Free Rachel's Accident by Barbara Peters Page B

yes.” Good answer.
    “I want to go home and have her listen to what you have to say, so she can confirm the story. I really don’t know you right now.” I gave him an apologetic look.
    He looked a little hurt at that. “That’s fine with me,” he answered eas ily , though , “whatever makes you comfort able.” He turned to walk out, but stopped and turned back around. “Since you don’t know me anymore I need to reintroduce myself. My name is Ethan.” He stuck out his hand for me to shake. It had some ugly scars on the palm that looked very recent.
    I didn’t shy away, though. I had never been afraid of scars. Firmly, I took his hand and a pleasant bolt of warmth shot up my arm as we shook.
    He let go and stepped out for a few minutes to give me privacy to change . T hen he guided me through the maze of hospit al corridors outside to his car; his Porsche to be exact.
    “Man, you’re loaded,” I said with only a little derision in my voice. I hated rich guys flouncing around in their expensive cars to show off. As I walked around the front to the passenger side I could see where Jess’ car hadn’t even left a dent in the hood. There were just enough scratches to indicate there might have been an accident, but nothing more than that. Damn rich kids with their rich kid cars.
    The ride to Jess’ and my apartment was silent. When we arrived I got out and was up the stairs in no time. He was right behind me and I could only think about the car that would probably be gone when he got back down again. He would deserve it.
    Okay, maybe he didn’t deserve it. Again, I didn’t know him and as Jess always said I shouldn’t be so quick to judge. He had saved my life and paid for the hospital bills…wait, when did I let that happen? Did he do it when I had my back turned? Sneaky bastard.
    I shook my head and as soon as I unlocked the doors I had another pair of arms around me, squeezing me tightly.
    “Jess,” I wheezed, “you’re killing me.”
    “You have to stop getting into all these accidents. You have me constantly worried about. I think I started losing hair from all the stress.”
    I only looked at her uncomprehending. I imagined I must have had the same blank look on my face as Ethan had had before in the hospital.
    “She doesn’t remember the past half year,” he jumped in, ever the helpful one. “She has amnesia caused by the accident.”
    “Well, shit,” was all Jess said.
    “We actually came here, so that you can confirm for her what happened the past two months since she doesn’t really know me right now. And it would help for you to fill in the blanks.”
    She nodded. “That’s a good idea. But that still doesn’t get you off the hook, you know?” She shot him a stern look.
    He frowned. “What did I do?”
    “You know exactly what you did,” she snapped back.
    This was really interesting to watch. I just needed popcorn and I would have my own personal soap opera. I smiled a little, relaxed onto our small, worn-out couch and kept watching as the scene unfolded further. They were fighting like an old, married couple. At that I felt a slight pinch in my chest, but I ignored it.
    “No, I don’t,” he shot back.
    “Well, then think about it. You should know best.” She huffed and sat beside me on the couch.
    Ethan shook his head and sat down on my other side. It was getting a little bit cramped. I didn’t think this couch was made for three people.
    As if they only just remembered I was there too they both looked at me. I watched them expectantly, anticipating what was coming next. Jess talked first.
    “What is the last date you remember?”
    I answered her the same way I had Ethan earlier and from there she told me everything that had happened the last six months. For the last two Ethan took over and Jess filled in what was missing from his point of view.
    The whole time I just sat there and listened. It all sounded like the story of someone completely different. This couldn’t