, and as they settled, Amy hooked her hand over her shoulder. "I should be getting to bed, and no," she gave Lisa a slight frown, "I appreciate the offer, but you use my room as long as you need, well, as long as it takes. I'm fine with Lyndy. I mean, half the time she ends up getting into bed with me anyways, so this way, I save her a trip."

"So, if she ends up here with me," Lisa gestured with a smile and gave Amy a nod as she added, "it's not bothering me at all."

"Exactly, might happen," Amy shrugged. "She loves you so much, both of her Gigis. Goodnight."

"Night, Amy, and I'll see you in the morning. I'll make some breakfast."

"And I'll take care of the morning chores with Dad. If you have trouble keeping Grandpa from going to the barn, you just let Dad or me know. I'll make sure Dad deals with him, even if Grandpa doesn't like it. Peter is here for a few more days and said he'd take on Grandpa too if he is resisting resting. We'll tackle Grandpa together. Night."

Amy did leave the door open, and Lisa soon heard her close the door to Lyndy's room. She turned off the soft light again and slid back down into the bed, trying to get comfortable. She toyed with the idea of going to get her pillow. She liked a firm one and apparently, Amy liked a flat one. Jack had liked a flat one when they'd gotten married, but she'd suggested he try a firmer one to help with his snoring. It had helped, and for someone who hated change, he'd willingly changed his pillow. His snoring, while still awful, was much better with his firmer pillow, and the two had continued with that trend all these years. Tonight, as much as she wanted her pillow, she'd make do, even if it meant she didn't sleep well or had a stiff neck in the morning. That was better than disturbing Jack right now. She didn't need a problem. He needed his rest, and he needed to get back to himself because well, there was no other way forward Lisa could see if he didn't get back to his old self.

Her mind was going full speed as she tried to settle for the night. It had been a horrific few days, and right now, it didn't seem like things were going to improve anytime soon. She could still see the fall. She'd been working in the garden, picking vegetables and had been thinking about how sore and stiff she'd be, as well as worried about Jack not listening to others for help. She'd paused when watching Jack on the ladder, having already begged him not to be so set on changing that stupid spotlight on the back of the house.

"Jack, let Tim get it, please. You have no business up on a ladder."

"I'll be fine, Lise. You are always worrying about me."

"Yes, I am. That's part of the job of being a wife. It's not exactly like you take it easy around here, and you seem to casually forget that you aren't 50 anymore."

"Well," he winked, "you aren't either. Don't worry," he'd told her, kissing her cheek as he snagged a strawberry out of the sink where she'd been washing them. He hummed at their sweet taste, giving her a wink. "I'll be quick. Just a spotlight out, and Tim will only complain about it."

"Then, just give me a few minutes, and I'll hold the ladder."

"I've been up and down ladders hundreds of times. It will be secure. I always secure it," and at that, he kissed her again quickly, and winked as he stepped to the door. She just sighed and shook her head, quickly finishing with the strawberries. After wiping her hands, she decided to casually work in the garden where she would at least have an eye on him, having no idea that the decision to do so would be so critical. Jack had slipped on the ladder, the exact thing she'd been fearful of happening, and it was almost as if her brain could see everything happening in slow motion. She was still trying to process all of it. He'd had a big fall, a fall from almost the top of the ladder, which going up to a spotlight, was quite high. Sure, he'd secured the ladder, one of her concerns, but he'd slipped somehow, just an accident that yes, anyone at any age could have had, but that had landed him on the ground. Miraculously, he'd not broken a hip. That had been her first concern. He had broken two ribs, which was sadly better than he'd fared with the rodeo accident two years ago. Certain that he would have a concussion, Lisa was not prepared for what had greeted her when Jack woke up. No, nothing could because in her wildest dreams, in the family's wildest's dreams, no one could have predicted this kind of injury.

Jack had finally awakened from his injury, the family thankful that all the scans showed no brain bleeds or major visible trauma. No, he had a serious concussion. They knew that. He had swelling; they suspected that, but Lisa could have never prepared for his first words after waking up. She could still see the scene clearly in her mind.

"Hey, Cowboy," she'd jumped from the hospital chair where she'd been dozing, the stress of the day catching up to her. At his movement in bed, she'd sprung open her eyes and flown to his bedside, looking down over him, studying his face. He had opened his eyes, blinked a few times, and she'd started right on explaining everything, "Jack, you're in the hospital. You had an accident at home. You have a couple broke ribs, but you should be okay. I just want you to be okay," she had said tearfully as he'd listened, hopefully processed, and then shook his head at her.

"Who are you, and where is my family?"

Yes, that had prompted doctors and tests and all kinds of discussion and going forward, possible scenarios. Jack had amnesia, post-traumatic amnesia from a stupid accident on the ranch, one that Lisa watched happen, and immediately run to his side, and now, here he was, her cowboy, in this state. The doctors said it could last hours, weeks, months, maybe longer. Initially, they were all hopeful Jack would regain his memory within a few hours, but now days later, that had not happened.

It was all too much, here now at the house, late at night when everyone else was asleep. She wasn't. She couldn't sleep, and she couldn't imagine what life, going forward, was going to look like if her cowboy didn't improve.

"We don't know if it's temporary or permanent. The brain can do funny things, recovers from trauma in many ways. No two cases are the same. It will be a watch and wait situation, and there is really nothing medical we can do to know the outcome here. Just be patient, give him some space, but give him back those memories too. You never know what might trigger his memory coming back, if it will come back."

If.

She did love Jack with everything in her. That was no question, but how in the world was she supposed to go forward with an "if," when the person she loved the most didn't remember her, didn't want her around, and didn't see a reason to want to remember?

With her mind still swirling and a pounding headache only getting worse, Lisa closed her eyes. She tried to stop all of the swirling thoughts, at least to get some rest. He'd been in the hospital for several days, finally being discharged with no memory improvement. He was in pain from his accident. That was bad enough. An injured Jack, when he did remember everything, was tough to deal with as stubborn as he was, but at least he'd always listened to Lisa's, well threats, when he'd been injured. Yes, Jack had always given into what Lisa had wanted him to do, to some extent, at least the two had always worked out some negotiation, but this time. This time was different. Now, she was nobody to him, and he had argued he wouldn't listen to a word she said when he didn't know her and couldn't trust her.

Couldn't trust her.

This man, this wonderful man she'd grown to love so quickly, so many years ago, now said he couldn't trust her because he didn't know her. How in the world would they get through this? What if he didn't regain his memory? What would happen to them?

Her world was in turmoil. Her family was by her side, or rather most of it was, but the one family member she wanted more than anyone wanted nothing to do with her.

How would she navigate this?

Somehow, with all of this swirling through her head, she felt herself start to drift off. Not wanting to fight the little sleep she could get, Lisa tried to relax, knowing tomorrow was a new and incredibly challenging day ahead, the first day of this new version of Jack at home, and she wasn't sure how she would get through it.