Page 157 of Blush

“No surgery is necessary. We watched him very carefully, and he’s progressing nicely. He’ll probably be able to go home tomorrow. He had a bit of amnesia at first, but now he knows who he is.”

Pause.

“Yes, ma’am, that’s why we didn’t call you sooner. He didn’t have his phone or his ID, and he couldn’t remember his name.”

Pause.

“Yes, it’s very common. His prognosis is excellent.”

Pause.

“Not at all, ma’am. We’ll keep you posted.” Dr. Hodges hands the phone to me.

“Noreen?” I say.

“Yes, Mandy. Thank God you’re there with him.”

“He’s going to be okay,” I say, more to myself than to Jackson’s mother.

“Bill and I will get there right away. He’s out on a jog, but I’m going to call him. Tell Jackson we’ll be there within an hour or two. As quickly as we can.”

“I’ll tell him.”

“Thank you, Mandy. Thank God he has you.”

I end the call and shove my phone into my pocket. Then I sit down next to Jackson.

“Jackson? Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”

He opens his eyes. “Mandy?”

“Yes, I’m here. Just sleep. Get your rest.”

“It’s funny,” he says. “I remembered you before I remembered myself.”

Warmth envelops me.

“I’m so sorry, Mandy.”

“For what?”

“Everything. I guess I didn’t call you like I promised.”

“It’s okay.”

“Even when I didn’t know who I was, I always knew who you were, Mandy. The other half of me,” his says, his thumb idly moving along my hand as I hold his. “I remembered you before I remembered myself. That’s got to mean something.”

“It means we’re forever friends, Jack. We always have been, and we always will be.” I lean forward and kiss his forehead.

Jack is here. Jack is alive. Jack will be okay. I may never have him the way I want to have him in my life, but he’s here. That’s all that matters.

I can live with us being forever friends.

As long as he’s alive.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Jackson