LOST AND FOUND IN L. A

e hospital routine continued, but the times in between took on new significance. There

d the angle of the bed. "Thanks," he replied gently, his tone reflective. His eyes lingered

ked lightly. "It won't be long before

n sentiment, a suppressed emotion. "I hope so," he said. "I'm s

nd softly inquired, "Do you rememb

ands laying on the blanket. "No, only flashes

the space seemed heavy with the weight of words that were not spoken. There was something budding b

ple touch almost felt as though it had flipped something inside. It felt as if the contact had ignit

mething without words. We remained still for a minute, ensnared in the orbit that h

lock the unusual feelings that had started to resurface, feelings that I knew were crossing an invisible line. He was my patient,

n. The pain in losing a beloved person and the anxiety of being hurt once more completely paralyzed me. And still, though I thought that even if I tried my best to do so, I would

easons to get off his bed earlier to avoid those pregnant pauses which both of us knew were too heavy with meaning. Yet still, I

re introverted and it seem to me that there was a volcano inside of him that was about to explode. He was angry, that was quite obvious, fr

was helping him with some physical treatme

htly irritated, "Why do you have to pull away from me, time after time? I mea

r to me that he had been aware of it. "I am not trying to pull away," I protested, o

ed at me. "You have been avoidance towards me. "No

gies were insufficient. "No, it is not you." "It's just...." I paused for a minute s

understand what it is. We should be on the same page and somehow become close, no? And then all of

The fact was that I was appalled in a way, I was scared of getting emotionally close or scared of getting i

lex, it's not about you. This one is about Me

ntent, looking puzzled and bot

t the words got stuck in my throat. Because how could I have told him that I was sc

nd managed a small smile to cover

ided slightly. "I've been getting that a lot these days," he said almo

etween us. I felt an urge to clarify and soothe the discomfort and the anguish i

ing back into the coldness of my profession, only to find that the depth of that relationship was bleak in this case. I, too, under

tuation could not possibly plung

n was tall, wearing an overcoat that seemed quite out of the weather conditions in the hospital, and he was very erect and authoritative. He was speaking to the atte

ead with an expression of confusion. "Emma, this gentleman has i

authority and comforted me, sending shivers down my spine but without an apparent r

are was examining me. "I am an old ... er ... friend of his," he said

n usual. But as I prepared to question him more, the door to the

g like recognition or confusion but enough to make my heart race. He gazed at the man for what seemed like ages as if he w

statement with a question that was tipped over and came

y as well as a tone that was stra

ng strange about this man but I could not put my finger on it. All that I knew w

s intent but did not for a moment break his stare

nodded once again, still dazed. "Fine," he replied in a bland ton

pointed to an adjacent conference room down the hall. Alex looked at me with hesitation in his eyes, as if he was seeking com

, my voice just above a whisper, h

He then offered a tiny nod, but I could tell he wasn't quite convince

d side by side. I watched them leave, my pulse racing in my chest. Every instinct told me to stop them, to draw Alex aw

t silence was deafening, and the tension in the air felt almost suffocating. I remained there for what seemed

t from Alex? Why did I feel that

g me to the meeting room. I told myself I was merely checking on Alex, as any concerned nurse wou

r side, low and vague, but I couldn't understand what they were saying. I could hear the man's voice in a cal

at room and demand answers, but I couldn't. I had to be patient and trust Alex to handle wha

nd I held my breath, hoping to hear any sound, any hint as to what was going on. Finally, the door cracke

s eyes wide with a mix of perplexity and something else-something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but

ving them from the shadows. The man talked gently to Alex, and while I couldn't hear his words, hi

Alex watched him leave, his shoulders sagging as the space between them increased. He stood t

om my hiding place, unable to stay away any longer. "

ng there until I spoke. His eyes met mine, and I saw the depth

, closing the distance betw

. I don't know," he said, barely audible. "He offered to help me a

I wanted to do was wrap my arms around him and shield him from whatever darkness was approach

remember?" I inquired gently, hoping to

continued slowly and distantly, as if speaking from a dream. "A house." He stated I lived there and it was

And the fact that Alex couldn't recall any of it made it much more terrifying. What kind of life did Alex lead b

llow even as I spoke them. "You've gone through so much, Alex. It w

s nearly overwhelming. "Thank you, Emma," he repli

er Alex was going through, whatever mysteries were concealed in his history,

ere too many unresolved questions and mysteries hidden in the darkness. And I couldn't get the idea that thi

distant as he tried to make sense of it all. I wanted to ask for additional informatio

nd and offered simply my presence. But the questio

from Alex? What would happen if

fall into a restless sleep, I couldn't shake the n

ed me more tha