LITMIR.BIZ

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as she forced a shaky smile. “How are you feelin'? You gave us all quite a scare.”

      Panic swelled in Savvy’s chest as she looked up at the woman and tried to remember her. She looked nice, and she acted as if she knew her, but nothing triggered in her memory to remind her who she was. “Do I know you?”

      Tears tipped over the edge of Liz’s eyes and she forced a laugh. “Yes, honey, you do. We work together at the Waterin’ Hole. You’re the only one there who keeps me from walloping the customers. And you babysit my Charlie sometimes.” Liz glanced across at the D.A. and back at Savvy and shrugged. “What did the doctor say about the memory loss? Does he think it’s only temporary?”

      Savvy shrugged. “We won’t know until the memories return … or not.” She leaned forward and grasped Liz’s hand. “I’m sorry, but could you tell me more about … me?”

      “I’ll tell you everything I know.” Liz’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “Which doesn’t amount to a whole hill of beans.”

      “Why?” Savvy asked, anxious to recover her past and frustrated about the lack of information forthcoming. “Am I a bad person?”

      “Oh, no, not at all. You’ve been the best thing since sliced bread to me and Charlie.” Liz held her hand and perched on the side of the bed. “You’re not just my coworker, you’re my friend and have been since you came to live in the same apartment complex four months ago.”

      “Where?” Savvy gulped, drinking in everything the woman said, wanting so badly to fill the empty spaces in her memory. “Where do we live?”

      “In the Oasis Apartments complex close to the Waterin’ Hole. You’re in 212, Charlie and I are in 215. Which reminds me …” She dropped Savvy’s hand and stood, digging in her back pocket. She pulled out a folded sheet of paper and handed it to Savvy. “Charlie sent this.”

      “Charlie …” Another name she couldn’t put a face to. She fought back tears as she accepted the paper and unfolded it. A large, purple heart drawn in crayon filled the page. In the center, written in a child’s bold print, were the words We love you, Savvy.

      A familiar ache filled her chest as she stared down at the crinkled paper. Familiar and yet forgotten in the depths of her muddled mind. “Charlie is …”

      “My seven-year-old, precocious daughter.” Liz patted Savvy’s arm. “She worships the ground you walk on.”

      Savvy stared up at the woman, her eyes blurring with tears. “I don’t remember her.” Her tears fell on the page she held, a sob rising up her throat. “I don’t remember whether or not I have a family and, I’m so sorry, but I don’t remember you.” More tears followed until her body shook.

      Liz rubbed her back, her hand warm and comforting. “Oh, sweetie, it’ll be okay. You’ll get it back.”

      The D.A. moved closer. “Yes, and when you do, I want to talk to you. I—we need to know who else was in that alley with you and Tomas Rodriguez. It could mean all the difference in your defense.”

      Her eyes widening, Liz stepped between the D.A. and Savvy. “Savvy didn’t kill that man. She wouldn’t do that.”

      Could she really be tried for murder? Did they really think she’d killed a man? Savvy raised her hands. The most frightening question yet was could she have done it? Think, Savvy, think! She squeezed her eyes closed and pressed the bridge of her nose with her fingertips. The more she tried to remember, the more her head ached. When she opened her eyes, the two men stared at her. The D.A. hovering like a vulture ready to pounce on roadkill. Dawson with pity and concern written into the lines creasing his forehead. God, she didn’t want to think, and didn’t want anyone’s pity, especially from this man who claimed to be her bodyguard, albeit a reluctant bodyguard. Her chest ached and her eyes burned. Savvy didn’t want to cry, but couldn’t hold back much longer. She reached out and gripped Liz’s hand. “Please, make them go away.”

      Through her tears, she could see the slight narrowing of Dawson’s eyes. He turned to the D.A. and took his arm, steering him toward the door. “Look, you said you didn’t think she did it. Give her some space. Maybe she’ll remember who did.”

      Frank hesitated, “But I have more questions.”

      “Questions she obviously can’t answer. Let the woman rest. She’s been through enough for one day.”

      With that, Frank Young let the bodyguard herd him out of Savvy’s hospital room, the door swinging closed behind them.

      “There, now.” Liz smoothed the hair out of Savvy’s face and smiled at her. “They’re gone. Is there anything I could do for you?”

      “Yes.” Savvy gulped back the ready tears and scrubbed the end of the sheet across her cheeks. “You can tell me who I am.”

      Liz squeezed her hand. “Well, now, I can tell you this … you showed up four months ago at the apartment complex, looking for a furnished apartment. I remember that day because you looked kind of sad and desperate. All you had with you was a small bag filled with clothes. You didn’t have a job and only carried enough money in your pocket to pay the first month’s rent. The apartment manager almost didn’t let you rent because you didn’t even have a driver’s license, credit card or any other form of identification on you.”

      “None? But where did I come from? Why did I go there?”

      “You said you’d driven until you’d run out of gas and very nearly ran out of money.” Liz’s lips twisted. “You never told me why. I think you were running away from something or someone.”

      Savvy’s forehead crinkled, pulling at the bandage at her temple. The pain reminded her that she was awake, alive and not dreaming this horrible nightmare. Who am I?

      “I hope you don’t mind, but after the ambulance carried you away to the hospital, I checked through your purse, hoping to find information about next of kin, but didn’t find a driver’s license, medical insurance or any other form of identification.” Liz shrugged. “I’m not sure if you have someone somewhere who could be getting worried about you. I’ve been your friend for four months, but I don’t know much about your past.”

      Savvy shook her head, pulling her hand from Liz’s warm fingers. “It’s as if I don’t exist.” Her chest tightened, making it harder for her to breathe. The room seemed to shrink in size as she stared at the sterile white walls of the hospital room, her heartbeat increasing its pace until it pounded against her ribs. “I need to get out of here.”

      Liz frowned. “Has the doctor released you? Are you cleared to leave?”

      “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I have to get out.” She pushed the sheets aside and slid her legs over the side of the mattress, ready to walk out, until she remembered her previous attempts and how weak she’d been. She hated being dependent on anyone, but knew she might end up reinjuring her head if she fell again. “Will you help me?”

      “Of course, but should you be getting up?” Liz gripped Savvy’s elbow and helped her to her feet. “I mean, you’ve had a head injury.”

      Determination to do this on her own filled Savvy and stiffened her legs. This time when her feet hit the floor, she remained standing. Whether she trembled from the effort or from the lingering effects of the drugs still wearing off, she didn’t care. “That’s good. I can do this.” Now what? She couldn’t waltz out of here in a hospital gown.

      “I don’t know about this.” Liz held on to her arm, her gaze darting for the door as if hoping the two men would return and rescue her. “You should stay until the doctor says you’re good to go.”

      “I can’t. I have to get back to familiar surroundings. Maybe that will help me to remember.”

      Still holding her arm, Liz stepped in front of her. “You’re pushing it, Savvy. You need to take care of yourself.” She cupped her face with her hand.

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